When it comes to public health, few concepts are as revealing as the idea of syndemics, especially in understanding diseases like HIV and STIs. Syndemics look at how diseases don’t just exist in isolation but are connected and often worsened by the social and economic conditions around them. This is especially true for HIV and …
Syndemics of Social Determinants of Health: HIV and STIs Read More »
Picture a 19th-century London swathed in mist and plagued by a cholera epidemic. While most doctors are still blaming this health crisis on foul air—also known as the ‘miasma theory’—one physician isn’t buying it. Enter John Snow, a Yorkshire-born doctor with a razor-sharp intellect and a healthy dose of skepticism. He’s got a revolutionary idea: …
Remember, in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, epidemiologists and other experts were debating whether it was better to lockdown or let the virus spread to achieve herd immunity. It is a question we’re always faced with when a new disease (for which we have no protection) suddenly develops in a population. In this …
Endometriosis affects approximately one in ten women of reproductive age globally. Despite this widespread prevalence, however, it receives little attention in developed, high-income countries. Known to cause infertility and severe, debilitating symptoms, endometriosis is a painful condition even for women with access to modern medicine. In Sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease is common, endometriosis leaves …
Sickle cell disease is part of a group of inherited disorders (notably sickle cell anemia) that affect the structure of red blood cells, the body’s oxygen carriers. Red blood cells, generally round and supple, navigate effortlessly through our blood vessels. However, in sickle cell anemia, some of these cells assume the shape of sickles or …
Unraveling Sickle Cell Disease: An In-Depth Examination Read More »
Unbeknownst to the resident of Syracuse, Utah, West Nile Virus was lurking in a nearby mosquito pool. Despite alarm among residents, the authorities have urged calm and are intensifying their mosquito management in the area. Indeed, no reported cases of West Nile Virus in humans are yet to occur in Utah in 2023. Nonetheless, the …
West Nile Virus | Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Global Outbreaks Read More »
Meningitis – the word alone strikes fear into many parents’ hearts. Life-threatening and almost always severe, the consequences of meningitis aren’t like other infections. Deafness, epilepsy, and life-long cognitive deficits occur in infants and adolescents worldwide due to insufficient medical care. In 2019, 7.7 million people worldwide were diagnosed with meningitis leading to almost a …
Meningitis: Signs, Symptoms, and Its Global Impact Read More »
Preeclampsia is a common condition affecting women in pregnancy. Occurring after 20 weeks of pregnancy, it is associated with new-onset high blood pressure (hypertension) and protein in the urine (proteinuria). Additional signs include low levels of platelets, which help the blood clot, and abnormal kidney or liver function tests. As the name suggests, preeclampsia is …
Lassa fever is a viral illness that has become a public health concern worldwide, particularly in West Africa. The disease causes severe and life-threatening symptoms, making understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatment options crucial. In this article, we’ll explore the world of Lassa fever to keep you informed and help protect you and your loved …
Lassa Fever: Understanding Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Read More »
Testosterone is a powerful hormone responsible for several key functions in males, including sexual characteristics, bone density, muscle mass, and fat distribution regulation. As men age, testosterone levels gradually decline, leading to several health problems. However, a bigger societal concern is the persistent, consistent decline of testosterone in men over decades. What’s happening? Why is testosterone …
Understanding Low Testosterone in Men and How to Address It Read More »