The Focus on Access In 2013, about 270 million Americans—roughly 85.5% of the population—had health insurance through public or private plans. That left approximately 46 million people without coverage. By 2016, following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the number of insured Americans rose to nearly 289 million (91.4%), reducing the uninsured population to about 27 million. Fast forward to 2023, and over 40 million people had enrolled in ACA-related insur

Polio is a viral disease that spreads from person to person and can cause life long paralysis and even death . In some cases the virus affects the spinal cord and brain . The Polio vaccines are the only such vaccines which can prevent this from happening making it vital for public safety and health . How does Polio spread ? Polio spreads from person to person through contact with the poop (often tiny) of an infected person . It also spreads through the sneeze or cough droplet

Drug overdose deaths have dropped nearly 27% in the past year, but drug supply continues to evolve with fentanyl, xylazine, and other threats. This article explains how to recognize an overdose, use naloxone, and support harm reduction strategies during National Recovery Month 2025. Author: Susanna Marrs RN, BSN, CARN

Introduction End-of-life ("EOL") care is shaped not only by medical guidelines but also by cultural beliefs, values, and traditions that influence how patients and families interpret illness, death, and decision-making (Crawley, 2005; Glyn-Blanco et al., 2023). While principles such as autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence remain central to clinical practice, their application often varies across cultural contexts. Preferences regarding prognosis disclosure, life-sustain

Overview of longevity Over the past century, human longevity has risen so sharply that it is sometimes described as an “epidemic.” While there is no universal definition, age 85 is often used as the threshold for advanced age. With improvements in public health and medical care, the number of people living past 90—and especially centenarians—has grown rapidly. U.S. Census data show that the 90+ population is the fastest-growing subgroup among those over 65. For example, fewer

Introduction Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) have rapidly evolved from a theoretical concept into a validated class of targeted cancer therapies. Over the past two decades, successive generations of ADCs have introduced innovations in antibody engineering, linker chemistry, and cytotoxic payloads, leading to a growing number of regulatory approvals across both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Today, more than a dozen ADCs are commercially available, and hundreds of

Introduction Have you ever eaten a piece of fruit or a vegetable and felt a tingling or itchy sensation in your tongue or throat afterward, even if you have no history of allergies? After some time passed, you may have taken an allergy medication or maybe the sensation went away on its own. What you may have experienced is an oral allergy syndrome allergic reaction and it can happen to anyone, with and without known severe allergies. Oral Allergy Syndrome Oral allergy syndrom

Abstract Current insights and trends in early-onset Type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes (T2D), once considered a disease of older adults, is increasingly diagnosed in adolescents and young adults. This trend poses significant clinical and public health challenges, including early onset complications, psychosocial impacts, and health system strain. This article explores the drivers behind the rise of early-onset T2D, current management challenges, and the need for innovative preve

First day on the unit. I met the nurse manager, Jocelyn. The accent is the giveaway. Filipina. First generation. We knuckle-bump (the unofficial post-COVID handshake). Same scrubs, different journeys. What I Thought It Was About At first, I made it about the accent. In my head, I said: They came here first-gen. They passed the NCLEX with English as a second language. They fought for every inch. They rose fast. And now they manage us. And sometimes, it felt like those wins cam

Understanding Peanut Allergy and the Role of Palforzia   Peanut allergy affects 1-2% of people in the United States, making it one of the most common food allergies (1). This happens when the immune system mistakes proteins in peanuts for harmful substances. When this occurs, the body releases chemicals that trigger allergic reactions, which can range from mild symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis (2).   Peanuts are legumes, not tree nuts, and are related to soybeans, pea

Legionella infections often fly under the radar, but outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease can be deadly. Legionella infections, including Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever, are rising in 2025. Learn how these bacteria spread, symptoms to watch for, prevention strategies, and treatment options. What Is Legionella? How It Spreads and Where It Thrives Legionella is a genus of bacteria naturally found in freshwater environments, including lakes and streams. Infection typicall

This Photo  by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY By Jennifer Navarro MSN, RN, NPD-BC What is pain? Pain is described as an uncomfortable feeling—both physical and emotional—that can happen when your body is hurt or healing, or even when there’s a risk of injury. It’s a personal experience, and only you know how it feels to you. According to the American Pain Society pain is defined as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tis

Mary Johnson, MBA, BSN, CMSRN Be Prepared: Why Every Home Needs Basic First Aid Supplies You have just moved into your first apartment or are living away from home for the first time. One morning, you wake up feeling achy, shivery, and congested, with a sore throat that just will not quit. Do you have acetaminophen or ibuprofen on hand? Do you even own a thermometer to check if you are running a fever? Or perhaps you are babysitting your niece or nephew, and they suddenly say

Emma woke up with a sore throat and a mild fever. A friend told her, “I have some antibiotics left from last time, take them, you’ll feel better fast.” Trusting the advice, Emma took the pills without a doctor’s prescription. What she didn’t realize was that her sore throat was most likely caused by a virus, which antibiotics cannot treat. This small choice, repeated by millions worldwide, is adding fuel to one of the greatest health challenges of our time. A hand holding a h

Water Running Over Hands Have you ever stopped to think about the many ways we use water every day? We drink water, wash with it, clean our dishes, silverware, and cookware with it, and often use it for recipes. Some food and drinks require consumers to "just add water" to be able to ingest it; for example, baby formula, instant oatmeal, and the classic comfort food, ramen noodles. Once you take the time to think about how we use water, the next logical step is to think about

Serious adverse event narratives: background and definitions Before defining case narrative, it is important to explain the concept of Individual Case Safety Report (ICSR); this well-known pharmacovigilance report captures information about adverse events and product problems that are reported to public health, patient safety/quality improvement organizations or regulatory agencies. The ICSR message supports reporting from a variety of sources such as consumers, hospitals, co

Less visible but no less dangerous... Though not as visible as the smoky skies of air pollution or the haze of light pollution, noise...

Overview: The way we are raised plays a significant role in our development, with parenting styles serving as a primary driver. There are...

This photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC India is facing a dual health crisis. A disproportionately high number of...

In a quiet Shanghai clinic, an elderly doctor with decades of experience places his fingers gently on a patient's wrist, feeling not just...