by J. Joseph Speidel, M.D., M.P.H. | May 2, 2022 | Building blocks of health
E-cigarettes are also known as electronic nicotine-delivery systems (ENDS) because the main experience for the user is from nicotine, an addictive substance. There is some evidence that e-cigarettes are better at helping smokers to quit than nicotine patches or... by J. Joseph Speidel, M.D., M.P.H. | Apr 29, 2022 | Building blocks of health
The Institute of Medicine estimates that 76% of Americans have at some time used tobacco, and 32% became dependent on it. Smoking has declined in the U.S. from about 42% of the adult population in 1965 to 15.5% in 2016, with about 17.5% of men and 13.5% of... by J. Joseph Speidel, M.D., M.P.H. | Apr 27, 2022 | Building blocks of health
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the U.S., only slightly exceeded by deaths from cardiovascular diseases. In some U.S. states, cancer is the leading cause of death. Globally, cancer is the leading cause of death. Since 1950, U.S. heart disease death... by J. Joseph Speidel, M.D., M.P.H. | Apr 25, 2022 | Building blocks of health
The role of cellular mutations was considered in a 2015 study from Johns Hopkins University. It suggested that the most frequent cause of cancer is not susceptible to prevention because most cancers occur when DNA is damaged after random errors or mutations in the... by J. Joseph Speidel, M.D., M.P.H. | Apr 22, 2022 | Building blocks of health
The damage to DNA that leads to cancer can occur from a variety of external environmental causes, including ionizing radiation, exposure to carcinogenic (cancer- causing) chemicals, and infection with certain viruses and bacteria. Unhealthy conditions and behaviors,...
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