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
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Dr. Robert H. Shmerling is the former clinical chief of the division of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and is a current member of the corresponding faculty in medicine at Harvard Medical School. As a practicing rheumatologist for over 30 years, Dr. Shmerling engaged in a mix of patient care, teaching, and research. His research interests center on diagnostic studies in patients with musculoskeletal symptoms, and rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. He has published research regarding infectious arthritis, medical ethics, and diagnostic test performance in rheumatic disease. Having retired from patient care in 2019, Dr. Shmerling now works as a senior faculty editor for Harvard Health Publishing.
Twitter: @RobShmerling
Posts by Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Diseases & Conditions
Can wearing contacts harm your vision?
Staying Healthy
Ready for your routine medical checkup?
Staying Healthy
Wondering about a headline-grabbing drug? Read on
Staying Healthy
Is our healthcare system broken?
Heart Health
Harvard Health Ad Watch: How helpful are pulse monitors and home ECGs?
Nutrition
Using weight loss or sports supplements? Exercise caution
Diseases & Conditions
Careful! Scary health news can be harmful to your health
Staying Healthy
Is blood sugar monitoring without diabetes worthwhile?
Staying Healthy
Should we track all breakthrough cases of COVID-19?
Pain
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Aches, pains, and muscle cramps — do well-advertised remedies actually work?
Mind & Mood
Terrified of needles? That can affect your health
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Do vitamin D, zinc, and other supplements help prevent COVID-19 or hasten healing?
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Mitochondria do a lot for you — what can you do for them?
Nutrition
Zero weight loss from zero calorie drinks? Say it ain’t so
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
You got the COVID-19 vaccine? I have vaccine envy
Staying Healthy
Does your health monitor have device bias?
Staying Healthy
Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in?
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
COVID-19 vaccines: Safety, side effects — and coincidence
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Harvard Health Ad Watch: Can an arthritis drug help you become a morning person?
Heart Health
Are early detection and treatment always best?
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Need surgery? Should you avoid your surgeon’s birthday?
Men's Health
Can gout be prevented?
Heart Health
Will eating more chilis help you live longer?
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Treating neuropathy: Which medication is best?
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
