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Category Archives: Health
The Toilet Seat Challenge Test
By Paul Offit, MD (thanks to Ed M.) On February 12, 2026, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared on a podcast called The Past Weekend with comedian Theo Von. “I’m not scared of a germ,” said RFK Jr. “I used to snort cocaine off of … Continue reading
Posted in Health, Vaccines
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The CDC is withholding critical information about vaccine-preventable diseases from the American public. Why?
by Paul Offit (thanks to Ed M.) On January 27, 2026, researchers from Vanderbilt University, the University of North Carolina, and Harvard Medical School published a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine that revealed a surprising and previously unrealized aspect of Robert F. … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Health
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What Alcohol Does to the Body
From the moment you take a sip, drinking starts to influence your biology. Here’s an inside look. By Dana G. Smith, Illustrations by Montse Galbany – in the NYTDry January has come and gone, but Americans’ relationship with drinking is … Continue reading
Posted in Health
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New Medicare Changes in 2026: Prior Approval Required for These 17 Services — affecting those who have Original Medicare
Today I received an email from a friend in another CCRC who has need of a steroid injection for a very painful bulging low back disc and a facet joint cyst. Coverage was turned down by Virtix Health, a Medicare … Continue reading
Posted in Health, Insurance
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Friday, February 6 at 11:00am – Health Care Lecture: How to Sleep Better in Retirement by Dr. Branon Peters-Mathews
Ed note: Hope to see you in the MBR Friday (tomorrow). Brandon is back by popular demand for his excellent presentations on sleep disorders and how we can deal with them. In addition to the common sleep disorders like sleep … Continue reading
Posted in Aging Sites, Health
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Finding Dignity, Hope and Healing at the End
Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Center for Creative Aging presentDr. Jim deMaine with Rebecca CrichtonFinding Dignity, Hope, and Healing at the End Mon 3/9 at 7:30PM | $10-$35 Sliding Scale | In-Person Join Dr. Jim deMaine, a pulmonary/critical care physician, … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Aging Sites, end of life, Health, Hospice, Law
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Two regulatory rollbacks, along with a new A.I. experiment in Medicare, raise some worrisome questions.
By Paula Span in the NYT Ed note: We should be proud of our LTC Washington State Ombudsman, Patricia Hunter, for advocating for us and pushing back on the negative moves of CMS. Month after month, Patricia Hunter and other members … Continue reading
Posted in Aging Sites, Government, Health
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More reasons to get the Shingrix and RSV vaccines
Summary from ChatGPT Here’s a clear, evidence-based summary of what we **currently know — and don’t know — about “anti-aging” and dementia protection with the Shingrix (shingles) and RSV vaccines: 🧠 1. Shingrix (Shingles Vaccine) Dementia Risk & Brain Protection … Continue reading
Posted in Aging Sites, Dementia, Health, Vaccines
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How to strengthen your immune system
Katelyn Jetelina, Edward Nirenberg, and Hannah Totte, MPH in Your Local Epidemiologist Ed note: You might find it surprising that sleep is so important to strengthening the immune system. FYI, a sleep specialist, Dr. Brandon Peters-Mathews will be giving a presentation here at … Continue reading
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RFK Jr.’s Tuskegee Experiment
RFK Jr. recently directed the CDC to fund a study in West Africa that lays bare his cruelty and dishonesty. (thanks to Ed M.) by Paul Offit Between 1932 and 1972, the United States Public Health Service, in what was … Continue reading
National U.S. Advance Directive Registry
by Thaddeus Pope Ed note: There is much work still to do in Washington State. There has been political resistance in the State Senate, but some work is being carried out in this direction. A National Registry would be a … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, end of life, Health
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New book ‘Unapologetic Aging’ pushes back against anti-aging culture
Carrie Dennett – Special to The Seattle Times (Thanks to MaryLou P.) It’s no big secret that we live in a society that idealizes beauty, thinness and youth, and that these unrealistic ideals can make us feel pressured to look … Continue reading
Posted in Aging Sites, happiness, Health
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How to Live to 100, According to Dick Van Dyke
The star of “Mary Poppins” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” still hits the gym and touches his toes. By Jancee Dunn in the NYT (thanks to Mary Jane F.) When I learned that Dick Van Dyke — the singing, dancing star … Continue reading
Posted in Aging Sites, Dance, happiness, Health
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Restoring Confidence in Public Health
in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine – thanks to Ed M.
Posted in Government, Health
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Thanksgiving guide to viruses, family conversations, and public health updates
Katelyn Jetelina, Hannah Totte, MPH, and Matt Willis in Your Local Epidemiologist Thanksgiving is here—that magical week of joy, chaos, and family members who can somehow turn small talk into a UN summit. Here are a few things that might help you … Continue reading
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One of CDC’s final blows. And what it means for you–Avoid the CDC Website!
Katelyn Jetelina in Your Local Epidemiologist I still remember the exact moment this photo below was taken. I was on my way to interview for CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS)—the two-year training program for “disease detectives.” For people in my … Continue reading
Posted in Ethics, Government, Health, Vaccines
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He haze of the “good old days”
Thanks to John R. Hard to believe that we really survived the blitz of destructive advertising!
Posted in Addiction, Economics, Health
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Pistachio Ice Cream
Ed note: This article in the current New England Journal of Medicine gives hope that kindness and caring can exist in our overstressed hospitals and ICU. And, yes, I’d like that pistachio ice cream when my time comes.
Posted in Advocacy, end of life, Ethics, Health
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Cavities could be prevented by a gel that restores tooth enamel
Enamel does not naturally regenerate, which can lead to painful cavities, but a gel that harnesses some of the properties of saliva could restore the hard, shiny layer to teeth By Chris Simms in NewScientist – thanks to Pam P. A … Continue reading
Posted in Health, Science and Technology
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Medicare virtual visits on hold with shutdown
Medicare’s temporary telehealth flexibilities ended on October 1, 2025, due to a lack of Congressional action, meaning most virtual visits are no longer covered unless Congress extends them again. As a result, many healthcare providers have canceled or are rescheduling Medicare … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Health
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People with some cancers live longer after a COVID vaccine
In nature 22 October 2025 (thanks to Mike C.) Melanoma cells (artificially coloured). An immune-based therapy was more effective against this cancer in people who received an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine within 100 days of the start of their cancer treatment.Credit: … Continue reading
Posted in Health, Science and Technology, Vaccines
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Prescient Pogo
Thanks to Tom S. and SRA Climate Impact Subcommittee
Posted in environment, Health, Nature, Recycling, Science and Technology
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Chaos at the CDC
from The Epidemiologist On Friday, about 1,300 CDC employees received a surprising email: they were fired. No warning. No time to plan. Their badges were immediately deactivated. The justification was a “reduction in force”—a bureaucratic term now being used as … Continue reading
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Columbus Day – commentary by Heather Cox Richardson
On October 9, President Donald J. Trump’s office issued an official proclamation declaring Monday, October 13, “Columbus Day.” The proclamation says that the day is one on which “our Nation honors the legendary Christopher Columbus—the original American hero, a giant … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Education, Essays, Government, Health, History, Holidays, Immigration, Politics, Social justice
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