Loneliness is increasing across all ages, but it’s especially noteworthy among seniors, and it can dramatically affect health. An expert geriatrician who has studied the effects of loneliness and the leader of an organization that provides friendly visitors to the isolated elderly discuss causes of increasing loneliness, its impact, and the effectiveness of visitor programs.

Many Americans believe if they have good health care, they’ll have good health. But many factors beyond medicine contribute to our level of health. A noted public health expert explains these factors, and why our own health is much more than an individual concern. Guest: Dr. Sandro Galea, Dean, Boston University School of Public Health and author, Well: What We Need to Talk About When We Talk About Health Links for more information:

A new study shows that older Dad's may be also at risk to their child's physical well-being. Then, evidence showing that taking antibiotics over a long period of time puts women at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease, and finally, coffee grounds can be used to improve your skin whether you decide to drink it, or smear it all over your face?

Measles had been declared eliminated in 2000, but has come roaring back because of the increasing number of people who have not been vaccinated. Parents may have legitimate fears of side effects, but claims that vaccines are unsafe are not true. Experts discuss the complicated psychological reasons vaccine refusal exists despite this, and what may help change minds to promote public health.

More than 80% of infants are breastfed in the US today, but breastfeeding often doesn’t look the way most of us think of it, as a result of adoption, same sex marriage, and other changes in parenting. An expert discusses some of the hurdles and challenges to getting infants the best nutrition possible.

Medical Notes for the week of June 2, 2019 including: Pharmaceutical commercials are about to change by including their prices in the ad's and MDMA, or "ecstasy" is being used for PTSD with a high success cure rate. Finally, a study highlighting what makes us reach for our smartphones.

The amount of severely obese teenagers, carrying 100 pounds or more than the ideal weight, has doubled to 10% in the past 15 years. Chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea associated with obesity could all be avoided with proper bariatric surgery at a young age. Dr. Thomas Inge, Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Children’s Hospital in Colorado, says it is sometimes unrealistic to think children will simply lose weight by growing up.

Many people may picture the immune system as the ruthless blaster of all foreign invaders, but a Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer says his research shows it prefers to get along with friendly invaders, saving its power for the truly dangerous...

Medical Notes for the week of May 26, 2019 including: Could a poor sense of smell be a sign of a downturn in health? Then, hospital guidelines regarding eating food and drinking liquids before surgery, and finally, teamwork is great, but studies show that's only the case when team members take time to step away to solve problems on their own.

Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus carry a genetic predisposition, but need an environmental trigger to take hold. Triggers are poorly understood, but some women claim their disease is a result of contraceptives, including...