Amidst the miracles of modern medicine that we see in semaglutide, endovascular therapies for stroke, and pandemic ending vaccines, there is one that has been largely overlooked in our day-to-day discourse on what is hot and what is not on the health news scene. LiveOnNY is a non-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide the logistics and infrastructure needed to coordinate successful organ and tissue donation in New york State. In this episode, we sat down with Mr. Leonard Achan,...

We are in the midst of a weight loss revolution, and it's not thanks to your local quack-doctor or health guru. Semaglutide, a glucagon like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonist, is approved by the FDA for weight loss and has been all over the mainstream and social media as a miracle drug that millions are turning to to shed excess weight. But where did this medicine come from and what is the science, and even the risks behind it? That is the topic for this episode of Health In Harlem. As...

Alt milk? as strange as this term sounds, it's largely true as many plant-based milks are not simply substitutes to dairy milk (especially when comparing the nutritional profiles of dairy and plant-based milks). In this episode we give you the low down on the history, production, pros and cons of plant-based milks and how you might use them in pursuit of your health goals. Also, check out the resources below for more background information regarding this program. As always, the only thing we...

Got (soy, almond, rice, cashew, oat, etc.) milk? Considering the varieties and the various pros and cons associated with each, choosing which milk (or milk-like beverage) to drink can be harder than making a decision which car insurance to purchase. Well, Health In Harlem is here to help you sort through the madness and decide which milk or milk-alternative is the best for you. This two-part series will start with the ins and outs of dairy milk and next week we will discuss the various...

It's 2023 and while the year is still new, there are many of us who have already reneged on one or more of our resolutions. But no need for sorrow or disappointment as the Health In Harlem team is here to get you back on your path to success! In this episode, Dr. Maurice Selby, Reid Vero, and Anastasia Deda share their resolutions from last year and discuss their ups and downs and their reasons for success and/or failure in pursuit of their goals. Then we flip the script and apply lessons...

On Sunday September 18, 2022, in an interview on 60 Minutes President Joseph R. Biden declared "the pandemic is over." While some experts (mainly epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists) would disagree with the President's assessment, it's kind of hard to say he is flat out wrong. We are in a very different place as the rates of COVID had been falling for weeks before recently plateauing along with hospitalizations and deaths from the illness. Things have certainly gotten better....

It is no surprise that a the distribution and consumption of probiotics has grown multi-billion dollar industry. Spurred by breakthroughs in understanding of the way the human microbiome impacts our health and wellness, it seems like a sure bet that the consumption of beneficial microorganism will contribute to improved health and wellness. However, there are many indications that the science is unsettled. In this episode of Health In Harlem we are joined by Dr. Pieter Cohen, Associate...

We on Health In Harlem are fans of enjoying the sun and getting those vitamin D levels up, but we are also very aware that scorched skin is no fun. July is UV Safety Month and that is because as ubiquitous as the sun is, the damage it causes is just as widespread. In this episode we discuss the danger of UV radiation and deliver the information you need to stay safe while enjoying the best that Summer has to offer. As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns about the program,...

With more than 40,000 procedures performed in 2020 and a 90% increase in the number of procedures performed between 2015 and 2019, the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)- aka buttocks augmentation or gluteal augmentation- is among the most popular cosmetic surgeries. But buyer beware, as it is also the most deadly. In this episode, the Health In Harlem team is joined by Doris Hansen, a Surgical Physician Assistant working in plastic and cosmetic surgery sits with us to discuss the ins and out of this...

No matter your politics, religious beliefs, income level, Facebook status, everyone can agree that It's hot as heck right now! All across the United States (and around the World), the heat is almost unbearable as a heat wave has lead to record high temperatures and we are undoubtedly paying a price (other than high energy costs). There are literally people losing their lives to heat-related illness and the Health In Harlem team is here to say it does not have to be that way. We give you the...

The bad news is that there is another viral pathogen floating around out there! The good news is that the premier public health agency in the world is on the case and working actively to contain the spread of the virus. In this episode of Health In Harlem, we discuss the specifics of this outbreak as well as the work done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to surveil emerging infectious diseases and prevent the spread of such illness in the United States and around the...

If there were such a thing as a post-COVID world, this is what I imagine it would feel like. Masks, while optional (and in some establishments, still required), seem to be present on faces in smaller and smaller amounts. Graduation parties and cookouts have resumed, along with concerts, conferences, and conventions. You can even fly maskless again. But the harsh reality is that SARS-CoV-2 is still circulating and there are upwards of 300 Americans dying form the illness each day. With cases...

It's Spring!!!!! With trees budding and flowers blooming, the world is teeming with life! But amidst the beautiful weather and optimism of nature reborn, there is suffering. Millions of Americans (including some of our very own on Health In Harlem) suffer with seasonal allergies and it can be a challenge getting through each day as the sneezing, coughing, congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, etc. can be unbearable. In this episode, Dr. Maurice Selby and Reid Vero break down the science behind...

Despite the widespread relaxation of mask mandates and social distancing measures, the SARS-CoV-2 Virus is still circulating amongst us and there are still people dying from the illness. On Health In Harlem we too agree that it is time to move forward, but living life with abandon and not acknowledging the fact that COVID still kills will only lead to more unnecessary deaths and more closures, mandates, and restrictions when the virus surges again. Thus we crafted this episode to discuss the...

In observance of World Sleep Day and paying homage to the "children's" classic Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach, our title for this episode says it all; get some sleep! The health implications of sleep disruption and sleep deprivation are real and can lead to not just poor quality of life and mental health challenges, but possibly serious disability and even death from myriad chronic diseases. In this episode we discuss everything from why we sleep to strategies and tips that can allow...

Its American Heart Month, and on this episode of Health In Harlem we are going to focus on the "Mind-Heart Connection" as there is more information being learned about how our mental health and cardiovascular health is so intertwined. As we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, social upheaval, looming war, it's easy to feel stressed, anxious, depressed, etc. However that is not the end of the damage being done as the our mood and emotions lead to physiologic changes in our bodies that could be...

It seems we have moved on from the idea that SARS-CoV-2 might someday be eradicated. Rather, it is likely that this will be an endemic disease that we learn to live with indefinitely. While this might sound like admitting defeat, our team on Health In Harlem believe that we can all still triumph and live beyond COVID-19. With lessons from the past and extraordinary advances in scientific knowledge and technology, there will be a day where we can live happy, productive, and safe lives despite...

In November 2021, the American Heart Association (AHA) released its latest Dietary Guide to Improve Cardiovascular Health. Gone are the proclamations of the "best diets" and the focus on taking out saturated fats and the preachy 'eat this, not that' ethos. In this most recent set of guidelines, the AHA expands the notions of what is considered a "healthy diet" and discloses 10 features of a heart healthy diet that many people, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnic background,...

Happy New Year! For much of recorded human history, the start of a new year has been the time to start anew with good habits and lifestyle practices that could lead to future good health and well-being. Unfortunately, the number of people that are successful in realizing their resolution is so low! In this episode, we share with you the things we want to change and improve upon in 2022 and share with you the best evidence-based tips and strategies to optimize the chances of success! I promise...

Happy New Year!!!!! We made it through another 365 and as we get ready for 2022, we decided to recap some of the really important shows and topics we discussed this year. As always, the goal is Health in Harlem is to Empower you and give you the tools you need for success  Enjoy and please be safe in brining in the New Year. As always, this program is dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Gloria Thomas! Harlem, take care of yourself!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25% of adults have reported having low back pain within the last 3 months. Low back pain is the most common type of pain reported in the United States and while the majority of people will recover fully from low back pain within 12 weeks, 2-8% of individuals will go on to have chronic low back pain. Chronic low back pain is among the leading causes of disability in the United States and around the world. In this episode, we talk...

In 1970 in Randolph Massachusetts, Arthur P. Mullaney, then the Director of Guidance at Randolph High School, asked people in town to give up smoking for one day and to donate the money saved to a scholarship fund for graduating seniors. The event was a resounding success and before long gave rise to "D-Day" aka Don't Smoke Day in Massachusetts in 1974. Today, thanks to Mr. Mullaney, we have the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout, a nationwide event to bring awareness to the...

As if SARS-CoV-2 wasn't bad enough, the "viral" spread of misinformation might be more harmful than the virus itself. This is not helped by celebrities in the United States and around the world as an emotion-laden tweet, IG post, or live rant can reach millions of media consumers in seconds, with many taking heed of such messages because everyone knows that when you're a celebrity you are wise beyond your years, talents, expertise or training (I am joking here, just to be clear). In this...

Low back pain is the second-most common reason for a visit to the doctor and the most common cause of disability in the United States and in many other parts of the world. The personal and economic fallout is immense. That is why Health In Harlem will be focusing on low back pain in a 5 part series. This episode presents an overview for topic and sets the stage for the programs to come. We are going to discuss everything from the evaluation, diagnostic approach, and treatment of back pain to...