Category Archives: Health

How to Be a Happy 85-Year-Old (Like Me)

Posted on April 13, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By Roger Rosenblatt in the NYT Illustrations by Janik Söllner In 2000, I published a book called “Rules for Aging,” a sort of how-to guide for navigating the later years of one’s life. I was 60 at the time and thought that … Continue reading →

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King K. Holmes, 87, Dies; Researcher Destigmatized Study of S.T.I.s

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Jim deMaine

He took a down-to-earth approach to sexually transmitted infections, a subject no one wanted to discuss, arriving at novel methods of treatment and prevention. By Michael S. Rosenwald – in the NYT (thanks to many residents who forwarded this article) King … Continue reading →

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View Historic City Council Meeting – Unanimous Approval of Skyline’s Skybridge!

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Disabilities, Government, Health, In the Neighborhood | Leave a comment

Skybridge approval on City Council Agenda Tuesday April 8th

Posted on April 5, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: The approval of Skyline’s skybridge is finally up for vote by the City Council this coming Tuesday–after making it through multiple sub-committees. It expected to pass (hopefully). If interested you can tune in to watch the proceedings live … Continue reading →

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The Swede Behind the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

Posted on April 1, 2025 by Jim deMaine

from the Swedish Press thanks to Bob P. Lund University alumnus Mikael Dolsten is the Chief Scientific Officer at Pfizer in the United States. Pfizer is, of course, the American pharmaceutical company that launched one of the first fully certified vaccines … Continue reading →

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This Is Why My Texas Town Lost Trust in Public Health

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By Carrie McKean in the NYT Ms. McKean is a writer based in Midland, Texas. Ed note: Smugness and demonizing those that disagree with us has wormed its way into our political discourse all too often. This article reminds us that … Continue reading →

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Dr. King Holmes, UW global health chair and pioneer in STI study, dies

Posted on March 14, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By Elise Takahama Seattle Times staff reporter The title of his first book tells you a lot about the work and wit of Dr. King Holmes: “How To Have Intercourse Without Getting Screwed.” “I wrote it for my kids,” Holmes said, … Continue reading →

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NIH to ax grants on vaccine hesitancy, mRNA vaccines

Posted on March 11, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ed M. A UW  colleague who has published multiple studies on immunization hesitancy received this notice from NIH today: [All your] federally funded vaccine research projects terminated today effective immediately. In the termination letter, the NIH says this: … Continue reading →

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AI Without Borders: Transforming Global Health Care

Posted on March 11, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ann M. NEJM AI PRESENTS Live Virtual Event AI Without Borders: Transforming Global Health Care April 9, 2025 / 12:00 – 1:15 PM ET REGISTER FOR EVENT  • Where AI fills care gaps and where hurdles like regulation, health literacy, and … Continue reading →

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AI Robots May Hold Key to Nursing Japan’s Ageing Population

Posted on March 4, 2025 by Jim deMaine

by Kiyoshi Takenaka in Medscape (thanks to Sandy J.) TOKYO (Reuters) – Recently in Tokyo an AI-driven robot leaned over a man lying on his back and gently put a hand on his knee and another on a shoulder and … Continue reading →

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How Red Wine Lost Its Health Halo

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: Unfortunately, facts can be unpleasant. Alcohol, even red wine, can be a contributor to A-fib and cancer,the hype from the industry not withstanding. The secret is likely moderation along with “Dr. Diet, Dr. Quiet and Dr. Merryman.” For … Continue reading →

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Heads up: Medicare will stop covering telehealth in April.

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Jim deMaine

From Your Local Epidemiologist If you’re on Medicare and have leveraged convenient telehealth appointments, that’s about to end. Medicare originally expanded its coverage of at-home telehealth services during the Covid-19 emergency, which was an important move to protect seniors and … Continue reading →

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Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Jim deMaine

From Foundation Fighting Blindness – Thanks to Ann M. Join A Virtual Quarterly Vision Webinar on Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) February 27th | 7:00 p.m. ET   (4 PM PT) Dear Friends,   Discover the latest information on AMD with … Continue reading →

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Understanding RFK Jr.

Posted on February 11, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: Since the time of Pasteur, Lister, Koch and Semmelweis we’ve all (but for a few) accepted the germ theory of disease. One of those few who does not accept established science is RFK Jr. Yet, he’s about to … Continue reading →

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Your Parents Deserve More From Their Nursing Home

Posted on February 10, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: Please see the following post about the need for regulations in this growing, yet underfunded and understaffed industry charged with taking care of an elderly vulnerable population. We must be informed and strong advocates for good care. By Norma … Continue reading →

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Continuing Care Oversight Bill needs support

Posted on February 10, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Hello Skyline WACCRA Members, (thanks to Tom S.) THIS ONE HAS A SHORT FUSE!—And supports the effort initially announced in the WACCRA Residents News-Mail, February 6, 2025 (attached). WACCRA’s  legislative work has resulted in the introduction of Senate Bill 5691 … Continue reading →

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I Ran U.S.A.I.D. Killing It Is a Win for Autocrats Everywhere.

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By Samantha Power in the NYT (Thanks to Diana C.) Ms. Power was the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development in the Biden administration. We are witnessing one of the worst and most costly foreign policy blunders in … Continue reading →

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Data and communication are gold

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Jim deMaine

“What the hell is going on? by Katelyn Jetelina in Your Local Epidemiologist Feb 04, 2025 It’s February 4. That matters because, as of February 1, the communications freeze at federal agencies, including CDC, FDA, and NIH, was supposed to … Continue reading →

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CDC Data Are Disappearing

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Jim deMaine

The agency has already removed scientific data from public view. More could follow. By Katherine J. Wu (Thanks to Ed M.) The CDC campus in Atlanta (Smith Collection / Gado / Getty) Last night, scientists began to hear cryptic and foreboding warnings … Continue reading →

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RFK Jr.’s War Against Cancer…Prevention

Posted on February 1, 2025 by Jim deMaine

A recent Senate confirmation hearing revealed RFK Jr.’s secret war against cancer prevention. by Paul Offit (thanks to Ed M.) Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cancer. Every year, HPV causes about 20,000 cancers in women and 14,000 in men. For women, … Continue reading →

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Drawing, making music and writing poetry can support healing and bring more humanity to health care in US hospitals

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Jim deMaine

by Marlaine Figueroa Gray Assistant Investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, University of Washington The COVID-19 pandemic shined a light on the deep need that people feel for human touch and connection in hospital settings. Having relatives peering … Continue reading →

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Please express your support for HB 1531

Posted on January 28, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ed M. Our public health partners are seeking our support on House Bill 1531 re preserving the ability of public officials to address communicable diseases, which will be heard 1/31 at 8:00AM in House Health Care and Wellness and … Continue reading →

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The Pediatrician’s Lament

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Eleanor R. Menzin, M.D. in The New England Journal of Medicine “It’s your fault!” the renowned infectious disease attending told the cluster of students and residents. In the late 1990s, the varicella vaccine was relatively new, and uptake was disappointingly low. “You … Continue reading →

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How a Bit of Awe Can Improve Your Health

Posted on December 29, 2024 by Jim deMaine

By Hope Reese In the NYT (thanks to Marilyn W.) Awe can mean many things. It can be witnessing a total solar eclipse. Or seeing your child take her first steps. Or hearing Lizzo perform live. But, while many of us … Continue reading →

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Buckle up: Navigating the noise around routine vaccination

Posted on December 17, 2024 by Jim deMaine

Katelyn Jetelina Thanks to Barb W. The arguments against routine vaccination are already escalating. Just last week, it was unearthed that a prominent lawyer on the RFK Jr. transition team questioned the safety of the polio vaccine, and the long-debunked measles-autism … Continue reading →

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