Explaining the National Physician Residency Match

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Mar 29, 2023
The National Physician Residency Match pairs about-to-graduate medical students and some already graduated, to residency training programs, a necessary step in gaining a medical license. Physicians’ “Match madness” just ended, and self-congratulations and hand-wringing were found throughout the media.

The National Physician Residency Match pairs about-to-graduate medical students and some already graduated, to residency training programs, a necessary step in gaining a medical license. Physicians’ “Match madness” just ended, and self-congratulations and hand-wringing were found throughout the media.

I Have Spread a Lie

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Mar 28, 2023
A perceptive reader wrote, noting that I repeated a fictitious quotation of Francis Bacon. ChatGPT has been around for only a few months, and it seems I have already been fooled.

A perceptive reader wrote, noting that I repeated a fictitious quotation of Francis Bacon. ChatGPT has been around for only a few months, and it seems I have already been fooled.

EPA Scientifically-Challenged PFAS Numbers

By Susan Goldhaber MPH — Mar 28, 2023
With much fanfare, the EPA announced the proposed drinking water regulations for two “forever chemicals,” PFOA and PFOS. EPA Administrator Michael Regan said, “Communities across the country have suffered far too long from the ever-present threat of PFAS pollution. That is why President Biden launched a whole-of-government approach to aggressively confront these harmful chemicals, and EPA is leading the way forward.”

With much fanfare, the EPA announced the proposed drinking water regulations for two “forever chemicals,” PFOA and PFOS. EPA Administrator Michael Regan said, “Communities across the country have suffered far too long from the ever-present threat of PFAS pollution. That is why President Biden launched a whole-of-government approach to aggressively confront these harmful chemicals, and EPA is leading the way forward.”

Thinking Out Loud: The Taste-to-Intelligence Ratio Test

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Mar 27, 2023
A few years ago, I consciously decided to forgo eating octopus because it was "too intelligent.” But I continue to eat pork, arguably as intelligent because it is “so tasty.” That led – tongue firmly in cheek – to the taste-to-intelligence ratio test.

A few years ago, I consciously decided to forgo eating octopus because it was "too intelligent.” But I continue to eat pork, arguably as intelligent because it is “so tasty.” That led – tongue firmly in cheek – to the taste-to-intelligence ratio test.

Podcast: Could 'Woke' Policies Harm Public Health? FDA's Silly 'Healthy' Food Labels

By Cameron English — Mar 27, 2023
Social justice advocates continue to demand that professions like medicine become more "diverse." Critics contend this development could bring unqualified physicians into the profession and jeopardize public health. Should we be worried? The FDA wants to label certain foods in the grocery store "healthy." It's an awful idea.

Social justice advocates continue to demand that professions like medicine become more "diverse." Critics contend this development could bring unqualified physicians into the profession and jeopardize public health. Should we be worried? The FDA wants to label certain foods in the grocery store "healthy." It's an awful idea.

Are 'Universal' COVID Vaccines in Our Future?

By Henry I. Miller, MS, MD — Mar 27, 2023
In order to prepare for the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 "variants of concern" or other epidemic coronaviruses, researchers are taking a variety of approaches to creating vaccines that will protect against not only known viruses but also against variants that have not yet appeared.

In order to prepare for the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 "variants of concern" or other epidemic coronaviruses, researchers are taking a variety of approaches to creating vaccines that will protect against not only known viruses but also against variants that have not yet appeared.

The Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act: Good Step in the Right Direction. It Should Go Further.

By Jeffrey Singer — Mar 24, 2023
While they could have gone even further, Senators Markey and Paul, and Representatives Norcross and Bacon deserve praise for stepping outside the box to address opioid addiction and overdoses.

While they could have gone even further, Senators Markey and Paul, and Representatives Norcross and Bacon deserve praise for stepping outside the box to address opioid addiction and overdoses.

Do Face Masks Work? Duh!

By Fred Lipfert, PhD — Mar 24, 2023
The New York Times devoted most of an opinion column to this ill-posed question. That's because concerning an airborne virus such as COVID-19, there are more relevant questions: How do masks work? When should they be used?

The New York Times devoted most of an opinion column to this ill-posed question. That's because concerning an airborne virus such as COVID-19, there are more relevant questions: How do masks work? When should they be used?

Can Calorie Restriction Reduce the Pace of Aging?

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Mar 24, 2023
When on a diet, especially one that requires 25% fewer calories, time seems to go so slowly between meals. Does that perception of time result in a slowing of our aging? A new study considers the relationship between calorie reduction and the clocks that measure our biological, rather than chronological, aging.

When on a diet, especially one that requires 25% fewer calories, time seems to go so slowly between meals. Does that perception of time result in a slowing of our aging? A new study considers the relationship between calorie reduction and the clocks that measure our biological, rather than chronological, aging.

Leadership in Public Health: The Public Health President, Teddy Roosevelt.

Whenever I think of Teddy Roosevelt, I imagine a hyper-talkative exuberant extrovert. He was known as an environmentalist, historian, and writer, but sadly his contributions to public health are obscured by his “larger than life” personality.

Whenever I think of Teddy Roosevelt, I imagine a hyper-talkative exuberant extrovert. He was known as an environmentalist, historian, and writer, but sadly his contributions to public health are obscured by his “larger than life” personality.