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 — 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
Zinc: What it does for the body, and the best food sources
Respiratory health harms often follow flooding: Taking these steps can help
Patrick J. Skerrett
Former Executive Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
Pat Skerrett is the editor of STAT's First Opinion and host of the First Opinion podcast. He is the former editor of the Harvard Health Blog and former Executive Editor of Harvard Health 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
Heart Health
Does eating less salt lead to heart disease? New JAMA study is more wishful thinking than a diet changer
Heart Health
From the wrist to the heart: new angioplasty method is safe, effective
Cancer
Visual and audio guides to radiation risk
Heart Health
At Harvard Forum, experts debate how much vitamin D is enough
Heart Health
Understanding heart failure
Heart Health
Oh please, not the “sex causes heart attack” story again
Cancer
Thyroid cancer a hazard from radioactive iodine emitted by Japan’s failing nuclear power plants
Child & Teen Health
Sugary soda and juice can boost blood pressure, weight
Exercise & Fitness
If pulmonary embolism can strike Serena Williams, it can ace anyone
Patrick J. Skerrett
Cell phone use stimulates brain activity
Patrick J. Skerrett
Zinc for the common cold? Not for me
Heart Health
“Just in case” heart tests can do more harm than good
Heart Health
A Chia Pet for diabetes?
Exercise & Fitness
Decline in stroke deaths reinforces importance of preventing “brain attack”
Heart Health
Laugh and be thankful—it’s good for the heart
Patrick J. Skerrett
Explosion in diabetes isn’t inevitable
Patrick J. Skerrett
Medical journals: Stop being so passive
Exercise & Fitness
Americans lag on exercise
Heart Health
Strong warning on diabetes drug Avandia
Staying Healthy
Is fructose bad for you?
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 — 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
Zinc: What it does for the body, and the best food sources
Respiratory health harms often follow flooding: Taking these steps can help
