Category Archives: Health

More reasons to get the Shingrix and RSV vaccines

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Jim deMaine

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 | 2 Comments

How to strengthen your immune system

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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National U.S. Advance Directive Registry

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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New book ‘Unapologetic Aging’ pushes back against anti-aging culture

Posted on December 22, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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How’s your polypharmacy?

Posted on December 21, 2025 by Jim deMaine
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How to Live to 100, According to Dick Van Dyke

Posted on December 1, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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Restoring Confidence in Public Health

Posted on November 29, 2025 by Jim deMaine

in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine – thanks to Ed M.

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Thanksgiving guide to viruses, family conversations, and public health updates

Posted on November 24, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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!

Posted on November 23, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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He haze of the “good old days”

Posted on November 20, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on November 19, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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.

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Cavities could be prevented by a gel that restores tooth enamel

Posted on November 7, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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Medicare virtual visits on hold with shutdown

Posted on October 23, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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People with some cancers live longer after a COVID vaccine

Posted on October 23, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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Prescient Pogo

Posted on October 21, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Tom S. and SRA Climate Impact Subcommittee

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Chaos at the CDC

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on October 13, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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Your generic drug costs and availability

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Jim deMaine

from the current New England Journal of Medicine

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When food banks need bread, 900 home bakers answer the call

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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Aging sperm: a factor in autism

Posted on September 25, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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The WSMA Advance Directive

Posted on September 18, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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West Coast Consensus for Respiratory Virus Immunizations

Posted on September 17, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mary Jane F.

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A New Federal Report Links Alcohol With These Alarming Health Conditions — And It’s Being Quietly Buried

Posted on September 16, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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

Posted on September 10, 2025 by Jim deMaine

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 →

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