Blog Posts

Written by Jessica Lopez, Edited by Olivia N. McCollum Background Autoimmune diseases are debilitating and painful conditions where the immune system targets the body’s tissues. 1  These conditions occur in women up to four times more than in men. 2  In spite of these findings, many immunotherapy options responsible for treating autoimmune diseases have decreased efficacy in women. 1  Raising awareness of autoimmune diseases in relation to women can lead to increased inclusio

Written by Jocelyn Chamu, Edited by Rushlenne Pascual Introduction  In the US, the number of people who live with autoimmune diseases makes up 8% of the population, and as of 2024, 80% of patients diagnosed with autoimmune diseases are women. 1  Of the more than 80 autoimmune diseases known, a significant gap exists in research and treatment for patients. Addressing this can be challenging, given that funding toward autoimmune disease research is allocated to cancer, Alzheime

Written by Ariyan Darvish, Edited by Christopher LeBoa Introduction Hemolytic Anemia is an autoimmune disease where red blood cells are destroyed by the immune system at a rate faster than the body replaces them. This occurs when the body mistakenly recognizes blood cells as foreign substances and destroys them. The disease is rare, affecting one to two people per 100,000 people every year. 1  AIHA can be classified as primary vs. secondary or warm vs. cold. AIHA is considere

Written by Emily Tsai, Edited by Nikhil Chakravarty What is Type 1 diabetes?  Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system produces antibodies that attack its own islet cells in the pancreas, misidentifying them as foreign. Since the insulin-producing beta-islet cells in the pancreas are attacked. As a result, the body produces little to no insulin, leaving glucose levels in the liver and overall blood glucose levels unregulated and chroni

Written by Risa Nguyen, Edited by Rushlenne Pascual What is multiple sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an incurable autoimmune disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord. In multiple sclerosis, the body mistakenly attacks myelin, a fatty protective substance that surrounds nerve cells. 1  When the myelin is damaged, the nerve cell is exposed and electric signal communication between nerve cells slows down. 2  The weakened communication caused by degraded myelin can i

Written by Irene Wang, Edited by Olivia N. McCollum Introduction    Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder and is the leading cause of disability in young adults ages 20 to 40. 1  The disease occurs when the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, the protective fatty layer that insulates axons in the brain and spinal cord, disrupting communication between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. 2  Symptoms vary from person to person but often include

Written by Nicole Eike, Edited by Caitlin Monica Subijanto Introduction Autoimmune diseases occur when one’s immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. There are over 100 autoimmune diseases, which impact about 8% of Americans 1 , and cases have been rising globally. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by an impaired inflammatory response where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissue. 2  It is associated wi

Written by Emma Nakazato, Edited by Maya Rose Homsy King Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that has serious detrimental effects on the body’s immune system. Lupus causes immune responses that damage the body’s healthy tissues and organs. It is life-threatening and can lead to severe infections, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers.¹ There are some factors that can lead to its development. It is important to identify possible symptoms of lupus,

Written by Wynter Cheng, Edited by Han Trieu Introduction It’s 2025, an age of AI doctors, smartwatches that read your pulse, and cars that drive themselves. Yet tuberculosis (TB), an ancient disease, still kills over a million people each year. 1  Caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB primarily attacks the lungs, spreading through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Once inside the body, the bacteria can slowly destroy lung tissue, leading to

By Kiki Huang Each year, in the United States, over 1 million women are diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease, PID (ACOG). Of those 1 million, the majority of women with new PID diagnoses are under the age of 25 (Hasiya). PID occurs when someone experiences an infection of one or more of the reproductive organs; uterus, ovaries, and or fallopian tubes. PID is primarily caused by bacteria from untreated sexually transmitted infections (STI) which spread to the reproductiv

By Gabriella Ip Introduction Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, known as PCOS, is a hormonal condition that impacts 6-13% of reproductive-aged women and an estimated 70% of women remain undiagnosed according to the World Health Organization. It’s the most common cause of anovulation and infertility, and unfortunately it comes with long-term health problems.(1) PCOS is commonly associated with insulin resistance, since it contributes to the hormonal imbalances and exacerbates metaboli

By Jessica Lopez Endometriosis is when tissue similar to the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus. There are many painful symptoms of endometriosis such as pelvic pain, severe menstrual cramps, pain associated with sex, pain associated with bowel movements and urination, digestive issues, fatigue, and bleeding in between periods. There is no known cause of endometriosis, however, genetics is known to play a contributing factor. Certain factors can increase the risk o

By Jargalan Chinbat Outline:  Overview Symptoms Causes and Risk factors Diagnosis and Stages Treatment and Prevention References Endometrial Cancer Overview Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that refers to the abnormal overgrowth of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus (womb). While etiology of endometrial cancer remains unknown, an increased level of estrogen hormone may play a role in the buildup of the lining of the uterus (1). It is the most prevalent uterine ca

By: Guadalupe Pereyra In the ongoing fight for reproductive justice, especially in today’s polarized climate contraceptives have remained a key part of supporting reproductive anatomy. Contraceptives play a crucial role in shaping an individual's reproductive choices. Contraceptives are instrumental in reducing unintended pregnancies, and minimizing the number of unsafe abortions while enabling individuals to advance their own personal goals. Despite the advancements, dispari

Written by Courtney Coleman, Edited by Hannah Ryu, Han Trieu, and Gwendolyn Lee Table of Contents Introduction The Brain's Alarm System:...

Written by Paul Yousif, Edited by Nikhil Chakravarty, MPH, Edited by Courtney Coleman Substance use disorders (SUD) are mental illnesses...

Written by Gabriella Ip, Edited by Han Trieu, Edited by Courtney Coleman Introduction Opioid drugs are a class of narcotic pain...

Written by Misha Afnani, Edited by Olivia McCollum, MPH, Edited by Courtney Coleman Racial and ethnic disparities often result in unequal...

Written by Sara Lai, Edited by Emily Begnel, MPH, Edited by Courtney Coleman Depersonalization/derealization disorder (DPDR) is...

Written by Jasmine Lobo, Edited by Olivia McCollum, Edited by Courtney Coleman Introduction Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is...

Written by Ava Axelson, Edited by Olivia McCollum, Edited by Courtney Coleman Introduction Bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) is a mental...

Written by Xixi Richards, Edited by Christopher LeBoa, Edited by Courtney Coleman Overview  Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary genetic...

Written by Sophie Keshishian, Edited by Jacob Flores, Edited by Courtney Coleman Leading an active life is a common goal for most healthy...

Written by Leo Gorgatti, Edited by Olivia McCollum, Edited by Courtney Coleman Gender dysphoria is defined as a form of psychological...

Written by Jasmine Lobo, Edited by Emily Begnel, MPH; Edited by Courtney Coleman Introduction There are approximately 462 million  people...

Written by Emma To; Edited by Emily Begnel, MPH; Edited by Courtney Coleman Introduction The CDC states that “[c]oronary artery disease...

Written by Ava Axelson; Edited by Nikhil Chakravarty, MPH; Edited by Courtney Coleman Introduction Crohn's disease is a type of...

Written by Daniel Skarsten, Peer Reviewed by Emily Bengel, Edited by Courtney Coleman Introduction: Did you know that an insect the size...

Written by Maddie Rice, Peer Reviewed by Emily Bengel, Edited by Courtney Coleman Background Neglected diseases are a set of illnesses...

Written by Elisia Leung, Edited by Maura McDonagh, Justin Nguyen, and Courtney Coleman The rise of new SARS-CoV-2 mutations, such as the...

Written by Yusuf Samimi, Edited by Maura McDonagh, Justin Nguyen, and Courtney Coleman It is no secret that the unhoused population is at...

Written by Amanda Abusaif, Edited by Maura McDonagh, Justin Nguyen, and Courtney Coleman Onset of COVID-19 can lead to a myriad of...

Written by Britney Nguyen, Peer Reviewed by Olivia McCollum, Edited by Courtney Coleman Dracunculiasis is a rare infectious disease that...

Written by Leeon Maher, Peer Reviewed by Xiaochen Liu, Edited by Courtney Coleman Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is a chronic...

Written by Xixi Richards, Peer Reviewed by Xiaochen Liu , Edited by Courtney Coleman Overview Mosquitos are often vectors of disease,...

Written by Sophie Keshishian, Peer Reviewed by Olivia McCollum, Edited by Courtney Coleman It is frightening to be unknowingly living...

Written by Emma To, Peer Reviewed by Nikhil Chakravarty, Edited by Courtney Coleman Introduction Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are a...

Written by Ashley Fang, Peer Reviewed by Nikhil Chakravarty, Edited by Courtney Coleman African trypanosomiasis, more commonly known as...

Written by Ava Axelson, Peer reviewed by Xiaochen Liu, Edited by Courtney Coleman Zika virus (ZIKV) is known to have mild flu-like...

Written by Courtney Coleman, Edited by Hannah Ryu, Edited by Han Trieu Table of Contents Introduction Affected Populations PTSD Symptoms...

Written by Noah Surti, Peer Reviewed by Olivia N. McCollum, Edited by Courtney Coleman Syphilis is a common sexually transmitted disease...

Written by Sophie Keshishian, Peer Reviewed by Emily Begnel, Edited by Courtney Coleman As many as 1.89 million people are living with...

Written by Leeon Maher, Peer Reviewed by Kwan Ho Lee, Edited by Courtney Coleman Introduction With its first diagnosis tracing back to...

Written by Ingyu Bahng, Peer Reviewed by Nikhil Chakravarty, Edited by Courtney Coleman Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or sexually...

Written by Britney Nguyen, Edited by Nikhil Chakravarty, Edited by Courtney Coleman Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most widespread...

Written by Ashley Fang, Peer Reviewed by Xiaochen Liu, Edited by Courtney Coleman Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually...

Written by Courtney Coleman, Edited by Edward Chen With the holidays approaching, and the United States travel ban ending on November...

Moderated and transcribed by Edward Chen Panel discussion with Alexandria Lee, Alexis Derrigo, Gwendolyn Lee, and Jacob Ingber Welcome!...

Moderado y transcrito por Edward Chen Mesa redonda con Alexandria Lee, Alexis Derrigo, Gwendolyn Lee y Jacob Ingber Traducido al español...

Written by Courtney Coleman, Edited by Edward Chen As of this writing, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has authorized Comirnaty, the...