Author: Mike Woods

A folder labeled "Antibiotic Resistance" with a pen and stethoscope on it, adjacent to red and white pills spilling out of an orange pill bottle.
Medicine Safety, Prescription Drugs
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Antibiotic Resistance – Dangerous and Expensive

Antibiotic resistance is a problem most healthcare providers are aware of, but many patients are not. While I learned about MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) in medical school over 40 years ago, as a pediatrician antibiotic resistance was most evident when my patients returned with persistent ear infections. In retrospect, it was more complicated than I knew at the time. While some of the resistant ear infections appeared to respond to a different antibiotic — many of which were likely caused by bacteria resistant to the initial antibiotic chosen — others did not. It is now known that a lot of […]

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COVID-19
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The Hidden Health Consequences of COVID

This article originally appeared on BeMedWise. An up-to-date version can be found here.   COVID-19 has left its mark in more ways than the number  of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, deaths, and long-term consequences indicate. While the COVID-19 pandemic is having a direct detrimental effect on public health, the economy, and our social lives, there are many indirect medical consequences as well.    In 2021, the death rate in the United States was the highest it has ever been — especially in the 15-44 age range. While the death rates for cancer, diabetes, chronic liver disease, and stroke rose slightly, deaths […]

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BeMedWise, COVID-19
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Politics Affect Interpretation of COVID Science, Prolong Pandemic

This article originally appeared on BeMedWise. An up-to-date version can be found here. The response to COVID-19 is still a political issue and the resulting division between political parties within the United States has persisted and is still having an adverse effect on the pandemic. The division began almost as soon as the presence of the novel coronavirus was confirmed in this country.   Much of this division was the result of some politicians downplaying the pandemic for political reasons by giving false information: it doesn’t look good to voters to have a major pandemic during your term in office. Another […]

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BeMedWise, COVID-19
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COVID-19: Omicron Variant and Beyond

This article originally appeared on BeMedWise. An up-to-date version can be found here. Omicron BA.1 has had a major impact on the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the multiple differences from the Delta variant, the Omicron variant has prolonged and intensified the pandemic, made COVID more difficult to treat, and reduced the effectiveness of currently available coronavirus vaccines and infections from previous variants to prevent further spreading and disease. A new Omicron variant, BA.2, has now entered the picture, although its impact on the epidemic is as yet unknown. The good news is that both Omicron variants are generally milder illnesses. […]

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Hand holding a COVID-19 vaccination record card against a blue background
COVID-19, Vaccinations
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Proof of COVID Vaccination – Where, When, and How

This article originally appeared on BeMedWise. An up-to-date version can be found here. On October 25th the White House issued a proclamation that will lift flight restrictions from certain countries and on November 8th replace it with a requirement that all non-resident passengers travelling to the United States present proof of vaccination before boarding the aircraft. Although children and adolescents less than 18 years old are exempt, they must provide proof of a negative COVID test within three days of travel if they cannot document COVID vaccination. This also includes United States citizens returning from another country. For United States citizens who wish to travel there […]

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About Us

Welcome to the NeedyMeds Voice! We look forward to presenting you with timely, provocative pieces on healthcare reform, patient advocacy, medication and healthcare access, and other health-related news. Our goals are to educate, enlighten, and elucidate; together, we will try to make sense of the myriad and ongoing healthcare-related changes in the U.S. today.