Opinion

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Soda taxes can’t reverse the obesity epidemic

OPINION: They might be able to help, but only if well-designed and in combination with other policies

Conceptual illustration shows a teeter totter with people on both ends. One side, on the ground, has a much larger number of people on it than the other, which just has a few people and is raised up in the air.

We urgently need data for equitable personalized medicine

OPINION: A massive bias in medical studies toward men of European origin means that genetic variants in understudied populations don’t get the focus they deserve

Photo illustration shows a living room with couch, desk and windows overlaid

Health & Disease

How optimizing indoor humidity can help stop the spread of Covid and flu

OPINION: Recent CDC guidelines for indoor air quality disregard the benefits of humidity. But research shows it can kill viruses and help thwart infections.

A yellow city poster stapled to a pole in front of an older brick wall shows an icon of a creepy rat in the sights of a red target. It warns of the use of poison bait to kill rats in the area.

Health & Disease

Dealing with rats, and their health, in America’s ‘rattiest’ city

OPINION: A study in Chicago found that rodents surviving poisoning are more likely to carry disease. Good pest control needs to take such things into account.

Illustration shows a man and woman running a race, with the man leading. The women has a large female symbol tethered to her wrist. EKG lines are in the background.

Health & Disease

America is failing women’s health

OPINION: Systemic inequity means women in the US die younger and suffer more than they should. It’s time for health for all.

People holding placards march behind a large white banner with “National March for Life” written on it in red. There are buildings in the background.

Health & Disease

The US abortion decision is already having global impacts

OPINION: The reversal of Roe v. Wade is a tragedy not just for the United States, but for women everywhere

Health & Disease

This myth about guns is killing us

OPINION: The idea that gun violence prevention research is at odds with gun rights is just not true

Two women sit facing each other. The woman on the right is holding a baby, supporting the baby’s head with her hand. The woman on the left is administering vaccine into the baby’s arm.

Health & Disease

The first malaria vaccine is a leap forward, but we can’t stop now

OPINION: Next-generation vaccines, and a lot more money, are needed now to crack the stalemate in the fight against malaria

Conceptual illustration shows a cityscape, two people staring out of windows and a giant red coronavirus hovering in the sky.

The Mind

Pandemic psychology: Nothing new under the Sun

OPINION: Our behavior during Covid-19 echoes that of individuals, societies and governments during past plagues. We can and should do better.

Illustration shows a repeated motif of shady businessman (wearing bow-tie, bowler hat, and sunglasses) holding a large pill capsule.

Society

The science of placebos is fueling quackery

OPINION: The placebo effect is real. So are the ethical conundrums posed by those who would exploit the latest research advances for profit.

Oil painting of a group of people around a table in a garden. One of the women is fast asleep, leaning on the table. They are drinking. There is food on the table.

The Mind

The vicious cycle of food and sleep

OPINION: More than a third of Americans don’t log enough hours in bed, provoking serious impacts on their health. Diet is an important and under-recognized reason.

Illustration shows two young Black children staring at a wall with words that express examples of the racism people in the United States face.

Society

How racism in early life can affect long-term health

OPINION: Excessive adversity activates biological reactions that can lead to lifelong problems in physical and mental wellbeing

Lab researchers wearing full protective suits, supplied with clean air, are shown in a lab.

Society

Question the ‘lab leak’ theory. But don’t call it a conspiracy.

OPINION: If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, labels get in the way of facts and make the truth that much harder to find.

Photo shows the exterior of a large building with a sign saying “This Hospital is CLOSED. If this is an emergency, call 911.”

Society

Let’s change how we pay for hospitals

OPINION: Many health facilities were already in fiscal straits before Covid-19 — except in Maryland. The state’s innovative and sound approach could be the answer to rescuing systems nationwide.

Illustration shows a variety of ways that scientists might work in a lab to find potential new therapies.

Health & Disease

Why we are developing a patent-free Covid antiviral therapy

OPINION: During global health crises such as pandemics, drug discovery should be publicly funded and open, with no research secrets locked away

Illustration shows a networked globe with coronavirus particles.

Health & Disease

Building an immune system for the planet could prevent the next pandemic

OPINION: We need a global information network that spans borders so we can spot — and stop — new pathogens before they threaten world health

Panoramic photo shows a green lawn in Central Park, with park-goers, trees and the city skyline visible.

Society

Covid cut pollution and got us outside. Let’s keep it up.

OPINION: Urban planners need to find ways to reduce traffic and provide equal access to green spaces

Health & Disease

Let’s put community health workers to work

OPINION: Covid laid bare the scope of health disparities in the US and around the world. Research shows that trained lay people may be the best way to bring evidence-based care to those who need it most.

Health & Disease

Covid job loss: The cause of the next epidemic?

OPINION: Being out of work — even for a just a few months — may be bad for your health

Health & Disease

Four ways HIV activists have saved lives during Covid

OPINION: We owe these early fighters a debt of gratitude for transforming our response to public health crises.

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