René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH – Medium

René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH

he/him

Published in

Microbial Instincts

What Happened When Vaccine Programs Collapsed in the Soviet Union: The Return of Diphtheria

What RFK Jr. is doing to vaccines right now reminds me of what the former Soviet republics did in the 1990s.

18h ago

An abandoned room with peeling yellow and white paint on the walls contains several small metal bed frames, many with missing or damaged mattresses. Torn sheets, stuffed dolls, and scattered papers lie on the beds and dusty wooden floor. Light filters through large, grimy windows, casting a dim glow over the scene. The room feels still and long-forgotten, with signs of past use by children.

18h ago

In Memory of Charlie

A bright young mind who would do so much for public health is gone.

4d ago

A spacious lecture hall with tiered wooden benches, mostly filled with people facing a large screen at the front. Two tables are set up on stage, and a presentation is being shown on the screen. The room features modern walls, a high ceiling with exposed beams, and soft lighting, creating a focused atmosphere for the event.

4d ago

Published in

The Quantastic Journal

Processed Foods: Friend, Foe, or Just Complicated?

A public health breakdown for anyone who’s ever bought canned beans or instant noodles.

Jun 9

A well-lit grocery store aisle with shelves on both sides fully stocked with colorful boxes of cereal, tea, and breakfast items. Signs above indicate sections like “Tea,” “Cereal,” and “Breakfast.” Bright sale tags and price drop signs are visible on many shelves. At the end of the aisle is a refrigerated section filled with dairy products, and the polished floor reflects the lights and products. No people are present in the scene.

Jun 9

Published in

Age of Awareness

Pipe Wrenches and Pi: How Tradespeople Use Math Daily

What my dad (and skilled trades workers) taught me about physics, problem-solving, and respect.

Jun 4

A person with short gray hair and a friendly expression is working under the raised hood of a large black pickup truck in a garage. The person is wearing a light-colored long-sleeve shirt and looking toward the camera while using a tool. In front of the truck, a light-colored dog wearing a harness sits upright on a small stool, gazing attentively at the person. A table with a variety of tools is positioned near the front bumper.

Jun 4

Published in

Microbial Instincts

The Gonorrhea Vaccine You Didn’t See Coming

How the UK is using the meningitis vaccine as a weapon against gonorrhea, a common sexually transmitted infection.

Jun 1

A gold foil condom wrapper lies on a light textured surface next to an unrolled red condom. Surrounding the items are several bright red feathers, adding a soft, vibrant contrast to the scene. The lighting is even, and the image has a clean, playful feel.

Jun 1

Published in

The Quantastic Journal

The Vitamin K Shot: Why We Recommend It for Every Newborn Baby

It’s not a vaccine. It’s not a conspiracy. It’s a life-saving vitamin your baby needs.

May 26

A tattooed adult wearing a hospital wristband gently holds a newborn over a hospital infant scale. The baby is freshly born, with damp hair and wrinkled skin, and is moving their arms and legs. A soft striped hospital blanket lines the scale. The setting appears to be a hospital room with warm lighting and medical equipment in the background.

May 26

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.

May 21

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.

May 21

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.

May 19

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.

May 19

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

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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