Ask an Epidemiologist

Consumer Behavior

Are Direct-to-Consumer Drug Ads Becoming Fair and Balanced?

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on April 9, 2024

A deep dive into pharmaceutical advertising and what a new FDA ruling could mean for the industry and the consumer.

A deep dive into pharmaceutical advertising and what a new FDA ruling could mean for the industry and the consumer.

Placebo

Placebo Effects and Direct-to-Consumer Advertising

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on January 19, 2024

What does the placebo effect have to do with direct-to-consumer advertising? More than you may expect.

What does the placebo effect have to do with direct-to-consumer advertising? More than you may expect.

Post-Traumatic Growth

Invisible Scars and Post-Traumatic Growth Following Cancer

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on August 27, 2023

Personal Perspective: Reflections on the psychological continuities and discontinuities that come with a cancer diagnosis.

Personal Perspective: Reflections on the psychological continuities and discontinuities that come with a cancer diagnosis.

Psychopharmacology

The Insulin Dilemma: High Costs, Progress, and Disparities

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on April 4, 2023

What cuts in insulin prices mean for mental health, and health disparities.

What cuts in insulin prices mean for mental health, and health disparities.

Health

5 Reflections on Living a Long Life With Cancer

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on August 25, 2022

You've just finished your five years of cancer surveillance care and have been given the "all clear." Now what? Some advice from a fellow (former) cancer patient.

You've just finished your five years of cancer surveillance care and have been given the "all clear." Now what? Some advice from a fellow (former) cancer patient.

Health

An Epidemiologist Answers FAQs About COVID

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on September 30, 2021

In 2019 we had lots of questions but few answers about COVID. What a difference two years make.

In 2019 we had lots of questions but few answers about COVID. What a difference two years make.

Trust

Rhetorical Questions and Real Answers About Vaccination

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on April 26, 2021

I love three things: talking about research, debating the pros and cons of healthcare decisions, and dogs. And my dog is taking a nap.

I love three things: talking about research, debating the pros and cons of healthcare decisions, and dogs. And my dog is taking a nap.

Trust

Step Right Up: Your COVID Vaccine Is Ready

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on April 4, 2021

Feeling anxious about getting a COVID shot? Let me tell you about my experience.

Feeling anxious about getting a COVID shot? Let me tell you about my experience.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Transparency, the FDA, and the COVID-19 Vaccine

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on December 11, 2020

Feeling anxious about the pace of vaccine development in Operation Warp Speed? Let me help you work out those jitters.

Feeling anxious about the pace of vaccine development in Operation Warp Speed? Let me help you work out those jitters.

Animal Behavior

5 Recommendations for Giving Thanks During a Pandemic

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on November 12, 2020

Breaking bread with others is an important tradition, but this year shouldn’t be business as usual. Tips for making holiday memories during a pandemic.

Breaking bread with others is an important tradition, but this year shouldn’t be business as usual. Tips for making holiday memories during a pandemic.

Health

Whose Expert Guidance on Risk and Reopenings Should You Follow?

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on September 16, 2020

The Times surveyed epidemiologists about resuming activities during COVID. Here’s what I would have said, had they only asked.

The Times surveyed epidemiologists about resuming activities during COVID. Here’s what I would have said, had they only asked.

Health

Denial, Misdiagnosis, and the “Big C"

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on August 29, 2020

What Chadwick Boseman showed us about living with cancer.

What Chadwick Boseman showed us about living with cancer.

Health

Missing Maternal Mortality

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on August 16, 2020

We under-count pregnancy-related deaths by excluding suicide, overdose, homicide, and accidents. Does it matter?

We under-count pregnancy-related deaths by excluding suicide, overdose, homicide, and accidents. Does it matter?

Politics

Saying What They Won't: Speech-Writing for a Pandemic

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on July 20, 2020

Disillusioned by the the politics of COVID, but political satire just isn't helping to perk up your mood? Try this honest-but-earnest stump speech on for size.

Disillusioned by the the politics of COVID, but political satire just isn't helping to perk up your mood? Try this honest-but-earnest stump speech on for size.

Empathy

Point, Counterpoint, and COVID

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on May 26, 2020

How can public debate strengthen community ties during the pandemic crisis?

How can public debate strengthen community ties during the pandemic crisis?

Grief

What Might Have Been: Grief and Gratitude in a Pandemic

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on May 20, 2020

Collective grief for collective gain? Making peace with what might have been during the pandemic.

Collective grief for collective gain? Making peace with what might have been during the pandemic.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

An Epidemiologist Answers COVID-19 FAQs

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on May 6, 2020

Questions about coronavirus? You've come to the right place.

Questions about coronavirus? You've come to the right place.

Health

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on March 29, 2020

Looking for some colorful graphical projections of when the pandemic will peak? Keep waiting. Looking for some reflective late-night reassurance? Come on in.

Looking for some colorful graphical projections of when the pandemic will peak? Keep waiting. Looking for some reflective late-night reassurance? Come on in.

Health

Social Distance and Mental Health in a Pandemic

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on March 13, 2020

Welcome to the new normal: Scrubbing up, staying home, and not panicking.

Welcome to the new normal: Scrubbing up, staying home, and not panicking.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

4 True, but Unreported, Headlines About the Coronavirus

Briana Mezuk Ph.D. on March 6, 2020

Is it time to convert your basement into the survivalist cave of your dreams? I'm glad you asked.

Is it time to convert your basement into the survivalist cave of your dreams? I'm glad you asked.