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Weighing whether a nerve block is right for a case of arthritis

Columns

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have bad knee arthritis. My doctor is suggesting a genicular nerve block. Is this a good idea? Will it fix the problem? — P.O.V. ANSWER: Chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis is a common problem in middle-aged and older adults. Before a person receives treatment, the diagnosis should be confirmed by an X-ray. First-line treatments are exercise and anti-inflammatory drugs, like naproxen (orally) or diclofenac (topically). When first-line treatments are ineffective, there are other options. Knee injections with steroids have long been used, but recent studies ...

Faith among young people surges, providing a missing anchor

Columns

Last September, Pastor Jason Howard of the Sanctuary Church in Pittsburgh saw a surge of young people flocking to his Christian congregation, the week after Charlie Kirk was murdered. Howard knew that something had shifted. Yes, their congregation had always been predominantly youth-driven, but this was different. Lines began to form for their services. Public transportation was dropping off children by the busload from campuses across the city, and he knew that he had an obligation to expand. Howard teamed up with local college students at the University of Pittsburgh, and a revival ...

Huntington’s Disease Day of Action is April 13

Letters to the editor

K. Miller Howard For decades, families affected by Huntington’s disease (HD) have faced a relentless neurological illness with no treatment to slow or stop its progression. Today, that may be changing—but whether scientific progress becomes real hope will depend on federal leadership. On Huntington’s Disease Day of Action, April 13, 2026, advocates nationwide are urging policymakers to act with the urgency this moment demands. Huntington’s disease is a rare, inherited and ultimately fatal brain disorder that often strikes in midlife. From symptom onset to death, it ...

In a world of war and wonder, attention is your greatest power

Columns

Watching the Artemis II space flight has filled my days with awe and wonder. From pilot Victor Glover’s poignant Easter message and mission specialist Christina Koch’s “space plumber” story to the crew naming a moon crater for commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife. Artemis II really shows us what humanity is capable of. All of this took place with the backdrop of war in Iran and horrid threats spewed from President Donald Trump on Truth Social. It all serves as a great reminder that on any given day, we simultaneously exist in a world of tragedy and wonder. The good news is ...

Dear Annie: When a wedding invite asks too much

Columns

Dear Annie: My husband and I are invited to my co-worker’s daughter’s midweek black-tie wedding at 3 p.m. My husband and I would need to leave work early to attend, and I feel it’s a burden to both take time off work and purchase or rent black-tie attire for a warm weather event in the summer. Is it acceptable to decline the invite and just send a nice gift? The couple getting married have been living together for a year, although I congratulate them for making vows to each other. I wish the couple was more understanding of the possible financial burden to their guests. Your ...

Closing Pennsylvania’s talent gap starts with affordable higher education

Columns

Pennsylvania has 61,000 jobs that require education beyond high school and not enough qualified workers to fill them. By 2032, the gap will grow to 218,000 jobs that lack workers with postsecondary-level credentials, according to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study. The gap has real-world consequences for our economy and communities. As the chancellor of Pennsylvania’s system of 10 state universities, I frequently hear from employers who struggle to find workers with the education they need. Hospitals need nurses, businesses need accountants and data analysts, school ...