&nbs… Read full post »

I originally published this piece about pharmacists' refusal to dispense emergency contraception  Contra Costa Times in 2006.  In that time, there are still cases coming before the courts about pharmacists refusing to dispense birth control and emergency contraception.  A recent post… Read full post »

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6/16/2008, Seattle, WA:  Starbucks Coffee announced yesterday that it will be adding the pharmaceutical of your choice to your coffee orders.  The move is expected to start in the 4th quar/… Read full post »

Before Joe Camel, Before the Marlboro Man, and before You Came a Long Way Baby, cigarette men were in need of a Mascot to move their product.  This was circa the 1940s.  Who, these men of power, money, and yellow fingernails, wondered, could credibily… Read full post »

Let's start this post like a bad comedian:  "A Patient walks into his gastroenterologist's office...."

Really, here's what happened:  A teenage boy went to see a GI specialist because he had a month's worth of severe stomach pain.  His pediatrician has tested him for ulcers, inf… Read full post »

When we're kids, we all get that finger-wagging lesson from our parents that sugar is bad for you and that one piece of cake per birthday party is enough.

 Then, one day we learn (gulp!) the truth, which is that sugar makes your body go and that some sugars (by no… Read full post »

Let's say you're a doctor and a patient comes into your office for a checkup.  These days, we get the usual vital signs--blood pressure, pulse, etc. and your height and weight.   Then we use that that height and weight to calculate something called Body Mass Index--your BMI, like thi… Read full post »

Hi everybody,

I'm a physician and writer, and I'm currently writing Vital Signs for Salon.  I've been thinking about starting a health blog to give people my two cents on medical ongoings.  And what do you know?  I got invited to this little venture.  I call it sWell, somet… Read full post »