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Category Archives: Health
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
Posted in Health
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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
2 Comments
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
Posted in Government, Health
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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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Your generic drug costs and availability
from the current New England Journal of Medicine
When food banks need bread, 900 home bakers answer the call
By JONEL ALECCIA from AP (thanks to Pam P.) On a recent Saturday near Seattle, Cheryl Ewaldsen pulled three golden loaves of wheat bread out of her kitchen oven. The fragrant, oat-topped bread was destined not for her table, but for … Continue reading
Aging sperm: a factor in autism
Thanks to Dan S. Ed note: We don’t have a quick answer about the multifactorial causes of autism. Tylenol appears to be unproven. Older men appear to be a factor. No doubt there are a number of other reasons as … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Health
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The WSMA Advance Directive
Ed note: Some have inquired as to where they can find an advance directive that includes the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care as well as their goals of care when faced with a life threatening illness. This form … Continue reading
Posted in end of life, Health
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West Coast Consensus for Respiratory Virus Immunizations
Thanks to Mary Jane F.
Posted in Health
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A New Federal Report Links Alcohol With These Alarming Health Conditions — And It’s Being Quietly Buried
by Jillian Wilson in the Huffington Post (thanks to MaryLou P.) How many alcoholic drinks do you have in an entire week? Five, seven, 10? More? If you have one drink a day, your health could be impacted ― but … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Health, Science and Technology
1 Comment
Pharmaceutical ads in the U.S.: Top questions answered
Aaron S. Kesselheim is a primary care physician, lawyer, and professor of medicine at Harvard with expertise in pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics. Pharmaceutical ads in the United States are annoying. Absurd. And almost uniquely American. In fact, only one other high-income … Continue reading
Original Medicare to use AI companies to evaluate need for health care services
By Daily Actions on September 5, 2025 (thanks to Mary M.) Donald Trump and Dr. Oz want to let Artificial Intelligence (AI) choose which procedures Medicare will cover for individual patients — with AI companies being paid based on how … Continue reading
Posted in Ethics, Finance, Government, Health
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Medicare Will Require Prior Approval for Certain Procedures [for those with Original Medicare]
A pilot program in six states [including Washington State] will use a tactic employed by private insurers that has been heavily criticized for delaying and denying medical care. By Reed Abelson and Teddy Rosenbluth in the NYT (thanks to Mary M.) Like millions … Continue reading
Posted in Ethics, Finance, Government, Health
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We Ran the C.D.C.: Kennedy Is Endangering Every American’s Health
By William FoegeWilliam, Roper, David Satcher, Jeffrey Koplan, Richard Besser, Tom Frieden, Anne Schuchat, Rochelle P. Walensky and Mandy K. Cohen – in the NYT Opinion Section The authors previously led in the C.D.C., as directors or acting directors under Republican and Democratic … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Government, Health, History
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