JOURNAL
Long Term Covid-19 - What are the symptoms and when to get help by Kaiser Permanente
If you’ve had new or lasting symptoms since recovering from COVID-19, you may have long-term COVID-19, or "long COVID." It can include a range of symptoms that continue after your COVID-19 illness ends.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey found that more than 15% of people in the U.S. have had long-term COVID-19. And those with a disability — such as asthma, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or diabetes1 — were twice as likely to report having had long COVID than those without.2
The Connective Tissue Beneath Our Skin: An Overlooked Key to Health and Wellness
As a Doctor of Public Health, I'm always interested in learning about new evidence on how our lifestyle choices impact our health and wellbeing. A fascinating recent New York Times article highlighted emerging research on the role of fascia - the connective tissue that wraps around our muscles, organs, and bones - and how caring for this often-overlooked part of the body may offer surprising benefits. What exactly is fascia? It's the thin, tough, flexible collagen-rich tissue that forms a 3D matrix under our skin, enveloping muscles and internal structures while also attaching to bones. We have two main types: denser fascia that gives the body structural shape, and looser fascia that allows tissues to glide smoothly. Doctors long thought fascia was relatively unimportant - just packaging. But we now understand it plays a vital role in flexibility, mobility, and more.
The Maternal Care Crisis in America - Stories of Mistreatment during Pregnancy and Childbirth
As a Doctor of Public Health, I am troubled by the findings of a recent CDC survey on mistreatment during maternity care in the United States. The survey of 2,400 women exposes shortcomings in our country's maternal healthcare system.
The results show that 1 in 5 mothers reported being mistreated by healthcare providers during pregnancy and childbirth. This mistreatment included having health concerns dismissed or ignored, being shouted at or scolded, and having physical privacy violated. Disturbingly, women of color reported even higher rates of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, income level, and insurance status (Ars Technica, 2023).
A Public Health Perspective on the New Seasonal Vaccines
According to the Washington Post, the 2023 flu season is shaping up to be a complicated one from a public health perspective. Several new vaccines are coming onto the market that could help curb influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). However, effective deployment of these vaccines will require clear public health messaging and coordination between providers, insurance companies, and governmental agencies.
A Public Health Perspective on Aging Well
As a Doctor of Public Health, I read an interesting article on strategies for healthy aging titled, “90 Might Be the New 40 - No tricks, no hacks—just tried-and-true advice you can begin using in your life today.”
The author offers some sensible tips on taking care of your physical and mental health as you get older. However, I wanted to provide additional commentary through the lens of public health. My goal is to promote healthy aging at the community and societal levels, not just the individual level.
The Subtitle Dilemma: Reading vs. Watching in the Streaming Era
The Atlantic today ran a fairly interesting article related to millennials' rise in subtitle use. Let's dive in. In today's digital age, streaming services have revolutionized how we consume entertainment. With a plethora of content available at our fingertips, one aspect that has sparked a debate among viewers is the growing prevalence of subtitles. Once considered primarily for foreign language films or accessibility purposes, subtitles have become common in many households. As a public health blogger, I delve into the nuances of this shift and explore the impact of subtitles on our viewing experience.
Smoking Gun? Linking Gun Ownership to Crime Victimization
Gun violence is a recurring tragedy in the United States, and with each high-profile shooting, debates about the role of guns in society are reignited. Despite these events, national gun legislation has seen limited changes, and there has been a surge in gun purchases following shootings and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the dynamics of gun ownership and its connection to crime is crucial for informing policy decisions. A recent study by Stephen B. Billings explores the relationship between gun ownership, specifically concealed handgun permits (CHPs), and criminal victimization.
Exploring the Health Implications of Subway Air Quality
As urban populations continue to grow, public transportation systems such as subways have become an essential part of daily life for millions of commuters. However, recent research has shed light on the air quality in these underground transit systems, raising concerns about their potential health impacts. In this blog post, we'll examine a recent article from WIRED titled "Subway Air May Be A Health Risk" and discuss the implications of this research for commuters and city planners alike.
Book Review: "Paleofantasy: What Evolution Tells Us About Sex, Diet, and How We Live" by Marlene Zuk
