Health Bites

Health takes, bite-sized.

Posts

  • Featured Posts

    Wanting to catch back up? Try these posts:

    Read more

  • Chronic Illness in a Phenomenological Perspective

    We have previously introduced the concept of a social model of illness, which centers a patient’s experience of suffering as the focus of care rather than solely a pathological agent. In the case of chronic illness, such a phenomenological model demonstrates a uniquely valuable perspective as both a method of meaning-making and of goal-setting.  Goal

    Read more

  • What is Illness? And the Social Model of Disability

    The social model of disability posits that disability is caused by the systematic and social barriers that cause exclusion from daily living. This is in response (and contrast) to the traditional medical model, which views disability as inherent to the structures of a body. The difference between the two, however, is not just a matter

    Read more

  • The Medicine Of Politics

    Trump’s politicization of medical research and care continues to have resounding effects across the nation. Though unique in its magnitude and totality, the disciplining of medical ideology in line with political agenda is not new to the country. The following extended essay explores the ways in which American political necessities marshaled the medical sphere to

    Read more

  • Privatizing Health

    The United States is unique in its massive spending on healthcare. 16.7% of our GDP, or over $13,400 per person, is spent on medical expenditures each year, almost twice the comparable country average and almost three times that of Japan, a country with a life expectancy seven years longer than our own. This, of course,

    Read more

  • Medicare For All (Who Want It)

    The question of single-payor healthcare continues to linger in the policy sphere in a sort of malaise. Even before the Trumpian era, Republicans have unanimously opposed it, and since the 90’s, even the concept of insurance mandates are no-go’s for Republicans. One solution, however, proffers a unique compromise between those who believe that healthcare is

    Read more

  • IP Emphasis: Why Compounding Drugs IS Patent Infringement

    IP Emphasis: Why Compounding Drugs IS Patent Infringement

    Compounding has been regulated by the FDA for quite some time, but, with the recent compounding “copies” of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs, there are renewed questions about the purpose, and legality, of such processes. This article explores the reasons why the FDA endorses an “illegal” process, and why compounding pharmacies go unpunished by patent…

    Read more

  • Health Insurance 101

    Wanting to explore the world of health insurance, but not knowing where to start? Check out this quick guide, which simply and easily explains the very basics of how health insurance works. Start your journey to health literacy now!

    Read more

  • A Question for Health Equity

    We have previously explored equality and equity,* but this discussion left out a critical question: that of justice. When is inequality just? Is it ever? Can inequities be just? In particular, how can inequalities and inequities of health be just or unjust?  Let us begin with the first of these questions: Is inequality just? Is

    Read more

  • 14 Years, 14 QLEs: The ACA

    The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, ACA, or, simply, Obamacare) turns 14 years old today. To celebrate this milestone for the still-contested piece of legislation, we highlight 14 Qualifying Life Events (QLEs) to enroll in ACA-compliant insurance plans outside of open enrollment.  What is Open Enrollment? What are QLEs? Open enrollment is a

    Read more

Navigation

About

Health Bites is a newsletter aimed at keeping you up to date about all the most important health information, at every level of analysis. Read all about it here!