Good Grillin’
Setting the table for a healthy grilling experience — from set up to clean up Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Summer and grilling go hand-in-hand. But even though we associate this form of cooking with sun and fun, it isn’t without its risks. Grilling meats for too long directly over an open flame can produce […]
Precision Diets
Optimizing the food on your plate to fuel you, rather than deplete you Fact checked by Jim Lacy Your daily nutrition needs are unique to you — the specific foods that help your body function, the tastes and textures that resonate with you, the time your body clock tells you you’re hungry. But did you […]
Wear Your Weights
Weighted vests help build strength and fitness Cindy Porcaro, of Downers Grove, works as a receptionist and is the mother of three adult children. She also prioritizes fitness. Porcaro enjoys walking, yoga, and weightlifting. Recently, she also started wearing a weighted vest, after hearing about it from a fitness influencer. “She said she lost 10% […]
Positive Screen Time
3 phone apps for neurodivergent support For better or for worse, many people find comfort in having their smartphone within reach. On average, per day, we check our phones 205 times and spend more than five hours on them, according to a reviews.org survey of 1,000 Americans. This may arguably be wasted time, but what […]
Crossing Lines
How abortion bans are reshaping medical training and practices Fact checked by Jim Lacy The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in 2022 paved the way for states to ban abortion. On the day of the June ruling, Wisconsin’s four abortion clinics closed their doors. Yet, it wasn’t only the […]
How to Cut Through the Noise
Where to turn for sound health information Fact checked by Jim Lacy If you think it’s harder these days to discern which information to use to make health decisions, you may be right. Normally, there is alignment between the federal health agencies — such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes […]
Calling the Midwives
Fact checked by Jim Lacy Sierra Bartlett wanted a water birth. It was 2021, and she was living in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, 20 weeks pregnant with her first child. She had recently learned that West Suburban Medical Center offered water births with the midwives who attended births there. Hesitant at first, Bartlett, who is […]
Mind, Body, Spirit
How Jewish traditions inform care for adults with disabilities Fact checked by Jim Lacy Shana Erenberg, PhD, listened closely one morning as her friend Baruch Schur shared a concern with her: He needed to move his son Josh out of state due to the lack of disability services in Chicago. Erenberg felt compelled to act. With […]
We Asked…
We asked readers on social media and in our weekly newsletter to share their thoughts about the current state of healthcare in the United States and how it serves them. Here’s what they expressed. How do you feel about healthcare in the United States? “I feel that the privatization of healthcare within such a capitalist […]
Challenging Ableism, Owning My Disability
Fact checked by Jim Lacy I’ve spent most of my life trying not to inconvenience people. After I lost my leg at age 9 due to complications from bone cancer, I began a lifelong mission to “pass.” “Passing” is the act of a minority blending into the majority, either intentionally or not. This could look […]
Cancer’s Younger Scope
More people under age 50 are facing cancer diagnoses, at a stage when they’re just figuring out their lives Fact checked by Jim Lacy A cancer diagnosis at any age is life-altering, but a growing body of evidence reveals a troubling rise in cancer diagnoses among individuals, particularly women, under 50. Women in this age […]
Measles Misery
As the once-eliminated respiratory virus spreads across the U.S., health experts encourage vaccination in Chicago Fact checked by Ros Lederman The United States is grappling with a significant measles outbreak, with 607 confirmed cases across 21 states as of April 3, 2025. The surge has resulted in three known deaths as of April 6. At […]
Op-Ed: Outpatient Shoulder Replacements Are Safe for Most Patients. Here’s Why.
A decade ago, most joint replacements, including shoulder replacement, required a hospital stay. That’s no longer the case. Chicago Health is committed to publishing a diversity of opinions. The opinions expressed in this op-ed article are the author’s own. In January 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) allowed for primary shoulder replacements to […]
No Comment
HHS cuts public comment periods, sparking concerns over transparency Fact checked by Katie Scarlett Brandt The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has revoked a 50-year-old rule that required public input on key regulatory decisions. The move could significantly alter how healthcare policies are shaped. The Richardson Waiver, in place since 1971, ensured […]
Health Data Hunt
5 years on, true counts of Covid-19 deaths remain elusive — and research is hobbled by lack of data Above photo: National Covid-19 memorial wall for the five-year anniversary on March 11, 2025, in London, England. Andrew Aitchison/In Pictures via Getty Images By Dylan Thomas Doyle, University of Colorado Boulder In the early days of […]
After the Darién
Venezuelan migrant children and the mental health journey they face When Texas sent buses of displaced migrants north to sanctuary cities, it was a political move. But there were real people aboard, including thousands of children who had been through significant trauma. How were cities responding to their mental health needs? Chicago Health, along with […]
Dillon’s Law
Proposed bill brings epinephrine training and administration to Illinois residents Fact checked by Catherine Gianaro Illinois residents may soon have access to free training on how to administer epinephrine to someone experiencing anaphylaxis. This life-threatening allergic reaction causes severe swelling, potentially blocking airways and causing suffocation. “There are about four people who die every day […]
Nutrition Misinformation
Nutrition advice is rife with misinformation − a medical education specialist explains how to tell valid health information from pseudoscience Above photo: If a health claim about a dietary intervention sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Mizina/iStock via Getty Images Plus The Covid-19 pandemic illuminated a vast landscape of misinformation about many […]
“There’s Just a Lot of Uncertainty”
Ongoing NIH cuts prompt confusion, concern in Chicago medical centers Fact checked by Catherine Gianaro Chicago’s healthcare and research institutions continue to grapple with the effects of the Trump administration’s restrictions on communications, grant review meetings, travel, and hiring. In January, the Trump administration paused all Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) public documents, […]
Funding Science
Medical research depends on government money – even a day’s delay in the intricate funding process throws science off-kilter Above photo: Of the tens of thousands of grant applications submitted to the National Institutes of Health, only around 1 in 5 is funded. Sean Gladwell/Moment via Getty Images By Aliasger K. Salem, University of Iowa In […]
HHS Secretary Power
Health and Human Services secretary influences every aspect of America’s health Above photo: Declaring a state of public health emergency − and mobilizing resources to address it − is a power of the HHS secretary. Frank Franklin II/AP Photo By Angela Mattie, Quinnipiac University The secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, […]
Physicians React to Robert F. Kennedy Nomination
Fact checked by Catherine Gianaro U.S. senators will meet this week to discuss whether to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer, as head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The department oversees 13 agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the […]
Our Top 10 Stories of 2024
One of the best things about the new year is reviewing our most-read articles from the previous year. This exercise gives us an opportunity to find out what our readers most wanted to read, to remind ourselves of the health events that unfolded, and to review our breadth of coverage and our writers’ talents. […]
A Nation Exhausted
The neuroscience of why Americans are tuning out politics Above photo: Many Americans are choosing not to engage with politics, instead sticking their heads in the sand to protect their mental health. iStock/Getty Images Plus By Arash Javanbakht, Wayne State University “I am definitely not following the news anymore,” one patient told me when I […]
Food Mood
The connection between what you eat and how you feel There’s no doubt that food influences how we feel, but how we feel also influences our food choices. “Beyond biological and environmental influences, our emotions, mental wellbeing, and psychological states significantly shape our relationship with food,” says Sylvia Klinger, a dietitian nutritionist, founder of Hispanic […]
Cut the Sugar
No need to overload your cranberry sauce with sugar this holiday season − a food scientist explains how to cook with fewer added sweeteners Above photo: Fall means cranberry season − and sweet seasonal holiday dishes.AP Photo/Sergei Grits By Rosemary Trout, Drexel University The holidays are full of delicious and indulgent food and drinks. It’s […]
November 2024 Social Articles
November 2024 Social Articles 7 Foundations for a Healthy Brain While growing older can bring maturity and wisdom, it can also bring a decline in our cognitive abilities,… Read More Change Makers The groups taking on gun violence directly — and how their efforts are evolving Chicago America’s weak… Read More 10 Great Habits That […]
The Election Judge and the Bully
Centering mental health and public safety during a contentious voting day As political violence and division flared in recent months in the U.S., our associate editor, Ronit Rose, prepared for her role as an election judge for this year’s presidential election. Ronit served at a precinct in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. While she reiterated that […]
Water at Risk
A Q&A with investigative journalist Jordan Chariton, author of We the Poisoned, on the significance of lead and protecting the Great Lakes Water Basin Fact checked by Catherine Gianaro The Flint water crisis first unfolded more than a decade ago, but as journalist and author Jordan Chariton recounts in his new book, We the Poisoned: […]
Surgery Through Art
A unique view of Chicago’s International Museum of Surgical Science, at the crossroads of art, history, and medicine Fact checked by Catherine Gianaro Spanish priest and surgeon Miguel Servetus published in 1553 a groundbreaking book describing how blood flows through the heart and lungs. Today, this process — pulmonary circulation — is a basic […]
October 2024 Social Articles
October 2024 Social Articles Who, When, Why: Navigating Complex Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines If you are confused about breast cancer screening guidelines — how often to get mammograms and when to… Read More Allergies Getting Worse? Climate change may be the culprit As the long Chicago winter turned to spring, Lizzie Goodman threw open… Read […]
Private Practice Perspective
As large health systems dominate the landscape, two physicians in private practice share their thoughts on the pros and cons of today’s approaches to healthcare Patients have reasonable goals for their healthcare: sufficient time with their doctor, a skilled and respectful staff, ease when it comes to processing insurance claims and scheduling appointments. In this special […]
We Asked…
We asked readers on social media and in our weekly newsletter to share their thoughts about how gun violence has impacted them. Some respondents chose to remain anonymous because of the subject matter’s sensitivity; others said that even though they worry about it regularly, they chose not to share more because they felt other people […]
Play On
Chicago area flautist flouts the usual outcome of bow hunter’s syndrome Flautist Janice Frank, of Naperville, has a rare gift for woodwind instruments. She has played since age 7, has her master’s degree in music, and is the current secretary and past-president for the Chicago Flute Club. But a few years ago, when Frank was […]
Snow Sport Safety
Skiing and snowboarding offer a way to stay fit, and an adrenaline rush — but know your skill level to prevent injury Kirstin Brown started skiing when she joined her middle school ski club. School ski trips took her to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and other local resorts over the years. In high school, Brown began […]
How to Talk About Guns
Tough discussions with friends and family around gun safety Fact checked by Shannon Sparks When Bob Kristie’s daughter, Nell, would go to a friend’s house for a play date, there were three things he would always ask the other parent. “I’d say, ‘Let me see your smoke detectors, your carbon monoxide detectors, and where […]
How to Seek Help
Know the difference between types of care In an instant, everything can change — a sharp pain, an unexpected rash, or a child’s cry in the night can leave us scrambling to act. Navigating the healthcare system in these critical moments can feel like solving a puzzle. We must quickly decide: Is this a case […]
The Public Health Crisis of Gun Violence
For the first time in history, the United States Surgeon General in June 2024 declared gun violence a public health emergency. “Firearm violence is a public health crisis. Our failure to address it is a moral crisis,” Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, said in a public address. Murthy introduced a 39-page advisory, laying out an […]
Change Makers
The groups taking on gun violence directly — and how their efforts are evolving Chicago America’s weak gun control laws mean guns are everywhere. That’s where four unique local groups play a vital role. The groups operate separately and use different methodologies, but all four have the same fundamental goal: to stop violence from happening. […]
Aiming for More
Groups working in Chicago’s most violent neighborhoods try to reach people early on Fact checked by Derick Wilder The shooting happened in Uptown three and a half decades ago. Les Jenkins was carrying his daughter, taking her to kindergarten, when two men approached on a bicycle. Jenkins, who was 19 at the time, remembered […]
Ongoing Survival
After the nightmare of gun violence, survivors face difficult realities Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Andre Johnson was driving home from a basketball tournament, celebrating a victory, when carjackers opened fire without warning. Andre was shot four times; his best friend was killed. Andre describes what followed as a whirlwind. Overnight, he went from […]
The Role of Faith in Gun Violence Prevention
Fact checked by Derick Wilder Charnesha Collier knew she was hearing gunshots as soon as the pops started. Her mind jumped to the safety of the group of teens she had taken to work on a house in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. Collier was the crew leader then with the River City Community Development Center […]
AI in Healthcare
How do medical institutions ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence? Fact checked by Derick Wilder Have you ever considered all the ways we use artificial intelligence (AI) that no one really thinks about anymore? (Here’s to you, Siri!) Once something becomes rote, it tends to fade from our consciousness. This is especially common […]
Soothing Sips
How cozying up with a warm cup of chai this winter can benefit your mental and physical health Fact checked by Shannon Sparks A warm cup of chai is soothing, but that’s not all. The black tea and spices used to prepare it offer many physical health benefits, too. Black tea itself can significantly […]
Sustainable Seafood
How to choose foods from the deep blue that balance nutrition and planetary health Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Seafood — also called blue food — comes from the oceans, rivers, and lakes. These foods include fish, shellfish, and seaweed. Blue foods are high on the list of foods that Americans should be eating […]
Baby, it’s Cold Outside
Maintaining a safe workout routine through winter’s ice, snow, and freezing temperatures Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Do you welcome the arrival of the winter months? Or do you dread the shorter days — the cold (sometimes bitterly so) temperatures and unpredictable snowfalls that Chicago winters can bring? Whether you revel in bracing the […]
Pedal to the Metal
Comparing the health benefits of standard bikes and e-bikes Fact checked by Derick Wilder Whether it’s older adults, work commuters, or kids behind the handlebars, there’s no doubt that e-bikes have taken the country by storm. Between 2019 and 2022, the e-bike market in the United States grew by 269%; as of 2023, the […]
The Lone Private Practice
The number of self-employed physicians has been declining for years — but why, and at what cost? Fact checked by Derick Wilder Farah Khan, MD, has been a private-practice physician for 19 years. At 52, she says most young doctors aren’t interested in running their own practice. By contrast, working in a hospital means […]
Health in Mind
Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook meets suburban youth where they are Fact checked by Catherine Gianaro At Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook, therapy doesn’t always look like you’d typically imagine: the neutral-toned room, with a therapist’s chair facing a beige couch. Often, therapists turn to alternative approaches including play, music, and art. “The demand for specialized, […]
Visionary Ophthalmologist
Eye doctor and team from Loyola Medicine improve people’s sight in rural Guatemala Fact checked by Shannon Sparks Before a recent trip to Guatemala, Charles Bouchard, MD, current chair of Loyola Medicine’s ophthalmology department, went shopping. He went to a Dollar Tree store with a $300 donation from a patient and a purpose. “I […]