Blog - Page 11 of 13 - Gretchen LaSalle MD

Measles 101

February 2, 2019January 28, 2019 by Gretchen LaSalle

We’ve had Flu 101 and HPV 101 and it seems we now desperately need Measles 101. Despite the fact that we have one of the safest and most effective vaccination programs in the world, we are beginning to see return of vaccine-preventable disease. And measles is the mother of all vaccine-preventable diseases. And let’s just … Read more

Vaccine Video/Story of the Week

March 25, 2019January 27, 2019 by Gretchen LaSalle

Jan. 27, 2019: Cases of measles in Europe have reached the highest this decade, according to the World Health Organization. Follow this link to see the BBC News report.

Substantial Proportion of U.S. Measles Cases Intentionally Unvaccinated

March 25, 2019January 27, 2019 by Gretchen LaSalle

Summary of Research: Unvaccinated or undervaccinated individuals comprised substantial proportions of cases in measles and some pertussis outbreaks, an analysis of numerous studies and reports finds. Additionally, vaccine refusal was associated with an elevated risk for measles and pertussis, including among fully vaccinated individuals, researchers report.

Making Dr. Google Work For You!

December 31, 2018 by Gretchen LaSalle

Just ask any doctor. You’d be hard pressed to find one who hasn’t had a patient bring in a Google search to discuss their potential diagnoses. Got a rash? Check Google images. Weird dizziness? You might just have vertigo, anemia, pregnancy, a brain tumor, or a bite from a Guatemalan rain spider (okay, I made … Read more

Vaccine Video/Story of the Week

March 25, 2019December 30, 2018 by Gretchen LaSalle

Dec. 30, 2018: Follow this link to see an interactive map tracking outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases around the world, presented by Vaccineswork.org.

Critical Thinking Instruction in Humanities Reduces Belief in Pseudoscience

March 25, 2019December 30, 2018 by Gretchen LaSalle

Summary of Research: A recent study finds that teaching critical thinking skills in a humanities course significantly reduces student beliefs in ‘pseudoscience’ that is unsupported by facts.

HPV 101

June 1, 2019December 17, 2018 by Gretchen LaSalle

I think we can all agree that cancer is bad. If there is any possible way to prevent cancer, we want to do it. Now, thank God and thank science, we have a vaccine that does that! So why is the HPV vaccine so apparently “controversial”? The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes tens of thousands of … Read more

Vaccine Video/Story of the Week

March 25, 2019December 15, 2018 by Gretchen LaSalle

Dec. 15, 2018: The American Cancer Society produced the video HPV Survivor Stories. Follow this link to see it.

HPV Vaccination Does Not Negatively Impact Fertility in Adolescents, Large Study Finds

March 25, 2019December 15, 2018 by Gretchen LaSalle

Summary of Research: Adolescents who receive recommended vaccinations, including for human papillomavirus, have no increased risk of primary ovarian insufficiency, also known as premature menopause, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published in Pediatrics.

Herd Immunity: It’s all up to you and it’s the right thing to do

December 19, 2018December 3, 2018 by Gretchen LaSalle

Anyone who is able to save a life, but fails to do so, violates ‘You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor’. ~ Maimonides (Jewish physician and philosopher, born 1135) Maimonides implored us, as do religious and philosophical leaders of most of the world’s religions, to care for each other. We are … Read more