HEALTH
Philip Morris Used Tobacco Playbook to Hook Kids on Ultraprocessed Lunchables
A new study in the American Journal of Public Health traces how one of America’s most recognizable children’s meals was shaped by the same corporate strategies that helped sell cigarettes. Drawing on previously undisclosed internal documents, Laura Schmidt, Ph.D., found that Philip Morris applied its tobacco-industry playbook to develop, market […]
From Bakelite to Biohazard — The Century-Long Rise of Microplastics
Story at-a-glance Plastics have been around since the last century and have quickly become a part of our life in countless ways. From the cellphone you hold all the way to the interior of your car, you’ll find some form of plastic. While plastic is touted as durable and cheap […]
Less Is More in Medicine
In modern medicine, the zeitgeist today seems to be captured in one word: “more.” We need more MRI machines, more screenings, more surgical interventions, more drugs, more doctors. More. More. More. Like the internal logic of capitalism that is built on eternal growth, so too is our health care system. […]
The WHO Denies the Lab Leak
The Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) was commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) to discover the origin of SARS-CoV-2. Unsurprisingly, a recent paper from members of SAGO concluded: “We did not find evidence to suggest that SARS CoV2 (sic) resulting from experimental manipulation was a more […]
Does Knee Surgery Make Your Osteoarthritis Worse?
Knee pain is one of the most common afflictions that almost everyone expects to experience as they age. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and results from a decrease in the protective cartilage between joints. This decrease can cause joint pain, swelling, and a decreased range of motion. […]
Detours and Missteps on the Road to Medical Advances
In my last Brownstone article: The Rise of the Meme Disease, I cast the healthcare profession that I have devoted my life to in a very unfavorable light. However, before everyone writes off the healthcare industry as a total fraud, let me assure you that there are instances where medical advancements […]
Study: 560-610 Minutes of Weekly Exercise May Cut Cardiovascular Risk by Over 30%
A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that adults who exercised 560 to 610 minutes per week had a more than 30% lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared with inactive individuals, according to web sources [1][2]. Current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommending 150 minutes of moderate […]
Five things to know about pesticides, cancer and a pending Supreme Court ruling
After years of lawsuits against agrichemical companies and battles over environmental regulations, the nation’s highest court is expected to rule this summer on a case that could significantly alter the pesticide industry. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule next month on whether lawsuits can be brought against pesticide […]
Scientists Say 7 Days of Meditation Can Rewire Your Brain
Story at-a-glance What if the mental patterns you’ve been struggling with for years could begin to shift in just a single week? It sounds like an overstatement, but recent research suggests your brain is far more adaptable than you might think, and the timeline for meaningful change is much shorter […]
Secret Trial of Pfizer RSV Vaccine Killed Two Infants in the 1960s — Their Families Just Sued the U.S. Government
The families of two Black infants who died in a 1960s government RSV vaccine trial have filed a federal lawsuit, alleging researchers enrolled the children without parental knowledge or consent. The suit also claims tissue samples from the deceased babies later contributed to the development of modern RSV vaccines. The […]
