Lauren Gravitz
@lyrebard.bsky.social
Reporter + editor specializing in health and science, particularly obsessed with neuroscience and the brain. Contributing editor for Scientific American. Bibliophile. Baker. Defender of the marginalized. Proselytizer of kindness. San Diego, CA
Sent a gift link
February 11, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Sent a gift link
Atlas Obscura kid books have been a big hit here. ❤️
November 30, 2024 at 4:54 PM
Atlas Obscura kid books have been a big hit here. ❤️
That’s *exactly* the problem. Reporting this story changed my individual actions but not my view of overall policy.
November 20, 2024 at 6:05 PM
That’s *exactly* the problem. Reporting this story changed my individual actions but not my view of overall policy.
I swore I wasn't going to weigh in on fluoride, because it really is more complicated than appears at first glance. That said: It is a huge public health win. And also: it is worth reassessing these wins every so often. But it is NOT worth putting an anti-vaccine proselytizer in charge of US health.
November 20, 2024 at 5:30 PM
I swore I wasn't going to weigh in on fluoride, because it really is more complicated than appears at first glance. That said: It is a huge public health win. And also: it is worth reassessing these wins every so often. But it is NOT worth putting an anti-vaccine proselytizer in charge of US health.
Researchers are showing fluoride, even in low doses, may affect IQ. (ADA disagrees, points to old studies showing it's safe, but those studies didn't assess IQ). Since Fl is only helpful once teeth erupt, researchers suggest pregnant women in areas with fluoridated water drink the bottled stuff.
November 20, 2024 at 5:19 PM
Researchers are showing fluoride, even in low doses, may affect IQ. (ADA disagrees, points to old studies showing it's safe, but those studies didn't assess IQ). Since Fl is only helpful once teeth erupt, researchers suggest pregnant women in areas with fluoridated water drink the bottled stuff.
Middle- and higher-income families get enough fluoride from toothpaste (the science here is cool--we store fluoride in the plaque coating our teeth, releasing it when the environment gets too acidic). But lower-income communities are most at risk for harm from dental caries (pain, infection, etc.)
November 20, 2024 at 5:15 PM
Middle- and higher-income families get enough fluoride from toothpaste (the science here is cool--we store fluoride in the plaque coating our teeth, releasing it when the environment gets too acidic). But lower-income communities are most at risk for harm from dental caries (pain, infection, etc.)
Today's @washingtonpost.com story (gift link below) is the best I've read about it since RFK Jr. burst onto the scene. At its core, this is an equity issue. Most people reading this post won't suffer if we stop fluoridating water, but lower-income communities will. They already do. wapo.st/40VkjVr
RFK Jr. wants fluoride out of drinking water. Oregon shows what’s coming.
Fluoride is added to water to strengthen teeth and reduce cavities, but communities are abandoning the practice because of health concerns.
wapo.st
November 20, 2024 at 5:09 PM
Today's @washingtonpost.com story (gift link below) is the best I've read about it since RFK Jr. burst onto the scene. At its core, this is an equity issue. Most people reading this post won't suffer if we stop fluoridating water, but lower-income communities will. They already do. wapo.st/40VkjVr