Ticks can be active whenever the temperature is above 40 degrees, meaning the tick-borne illness is more than a seasonal worry limited to a portion of the summer. And Connecticut is seeing more types of ticks, and more than just Lyme disease.

Dr. Kevin Dieckhaus, chief of UConn Health's Division of Infectious Diseases, explains all this, plus how to recognize, treat, and reduce the risk of tick-borne illness, and says some potentially promising Lyme disease news is on the horizon.

(Dr. Kevin Dieckhaus, Carolyn Pennington, Chris DeFrancesco, September 2025, studio and production support by Ethan Giorgetti and Ryan Bernat)

Kevin Dieckhaus, MD https://www.uconnhealth.org/providers/profiles/dieckhaus-kevin

UConn Health Division of Infectious Diseases https://www.uconnhealth.org/infectious-diseases

“There’s no such thing as a healthy tan.” While we may be coming around on that idea, are we getting distracted by potential reasons not to use sunscreen? Are there ingredients in sunscreens that are toxic to us, or to the ocean’s ecosystem? What about those spray sunscreens? Dr. Jenna Kelsey, UConn Health dermatologist, joins to help weigh the risks and benefits of these factors against the carcinogenic properties of sun exposure.

(Dr. Jenna Kelsey, Carolyn Pennington, Chris DeFrancesco, August 2025, studio and production support by Ethan Giorgetti and Ryan Bernat)

Jenna Bordelon Kelsey, MD https://www.uconnhealth.org/providers/profiles/bordelon%20kelsey-jenna

UConn Health Dermatology https://www.uconnhealth.org/dermatology-cosmetic-surgery/dermatology

UConn Health’s advanced melanoma program https://www.uconnhealth.org/cancer-blood-disorders/services-specialties/skin-cancer

American Academy of Dermatology https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/prevent

They come in all kinds of colors, flavors, sizes, and prices — products claiming to deliver a burst of energy to wake you up, keep you going, or give you that needed jolt. Are they more than just high doses of caffeine and sugar? What are we actually drinking? Do we really need them? Are there healthy (or healthier) alternatives? UConn Health registered dietitian Linda York joins us to discuss the exploding energy drink trend, and offer some less caffeinated ways to boost your energy.

(Linda York, Carolyn Pennington, Chris DeFrancesco, July 2025, studio and production support by Ethan Giorgetti and Ryan Bernat)

UConn Health Nutrition Services: https://www.uconnhealth.org/nutrition-services