Zeke Emanuel, MD, PhD

09/01/2026

Do not skip your shingles vaccine, here’s why:

The first and most obvious point: it prevents shingles, which are extremely painful and can sometimes land you in the hospital. Second, data show that getting the vaccine reduces your risk of dementia. Third, recent studies show it reduces your risk of serious heart ailments like heart attack and stroke.

There is no reason not to get your shingles vaccine, especially if you are 50 or older. It is extremely low risk, and extremely high reward.

08/26/2026

For the last 75 years, medicine has emphasized the science, and not the art of medicine. This conversation should continue as AI enters and revamps medicine as we know it.

I had the pleasure of debating AMA CEO John Whyte on Chrisst Farr’s Lifers podcast on autonomous AI versus AI-aided physicians.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTnZ6W7qsLQ

08/17/2026

AI is outperforming doctors. And doctor + AI? Still behind.

Physicians will not disappear. Surgery, deliveries, and other physical procedures still need human hands. But "doctor plus AI" as the automatic gold standard of care no longer holds up against the evidence.

AI will likely be ready to be deployed for real-world cognitive medical tasks in some, maybe many, workflows by 2030.

We tested it. New JAMA paper with Vinod Khosla, Neal Khosla, and Abe Baker-Butler.

What happens to medicine now?

08/13/2026

Watching what you eat can possibly reduce your risk of dementia.

A new study out of Sweden following 1,800 people over 15 years showed that those who ate a less inflammatory inducing diet (more vegetables, fruits, and nuts) had a 29% lower risk of dementia.

While this study doesn’t show causation, adhering to this diet has multiple other benefits for your overall health. It’s good for your heart, reduces your risk of cancer, and reduces your risk of high blood pressure and strokes. So, what do you have to lose?

As I wrote in Eat Your Ice Cream, making these simple changes to your lifestyle can have a drastic impact on your health and longevity.

08/11/2026

Doing these 4 simple things can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and cognitive impairment.

➡️ Exercise Regularly - even a 30-minute walk every day helps!
➡️ Eat Well - reduce sugary beverages, ultra-processed foods. Instead, eat fruits, veggies, nuts, and whole grains.
➡️ Stay Updated On Your Vaccines - Focus on the main 4: shingles, pneumococcal, annual flu vaccine, and DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus).
➡️ Take Multivitamins - there’s increasing evidence that these reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s. It’s not proven, but there’s no downside in taking them!

Simply doing these 4 things will not only help reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s, but greatly improve your overall health, longevity, and happiness as well.

07/21/2026

The Irish Examiner said I look like Stanley Tucci. I'll take that as a compliment. He seems like a healthy guy!

Do you see the resemblance?

https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandwellbeing/arid-41880838.html

07/06/2026

Your body is built to be social. It’s not just good for you, it’s critical for you.

Lonely people have higher mortality rates, more inflammation, and higher rates of heart disease and stroke. Your brain literally craves connection and releases dopamine, the happiness neurohormone.

Social interaction isn't a luxury. It's a basic biological need. Stop isolating. Start connecting.

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07/02/2026

Homeostasis is the key to wellness. Your body wants balance, not extremes.

Wellness influencers say if something is good, max it out. That's not how biology works.

Body temperature? 98.6 degrees. Not too hot, not too cold. Hunger? Not starving, but not stuffed. Social life? Time with others AND time alone.

The same applies to everything: exercise, sleep, food, relationships. Balance wins. Extremes lose.

As I discuss in "Eat Your Ice Cream," wellness isn't about optimization or perfection. It's about homeostasis, finding the middle ground and staying there.

Stop maxing out. Start balancing.

06/29/2026

Want to keep your brain sharp? Stop eating ultra-processed foods, especially packaged meats like bacon, hot dogs, and sausage.

A new study following over 5,000 Americans for 9 years found that those who ate more processed foods had significantly higher risk of dementia and cognitive impairment.

The fix is simple: cut out ultra-processed foods and replace them with fruits and vegetables. That's it.

As I discuss in "Eat Your Ice Cream," the most meaningful changes you can make for your health are actually fairly simple. You don't need expensive supplements or complicated routines. You need whole foods.

Your brain will thank you.

06/26/2026

RFK Jr. says every American should be wearing a wearable within four years. I disagree. And I am not alone.

Here’s what doctors actually think: only some metrics matter. Obsessing over your data will only do you more harm than good.

Wearables CAN be useful. Counting steps is tied to lower cardiovascular disease, and monitoring sleep patterns can help promote consistency.

However, wearables can worsen sleep quality. A better guide? How refreshed you feel in the morning. If your wearable is causing anxiety, stop. Wearables should motivate you, not worry you.

How do your wearables make you feel? Read the full piece in The New York Times.

Wearables can offer rough information about a person’s health, experts say, but only some metrics are medically useful.