Racial Bias in Medicine: How It Affects Diagnosis and Treatment for People of Color
Introduction Healthcare isn’t immune to broader societal biases. Racial bias in medicine can manifest both consciously and unconsciously, influencing a range of clinical decisions—from prescribing pain medications to interpreting lab results. Although strides have been made to reduce inequalities, racial...
Read More
Health Literacy Gap: When Patients Can’t Understand Doctors, Outcomes Suffer
Introduction Medical jargon, complex instructions, and rapidly delivered information can leave many patients feeling lost or overwhelmed when talking with doctors. This gap in health literacy—the ability to obtain, process, and comprehend basic health information—drastically impacts healthcare outcomes. From misunderstood...
Read More
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): A Genetic Illness You Might Not Know You Have
Introduction Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a hereditary disorder that causes fluid-filled cysts to grow in the kidneys, often leading to progressive kidney damage. Many people with PKD remain undiagnosed for years, experiencing little to no symptoms until the disease...
Read More
Migraines: Debilitating Impact and Why They’re More Than “Just a Headache”
Introduction When people say they “have a migraine,” others may picture a bad headache. But migraines stand apart—complex neurological events that involve more than just pain. They can include nausea, sensory sensitivities, and cognitive fog, making simple tasks almost impossible. ...
Read More
Cluster Headaches: The Excruciating Episodes Dubbed “Suicide Headaches”
Introduction Often described as one of the most agonizing head pains known, cluster headaches have earned the ominous nickname “suicide headaches.” The excruciating intensity, coupled with the recurrent and cyclical nature of attacks, can push sufferers to emotional extremes if...
Read More
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: A Common Rare Disease Affecting Nerves
Introduction Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most prevalent inherited neuropathies, yet it remains largely unfamiliar to many. Affecting the peripheral nerves responsible for muscle control and sensation, CMT gradually weakens and atrophies muscles in the feet, legs, hands,...
Read More
LGBTQ Youth Homelessness: The Health Toll of Being Young and Without a Home
Introduction Homelessness remains a hidden but urgent crisis, especially among LGBTQ youth who often flee or are forced out of unsafe family environments. Despite making up a small percentage of the overall youth population, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer...
Read More
Homeless Health Crisis: Managing Chronic Illness When You Have No Home
Introduction Homelessness is an urgent social concern worldwide, but less often highlighted are the specific burdens carried by individuals with chronic illnesses who live without stable housing. Whether battling diabetes, heart disease, COPD, or mental health conditions, unhoused individuals must...
Read More
Prison Healthcare: The Challenges Inmates Face in Getting Medical Treatment
Introduction While incarcerated individuals lose certain freedoms, access to basic healthcare remains a fundamental human right. However, inside prisons, medical systems often struggle to meet even minimal standards. Barriers from limited resources and staff shortages to restrictive protocols can leave...
Read More
Tuberculosis Today: Why TB Still Kills in the 21st Century
Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) is a persistent global health challenge that causes illness and death in many regions. Caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB primarily affects the lungs (pulmonary TB), though it can target other organs (extrapulmonary TB). Despite the...
Read More