Hello! This month, I’m trying a different style: candid and conversational.
You might have noticed this newsletter arrived a day late! I just got back to my laptop after a rejuvenating 48-hour break from screens—I highly recommend it.
Addressing the "Sick Note Culture"
There's an increasing trend of long-term illness shrinking our labour force, especially post-Covid-19, amidst a growing mental health crisis. Yet, the response from government has been to scrutinise those off work, branding it a “sick-note culture”, rather than addressing the root causes like inadequate healthcare, toxic work environments, and a lack of inclusivity.
Spotlight on Nuri Camrass
I’m thrilled to introduce Nuri Camrass as a new contributing writer at InflamMed. Read her warm introduction and her debut article on which foods promote or reduce inflammation is a must-read for anyone looking for the right approach to improving their health through diet.
Invisible Insights Podcast Update
We’ve just released our second episode of Invisible Insights: #2 Challenging Healthcare Norms with Roi Shternin. Roi is a self-proclaimed patient empowerment renegade, who shares his journey into patient advocacy, his battle with POTS and IBS and discusses the barriers that patients face in the healthcare system. He emphasises the importance of holistic care, the need for patients to learn how to advocate for themselves and the surprising importance of knowing our roots.
Exciting News 🥁 Invisible Insights is now available on Spotify! Listen on your commute, during your downtime, or while waiting for that inevitably delayed train.
What’s Next?
Stay tuned for our next episode featuring Nadine Heir. Nadine is a brilliant writer, the Founder of WriteWiser and has her own substack that I highly recommend: Migrant in Mexico.
Check out her latest post on the mental health benefits of training and powerlifting.
On the podcast, she openly discusses living with GAD, IBS and Scoliosis for the first time in such a public format. If you watch it, you may find a few feline guest appearances too. The episode will be released Monday 6th May, stay tuned!
Inclusivity in Practice: John Lewis & Partners
In a pioneering move, John Lewis has posted all its job interview questions online. This inclusive approach is a game-changer, especially for individuals who are neurodiverse or suffer from anxiety. It’s a step forward in diversifying the talent pool without requiring candidates to disclose sensitive personal information. Let’s hope this is just the start!
Other Reading and Recommendations
George Monbiot sheds light on The Mistreatment of ME/CFS Patients, historically mislabeled as psychosomatic largely due to gender biases.
Explore our feature on chronic conditions predominantly affecting women. After posting, someone reached out to add that for MS there is almost 4 times more women diagnosed than men.
Whilst we are on the topic of gender bias, I highly recommend checking out The Invisible Women substack by Caroline Criado Perez.
Here is a random rendition of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 on a recent rainy Sunday in London, which (if you didn’t know) she wrote whilst on the set:
To close, a thought-provoking reflection from Inflamed by Rupi Marya and Raj Patel:
“Medicine that is mindful and active” —a call to consider how our environments, policies, and practices are deeply interwoven with our health.
Until Next Time,
Natasha Punia
Super excited for this drop