As a child growing up in a majority immigrant community in Baltimore, I was surrounded by large-scale factories and major highways that emitted toxic pollution. The smell of pollution was more familiar to me than the scent of fresh, clean air. This environment has shaped my career as a pulmonologist, where I now care for
Health
Prostate cancer screening plays a crucial role in the early detection of this prevalent disease. A recent study conducted in Finland, known as the ProScreen randomized trial, utilized a combination of screening methods, including a PSA test, a kallikrein panel, and an MRI. The results of this trial revealed that this comprehensive screening approach detected
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a warning regarding the risk of infections with the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus, commonly known as bird flu, in individuals who have been exposed to potentially infected animal sources. This alert follows the recent case of a farmworker on a commercial dairy
In a recent case that shocked the medical community, California doctor Yue “Emily” Yu, MD, was charged with poisoning her husband with Drano. However, the allegations did not stop there, as new claims arose suggesting that she coached her children to lie about their father. This raises serious ethical concerns about the behavior of a
The recent alert issued by public health officials in Tokyo about the escalating number of invasive group A Streptococcus infections, including cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), has brought to light some critical concerns regarding the epidemiology of this severe infection. Having encountered numerous cases of STSS in my practice as an infectious disease,
Recently, a disturbing incident occurred at the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury, where a man assaulted staff and caused damage using a chainsaw. This kind of violent behavior is deeply concerning and should not be tolerated in any healthcare setting. A senior Defense Department official who attended a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania,
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), also known as frontotemporal dementia (FTD), is a complex neurodegenerative condition that affects individuals in their mid-50s or 60s. With 15% to 30% of cases having a genetic cause, accurate and early diagnosis is crucial for patients and their families. The recent study conducted by Adam Staffaroni, PhD, and his team
A recent cross-sectional survey conducted among 65 ophthalmology residency programs has shed light on the effectiveness of various bias reduction tools in enhancing diversity within the programs. The findings, published in JAMA Ophthalmology by Ambar Faridi, MD, and colleagues from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, revealed contrasting outcomes among different strategies used by
Recently, there have been reports of five people dying and over 100 hospitalized after consuming Japanese dietary supplements made by Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals. This incident has raised concerns about the safety and efficacy of such products in the market, highlighting the importance of strict regulations and thorough testing before releasing them to the public. The decision
Prostate cancer is a disease that affects millions of men worldwide, yet there is still a stigma surrounding it that prevents many from openly discussing their diagnosis. Some, like Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Kate, Princess of Wales, choose to keep their diagnosis private for various reasons. However, the importance of breaking the silence and