This week, I got to do one of my favorite things: publish a First Opinion on animal health. Researcher Joshua Moen wrote about how American horses are increasingly obese: “The obese horses are not lazy. They are not making poor choices. They do not have complicated relationships with food or sedentary desk jobs. They are large athletic mammals being managed by well-meaning owners on diets their physiology was never designed to handle, and they are getting sick in ways that look remarkably familiar.” And don’t forget to admire the perfectly selected horse photo illustrating the piece.
I’m always looking for op-eds about the parts of the life sciences/health field that are often overlooked. That’s particularly true for veterinary medicine and dentistry, but I’m also open to other jobs that need more attention. What’s the big debate in podiatry right now? I want to know!
This season of the “First Opinion Podcast” is nearly wrapped. Be sure to check out this week’s rollicking interview with Dawn Zuidgeest-Craft, who will turn 73 shortly after beginning her medical residency this summer. She talks about fulfilling her lifelong dream of going to medical school, critics who say she shouldn’t be taking up a residency slot, and much more.
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Recommendation of the week: While watching the NBA Finals (not something I normally do, but even I got caught up in the Knicks’ comeback on Wednesday), I kept thinking about a 2011 Sports Illustrated feature on how difficult it is to be 7 feet or taller. In addition to the logistical challenges and the ever-present gawkers, that kind of height comes with serious orthopedic issues, especially for those playing basketball.
