Category Archives: Health

Register Now: Role of Wearable Technologies in Timely Diagnosis

Posted on October 12, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Rick Baugh Ed note: Some monitoring may help, but we need to be careful about medicalizing our lives, constantly knowing of our heart beats, mood, night’s sleep, etc. Perhaps we’ll need to check our wearables to see if … Continue reading →

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Women’s heart attack symptoms

Posted on October 7, 2026 by Jim Tanner

Thanks to Charlotte Lin Here is a warning for all from an ER nurse who says, this is the best description of a woman having a heart attack that she has ever heard. Please read, pay attention, and SHARE………. FEMALE … Continue reading →

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Plague in Russia? Plus flu, common cold, a new opioid, and good news

Posted on October 6, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Katelyn Jetelina in Your Local Epidemiologist The plague in Russia? Wouldn’t be so scary if there wasn’t a new book about this exact scenario. And that it’s in Russia (our political adversary, which is currently at war with NATO). And … Continue reading →

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CIDRAP Op-Ed: Measles is a grown-up problem, too. Are you at risk?

Posted on October 5, 2026 by Jim Tanner

Thanks to Ed Marcuse https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/measles/cidrap-op-ed-measles-grown-problem-too-are-you-risk

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Can cancer be stopped before it starts?

Posted on October 4, 2026 by Jim Tanner

Thanks to Charlotte Lin Cancer researchers are excited about ‘cancer interception’ — a technique in which people at high risk are treated to prevent cancer from ever developing. A combination of early-detection techniques and interception in pancreatic cancer is “going to … Continue reading →

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AI to seek cures for chronic health conditions

Posted on October 4, 2026 by Jim Tanner

Thanks to Charlotte Lin https://www.forbes.com/sites/amyfeldman/2026/10/01/this-former-openai-exec-is-trying-to-cure-chronic-diseases-including-her-own/?cdlcid=5ff73278b52f2e83d730861f A little over a year after starting her dream job at OpenAI as Sam Altman’s second-in-command, Fidji Simo stepped down as her health condition worsened. She’d been diagnosed six years earlier with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, … Continue reading →

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Two Special Events — Hoping for a “Good Death”

Posted on September 30, 2026 by Jim deMaine

1. On Saturday, October 10th, Charlotte Lin has helped to put together a special event at the Rep, Eulogy. The total cost for this outing is $40 (INCLUDING transportation and ticket). Pickup will start at the CT Lobby, and secondary … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, end of life, happiness, Health, theater | Leave a comment

2 studies find strong RSV vaccine protection against severe outcomes in older adults

Posted on September 26, 2026 by Jim deMaine

by Laine Bergeson (thanks to Ed Marcuse) Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) The bivalent (two-strain) respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine made by Pfizer (RSVpreF, or Abrysvo) reduced the risk of hospitalization and emergency department (ED) visits for at least three seasons … Continue reading →

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Upcoming COVID and Flu shots at Skyline

Posted on September 16, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Please save the dates for our upcoming COVID and Flu Vaccination Clinics: •                  Friday, October 9, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. •                  Friday, October 23, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. •                  Location: Mt. Baker Room For anyone wanting to have … Continue reading →

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Tuesday, September 15 at 11:00am – “Let Me Clear My Throat: The Spectrum of Acute and Chronic Cough” by Dr. Katy Horan in the MBR

Posted on September 14, 2026 by Jim deMaine

The flu and COVID season are arriving in the fall. How should we think about that cough? Dr. Katy Horan is a Pulmonary Medicine specialist at Virginia Mason, focusing on bronchiectasis, non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, and chronic cough. After … Continue reading →

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Invitation to Substack postings on preparing for the inevitable

Posted on September 13, 2026 by Jim deMaine

I’ve recently begun to move my writing about end-of-life issues to Substack. I’m going to be publishing some of my older essays, along with some new material. I’ll also post several videos in which I was interviewed by Michael Hebb, … Continue reading →

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How neighbors created the Burke-Gilman, the nation’s first urban rail-to-trail

Posted on September 6, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: My wife and I were a small part of this activist neighborhood group in Mathews Beach in 1970-71. The group was meeting in each others homes to discuss politics and world affairs. Frustrated that there was little we … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Fitness, Health, Transportation | 1 Comment

No country wants our model

Posted on September 6, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pearl McElheran

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Gloria Steinem

Posted on September 4, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pearl McElheran We’re all old enough to remember these women, aren’t we? Gloria Steinem (1934 – 2026)  Just a few years ago she said, “I hope I live to be 100.  There’s so much work to be done.”  … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Government, happiness, Health, Justice, Law, Mental Health, Politics, protests, Race, Social justice | Comments Off on Gloria Steinem

The Measles-Stricken Mother Who Lost Her Newborn Son

Posted on September 3, 2026 by Jim deMaine

The family at the center of Pennsylvania’s measles controversy tells their story. By Tom Bartlett in The Atlantic (thanks to Ed Marcuse) When the Amish man emerged from his barn to greet me, he had no idea that his newborn son’s … Continue reading →

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The Cities That Said Yes to Drugs

Posted on August 30, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Policies that gave addicts clean needles and places to use drugs were intended to reduce harm. They created a “zombie apocalypse.” By Michael Powell in The Atlantic Photographs by Dana Golan Late last year, I walked roughly a mile from downtown … Continue reading →

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When wildfire smoke hits home

Posted on August 19, 2026 by Jim deMaine

“With a son on the fire line, what I’ve learned about protecting the air we breathe”, by Matt Willis – published by Your Local Epidemiologist. Ed note: This morning Seattle’s air is quite clean and free of the smoke from … Continue reading →

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First mRNA flu shot gets FDA approval, raising hopes for a more effective vaccine

Posted on August 9, 2026 by Mike Cory

Submitted by Ed Marcuse Sarah Boden August 6, 2026 Influenza VaccineA first-of-its-kind flu shot using mRNA technology has been approved for adults 50 years of age and older by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Moderna’s mFlusiva is the company’s … Continue reading →

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Neighborhood Notice of Public Meeting

Posted on July 19, 2026 by Jim Tanner

Found: this notice in the window of Coffee Tree on 9th between Cherry and James. July 23, 2026 @ 6 PM – 7 PM at the Harborview Research and Training Building at 300 9th Ave. Seattle, WA 98104 Room 109 … Continue reading →

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Aging geriatricians talk about CCRCs, assisted living, nursing homes, hospice and the takeovers by private equity

Posted on June 28, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: This fascinating podcast from GeriPal features two aging academic geriatricians and a banker/health researcher talking about the effects of financing on quality of care in the long term care industry. Now that healthcare is consuming 18% of GDP, … Continue reading →

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How South Korea Cut Stroke Deaths by More Than 80%

Posted on May 24, 2026 by Jim deMaine

from The Formula by Tom Frieden — Thanks to Kate B. In 1990, stroke killed South Koreans at a rate of 248 per 100,000. By 2023, that rate had fallen to 32. That’s an 87 percent drop. A generation ago, only … Continue reading →

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Naming Grief

Posted on May 23, 2026 by Jim deMaine
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Keep Washington emergency medicine local

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: This article highlights the dangers and pitfalls of the corporate takeover of healthcare. There are perverse incentives when medical care may be compromised by preference being giving to stockholder’s interests. However, there is no perfect set of incentives. … Continue reading →

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The Noble Art of Being Non-Profit

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Selfless Institutions That Pay Their Executives Like Royalty Denis Benjamin Thanks to Ed M. Ed note: This article must make one think about what a tax exemptnon-profit really is. I checked with ChatGPT to ask about the incomes in our … Continue reading →

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She Didn’t Want to Live With Advanced Dementia. So Why Was She Being Kept Alive?

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: I encourage you to read this article. Dementia will affect many of us as we age. What are your wishes for care if you are in dementia’s advanced stages? Dr. Hope Wechkin, the Medical Director at Evergreen Hospice … Continue reading →

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