The hottest Health Research Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

It Is Now Clear Why Masks Never Worked

Unmasked • 46 implied HN points • 06 Mar 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemic response Health Research Vaccine debate
  1. Masks did not effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19, as shown by multiple studies over the years. Many places that enforced strict mask mandates still experienced high infection rates.
  2. Experts originally agreed that masks weren’t necessary for the general public, and later claims to the contrary were proven wrong. The research all along suggested masks wouldn't help during a pandemic.
  3. Experiments during the pandemic showed that forcing people, including children, to wear masks didn’t make a difference in controlling the virus, ultimately leading to a conclusion that the mandates were ineffective.

Dear Shambolic Oligarchs: Here’s What I Did This Week

Viruses Must Die • 96 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🔬 Science Virology Molecular Biology Bioinformatics Vaccines Health Research
  1. There's a plan to create a vaccine for chickens using yeast to help them fight bird flu. This involves some complex science but aims to protect poultry.
  2. Efforts are underway to upload massive amounts of viral data to a federal cloud, making it easier for scientists to access crucial information. However, workplace issues are causing worries about delays.
  3. A colleague discovered a cancer treatment but was let go during a staff change, which highlights the challenges faced by dedicated scientists and the impact of workplace stress on their work.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT AUTISM? ABLE TO BE IN ORLANDO NOV 15-17, 2024?

Popular Rationalism • 138 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Health Research Community support Pediatrics
  1. The Documenting Hope Conference is happening in Orlando from November 15-17, 2024, and it's a great opportunity for parents and professionals concerned about autism. It's important to register soon to secure your spot and take advantage of early bird pricing.
  2. The conference will feature top experts in pediatrics and integrative medicine, sharing helpful insights and innovative solutions related to autism. Attendees can expect valuable knowledge and resources for better advocacy and support.
  3. Aside from learning, the event promises a fun experience at a resort in sunny Orlando, with family-friendly activities and special deals at nearby attractions like Disney World. It's a nice mix of education and leisure for everyone.

What are ultra-processed foods, really?

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1591 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Public Health Dietary Guidelines Food Science Health Research
  1. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) can be convenient and affordable, but they are often linked to health issues like obesity and heart disease. It's important to know that not all processed foods are bad; some can actually be nutritious.
  2. Research shows that diets high in UPFs may lead to overeating and poorer health, but the exact reasons for this aren't fully understood yet. The type of UPF matters, with sugary drinks and processed meats being the most harmful.
  3. To eat healthier, you can look for foods with lower added sugars and sodium, while being mindful of marketing claims. Sometimes, it’s okay to include UPFs in your diet, especially when they meet your specific needs.

Documenting Hope - This Org's Research Helps us Understand and Improve Children's Health

Popular Rationalism • 297 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Child Health Health Research Health Advocacy Health Education Mental health
  1. There is a silent auction happening to raise funds for children's health, closing on October 4, 2024. It's a good chance to bid on some unique items and support a worthy cause.
  2. The auction features valuable items like health screenings and coaching packages, with some starting bids as low as $50. You might find something great while helping kids!
  3. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Documenting Hope organization, which focuses on improving children's health. It's a way to contribute to important research and initiatives for children.
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Obesity: Root Cause Analysis

Experimental Fat Loss • 268 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Obesity Diabetes Health Research
  1. Obesity and diabetes rates have soared in the last few decades, showing something has fundamentally changed in our lifestyle or diet since the 1800s.
  2. Understanding the mechanisms behind diet and health is important, but we also need to focus on finding practical solutions rather than just theoretical ones.
  3. Evaluating various diet ideas from personal experiences or small experiments can be more effective than relying solely on large studies, as many common narratives about health don't fully explain the issues we face today.

Reader Question - My Doctor Claims He Can "Jump Start" Weight Loss?

Weight and Healthcare • 878 implied HN points • 04 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Nutrition Medical Ethics Body positivity Health Research
  1. Behavior-based weight loss interventions usually fail to produce significant, long-term weight loss for most people.
  2. The idea of 'jump starting' weight loss with extreme food/caloric restrictions is generally ill-advised as it can trigger famine responses in the body, making it a weight-gaining machine.
  3. Promoting or selling products like liquid diets by medical professionals is not legally prohibited, but the evidence does not support the effectiveness of 'kick starting' weight loss as a long-term solution.

The Dose (November 1)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1002 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Mental health Vaccination Disease Control Health Research
  1. The levels of common respiratory viruses like RSV, Covid, and flu are currently low, but keep an eye out for mycoplasma pneumonia if a cough lingers. It's often mild but can be treated with antibiotics.
  2. Many people are feeling stressed about the upcoming elections, which can even lead to health issues like heart problems. It's important to take care of yourself and find ways to manage this stress.
  3. The CDC has lowered the pneumococcal vaccine eligibility to anyone 50 and older, but this could be confusing. It's essential to understand the different vaccines available and make sure you're protected.

Goodbye To Jenny Craig

Weight and Healthcare • 1178 implied HN points • 13 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Dieting Weight Loss Body positivity Health Research
  1. Jenny Craig, a popular commercial diet program, is shutting down after decades. Despite its promises of weight loss, it failed to show long-term results in studies.
  2. Commercial diet programs like Jenny Craig often rely on a cycle of success and failure, blaming clients for weight regain without acknowledging the limitations of restrictive diets.
  3. The closure of Jenny Craig is a reminder of the lack of evidence behind many weight loss programs, as clients are left without sustainable results.

Updated estimates of Long Covid in England and Scotland show that it remains a serious issue

Independent SAGE continues • 239 implied HN points • 27 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Epidemiology Healthcare policy Chronic Illness Health Research
  1. About 1.1 million people in England and Scotland are estimated to have Long Covid lasting at least 12 weeks, which is a significant number. This suggests that Long Covid is still a serious health problem affecting many individuals.
  2. Most people with Long Covid have been living with it for a long time; over 50% have had it for more than two years. Many new cases are still emerging, especially among those with repeated infections.
  3. Long Covid significantly impacts daily life for many, with nearly 73% experiencing some limitations and about 23% facing major difficulties in their daily activities. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, and difficulty concentrating.

Weight-Neutral Health And Wegovy - Unprinted Interview

Weight and Healthcare • 858 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Body positivity Medical Industry Health Research Drug Safety
  1. The concept of body-size-as-disease is constructed by the diet industry and lacks scientific grounding.
  2. Engaging in intentional weight loss contradicts being a part of the Health at Every Size community.
  3. Research suggests that weight-neutral interventions can offer similar cardiometabolic benefits with fewer risks compared to weight loss drugs.

Article Shows How the Media Creates Weight Stigma, Even When It Isn’t There

Weight and Healthcare • 678 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Stigma Health Research Media influence Body positivity
  1. The study analyzed the impact of warning labels on sugary drinks but the media misrepresented the findings, leading to weight stigma.
  2. Existing research shows that interventions focusing on positive, weight-neutral health messages are most beneficial for people of all sizes.
  3. Media coverage often perpetuates weight stigma and misinformation, impacting public perception and potentially harming individuals.

Do Small Pharmaceutical Industry Payments Really Influence Doctors?

Weight and Healthcare • 519 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Ethics Health Research
  1. Studies suggest that even small pharmaceutical industry payments can influence doctors' prescribing patterns
  2. The amount of money received from pharmaceutical companies correlates with increased rates of prescribing brand-name drugs
  3. Research shows that receiving payments from the industry is linked to higher prescribing costs and a greater proportion of branded medication prescribing

Weight Watchers - Up To Their Old Tricks

Weight and Healthcare • 559 implied HN points • 12 Nov 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Weight Loss Body Image Fitness Health Research
  1. Weight Watchers rebranded and uses language around health and wellness to try to improve their image, but their profit model still relies on weight cycling and short-term weight loss.
  2. Weight Watchers employs deceptive marketing tactics, showcasing weight loss results without providing clear disclaimers on realistic outcomes and promoting weight loss over health.
  3. Despite Weight Watchers' attempts to appear health-focused, their core model is profit-driven, leading to cycles of weight loss and regain for customers, benefiting the company financially while potentially harming individuals.

Oh no! Berkson's paradox in clinical theories

Unconfusion • 59 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Psychology Health Research Patient Care
  1. Berkson's paradox can lead to false conclusions about relationships between mental health traits. When studying a specific group, like patients at a clinic, the observed patterns might not apply to the general population.
  2. Clinicians need to be careful about the data they collect and how they interpret it. Just because a pattern looks clear in a limited sample doesn't mean it's true everywhere.
  3. It's important to think about where data comes from and how that affects conclusions. Sampling bias can easily lead to misunderstandings about the relationship between different mental health factors.

Misinformation Squares

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccine Safety Public Health Medical Ethics Health Research Misinformation
  1. The Vaccine Safety Research Foundation (VSRF) has had a successful year revealing important data about vaccine safety. They share evidence and hold discussions on issues related to vaccines and health policies.
  2. The annual fundraiser, called 'Misinformation Squares,' will be a fun event featuring knowledgeable guests discussing vaccine awareness. It's set for December 5, 2024, and aims to raise support for safety research.
  3. VSRF offers ways for people to get involved through donations, purchases from their shop, and even participating in raffles. Supporting their efforts helps promote transparency in vaccine safety.