Abortion law, suicide rate study adds to raging debate. But are we missing point?

Epidemiologist says research tends to be weaponized on both sides, overshadows mental health needs of those with unwanted pregnancies.

Alvin Powell • harvard
Jan. 26, 2023 ~10 min

A laugh a day keeps the doctor away?

Psychologist Natalie Dattilo says she uses laugher in her practice to help people manage their depression.

Alvin Powell • harvard
Jan. 25, 2023 ~7 min


Really need to start exercising but hate it? Just move

With the pandemic slowing a lot of people down and epidemics in obesity, diabetes, and other lifestyle conditions unabated, experts say you don’t need to be a marathoner, or even in shape to get started. Just get moving.

Alvin Powell • harvard
Jan. 23, 2023 ~5 min

Weekend ‘catch-up sleep’ might offer a lifeline

The next time you want to hassle your teenager about sleeping in on Saturday, maybe go back to bed instead.

Alvin Powell • harvard
Jan. 6, 2023 ~7 min

With an eye on climate, a helping hand for health care’s front lines

The Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment has teamed up with the nonprofit Americares to develop a toolkit for community-based health centers offering advice to clinicians, patients, and facility administrators on how to prepare for and handle climate-related emergencies.

Alvin Powell • harvard
Jan. 3, 2023 ~6 min

Send cash, not goods, and other suggestions for giving

There is no shortage of global suffering and need, says the director of Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, but you can still help.

Alvin Powell • harvard
Dec. 19, 2022 ~8 min

Eating more during the holidays? Don’t mistake Oreo calories for olive calories.

As America grows fatter, scientists continue to debate the causes of the obesity crisis, while the founder of Children’s Hospital’s weight clinic says the predominant “cut calories” approach may have the problem backward.

Alvin Powell • harvard
Dec. 9, 2022 ~10 min

Glimmers of movement, hope at COP27

The most significant climate change action during COP27 this month occurred thousands of miles away, in Bali, Indonesia, when the U.S. and China agreed to restart what had been a successful partnership to cut globe warming emissions before the two nations’ relations soured in recent years.

Alvin Powell • harvard
Nov. 23, 2022 ~10 min


New CDC guidelines a ‘corrective’ for opioid prescriptions, specialist says

The CDC updates its 2016 opioid prescribing guidelines, to emphasize flexibility over rigid practices and laws whose aim is to reduce addiction.

Alvin Powell • harvard
Nov. 21, 2022 ~8 min

Knowing what the doctor knows

Tom Delbanco, the John F. Keane and Family Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, explains why he supports giving patients greater access to records, pushing back on concerns about potential impact of a scary diagnosis

Alvin Powell • harvard
Nov. 15, 2022 ~9 min

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