Column: Vaccinations are necessary for the public good

• By Ira Zunin
• April 6, 2019

If we were to once again live in the pre-vaccination era rampant with epidemics of polio, measles and smallpox, few would hesitate to vaccinate themselves and their families. Read more

Column: Universal health care in isles is necessary and doable

• By Ira Zunin
• March 2, 2019

Column: Health risks increase from heavy metals in coal and oil

• By Ira Zunin
• Feb. 2, 2019

Diet, for most individuals, is the largest source of exposure to heavy metals. Read more

Column: Keys to successful New Year’s resolutions for 2019

• By Ira Zunin
• Jan. 5, 2019

It’s time to consolidate New Year’s resolutions for 2019. What is most important for the year ahead, amid escalating climate change, political turmoil in Washington, D.C., economic uncertainty across the globe and big questions about the future of health care? Read more

Column: It’s high stakes for climate change and time to act

• By Ira Zunin
• Dec. 1, 2018

Recent environmental disasters, coupled with mounting research, demonstrate the profound impact of climate change to health and prosperity. Read more

Column: Proliferation of urgent care clinics in Hawaii is worrisome

• By Ira Zunin
• Nov. 3, 2018

The progressive proliferation of urgent care facilities in Hawaii is a worrisome sign. The people of Hawaii are better served by sustainable relationships with primary care providers. Read more

Column: Future of U.S. health care remains highly uncertain

• By Ira Zunin
• Oct. 6, 2018

While the majority of the public is opposed to a repeal of the ACA, intense uncertainty has spawned a range of competing initiatives for the future of U.S. health care. Read more

Column: Sharing the load can help prevent physician burnout

• By Ira Zunin
• Sept. 1, 2018

Hawaii is already struggling to solve a severe, ongoing physician shortage. Why are they burning out, and what can be done to prevent our doctors from running for the door? Read more

Column: Injured workers in Hawaii deserve much better care

• By Ira Zunin, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• Aug. 4, 2018

We might complain about our jobs and look forward to our next vacation, but to work is a sacred honor. Read more

‘Integrity diffusion’ is now new epidemic in today’s world

• By Ira Zunin
• July 7, 2018

Today’s society has an abundance of quality professionals you can trust. Read more

Dying well, living longer draw interest at local book festival

• By Ira Zunin
• June 2, 2018

The recent Hawaii Book and Music Festival was another great success. It was the first time that the Wellness in Hawaii Program extended for two full days. Read more

Hawaii Book & Music Festival explores how to live well

• By Ira Zunin, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• April 28, 2018

This year, for the first time, the Hawaii Book & Music Festival will expand the “Wellness in Hawaii” track to two full days. Read more

Medically assisted death bill should not have been passed

• By Ira Zunin
• April 7, 2018

Hawaii should not have passed a law to condone actively facilitating death. During this legislative session a Pandora’s box was opened for medically assisted death in the form of House Bill 2739. Read more

Seeking profit, firms plan withdrawal from health care

• By Ira Zunin
• March 3, 2018

Create a healthy society through pono education

• By Ira Zunin
• Feb. 3, 2018

The upcoming Hawaii International Health and Education Kolisko Conference aims to inspire the future of education and health care. Read more

Cutting health programs to pay for road initiatives is unwise

• By Ira Zunin
• Jan. 6, 2018

Expect key American entitlements — Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security — to be on the chopping block in Congress this year. Read more

Raising insurance coverage for non-opioid treatment could help crisis

• By Ira Zunin
• Dec. 2, 2017

The opioid epidemic remains a leading and escalating public health crisis with 2 million Americans now dependent on opiates at an annual cost of $78.5 billion in the U.S. Read more

Conference to explore emerging field of regenerative medicine

• By Ira Zunin
• Oct. 28, 2017

Regenerative medicine aims to cultivate new living tissue to replace or repair function that has been lost as the result of normal aging, disease or trauma. Read more

Low health risk does not curb dangers of asbestos exposure

• By Ira Zunin
• Sept. 2, 2017

How great is the health risk posed by asbestos exposure? A public debate was reignited by a recent fire starting on the 26th floor of the Marco Polo high-rise condominiums. Read more

Bipartisan effort to repair Obamacare is only answer

• By Ira Zunin
• Aug. 5, 2017

Repealing Obamacare is not the answer. Placing it under siege is even worse. Efforts to forge a bipartisan solution to improve and refine this legislation, which is already insuring so many more Americans, is the only reasonable course of action. Read more

Mindfulness meditation offers low-cost way to boost health

• By Ira Zunin
• July 1, 2017

Mindfulness exercises assisted patients in better understanding their pain and to separate the actual pain from fear, uncertainty and old memories. It also helped participants make better lifestyle choices and assess appropriate activity levels, food intake and how much medication they actually needed. Read more