René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH – Medium

René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH

he/him

Published in

Microbial Instincts

How We’re Failing Babies With a Preventable Disease: Congenital Syphilis

A disease treatable with penicillin is exploding in the United States and elsewhere.

2d ago

A newborn rests on a hospital bassinet covered with a white blanket featuring pink and blue stripes. The baby’s legs are slightly bent, and the focus is on the tiny feet. One ankle has a yellow monitor band, and the other has a pink hospital ID band. The lighting is soft and warm, highlighting the delicate skin and the peaceful atmosphere of the hospital setting.

2d ago

Published in

The Quantastic Journal

The Theory and Math on Homeopathy Doesn’t Add Up

Let’s do the math together and understand the beliefs around homeopathy to make it clear why homeopathy isn’t a viable medicine.

3d ago

A person wearing a textured, off-white shirt is holding a small amber glass dropper bottle in one hand and a dropper filled with a light-colored liquid in the other. The dropper is being removed from or lowered into the bottle, and a droplet is visible at the tip. The person’s face is partially visible, softly focused in the background, while the hands and bottle are in clear focus in the foreground.

3d ago

Published in

Microbial Instincts

Get to Know Trichomoniasis, the Most Common Non-Viral Sexually Transmitted Infection

Knowledge is power, and taboos aren’t your friend.

May 12

A banana lies on a bright blue background. The left half of the banana is covered with a red condom, creating a sharp contrast with the uncovered yellow right half. The image is brightly lit and has a playful, educational tone, likely symbolizing safe sex practices.

May 12

Published in

The Quantastic Journal

Understanding Autism: A Journey Through History, Science, and Society

What the rising autism prevalence rates tell us about how our understanding and acceptance of autism.

May 6

The word “AUTISM” is spelled out in the center of the image using textured, uppercase letters. The letters are colored black, gray, and brown, with the “S” and “M” in brown. Scattered around the word are numerous other individual letters in the same colors, arranged randomly on a light, neutral background.

May 6

Is Science Dead? Nah… We’re Just Getting Yelled at Again, Like the Good Troublemakers We Are

It’s too early to proclaim the death of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or medicine.

May 3

A dark, eerie graveyard scene with crooked tombstones and barren, twisted trees scattered across a hill. Silhouettes of ruined stone arches stand near the center, backlit by glowing rays of light. A skeleton figure stands near a cross, while shadowy, cloaked figures are seen near the ruins. Several bats fly overhead. The overall atmosphere is foggy and ghostly, with dim, muted tones and long, dramatic shadows.

May 3

Published in

The Quantastic Journal

Thimerosal in Vaccines: History, Science, and Public Health Impact

How a harmless ingredient in vaccines became a favorite target of the anti-vaccine crowd.

Apr 26

A young child with medium-length hair tied back with a large pink bow is sitting on an exam table in a medical office. The child is wearing a white shirt and holding a colorful woven bag. A healthcare worker, visible only from the shoulder down, is gently placing a small purple bandage on the child’s upper arm. The child looks down at the bandage with a slight smile. The room has light-colored walls and a wooden door.

Apr 26

Published in

Microbial Instincts

The Cough That Outcried the ER: Why Whooping Cough Still Haunts Us

A firsthand account of pertussis, the dangers of vaccine misinformation, and why prevention still matters more than ever.

Apr 25

A young child with short dark hair is sitting on a wooden chair, holding a nebulizer mask to their face. The child is wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and appears to be inhaling medication. The mask is connected by a tube to a white medical device on a light-colored wooden table in front of them. The background is a plain, dark teal wall, and the lighting is soft and indoor.

Apr 25

What If Med School Isn’t for You? Good News: You’ve Got Options

The field of healthcare is as diverse as the professionals working in it.

Apr 20

A group of five individuals in classic nurse uniforms with large white bows sit in wooden desks, facing a chalkboard. One person in similar attire stands at the board, writing “Bones of the body.” Behind them, an anatomical skeleton model stands near a wall poster showing two full human skeleton diagrams. A black calendar on the wall shows the date as May 5. The room has a clean, vintage look, likely from the mid-20th century.

Apr 20

Published in

Sharing Science

Prevention Begins at Home (And Sometimes in the Colon)

We use different types of prevention in Public Health. Let me tell you about them and about my “little brother,” Dad’s tumor.

Apr 16

Prevention Begins at Home (And Sometimes in the Colon)

Apr 16

Does Bad Data Make Good Policy?

How an open database of transgender athletes’ accomplishments has been used to advocate for transphobic public policy.

Apr 15

A black-and-white photo shows a crowd of people marching in a city with tall buildings in the background. Two smiling individuals at the front hold large protest signs. One reads, “SCIENCE is logical, not political,” and the other says, “SCIENTISTS don’t have secret political agendas — POLITICIANS DO.” Other visible signs include messages like “RESPECT EXISTENCE.” The group appears energetic and unified.

Apr 15

René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH

René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH

he/him

Friend of Medium

DrPH in Epidemiology. Public Health Instructor. Father. Husband. "All around great guy." https://linktr.ee/rene.najera

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