May 23, 2024 | 3 min read

Beyond the zip code

By Kaila Holloway, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Many patients in the suburbs face financial hardship and limited access to healthcare. Regardless of geographic location, it is necessary to identify patients who need additional support. 

October 7, 2021 | 1 min read

Wildfires and public health

Healthcare professionals must work with the community they serve, focusing on open dialogues and communication. This will help citizens deal with unforeseen challenges.

June 26, 2023 | 2 min read

How the Arts Can Address Mental Health Inequities 

By Alex Rodriguez, MPH, University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine

Awareness of local and online art and cultural offerings enables healthcare professionals to provide enriching recommendations to patients. 

March 31, 2022 | 2 min read

A Lesson in Cultural Humility

By Mengyi "Zed" Zha, MD, Othello, Washington

Working at a community health clinic serving migrant workers from Mexico, I was confronted with a pervasive stereotype that the female patients were “dramatic.” I learned how important it was for patients’ concerns to be taken seriously.   

March 31, 2025 | 2 min read

Care of the mind 

By Paige Seegan, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By proactively discussing mental health, using non-stigmatizing language, and having a list of resources on hand, healthcare professionals can help patients get the support they need. 

September 9, 2024 | 2 min read

Social Rx

By Mfon Umoh, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians can play a crucial role in combating the epidemic of loneliness and social isolation by asking about patients' social networks, identifying deficits, and connecting them to community resources.

August 12, 2020 | 2 min read

Chief Complaint: Racism

By Syeachia Dennis, MD, University of Oklahoma

Patients are increasingly recognizing the impact of racism on their health. We should be prepared to help patients confront this and consider this core to our work to systemically address this public health crisis.

October 20, 2021 | 3 min read

Rethinking the Routine in the Pursuit of Inclusion

Interprofessional team members bring a rich variety of perspectives about patients that can lead to better whole person care. Using first names among our team helps minimize power differentials.

May 13, 2020 | 2 min read

Flattening the Inaccessibility Curve

By Bonnielin Swenor, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

There's been limited attention addressing the disability perspective during the pandemic. Finding creative solutions to accessibility challenges during this time is critical.

February 25, 2021 | 2 min read

How You Can Help With Intimate Partner Violence

By Lisa Geller, MPH, Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health crisis and most deadly when a gun is involved. Clinicians should screen patients for IPV, ask about firearm possession, and refer those at risk of IPV to appropriate services.

October 17, 2022 | 2 min read

Working With The Media For The Public Good

By Maria Simbra, MD

Clinicians can communicate health messages effectively by using memorable stories to share the main message and understanding the reporter’s constraints.  

May 17, 2022 | 1 min read

Word Choice Related to Substance Use Disorders

By Beth McGinty, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Words matter; calling patients with a substance use disorder an “addict” defines them by their addiction. We need to ensure that our patients feel comfortable and supported so that they will engage in treatment.  

May 30, 2023 | 2 min read

Artificial Intelligence: Artificial? Intelligent? Neither or Both?

By Matthew Peters, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

AI can complement the work of mental health professionals, in addition to performing clerical tasks and analyzing big data for insightful trends.

April 2, 2020 | 4 min read

Staying Connected Inside and Out During the Pandemic

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Finding creative ways to connect to ourselves and to others is more important than ever in these days of social distancing.

June 24, 2025 | 4 min read

Unsheltered lives, unmet needs 

When caring for patients who are unhoused, addressing food and housing insecurity is just as important as providing medical treatment. Prioritize building trust and ensuring psychological safety through trauma-informed interactions and a nonjudgmental approach. 

May 20, 2020 | 4 min read

Lessons From Ebola Outbreaks

By Linda Mobula, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Prior epidemics, like Ebola, have taught us much about caring for patients. While PPE creates a barrier between ourselves and our patients, it’s still possible to give excellent care.

October 19, 2020 | 2 min read

Book Review of “One by One by One”

By Michelle Gyenes, MS, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health

Never underestimate the power of teamwork in caring for patients. What can feel impossible for one person may be accomplished with the collaboration and support of others.

February 9, 2021 | 3 min read

How to Support Patients With Chronic Pain and Substance Use Disorder

By Juliette Perzhinsky, MD, MSc, Central Michigan University

All patients must be treated with empathy. Those suffering with chronic pain and addiction may be especially deserving of compassion.

May 13, 2021 | 3 min read

Combatting Vaccine Hesitancy

By Jade Cobern, MD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

We must listen without judgment to patients who are vaccine-hesitant. We need to hear their worries and concerns to address them appropriately.

January 8, 2024 | 3 min read

Combatting the syphilis epidemic 

By Zach Lorenz, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Rates of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections are skyrocketing. It’s imperative that we have candid conversations with patients about their sexual behaviors. 

October 15, 2020 | 3 min read

How to Talk About Firearm Safety During the Pandemic

By Katherine Hoops, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

With a surge in gun sales during the pandemic, exposure to firearms has increased for all. It’s imperative that clinicians give comprehensive firearm safety counseling to patients during these challenging times.

August 25, 2021 | 2 min read

‘Stay calm and carry on’

By Nicole Cifra, MD, MPH, University of Rochester

Educating people about the value of vaccinations is our duty. If you encounter resistance or hostility, don’t take it personally, and reach out to colleagues for support.

August 12, 2019 | 3 min read

Mental Illness and Mass Shootings

By Cassandra Crifasi, PhD, MPH, Emma Beth McGinty, PhD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Most people with serious mental illness are never violent toward others. Due to the media’s misleading focus on the role of mental illness in gun violence generally and mass shootings specifically, many people are afraid that a diagnosis of a serious mental health condition like schizophrenia means they or their loved one are at high risk of hurting other people, which is not supported by the research evidence.

October 24, 2024 | 2 min read

The heat is on: How to keep patients cool and safe (archives, 2024)

Rising temperatures due to climate change affect patients of all ages, particularly those with chronic health conditions. Counsel patients on strategies to prevent heat-related medical complications. 

March 8, 2021 | 3 min read

How to Talk With The Media

By Stephanie McGann Jantzen, Strategic & Crisis Communications Professional

When speaking with the media about healthcare topics, provide up-to-date information, stick to the facts, and avoid medical jargon.

October 22, 2020 | 2 min read

Patient voting matters

By Patrick Hemming, MD, Duke University

Clinicians are in a position of influence and can encourage patients to vote. Expressing confidence in patients’ ability to make a difference as a voter may motivate them to take action.

May 24, 2021 | 2 min read

In Sickness and in Wealth

By Eric Last, DO, Northwell Health, Wantagh, New York

When traveling to Denmark, I learned how much the Danes appreciate and value equitable access to care within their healthcare system. Countries can learn from one another, and clinicians can be impactful advocates for change.

March 17, 2021 | 3 min read

Making Unconscious Bias Training Work

By Verna Monson, PhD, Minneapolis, Minnesota

To be an antiracist, you must be aware of your own biases and learn from your missteps. And remember that unconscious bias training is only a starting point for dismantling discrimination.

August 8, 2023 | 2 min read

Advocating For Gun Safety

By Ankita Sagar, MD, Brooklyn, New York

As healthcare professionals, we’ve chosen to make healing and preventative care our life’s work. Working to mitigate firearm injuries and deaths will create safer communities and is part of our professional commitment. 

February 29, 2024 | 1 min read

“It could happen to you”

By Hayley Sparks, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When talking with vaccine-hesitant patients, I bring up the recent measles outbreaks. It can be effective to use current events to motivate better compliance with immunization guidelines. 

January 9, 2024 | 3 min read

Dust and distrust

By Matthew Kelly, PhD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Infection-related epidemics, like AIDS and COVID, teach us much about caring. To provide humanistic care, clinicians must continuously endeavor to assess and build trust with patients. 

October 1, 2024 | 2 min read

Supporting parents before they break 

By Mackenzie Sommerhalder, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Many patients experience distress because of their role as parents and caregivers. It is a pediatrics “best practice” to screen parents and offer resources for mental health support.