Some researchers and clinicians are questioning the value of the body mass index, which estimates a person’s body composition. But do better alternatives exist?
Category: Health Policy
How supporting family, along with patients, became part of hospital’s mission
When the new Stanford Hospital opened five years ago, a carefully designed third-floor resource center gave for those caring for loved ones an important safe haven.
Biodesign cultivates community partnerships to broaden understanding of health equity
Biodesign program aims to ensure all trainees have a better understanding of health equity and appreciate the ways in which new technologies can widen or narrow the gaps in access to care.
A doctor, his cancer journey and a uniquely teachable moment
Bryant Lin has taken his diagnosis of stage IV ‘never-smoker’ lung cancer, which disproportionately affects those of Asian descent, and turned it into a medical school course. He hopes the world takes notes along with the students and Stanford Medicine community.
California excels at screening babies for main cause of childhood blindness
Vision damage from a complication of premature birth can be halted if it’s caught soon enough — and a California Perinatal Quality Care (CPQCC) and Stanford Medicine-led study shows the state’s screening process is helping close racial gaps.
From ballet to medicine, a love of stories has driven this bioethicist
Stanford Medicine bioethicist Tyler Tate found high levels of success in ballet, miming, acting, fencing and collegiate tennis. But his love of storytelling ultimately led him to medicine.
Understanding the resurgence of mpox
As a new form of the viral disease spreads through Central Africa, prompting a global emergency declaration, Stanford Medicine infectious disease specialist Abraar Karan discusses how health systems can prepare and respond.
Is your asthma inhaler bad for the environment?
A team of physician-scientists calculated how much greenhouse gas is being emitted by inhalers prescribed for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
How mixing music and medicine keeps this doctor grounded
The Unconventional Path of Stanford Medicine hematologist Tamara Dunn had her eyeing a career on Broadway.
Paying back her people: New doctor has plans to return to her African village
Bongeka Zuma, graduate of Oprah Winfrey’s academy and Stanford School of Medicine, discusses her plans to advance medical care in her hometown.
What’s the deal with PFAS, aka ‘forever chemicals’?
The so-called ‘forever chemicals’ can stick around in the environment — and in our bodies. Scientists agree there is cause for concern. So what should we be doing to mitigate our health risks?
Talking about the need for Stanford Medicine’s new Skin of Color program
Leandra Barnes talks about being drawn to dermatology because of its non-inclusionary tendencies, giving her fertile soil to advocate for better care for people of color.
How the tobacco industry began funding courses for doctors
Earlier this year, the largest tobacco company in the world paid millions to fund continuing medical education courses on nicotine addiction —16,000 physicians and other health care providers took them.
Story Rounds inspires real talk by doctors about their toughest work
When physicians open up, good things happen — such as when Stanford Medicine’s Jay Shah shared his experience of finally processing the trauma that accompanies the job of a surgeon.
How gaps in pediatric obesity treatment make access inequitable
Thomas Robinson wrote an editioral about the new guidelines, outlining what treatments got the top recommendation, and how gaps in the healthcare system make access to the best treatments inequitable.
Shades of pain: Understanding diversity in pain management
Managing pain requires a tailored approach, especially in overcoming cultural and language barriers between a patient and provider.