Disease Archives - Strategian: Science Magazine

Graph showing global estimated deaths by major risk factor or cause; from 2019 study.

Pollution, contamination, and disease, mental health, and death: problems getting worse

June 17, 2026 Kevin Engel Intersections

Background: “Pollution— ie, unwanted waste of human origin released to air, land, water, and the ocean without regard for cost or consequence—is an existential threat to human health and planetary health, and jeopardises the sustainability of modern societies. Pollution includes contamination of air by fine particulate matter (PM2·5); ozone; oxides of sulphur and nitrogen; freshwater pollution; contamination of the ocean by mercury, nitrogen, phosphorus, plastic,…

Sugary beverages arranged on the shelves of a grocery store

Sugar in foods and beverages: health effects throughout life

September 8, 2025 Kevin Engel Intersections

Background: “Most people consume many different types of sugars from a variety of foods and beverages in their diet. A high intake of sugar is linked to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers … Sugary beverages are the greatest source of added sugar in the diet, followed by sweets and grains such as ready-to-eat cereals.” [Harvard Health Publishing…

“Forever chemicals”, farmland, and cancer

October 30, 2024 Kevin Engel Intersections

For many years, farmers across the United States have been encouraged by the Federal Government to spread sewage from homes and factories on farmland as fertilizer. This sludge, obtained from wastewater treatment plants, was rich in nutrients, and it helped keep the sewage out of landfills. But research now shows that this black sludge (called “biosolids”) can contain heavy concentrations of chemicals that can increase…

“Ultra-processed foods damage health and shorten life”

March 27, 2024 Kevin Engel Featured Article

“Ultra-processed foods … encompass a broad range of ready to eat products, including packaged snacks, carbonated soft drinks, instant noodles, and ready-made meals. These products are characterized as industrial formulations primarily composed of chemically modified substances extracted from foods, along with additives to enhance taste, texture, appearance, and durability, with minimal to no inclusion of whole foods.” “Analyses of worldwide ultra-processed food sales data and consumption…

Extreme heat, Phoenix Arizona USA- July 2023

Extreme heat: impacts and consequences

July 21, 2023 Kevin Engel Quick bibliographies

Extreme heat is becoming the “new normal” for many areas of the world. The summer of 2023, for example, has seen some of the hottest days in modern history. Extreme heat is now a regular headline: How Extreme Heat Affects Workers and the Economy (New York Times) The heat index reached 152 degrees in the Middle East — nearly at the limit for human survival…

What are PFAS, and why is the EPA warning about them in drinking water? An environmental health scientist explains

June 22, 2022 Kevin Engel Intersections

Kathryn Crawford, Middlebury (from The Conversation) “PFAS? What’s PFAS?” You may be hearing that term in the news as the federal government considers new rules and guidelines (link removed by the Trump administration) for the chemicals. Even if the acronym is new to you, you’re probably already familiar with what PFAS do. That’s because they’re found in everything from nonstick cookware to carpets to ski…

How do genetics, lifestyle, diet and the environment affect the microbiome-and then affect human health and disease?

April 17, 2022 Kevin Engel Featured Article

Research has shown that the human microbiome can play a large role in a person’s health. But how do “genetics, exposome [environmental factors], lifestyle and diet” affect the microbiome? Featured article: *Gacesa, R., Kurilshikov, A., Vich Vila, A. et al. (2022). Environmental factors shaping the gut microbiome in a Dutch population. Nature. “Alterations in gut microbiota composition and function are associated with a broad range of human health…

People gave up on flu pandemic measures a century ago when they tired of them – and paid a price

March 31, 2022 Kevin Engel Featured Article

J. Alexander Navarro, University of Michigan (from The Conversation) Picture the United States struggling to deal with a deadly pandemic. State and local officials enact a slate of social-distancing measures, gathering bans, closure orders and mask mandates in an effort to stem the tide of cases and deaths. The public responds with widespread compliance mixed with more than a hint of grumbling, pushback and even…

What is the microbiome?

March 6, 2022 Kevin Engel Understanding Science

The human microbiome involves the microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) that live within or around the human body. Damage or changes or abberations of this “microbial organ” may affect human health and lead to disease. The microbiome, especially the microorganisms that inhabit the human gut, is seen as a key part in the initiation, regulation, and termination of all immune responses in the human body….

Into the future with COVID: stress, depression, endemic/pandemic … will there ever be “normal” again?

January 30, 2022 Kevin Engel Intersections

Will we ever return to the world of 2019? A time before COVID-19 dominated the education, work, mental and physical health–the very existence of billions of people. Globally, millions have died, hundreds of millions have tested positive, and those estimated numbers are surely all undercounts (Johns Hopkins University, Coronavirus Resource Center). The coronavirus is still with us and will continue to be into the future….