For more than 40 years, the American Cancer Society has hosted the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November. Although the actual event happened a couple of weeks ago, it is an important reminder for us to talk about the health risks associated with smoking. What is the…
Last week, we talked about RSV, which is one of the most common causes of childhood illness. It can be dangerous and even life-threatening for some children. This year it is causing record high emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Today, we will continue our discussion, focusing more on how RSV…
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can be dangerous for some infants and young children. It is highly contagious and most common during the winter months in the US. Emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to RSV are at record highs this season. Let’s talk more…
We recently talked about domestic violence, also called intimate partner violence, and the significant costs associated with it. Today we’ll talk about some things you can do to help prevent domestic violence. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is preventable! One of the important ways you can help to stop IPV is…
Halloween is coming soon. I’m sure the kids have their costumes ready by now. Who doesn’t enjoy a good scare on Halloween? But no one wants a scare related to their child’s safety. Let’s talk about ways to help keep kids safe on Halloween. Is it safe for kids to…
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence, also called Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), is very common. It is important to bring awareness to how serious and common this issue is in the US. What is intimate partner violence (IPV)? IPV is abuse or aggression that occurs surrounding a…
This week is Fire Prevention Week. This year’s campaign, “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape”, is focused on educating everyone about simple but important actions that can keep you and your loved ones safe from home fires. Why is this important? According to the National Fire Protection Association, today’s homes…
Down syndrome is the most common genetic chromosomal disorder and cause of learning disabilities in children. Each year, about 6,000 babies born in the US have Down syndrome. Better understanding of Down syndrome and early interventions could significantly improve the quality of life for children and adults with this disorder….
The flu season is approaching. There is also a good possibility of another surge of COVID cases this fall and winter. The new bivalent COVID booster, which protects against the original Wuhan strain as well as the Omicron strain, is now available. Many Americans are wondering whether it is ok…
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. It is one of the deadliest tick-borne diseases in the Western Hemisphere. Early recognition and treatment are keys to successful recovery. How common is RMSF? It is relatively rare. There are usually fewer…