As usual, the answer is in the proper analysis of data. — A Fraud and Its Victims In 1998, a team of researchers in Great Britain published a study examining the relationship between the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and autism. Or, as the study paper put it, “We identified associated gastrointestinal disease and developmental regression in a group of previously normal children, which was generally associated…

The data will not analyze itself. — Suppose you’re an epidemiologist at a local health department in a resort town. The town council just had a person give testimony that ice cream leads to drowning, and they have the data to prove it. They pulled 700 random records from the local ice cream shop over the last…

…But we need ground rules. — A group of entertainers and anti-vaccine activists recently tried to harass a well-known vaccine researcher into a “debate” on vaccination. Thankfully, the researcher refused to engage. So, true to form, the entertainers and anti-vaccine activists claimed victory. This is an old tactic by science deniers and others. They challenge you…

Just because it’s published, that doesn’t mean it’s valid. — If you only have a minute… This blog post provides tips for reading pandemic research papers. It suggests familiarizing yourself with the technical language of epidemiological research, understanding basic biostatistics, and knowing the hierarchy of evidence. It also warns against pre-prints and reminds readers that individual experiences may differ from group findings. The post concludes by…

Maybe it will be influenza. Maybe tuberculosis. Maybe an old pathogenic foe. Or maybe a deliberate act from a bad actor. Whatever the scenario is, we’re not ready. — If you only have a minute, here’s the TL;DR version… I discuss the possibility of future pandemics and suggest that influenza and drug-resistant tuberculosis are among the most likely candidates for pathogens that cause a pandemic. I also discuss the potential for intentional release of smallpox and the need for pandemic preparedness. The post highlights the importance of public health…

It wasn’t until this epidemic that a new species of bacteria causing flu-like symptoms and pneumonia was discovered. — A quick summary of what you’re about to read, if you don’t have a lot of time: In 1976, an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease occurred during the American Legion’s convention in Philadelphia, resulting in 34 deaths and 221 illnesses. The cause was later identified as Legionella pneumophila bacteria in the hotel’s cooling tower, which had spread through the ventilation system. The outbreak led to the identification of…

A quick summary of what you’re about to read, if you don’t have a lot of time: Lessons from aviation can be applied to everyday life. These include remaining calm and focused in high-pressure situations, avoiding unnecessary risks, following rules and avoiding distractions, listening to advice, and trusting your gut. Remembering that “there is more time than life” and saying “nope” when necessary can also keep you…

Toxic workplaces exist within public health, and public health workers also get abuse from members of the public who do not believe in public health interventions. This is leading to a new exodus of public health workers, and I’m not surprised. — A quick summary of what you’re about to read, if you don’t have a lot of time: This article discusses the findings of a survey of public health workers in the United States, which found that many plan to leave their jobs or retire. The pandemic has put a strain on public health workers, who have been working long hours for many months. The article highlights the…

The reboot of the season was not what I expected, and that’s not a bad thing. — I still remember staying up late on some weeknights as a kid to watch the original “Quantum Leap” television series on NBC. And I still remember watching the series finale. The finale left me with many questions about the mythos of the series (the original and the reboot). First, the…