Danish children eat less than a third of the recommended amount of fish. A new study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen reports that this isn’t because kids don’t like fish—in fact, they’re wild about it. Therefore, parents should be conscious about getting fish onto the dinner table, according…
I’m fully vaccinated but feel sick – should I get tested for COVID-19?
Imagine last night you developed a little runny nose and a sore throat. When you woke up this morning you started coughing and had a fever. In the past year, your mind would have immediately jumped to COVID-19. But if you are already fully vaccinated, you might wonder: Should I…
Sufficient knowledge, but sense of information overload evident early in pandemic
Residents of central Pennsylvania had the information they needed to slow the spread of COVID-19 early on in the pandemic, but were overwhelmed with worries about mixed messages and distrust of some sources, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. The researchers said the results from a late March…
Side effects mean your COVID-19 vaccine is working. But what if you don’t have a reaction?
As millions now know from personal experience, the COVID-19 vaccines can cause temporary side effects. It’s a good sign, as it suggests your immune system is paying attention, preparing you in case of infection with the coronavirus. But if you don’t experience side effects, does that mean the vaccine did…
Spending time in nature has always been important, but now it’s an essential part of coping with the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of green spaces and urban parks, especially during periods of lockdown. Even a short walk, an ocean view or a picnic by a river can leave us feeling invigorated and restored. There is now a growing body of evidence establishing the link between…
Herd immunity is the end game for the pandemic, but the AstraZeneca vaccine won’t get us there
In the past fortnight, two vaccine stories made headlines around the world. Novavax announced spectacular results for its phase 3 trial, while preliminary data suggest the AstraZeneca vaccine is ineffective against the South African variant. These two vaccines comprise the bulk of Australia’s vaccine portfolio, and the results should prompt…
Breastfeeding research improves lives and advances health, but faces conflicts
Breastfeeding and breast milk provide big opportunities to support maternal, infant and population health. This is especially true during the current pandemic because breastfeeding can help alleviate food insecurity, and research shows the breast milk of women who have recovered from COVID-19 offers a source of COVID-19 antibodies. Breastfeeding saves…
Food Guidelines Change but Fail to Take Cultures Into Account
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services have once again developed new food guidelines for Americans that urge people to customize a diet of nutrient-dense food. For the first time, they make recommendations for infant nutrition and for different stages of life. But, as…
In Austin, Some Try to Address Vaccine Inequity, but a Broad Plan Is Elusive
Communities of color have been among the hardest hit during the pandemic. But advocates in Texas say those communities are likely to have a harder time getting the vaccine in the coming months, so they are urging local leaders to step in. Travis County Judge Andy Brown, the county executive…
Why do psychiatric drugs help some, but not others? New study offers clues
When it comes to developing drugs for mental illnesses, three confounding challenges exist: Men and women experience them differently, with things like depression and anxiety far more common in females; a drug that works for one person may not work for another; side effects abound. New CU Boulder research, published…
People eventually adopt healthy behaviors – but it can take time we don’t have during a pandemic
Why do we do things that are bad for us—or not do things that are good for us—even in light of overwhelming evidence? As someone with a long career in pharmacy, I have witnessed some pretty dramatic shifts in public health behavior. But I won’t sugarcoat it. It generally takes…