“Families are messy, aren’t they?” a daughter commented during a series of focus groups I ran with caregivers of older adults with memory issues. Many people would agree with that…
Category: Anthropology
When your child asks if they’ll be harmed like the people on the news, what do you say? Psychologists provide tips on how to talk about identity
Imagine your child asks you out of the blue, “If we speak Spanish, will they take you away?” Or imagine them suddenly asking what an offensive slur means. When a…
How the pro-nicotine ‘wellness’ movement rebranded an addictive drug
An ironic development emerging alongside the “Make America Healthy Again” movement is the portrayal of nicotine as a wellness and performance-enhancing product. Across social media, podcasts, wellness communities and tech…
Noise pollution is a serious but often forgotten public health problem
The human body is remarkably good at getting used to the environment around it. You’ve probably experienced this if you’ve ever gone to a matinee and emerged from the dark…
The higher your body fat percentage, the less accurate your smartwatch is at measuring calories you burn when exercising – new study
Smartwatches have become an increasingly popular way for people to monitor their health and fitness. About 100 million – nearly 4 in 10 – U.S. adults own a smartwatch. Worldwide,…
What Philly can – and can’t – do to reduce the number of people killed in car crashes
Philadelphians die in traffic crashes more than people who live in Chicago, Boston, Washington and New York. In fact, three times more Philly residents than New Yorkers died in traffic…
At-home drug disposal products can play an important role in keeping rural Coloradans safe
Some Coloradans have a drug problem: old prescription medications clogging their medicine cabinets. Disposing of unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs is important to protect children and teens from accidental or…
Black moms and pregnant women forced out of their homes in metro Detroit face health and safety threats
Is everyone entitled to a fair process before being forced out of their home? The state of Michigan says “yes,” but the reality is often very different and the consequences…
Does my kid have COVID-19 or just a cold? A pediatric nurse explains how to tell – and why it matters
Fall and winter mark the peak season for common respiratory infections such as COVID-19; respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV; influenza, better known as the flu; and the common cold. These…
Separating the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine could decrease access for Colorado parents
Some parents in Colorado are uncertain about the safety and necessity of vaccines given to their children. They also question how the vaccines are timed. I am a sociologist who…
