Want more insight into issues surrounding the intersection between healthcare, society, and politics? Our Public Health section is where you will find articles written concisely on these topics!
A Sick Planet: How Climate Change Fuels the Spread of Cholera and Similar DiseasesWritten by Mara Murphy
Edited by Sam Levya April 5, 2024 Climate change, the long-term alteration of temperature and weather patterns, is one of the most pressing challenges humanity faces today. From rising sea levels, which threaten coastal communities and infrastructure, to an uptick in the number and frequency of extreme weather events, including hurricanes, heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and floods, no area of Earth is spared. This is especially true when considering an often overlooked consequence of climate change–the dangerously increasing prevalence of infectious diseases.
Right Place, Wrong Time?: Human Development and COVID-19Written by Natalie Madrigal
Edited by Khushi Shah January 5, 2023 It is no surprise that after all the challenges placed upon the world by the global COVID-19 pandemic that human development across the world became constrained. Dr. Quentin De Larochelambert from the Institute for Research in bioMedicine and Epidemiology of Sport (IRMES) along with fellow researchers at the Center of Integrated Biology (CBI) in Paris, France conducted a study to characterize non-viral parameters that were most associated with COVID-19 death rates. And ultimately identify regions of the globe that were left particularly vulnerable to pandemic impacts as a result.
Using Machine Learning to Help Do GoodWritten by Anisha Chikkareddy
Edited by Justin Gambill February 9th, 2023 In a world devastated by a raging pandemic, global warming, deepening social divides, and an increasing lack of hope for the future, any help is needed. However, humanitarian aid has a “history of inefficiency … [that] often fails to reach the recipients who need it most” (Harvard International Review). What if there were a way to maximize the efficiency of aid?
Instant Diagnosis? Not so fast!Written by Jane Crosby
Edited by Carolyn Chiu February 9th, 2023 Ever hit your head and wonder if you have a concussion? Wouldn’t it be great if you could know for certain right then and there? Head Impact Measurement Devices, a new development in sports technology, aim to provide a quick and objective diagnosis for athletes on the sideline and reduce the chance that they return to play when injured.
Coronavirus Vaccines Are Not New, Cattle Already Have Their OwnWritten by Sarah Gibides
Edited by Emily Fucarino March 21, 2022 Nearly one year into a global pandemic, scientists studied the infection process of SARS-CoV-2 to create effective vaccines that were available to most Americans by April 2021. However, many Americans are still skeptical about the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections and the safety of the vaccines. Some individuals feel the risk of an adverse vaccine reaction outweighs the risks of infection. To improve everyone’s understanding of this newly emerged disease, it is imperative to look at the virus’ phylogeny. The phylogenetic tree diagram shows how closely living organisms are related and their common ancestor.
One Shot to Live: The Global COVID-19 Vaccine InequalityWritten by Avantika Gokulnatha
Edited by Connie Quan March 21, 2022 “My body, my choice”: co-opted by vaccine-deniers, this slogan has been paraded by those in the United States resisting the COVID-19 vaccine. This intersection between politics and public health has been in the limelight since the dawn of the COVID pandemic, with staunch supporters on either side pushing for or against the mass use of the vaccines.
How Do You Prevent Obesity?Written by Diksha Kudlamath
Edited by Priya Ram Jan 23rd, 2022 You have probably heard about obesity being on the rise, but is there a way to prevent obesity? Obesity is not only a concern in adults but is now also affecting children. It is also increasing steadily in other countries, causing a global epidemic. This is concerning because it may lead to several other health issues and complications. However, there may be certain prevention strategies that can be implemented such as diet and exercise that could drastically improve one’s quality of life (Bray et al., 2018).
A Lack of Fresh AirWritten by Justin Gambill
Edited by Chloe Chou Jan 23rd, 2022 With climate change becoming an increasingly pressing issue, the public health effects of such a phenomena are just beginning to materialize. A major topic in health studies in recent years has been the impact wildfire smoke has on the respiratory system. One study, conducted by Sydney Liebel et al,¹ examined the effects increased PM₂.₅ concentrations had on respiratory health of children in San Diego during the devastating Lilac Wildfire event in 2017. Particulate matter (PM) is often released when dry plant matter is burned, releasing small organic molecules within a larger smoke mixture.² PM₂.₅ refers to the particulate matter that is less than 2.5 microns in diameter: for reference, a strand of human hair is around 50-180 microns in diameter.²,³ The study itself revealed that increases in hospital visits at Rady Children’s Hospital were directly caused by the Lilac Fire, with an average increase in 16 pediatric visits per day being correlated with an average daily increase in PM₂.₅ concentration of 5.6 μm/m³.¹ Most of these visits came from residents who lived downwind from the fire, within 10 miles from its perimeter, indicating just how vast the exposure risk can be when the environmental conditions are just right.¹
Remote vs Face to Face Tinnitus TherapyWritten by Carolyn Chiu
Edited by Inder Bhangoo Jan 23rd, 2022 In the dead of night, you hear a faint ringing in one or both ears. You’re not sure where it's coming from, and it seems like you can still hear it when you plug your ears. If you have experienced this, you may be among the 15% of Americans afflicted with tinnitus. In severe cases, tinnitus persists as a constant annoyance that disrupts daily life and can lead to chronic mental and physical health problems. A clinical trial sought to examine how the effectiveness of virtual tinnitus therapy compares to that of face to face treatment.
The Detrimental Effects of the School-to-Prison PipelineWritten by Patricia Moreno
Edited by Aaron Wright August 1st, 2021 The school-to-prison pipeline is a cruel fabrication many schools have adopted that disproportionately affects Latinx and African-American youth. The school-to-prison pipeline is a system where suspensions, expulsions, and referrals can weave out marginalized students from oppressed communities and funnel them into the justice system. In 2009-2010, more than 2 million middle and high school students were suspended in the US (Losen & Martinez, 2013).
Is death racial in the US?Written by Akshaya Karthikeyan
Edited by Charan Karthik August 1st, 2021 Unlike other developed countries, the United States does not have an universal healthcare system. Healthcare has been a point of constant political and societal concern, especially when it comes to factors such as race and socioeconomic status. Race has been shown to be a highly influential indicator of early morbidity. Specifically in the US, black and white populations have drastic differences when comparing the integrity of their health and biological age.
Flu Shots As Cancer TreatmentWritten by Laurel Geraci
Edited by Tanishq Vaidya August 1st, 2021 By now, we’re all aware of the benefits of a seasonal flu shot for immunocompetent persons--but are you aware of the extra benefits that cancer patients can receive from it? According to new scientific studies, the average influenza shot shows great potential for cancer treatment!
Superbugs and the Animals that Create ThemWritten by Lance Jimenez
Edited by Audrey Bantug August 1st, 2021 Have you heard of superbugs? If you watch the news, the term may have been used to describe different microbes. Specifically, superbugs are microorganisms that have become resistant to multiple antibiotics. Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria, treating and saving many people each year from bacterial diseases, so these superbugs are becoming a growing concern. Additionally, most people contribute to the rise of superbugs without even realizing it: by eating meat!
Using Social Media to Combat COVID-19Written by Aditi Mahajan
Edited by Michelle Wong May 2, 2021 COVID-19 has claimed many lives since its emergence. Public health workers are faced with the challenge of constantly updating public health guidelines and distributing them to a large number of people. Surprisingly, social media has become the unlikely hero for these public health workers, as it is now being used as a tool for public health workers to keep people safe from COVID-19 (Merchant et al, 2021).
How Hate Hurts LGBTQ+ HeartsWritten by Justin Arguel
Edited by Cindy Ho May 2, 2021 Despite accounting for nearly 11 million adults in the United States population, the LGBTQ+ community is significantly underrepresented in cardiovascular health research (Newport, 2018). Additionally, there is very little content in existing health professions education that specifically caters to LGBTQ+ health, contributing to as many as 56% of sexual minority and 70% of gender minority patients to experience discrimination in healthcare settings (Lambda, 2010; Streed and Davis, 2018).
Infected Pregnancies in a PandemicWritten by Nathan Tran
Edited by Tiffany Yuen Jan 18, 2021 Ever since the introduction of sanitary practices in the 1900s, infant mortality has decreased significantly during childbirth. However, with the current conditions of COVID-19 and its contagious nature, will pregnant mothers have another thing to worry about during labor? One point of contention right now is whether or not newborns whose mothers have contracted coronavirus are also infected or show other symptoms. If the infant does test positive, do they contract it in the womb, and if so, how is it possible for a respiratory virus to do so?
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Co-occurrence between Marijuana Use, Alcohol Use, and Sexual Behavior in Truant ChildrenWritten by Miriam Bermejo
Edited by Khushi Shah January 5, 2023 It is common for adolescents to intentionally skip school every now and then. Still, there are adolescents who frequently have unexcused absences which can affect their academic performances. Frequent unexcused school absences are known as truancy. In addition to affected academic performance, truant adolescents may also engage in other problematic behaviors such as consuming drugs, and alcohol and engaging in sexual behavior. Engaging with other truant adolescents can further encourage these behaviors as well. A retrospective recall study researched the co-occurrence of marijuana use, alcohol use, and sexual intercourse in adolescents that are truant in schools.
Using Machine Learning to Help Do GoodWritten by Aditi Mahajan
Edited by Vicky Diep February 9th, 2023 Most people know that it is important to wear a helmet when you are biking. Wearing your helmet is like wearing your seatbelt; it serves as a protective measure. However, many people do not wear helmets when they bike because they do not understand the consequences of not wearing a helmet. In a study with over 100 teenage participants, only 14% of teenagers wore a helmet while biking (Axelsson & Stigson, 2019). What are the consequences of this?
Home Is Where the Health IsWritten by Emily Tseng
Edited by Christine Yee March 21, 2022 Everyone remembers the stifling cabin fever during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic as we isolated ourselves at home. No matter how much of a homebody you were, everyone was desperate to leave the confines of their house and do something normal—even grocery shopping became an exciting adventure. For some people, however, being able to isolate at home was a luxury they did not have. A recent research paper has highlighted the unique vulnerabilities that people experiencing homelessness face when combatting COVID-19, and the challenges that arise when trying to mitigate these issues.
A Hotter Future with Climate ChangeWritten by Sarena Yang
Edited by Benjamin Blue Jan 23rd, 2022 “Cities Setting Records for Hottest Summer in History.” “Worst Drought on Record.” Such headlines have become so common that we may not even bat an eye. At the moment, it may seem fine to bear a few extra days of heat or to conserve water during a drought. However, things will only get worse and if nothing is done, future generations will pay the price.
UTI - more than just a female annoyanceWritten by Natalie Hopkins
Edited by Priya Ram Jan 23rd, 2022 It’s no secret that UTIs (urinary tract infections) are not only irritating but common, considering 50% of women will get one in their lifetime. Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria found within the intestine adhering to the lining of the urethra, causing painful and frequent urination.¹ With antibiotics, cranberry juice, and patience being the only remedies, an infection can be more than just bothersome for those with recurrent UTIs. They are not only painful but because they are common, they are overdiagnosed for women with any urinary symptoms which lead to overuse of antibiotics.² In a study conducted by The Department of Urology at David Geffen School of Medicine, six focus groups of women ranging ages 20-81 were asked about their experiences with medical care surrounding frequent urinary tract infections.³ The purpose of this study was to better inform clinicians on treating recurrent UTI patients and to shed light on the feelings and frustration that women experience.
Battle of the Covid-19 VaccinesWritten by Thin Han
Edited by McKenna Ma Jan 23rd, 2022 When Pokemon Go came out, the question most asked to strangers and friends alike was “Which team did you pick?” Now, ever since Covid-19 vaccines came out, that question has changed into “What vaccine did you get?” Whichever vaccine you received became a part of your identity to help you interact with others, whether it was trading stories about how the second dose hurt, talking about when to get the booster shot, or arguing about which one was more effective. Speaking of effectiveness, scientists have actually studied how effective various vaccines are at preventing hospitalization in adults with no immunocompromising conditions.
HIV Testing in Cambodia - The DisparitiesWritten by Ritika Jhawar
Edited by Justin Gambill August 1st, 2021 In 2019, there were an estimated 3.5 million people who acquired HIV/AIDs, making it one of the largest public health issues across the globe (HIV.Gov, 2020). According to the CDC et al. (2021), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the immune system, and is acquired through sexual contact, sharing needles, or from mother to child. It cannot be transmitted through air/water, fluids such as sweat, saliva, or tears, insects/pets, or food/drinks.
Escape the VapeWritten by Justin Arguel
Edited by Benjamin Blue August 1st, 2021 Did you know it has not been clinically proven that vaping devices actually curb nicotine addiction? Despite vaping and other electronic cigarettes’ original claim to fame as a safer, cleaner, and “healthier” alternative to traditional cigarette smoking, these claims are perpetuated and reinforced by the tobacco industry rather than clinical research (Laucks and Salzman, 2020). In recent years, electronic cigarettes have steadily risen in popularity among teens and young adults, posing as a gateway, rather than a solution, to addiction. As a result, it’s important that we discuss the very real health risks that the tobacco industry would rather keep secret from the general public.
Treatment and Setbacks for Opioid Addiction RecoveryWritten by Jacob Gomez
Edited by Tanishq Vaidya August 1st, 2021 Compared to other drugs, opioids are the most abused and the least understood class of medications by the general public. Opioids, such as morphine and OxyContin, are a class of natural or synthetic drugs that are commonly prescribed for those suffering from severe pain (Hoffman et al., 2019).
Telehealth During COVID-19 – Telephone Call or Video Call?Written by Rachel Wang
Edited by Christine Yee Jan 18, 2021 As the COVID-19 pandemic overwhelms hospitals and poses a threat to many individuals, how can patients expect to continue receiving medical services during the COVID-19 pandemic? In a time where most of the U.S have been advised to shelter in place, electronic business platforms have been useful for online shopping, and getting products delivered straight to the doorstep. Can hospital and clinic patients do the same? Surprisingly, they can! Patients are now “seeing” doctors virtually without the need for in person visits. A recent study published on the JAMA Network showed a whopping 75 percent of doctor appointments are now being conducted via telephone calls due to shelter-in-place orders.
Getting Paid To Be Vaccinated - YES or NO?Written by Rachel Wang
Edited by Charan Karthik May 2, 2021 Are you ready to get vaccinated? Do you have any concerns about side-effects and not wanting to be vaccinated? Then how do you think about being paid for vaccinations? Recently, politicians and scholars have had some different opinions on whether people should be paid to get vaccinated.
Intestinal Diseases on the Rise: Are Antibiotics to Blame?Written by Samantha Strom
Edited by McKenna Ma Jan 18, 2021 In 2015, doctors prescribed 269.4 million antibiotics; in a room with a thousand people, that’s enough to give 838 their own prescription. That number does not even include antibiotics provided by federal healthcare facilities (Outpatient Antibiotic Prescriptions). According to the CDC, “At least 30 percent of antibiotics prescribed in the United States are unnecessary” (1 in 3 Antibiotic Prescriptions Unnecessary).
Let's Not Sugarcoat It, Diabetes Is on the RiseWritten by Gabriela Trejo
Edited by Tiffany Yuen Jan 18, 2021 A chronic disease is plaguing the United States and although it could potentially affect anyone, it disproportionately targets the vulnerable—the elderly, the poor, the uneducated, and the minorities. Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, has become an epidemic in America that is expected to double in years to come.
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