Featured Articles
Read our latest stories on the people and scientific innovations making a difference in patients’ lives.
Science & Innovation
Why Are Some People Tastier to Mosquitoes Than Others?
Do mosquitos prefer a certain blood type? Maybe—but it’s not just one factor that influences why these winged pests are attracted to us and researchers can’t seem to agree on a definitive answer.1,2 There are two kinds of people in the world: those who return from time in the outdoors covered in itchy mosquito bites and those who can spend hours in the same space and avoid getting bitten at all. Let's face it, mosquitoes are not equal opportunity feasters. So, what exactly makes some...
Purpose & Ideals
Pfizer’s Institute of Translational Equitable Medicine Addresses Equity in Health Research
When it comes to healthcare, the terms “equitable” and "access" often go hand-in-hand. In order to prevent, treat, and identify diseases that disproportionately impact underserved and minority populations, Pfizer believes that research must be directed to the root causes of healthcare disparities. The recently-launched Institute of Translational Equitable Medicine (ITEM) is intended to do just that: work toward a more equitable future of health care. For Aida Habtezion, M.D., who is Pfizer’s...
Translating Technical Language into Plain Language for Clinical Trials
"Adjuvant therapy." "Pharmacologic effect." "Standard-of-care." These aren't terms used by most people in everyday conversation. But this kind of medical terminology has long been a part of clinical trial summaries, making it daunting for many people to understand what they're reading. Pfizer is working to change this by releasing results of clinical trial studies to the general public in language that’s meant to be understood by people of all backgrounds: plain language. The goal of the...
Living & Wellbeing
Health Screenings Every African American Man Should Know
Men’s Checklist What African American Men Should Know What is the Most Common Cancer for African American Men? For many men, cancer is a word you would rather avoid. Yet, learning about cancer may help you keep your health in check. The three top cancers for men are: Did you know about 30,000 African American men will be told they have prostate cancer this year? African American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry face a higher risk for being diagnosed with prostate cancer...
Living & Wellbeing
Empowering Patients by Closing the Health Literacy Gap
When people understand basic concepts about their health, they’re better able to make more informed decisions.This common-sense idea is a fundamental tenet of personal health literacy, defined by health.gov as "the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others."1 And while it sounds like a simple notion, in practice it’s actually an enormous challenge. According to the Ce...
Getting the Facts About Some Common Pregnancy Complications
Many mothers envision having an uneventful pregnancy with little to no symptoms and the delivery of a healthy, full-term baby. Thankfully, most pregnancies and deliveries go on without a hitch. However, for some expectant mothers, health problems do occur. The good news is that only 8% of pregnancies involve complications. These complications can involve the mother, baby or both. Even women who were healthy prior to getting pregnant can have complications. Though not all complications can...
Managing Your Mental Health During a Pandemic
The World Health Organization recently declared a pandemic in the wake of a global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). And while the majority of people affected by the disease will recover without any long-lasting consequences, there are many others who will suffer the short-term and long-term health effects of stress, anxiety and other mental health complications. We all respond differently to stress and anxiety. Our response is often based on our family upbringing...
A Liver Disease Diagnosis Leads to Positive Lifestyle Changes
Jenni Tucker was a sophomore in college, studying to be a nurse, when the signs of her silent illness began to slowly appear. She felt tired all the time. She’d stay home all day, with no energy to get off the couch. The Southbridge, Mass. native was naturally pale, but she noticed her face lacked any color. Tucker, then 19, saw her doctor. And after a liver biopsy, she got a diagnosis that surprised her: she’d developed NASH, or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, the most severe form of non...
6 Ways to Help Manage Stress After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Pfizer’s Chief Patient Officer, Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, is partnering with other top health experts for the best tips on how to Get Healthy, Stay Healthy. Originally posted on Thrive Global. When you’re faced with a breast cancer diagnosis, stress levels can quickly reach an all-time high. Uncertainties about the future, worrying about treatment plans, balancing work, finances, and the sheer number of questions that occupy your mind can all play a role in building up this stress. And while...
Get the Facts About Vaccinations
To listen to a podcast on the story of the first vaccine, click here: https://www.pfizer.com/news/features/podcasts/the-antigen Vaccinations are recommended by doctors and scientists because of their proven benefits. Specifically, for children receiving them, vaccinations have been shown to prevent about 20 million illnesses and more than 40,000 deaths at a savings of $70 billion. Despite the evidence supporting the benefits of vaccines, a number of myths surround their use. Belief in these...
High Cholesterol
FAST FACTS Cholesterol is a soft, wax-like substance that is manufactured by your body, but can be absorbed from foods like meat, poultry, and full-fat dairy Cholesterol circulates in the blood, and as the levels of cholesterol in your blood rise, so does your chance of getting heart disease or having a stroke Raised cholesterol is estimated to cause 2.6 million deaths yearly To confirm if you have high blood cholesterol, your doctor may ask you to undergo a blood test Certain factors...
Understanding This Rare Disease Called ATTR Amyloidosis
You probably know someone with heart failure, gastrointestinal (GI) problems, or nerve pain. They are all common problems. But in rare cases, these could be caused by a life-threatening disease called transthyretin amyloidosis (or ATTR amyloidosis, for short). Although ATTR amyloidosis is currently considered rare, there is growing evidence that it may be more common than once thought. Some experts believe that the disease is underdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness. ATTR amyloidosis is not...
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