‘Tis the season for end-of-year celebrations, and with them often come a few more alcoholic beverages than usual. So we thought it’d be a good time to review how consuming alcohol impacts your health. [Read more…]
What we know about the holiday blues
December 16, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Regardless of one’s religious affiliation, the holiday season often inspires feelings of warmth, joy and belonging. But for some people, this time of year can evoke feelings of loneliness, stress and anxiety. [Read more…]
The birds and bees: Talking to your kids about safe sex
November 16, 2015 By Leave a Comment
There are conversations that many parents approach with apprehension. Ranking high on that list are talks about sex. But given our modern culture, conversations between parents and children about sex are increasingly important.
Investigating Daylight Savings: The data on springing forward and falling back
November 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment
The vast majority of U.S. residents shifted their clocks back to standard time last weekend, effectively “gaining” an hour of time on Sunday. In my house, it meant that my early-rising daughter was up at 4:30 a.m.
instead of 5:30 a.m.! [Read more…]
Can we help children to avoid sexual abuse?
October 14, 2015 By 1 Comment
I received a shocking e-mail from my public school superintendent a few weeks ago. A substitute teacher who has worked at my son’s elementary school was arrested for possessing child pornography.
After my initial surprise at the e-mail, I gave some serious thought to how I should broach the issue with my son, or whether to mention anything at all. At seven years old, I’ve never talked to him about the possibility of sexual abuse. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t even know what it is. I wasn’t sure if a conversation would be helpful, or would make him feel anxious or uncomfortable. [Read more…]
How effective is medical marijuana?
July 8, 2015 By Leave a Comment
A total of 23 states and the District of Columbia allow the sale of marijuana for medical purposes. Despite these state laws, marijuana is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a prescription medication. Essentially, this means the U.S. government has not approved marijuana as safe and effective. But is it?
New evidence on bullying
June 30, 2015 By 3 Comments
The problem of bullying has received increased public attention in the U.S. and across the world over the past decade. In response to being bullied by their peers, adolescents have often taken drastic measures – including committing suicide. [Read more…]
The upside to educational television
June 16, 2015 By 1 Comment
Our modern world is filled with screens: televisions, tablets, computers and mobile devices. As a result, children spend more time than ever before with these devices. We’ve written before about the downside of screen-time for small children and for the importance of moderation when it comes to technology. [Read more…]
The evidence on cigar-smoking
April 29, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Over the past decade, cigar consumption in the United States has increased significantly. In 2011, Americans smoked an estimated 13.7 billion cigars, a 55 percent increase compared with 2000, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Cigars may be trendy, but they pose serious health risks. A new systematic review published this week takes a look at the evidence available on cigar-smoking. [Read more…]
The link between working long hours and drinking alcohol
April 14, 2015 By 3 Comments
I have certainly had times in my life where, at the end of the work day, all I wanted to do was have a few glasses of wine to help me relax. For some people, the ritual of having a drink or two after work becomes a habit that’s hard to break. A systematic review published recently finds that this sort of habit can lead to unhealthy behaviors. [Read more…]
The health effects of loneliness
April 5, 2015 By Leave a Comment
More than 25 percent of adults in the United States live alone – a cultural trend that has important implications for the health of many Americans. [Read more…]
New evidence about our confidence in medical care
March 13, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Every medical treatment comes with risks of side effects and adverse events, and also a chance that it simply won’t work. Because we are each unique individuals with slightly different biological make-ups, we each react differently to medical interventions. [Read more…]
