What the U.S. Government Shutdown Means to Your Health

The United States government shutdown has slowed or halted federal efforts to protect Americans’ health and safety. Now in its 9th day, the shutdown has impacted food safety efforts, flu programs and disease-tracking, scientific research, and the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities.

US is closed

Project Violet Combines Crowdfunding, Social Media, and Video Game-style Engagement for Drug Discovery

Project Violet is a philanthropic effort to build a citizen science community and drive early drug discovery at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center [1]. Launched last month, the project combines aspects of crowdfunding, social media, and video game-style engagement to raise capital from thousands of donors and engage them in a drug discovery journey over the next few years.

Project Violet

Vitamin Supplements: Do You Believe in Magic?

The Atlantic recently published an excerpt from Dr. Paul Offit’s book Do You Believe in Magic?: The Sense and Nonsense of Alternative Medicine, which takes a closer look at the vitamin supplement industry and the harm it is inflicting [1].

Vitamin supplements

9 Tips to Survive the Summer BBQ

In the United States, the 4th of July holiday is all about family, friends, fireworks and food. Lot’s of food. Indeed, nothing says summer holidays like a good old-fashioned BBQ. Here are some tips for how to grill safely and eat healthy this summer.

Healthy grilling

Don’t Get Burned: Fireworks Injuries by the Numbers

In the U.S., fireworks are synonymous with Independence day. Yet for all the fun of fireworks, they can also bring burns, blindness and even death.

Fireworks injuries