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WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN – THE 1986 CHERNOBYL DISASTER

Because I have certain educational credentials, I’m obligated to protect others as best as I can.  It’s a delight for me to make attempts to connect the dots in doing so.  By placing this information out here, hopefully it will make others think about the origins of environmental hazards that have the potential to cause physical illnesses in their own communities.

One of the things I love is finding a documentary that has me on the edge of my seat.  Directed by Stuart Strickson and narrated by Ben Fogle, The CHERNOBYL DISASTER (2022) is definitely one of them!

For those of us who were adults back then, we remember those haunting images coming out of Eastern Europe (Ukraine) about a nuclear incident that had occurred, and then later subsequent images of people who lost their health being exposed to the radiation poisoning that surfaced in the atmosphere.

The three-part video talks about the players involved in the government and the Chernobyl facility, the community as the nuclear plant was being manufactured, and the sights and sounds of the people within the community going about their daily lives.  There are discussions about how the disaster occurred and why it was allowed to occur.  The story takes us directly inside the facility with well-preserved film footage.

There are several explanations why this devastating incident is important in this century.  It falls under the category of protecting our environment (first) and protecting our health!

The Russia-Ukraine War began in 2022.  The images of Russian tanks that we saw a few years ago were entering the surrounding area of the Chernobyl nuclear plant, kicking up radiation dust as the tanks entered Ukraine.  Dust in general, whatever its components, does not remain in one place.  Dust spreads to other locations, and depending on the scope, other regions.  The European Commission (2026) stated that “The Russian war of aggression on Ukraine, its relentless attacks, military activity in the region and disruptions to the site pose a continuous threat to nuclear safety, raising concerns about the integrity of containment structures and the safe confinement of the radioactive materials.”

Now we come to another important issue:  Young adults and their health.  

Siegel, Wagle, & Jemel (2026) reported that while certain cancers since 2014 – 2023 have declined in causing mortality (i.e., brain, breast, leukemia, lung), colorectal cancer has increased in causing cancer deaths among adults under 50 years of age.  

To expand further, McDowell (2025) indicated that more women under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with cancer compared to men under the age of 50.  “The incidence rate for women younger than 50 has increased from 51% higher than men in 2002 to 82% higher in 2021 (the most current year with data)” (McDowell, 2025).

While there can be several explanations why this community (i.e., adults under 50 years of age) is being diagnosed with cancer, we cannot rule out environmental exposure to hazardous materials as the culprit.

And there is such a thing as those forever chemicals that appear to be lurking about pretty much everywhere in our household and external environment in general.  We can learn what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is doing in attempts to protect Americans from those chemicals right here https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-advances-comprehensive-pfas-strategy-legally-defensible-practical-scientifically

Vikki

References

European Commission. Energy. (2026).  Safeguarding Chernobyl: strengthening protection and resilience in Ukraine.  Retrieved From https://energy.ec.europa.eu/news/safeguarding-chernobyl-strengthening-protection-and-resilience-ukraine-2026-04-24_en

McDowell, S. (2025).  Cancer Incidence Rate For Women Under 50 Rises Above Men’s.  Retrieved From https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-news/cancer-incidence-rate-for-women-under-50-rises-above-mens.html

Siegel, R. L., MPH(1), Wagle, N. S., PhD, MBBS, MHA(1), and Jemal, A., DVM, PhD(1). (2026).  Leading Cancer Deaths In People Younger Than 50 Years.  Retrieved From https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2844189

Strickson, S. (Director). (2022). The Chernobyl Disaster. [Film]. Prime Video. amazon.com

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🇺🇲 🇬🇧 June 6 – D-Day 🇺🇲 🇬🇧

JUNE 6, 1944:  D-Day.  American and British military forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, establishing a positive outcome in World War II and for civilization. 

[VIDEO:  AMERICA THE STORY OF US:  D-DAY INVASION.  (SOURCE:  HISTORY CHANNEL)]

Vikki

References

History.com.  (2026).  D-Day Articles.  Retrieved From https://www.history.com/articles/d-day

History Channel.  (2014, May 22).  America The Story Of Us:  D-Day Invasion.  Retrieved From https://youtu.be/RIIN0Ug8wg8?si=asx3dmdTFzDBKvs6

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Why It’s A Must That Cancer Survivors Have A Team In Place To Avoid Further Health Difficulties

The number of cancer survivors is growing exponentially (National Cancer Institute, 2026).  Thus, a need for narrowing communications between primary care physicians and oncologists is important (Butcher, 2026) to meet the needs of this growing population.  It’s essential that cancer survivors have a “comprehensive strategic” managed care (survivorship care plan) in order to avoid experiencing additional illnesses, such as cancer that has metastasized in other parts of their body.  Butcher (2026) indicated that, “Cancer survivors have a 42 percent higher rate of developing cardiovascular disease than people who never had cancer, for example, and they have higher rates of pain, insomnia, and psychosocial distress. Survivorship care includes identifying and managing these side effects, which can be long-lasting and difficult to treat.”

According to the National Cancer Institute (2026), it’s imperative that primary care physicians and oncologists converge when treating cancer survivors.  Thus, primary care physicians and oncologists have equal responsibilities for the health of their patients.

Butcher (2026) reported that while the Cleveland Clinic and other medical facilities in America  are making strong efforts in bringing these entities together and providing survivorship care plans,

“…the nationwide story on survivorship care plans is not good. Only 36 percent of cancer patients who complete treatment receive such a plan, according to the 2025 survey of survivors. To improve that record, Cancer Nation, the advocacy organization, is pushing Congress to pass the Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act and the Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act, which would require Medicare to pay health care providers for creating survivorship plans and coordinating with other clinicians to ensure survivors get the care they need.”

The following illustration is another example of why primary care physicians and oncologists need to work in concert on behalf of their cancer patients:

Vikki

References

Butcher, L. (2026).  Cancer Survivors Are Living Longer But Still Have Complex Needs.  That’s Why Doctors And Advocates Want Post-Treatment Care Plans.  Retrieved From https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/cancer-survivors-are-living-longer-but-still-have-complex-needs-thats-why-doctors-and-advocates-want-post-treatment-care-plans-180988629/

National Cancer Institute.  (2026)  Primary Care And Cancer Survivorship.  Retrieved From https://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/ocs/special-focus-areas/primary-care-and-cancer-survivorship

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Mental Health Issues Involving Teenage Social Media Use

Parents need to develop strong relationships with their children before their children create social media accounts!  Helping them establish healthy self-esteem beginning at a young age, guiding them, and reinforcing a good conscience can help pave the way in their becoming positive users of social media.  When parents are communicating with them and demonstrating what positive role models are, it can help reduce potential negative experiences children would have encountered, at least in the sense of how they view themselves.   To expand further, societal mores and societal pressures are mutually exclusive.

Several articles about the experiences of young people on social media can be found at the Pew Research Center.  “Teens’ Experiences on TikTok, Instagram And Snapchat,” (Faverio, Park, & Gottfried, 2026) and “Why Many Parents And Teens Think It’s Harder Being A Teen Today” (Faverio, Gottfried, Radde, Baronavski, & Atske, 2024) are two of the items available for examination. 

The responses are from various demographics, and the conclusions are nuanced, especially between parents and teenagers.  One of the disturbing comments from teens is that they believe (falsely) that they are supposed to live up to the expectations of people they have met on social media.

Nagata, Huang, Hur, Li, Helmer, Weinstein, and Moreno (2025) discussed “Health Benefits Of Social Media Use in Adolescents And Young Adults,” which is reported from a clinical perspective.  The authors stated that while there can be negative consequences associated with social media use, there are variables that could make the experiences more enjoyable and fulfilling for young people.

Social media can be a sophisticated universe with various platforms, offering different information.  Also, young people have to understand that real life exists in the present and with people they actually know.  These are people they can call up on the phone or walk up to in person.  Social media can be a valuable communication tool, but they shouldn’t neglect their studies, extracurricular activities, and hobbies.

As an aside, positive opportunities exist if allowed to come into fruition!  Now, more than ever, parents can have a closer relationship with their children in the off chance an unpleasant situation develops from social media use.  The social media angle can be a springboard because the parent is the first line of defense when they tell their children and reiterate that they are there for them, regardless of what they’re going through.

Vikki

References

Faverio, M., Gottfried, J., Radde, K., Baronavski, C., & Atske, S.  (2024).  Why Many Parents And Teens Think It’s Harder Being A Teen Today.  Retrieved From https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/feature/why-many-parents-and-teens-think-its-harder-being-a-teen-today/

Faverio, M., Park, E., & Gottfried, J. (2026).  Teens’ Experiences on TikTok, Instagram And Snapchat.  Retrieved From https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2026/04/15/teens-experiences-on-tiktok-instagram-and-snapchat/

Nagata, J. M., Huang, O., Hur, J. O., Li, E. J., Helmer, C. K., Weinstein, E., & Moreno, M. A.  (2025, August).  Health Benefits Of Social Media Use In Adolescents And Young Adults.  National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. 14;13(1):22

10.1007/s40124-025-00357-7. Retrieved From https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12356748/

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💐 What’s In Your Easter Basket? 💐

(Image:  Freepik)

Let’s place the following organizations in our Easter baskets and bring them happiness this holiday season:

911memorial.org

Children And Nature Network

Children’s Defense Fund

Doctors Without Borders

First Responders Children’s Foundation

Habitat for Humanity

International Medical Corps

Make-A-Wish Foundation

Memorial Sloan Kettering

Mental Health America

No Kid Hungry

Paralyzed Veterans of America

St. Jude Children’s Hospital

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Wounded Warrior Project

United Service Organizations (USO)

THANK YOU!

Vikki

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Healthier Brains Through Caffeinated Drinks

You can read more at “Your Daily Coffee May Be Protecting Your Brain, 43-Year Study Finds” (Mass General, 2026). 

Vikki

Reference

Mass General Brigham. (2026, March 18). Your Daily Coffee May Be Protecting Your Brain, 43-Year Study Finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 22, 2026, From www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260318033138.htm