I Understand Why Defense Secretary Austin Kept His Prostate Cancer Quiet
When the news broke in early January that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized for unrevealed reasons, my first thought was: “Aha, prostate cancer.” Turns out I was right. A Black man like him has a higher risk than the majority white population of being diagnosed with prostate cancer, getting a more aggressive cancer, and […]
Today Is Officially ‘Quitters Day.’ Here’s Why You Should Consider Quitting Too.
Pakin Songmor via Getty Images It’s Quitters Day — the second Friday in January, when around 80% of Americans who made New Year’s resolutions have reportedly abandoned them. If you’re one of the 20% or so who haven’t yet ditched their goals, maybe it’s time to join the quitters. I have. Here’s why. Experience better […]
How Cardiac Arrest Became a Household Topic After Damar Hamlin’s Collapse
In January, we reported on Damar Hamlin’s collapse during a televised football game. In this report, we follow up on the resulting public interest on sudden cardiac arrest that made Hamlin the most searched person of 2023. During the final Monday Night Football game for the 2022-2023 National Football League (NFL) season, all gameplay between […]
Psychedelics for Psych Conditions Made Their Mark in 2023
In January, we reported on an investigational psychedelic that alleviated symptoms of depression in a mid-stage trial. In this report, we follow up on what has happened since that study was published. In the phase IIa trial, an investigational N,N-dimethyltryptamine treatment — commonly known as the hallucinogen DMT — significantly reduced depressive symptoms by 7.4 […]
Opinion | What Happens When We Classify Kids’ Weight as a ‘Disease’?
Kim Dennis, MD, is a psychiatrist specializing in eating disorders. On January 9 of this year, the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) published their “Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity.” With this guidance, the AAP is advising doctors and other providers that the “monitoring” and “watchful waiting” […]
Actually, It’s None Of Your Business Why Someone Has Gained Weight
Matt Winkelmeyer / Staff Selena Gomez, pictured here at the 2023 Golden Globes in January, has endured comments about her weight fluctuation since she’s started her medication for lupus. She’s not alone. Last month, pop star and actor Selena Gomez posted a video where she explained that the medication she takes for lupus causes her […]
If It Resembles Cancer but Doesn’t Act Like Cancer, Is It Cancer?
In January 2021, a movement to redefine low-risk Gleason 6 lesions as noncancers or precancers made its debut in this blog under the headline: “Is This Really Cancer?” Urologic oncologist Scott Eggener, MD, vice chair of urology at University of Chicago Medicine, threw down the gauntlet, saying Gleason 6 lesions may resemble cancers, but don’t […]
Is Today Really The Saddest Day Of The Year? What To Know About ‘Blue Monday.’
The third Monday of January, which falls on Jan. 16 this year, is said to be the saddest day of the year as folks grapple with holiday debt, failed New Year’s resolutions and dreary days. It’s widely known as “Blue Monday,” and the term was created by the no-longer-in-existence UK company Sky Travel and Welsh […]
Everybody Loves CHIP, So Why Isn’t It Permanently Funded?
WASHINGTON — When Rep. Kim Schrier, MD (D-Wash.), a pediatrician, was asked at the Families USA virtual conference in January about the important healthcare provisions in the Build Back Better Act, there was one item she made sure to mention: permanent funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). “Every year the Children’s Health Insurance […]
Opinion | Stop the ‘I Will’ Habit
Every January, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions. It’s a joyous time full of high hopes. Ask people what they wish to achieve or hope to accomplish in the following year, and the answer will usually be something like “I want to”: Lose weight Improve my finances Get a new job Exercise more Revamp […]