The holidays are a time for celebration, family, and joy, but they can also come with unique health challenges. In this episode of The Medical Collective, Dr. Keisha Davis is joined by Dr. Sharon Smith to share tips on how to maintain your physical and mental health during the holiday season. We also tackle key health news stories, including Anthem Insurance’s reversal on anesthesia coverage, the USPSTF’s new recommendations for at-home cervical cancer HPV testing, and a disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Learn how to navigate the season safely and mindfully while avoiding common pitfalls.

Meet the Doctors

• Dr. Keisha Davis, M.D. – Pathologist, Fitness Trainer, and Public Health Advocate

Website: https://drkeishadavis.komi.io/

• Dr. Sharon Smith, M.D. – Obstetrician-Gynecologist and Aesthetic Medicine Expert

Website: https://sharonsmithmd.com/

Episode Resources

1. Anthem Insurance Anesthesia Coverage News: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ariannajohnson/2023/11/16/anthem-anesthesia-policy-change

2. USPSTF Recommendation for At-Home HPV Testing:

• Full Draft Recommendation: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/document/draft-recommendation-statement/cervical-cancer-screening

• Public Comments Page: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/document/public-comment/cervical-cancer-screening

3. Disease Outbreak in DRC: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cholera

4. CDC Holiday Safety Tips: https://www.cdc.gov/family/holiday/index.htm

5. National Fire Protection Association – Holiday Safety: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Seasonal-fires/Winter-holiday-safety