Author: Lois Angelo

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History and Controversy of Fluoride in Drinking Water

Drinking water from the faucet.

Water fluoridation, the controlled addition of fluoride to public water supplies, has been a cornerstone of public health initiatives aimed at reducing dental decay. Initiated in the United States in 1945, it has since been adopted in numerous countries, though not without controversy. In light of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services ahead of the second administration for incoming-President Donald Trump, both critics and supporters have pointed to Kennedy’s pronounced opposition to the fluoridation of water. Safety and health experts now share concerns about what this will mean for the future of public health. 

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Librarians at the Center of Public Health Crises

People walking through bookstacks in a library.

As libraries across the United States reopened after the COVID-19 shutdown with lessened pandemic restrictions, librarians made their way back to their original roles working among the bookstacks. However, as the industry sees an uptick in turnovers just five years since the start of the pandemic, the responsibilities of a librarian now seem to fit the bill of a social worker. As libraries are accommodating the post-pandemic world, librarians are experiencing a public health and occupational crisis as workplace stress and abuse continue to rise.

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Kristin Memoli’s Case Study on the 2016 Winter Storm Jonas

Statue in Washington D.C. during Winter Storm Jonas.

In 2016, Winter Storm Jonas became the largest snowstorm on record for six states across the East Coast of the United States, prompting state of emergencies with the extreme weather event. Economic losses from the storm, including lost wages and disrupted economic activity, were estimated between $500 million and $3 billion.

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Ritu Bhatt’s Case Study on the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Rubble and remains with a man standing in the middle of the frame from the Hiroshima atomic bombing.

On August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. The first recorded nuclear weapon detonation over a populated area, the bombing instantly killed an estimated 78,000 people. This was the first nuclear weapon detonation over a populated area, and its devastating impacts on the health of Hiroshima and Nagasaki can still be seen today.

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Josephine Edery’s Case Study on the El Paso Walmart Shooting

People hold their phones with flashlights up in the air as a woman holds a sign that says "NO MORE GUNS."

On August 3, 2019, 21-year-old Patrick Crusius entered a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, carrying an AR-47-style semi-automatic rifle. He killed 23 and injured 22 civilians in what is considered the deadliest attack on Hispanic people in modern U.S. history. Crusius has since pleaded guilty and is serving 90 consecutive life sentences.

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Kelsee Katsanes’ Case Study on the Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting

Young people holding up signs that say "LOVE YOUR KIDS NOT YOUR GUNS" and "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH."

On December 14, 2012, 20-year-old Adam Lanza entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. He killed 20 children and seven adults, including his mother, before taking his own life. The event sparked several debates on gun control, mental health, and initiatives to improve school safety.

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