The five major “epochs” of human brain development, identified by a recent study, are Childhood(birth to age 9), Adolescence (9 to 32), Adulthood (32 to 66), Early Aging (66 to 83), and Late Aging (after 83). These epochs are characterized by distinct patterns of neural rewiring, with major turning points occurring at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83. The five epochs of brain developmentContinueContinue reading “Five major “epochs” of human brain development”
Category Archives: health
Delaware Rural Health Overhaul
Governor Matt Meyer announced Delaware’s application for up to $1 billion from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, part of a $50 billion national effort. The plan assembles 15 projects aimed at transforming healthcare delivery in Kent and Sussex counties, home to nearly 40% of Delaware’s population. Core goals: expand access, lower costs, and strengthenContinueContinue reading “Delaware Rural Health Overhaul”
Paris Holiday Gone Sideways: Apple Watch Sends SOS
A Split Second in ParisCrossing a street near the Louvre, I had no time to react before an inebriated Parisian ran a red light and struck me in the pedestrian lane. My Apple Watch immediately detected the impact, sent an SOS message to my three children (my emergency contacts) and summoned an ambulance. I lostContinueContinue reading “Paris Holiday Gone Sideways: Apple Watch Sends SOS”
Dr. Bot: Why Doctors Can Fail Us
And Why We Must Demand Responsible AI in Medicine It’s time to ask a hard question : Are medical errors really the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Every day, clinicians, no matter how skilled, work against a tide of fatigue, outdated knowledge, limited time, and systemic biases. The cost is measured inContinueContinue reading “Dr. Bot: Why Doctors Can Fail Us”
MAID in Delaware
There has keen interest in medical aid in dying (MAID) among the Delaware medical community with the passage of House Bill 140, as evidenced by the record downloads of the MSD HealthRealities podcast on MAID. Medical Aid in Dying: Insights From Both Sides of the Stethoscope https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ktbn5-1852672 Summary of HB 140 The recently enacted theContinueContinue reading “MAID in Delaware”
Corporatization of U.S. health care
Here’s my summary of an article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which explores the consequences of the corporatization of U.S. health care, examining its benefits and drawbacks, and how it affects patients, medical organizations, and society at large. Corporatization Explained Corporatization refers to the growing influence of large corporations and investors in health care,ContinueContinue reading “Corporatization of U.S. health care”
Another Spike in Health Care Costs
Delaware Faces Another Health Care Cost Surge Delaware’ residents are bracing for another spike in health care costs next year, with projections showing an 8.5% increase in spending on hospitals, pharmaceuticals, and medical care for 2026. That’s bad news for Delawareans already shelling out over $10,500 a year—far beyond the pace of inflation. Why Should Anyone Care? WhenContinueContinue reading “Another Spike in Health Care Costs”
Public Health Dark Age
The United States is entering a period many are calling a new Dark Age for public health, as sweeping changes at the CDC and federal health agencies create unprecedented anxiety and disruption. While some argued the CDC needed reform, the recent shakeups, marked by mass firings, controversial new leadership, and abrupt data blackouts, represent the wrong approachContinueContinue reading “Public Health Dark Age”
Healthcare or Profitcare?
Why the U.S. Healthcare System is a Mess The U.S. healthcare system consistently underperforms compared to other high-income countries. According to a Commonwealth Fund Report and article in Harvard Business Review, even the best U.S. states fall short when measured against nations like France, Germany, the UK, and Australia. Key Points Performance Gap: The U.S.ContinueContinue reading “Healthcare or Profitcare?”
The immune system offers a window into aging
“The immune system permeates and regulates organs and tissues across the body, and has diverse roles beyond pathogen control, including in development, tissue homeostasis and repair. The reshaping of the immune system that occurs during aging is therefore highly consequential. In this Focus issue, Nature Aging presents a collection of reviews of and opinions onContinueContinue reading “The immune system offers a window into aging”
Dr Bob, Brain Mechanic 