
How 鈥� and why 鈥� to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals

UTI in older women: Why postmenopausal women are susceptible to urinary tract infection, and what to do about it

Can a routine vaccine prevent dementia?

Some adults may need a measles booster shot. Who should get one and why?

Less butter, more plant oils, longer life?

Healthier planet, healthier people

Counting steps is good 鈥� is combining steps and heart rate better?

Appendix pain: Could it be appendicitis?

Can saw palmetto treat an enlarged prostate?

How does Ozempic work? Understanding GLP-1s for diabetes, weight loss, and beyond

Patrick J. Skerrett
Former Executive Editor, 天博体育 Publishing
Pat Skerrett is the editor of 's First Opinion and host of the First Opinion podcast. He is the former editor of the 天博体育 Blog and former Executive Editor of 天博体育 Publishing. Before that, he was editor of the Harvard Heart Letter for 10 years. He is the coauthor of Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Guide to Healthy Eating; The Fertility Diet; and several other books on health and science. His work has appeared in Newsweek, Popular Science magazine, Science magazine, The Boston Globe, and elsewhere. He earned a BA in biology from Northwestern University and an MA in biology from Washington University in St. Louis.
Posts by Patrick J. Skerrett

Child & Teen Health
Puberty starts earlier in many American boys

Cancer
Daily multivitamin-multimineral may help protect against cancer

Staying Healthy
Tattoos and infection: Think before you ink

Patrick J. Skerrett
Diabetes: steps forward, falling behind

Patrick J. Skerrett
Suicide often not preceded by warnings

Staying Healthy
Use glycemic index to help control blood sugar

Patrick J. Skerrett
The Cheesecake Factory: a model for health care?

Staying Healthy
Trade sports drinks for water

Patrick J. Skerrett
Silent Spring at 50: Connecting human, environmental health

Cancer
Memorial Day: Honor the dead by helping the living

Cancer
Panel says 鈥渘o鈥� to routine prostate cancer testing

Diseases & Conditions
Antibiotics instead of surgery safe for some with appendicitis

Patrick J. Skerrett
Doctor groups list top overused, misused tests, treatments, and procedures

Exercise & Fitness
Join in on National Walking Day

Child & Teen Health
FDA won鈥檛 ban BPA鈥攜et

Patrick J. Skerrett
Personalized medicine experiment details diabetes development

Patrick J. Skerrett
Study urges moderation in red meat intake

Patrick J. Skerrett
Spring forward, fall asleep

Child & Teen Health
Snoring in kids linked to behavioral problems

Exercise & Fitness
Virtual reality, exergames may improve mental and physical health

Heart Health
The science behind 鈥渂roken heart syndrome鈥�
Child & Teen Health
New anti-lice lotion is good news for nitpickers

Patrick J. Skerrett
The 11 most expensive medications

Heart Health
Everyday foods are top 10 sources of sodium

How 鈥� and why 鈥� to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals

UTI in older women: Why postmenopausal women are susceptible to urinary tract infection, and what to do about it

Can a routine vaccine prevent dementia?

Some adults may need a measles booster shot. Who should get one and why?

Less butter, more plant oils, longer life?

Healthier planet, healthier people

Counting steps is good 鈥� is combining steps and heart rate better?

Appendix pain: Could it be appendicitis?

Can saw palmetto treat an enlarged prostate?

How does Ozempic work? Understanding GLP-1s for diabetes, weight loss, and beyond