Mara Gordon, MD

a doctor who gets it Plus: in pursuit of the world-record rubber chicken throw; they're stealing our sleep and getting rich from it; ICE OUT. This is Link Letter 187!

I got to speak with the incredible @caseyjohnston.bsky.social for her newsletter SHE'S A BEAST about how it's possible to be gentle to our bodies and also keep them healthy.

Check it out here: www.shesabeast.co/a-doctor-who...

The difference between losing weight & being "healthy" : It's Been a Minute What are we missing something in the conversation around obesity and GLP-1s? Oprah Winfrey’s new book, Enough, co-authored by endocrinologist Dr. Ania Jastreboff is one of many new narratives attempti...

Oprah has a new book out about GLP1s.. And I went on @npr.org 's It's Been A Minute to talk about it!

We talk about the difference between the experience of "feeling fat" and adiposity-based chronic disease, and why it's hard for GLP1 agonists to treat both.

www.npr.org/2026/01/16/n...

The FDA has approved an at-home HPV test. What you need to know New federal guidance is expanding testing for cervical cancer with a self-collection method. Dr. Mara Gordon speaks to NPR about why this option might become popular for screening for HPV.

I went on @npr.org to talk about one piece of good news about women's health: is this the end of the Pap smear? Good riddance. #medsky

Please give it a listen, if you'd like:

www.npr.org/2026/01/07/n...

I hate getting Pap smears. Is there a safe alternative? You may have heard about HPV testing and self-swabbing to collect the sample. Does that work as well? Here are the ins and outs of this newer option.

Early birds! I'll be on @npr.org 's Morning Edition on Wednesday 1/7 at 6:45 AM talking about *The End of the Pap Smear,* which I wrote about for my latest Real Talk With A Doc column.

Please tune in! 🎧#Medsky

www.npr.org/2025/12/11/n...

Join us Tuesday 1/13 at 1pm EST! #medsky

Join me and an all-star team of @aafp.org family docs in April 2026 to talk about ALL THINGS MENOPAUSE.

I'll be talking about midlife body image, a topic near and dear to my heart. #medsky

Register here: www.aafp.org/cme/all/wome...

Flu cases are surging and rates will likely get worse, new CDC data shows Flu season is off to a rough start this year, according to new CDC data. The virus is spreading faster than in previous years and the surge is likely to get worse. Here's what you need to know.

It's shaping up to be a rough flu season.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...

Join me and a team of all-star family docs from @aafp.org to talk about all things MENOPAUSE. #medsky

Coming April 2026.

www.aafp.org/cme/all/wome...

Join me and psychiatrist Jennifer Reid for a conversation about the most seductive of emotions: GUILT.

On the Substack app.

I hate getting Pap smears. Is there a safe alternative? You may have heard about HPV testing and self-swabbing to collect the sample. Does that work as well? Here are the ins and outs of this newer option.

Are Pap smears a thing of the past? Honestly, good riddance.

My latest for @npr.org here:

www.npr.org/2025/12/11/n...

Sleep is one of life's great pleasures Why is it so hard to get it?

Sleep is one of life's great pleasures. Why is it so hard? #medsky

open.substack.com/pub/maragord...

I recently was a guest on @kuow.org KUOW Public Radio (Seattle's @npr.org station) talking about how I use the framework of body justice to approach questions of body size, body shame, and diet culture in medicine. Please give it a listen!

open.spotify.com/episode/4eCp...

Philly Friends! Join us 12/9 at the College of Physicians

I want AI to do my paperwork so I can have real relationships with my patients I don't want AI to be "nice" to patients so I can do more paperwork

To paraphrase the great Joanna Maciejewsha:

I want AI to do my prior auths so I can be nice to patients. I don't want AI to be nice to patients so I can do more prior auths. #medsky

open.substack.com/pub/maragord...

Thanks for highlighting my writing!

My latest piece for @npr.org

I'm pregnant but my doctor won't see me before 9 weeks. Why not? Is it OK to wait? A pregnancy test can tell you that you're expecting as early as 4 weeks, but most doctors won't see you for another month. Many women want care sooner. Why's it so hard to get and what can you do?

Why is it so dang hard to get an appointment with a prenatal provider when you first find out you're pregnant?

My latest for @npr.org #Medsky

www.npr.org/2025/11/11/n...

I'm pregnant but my doctor won't see me before 9 weeks. Why not? Is it OK to wait? A pregnancy test can tell you that you're expecting as early as 4 weeks, but most doctors won't see you for another month. Many women want care sooner. Why's it so hard to get and what can you do?

When I found out I was pregnant four years ago, I remember feeling SO stressed that I'd have to wait until 8 or 9 weeks of pregnancy for a first prenatal appointment.

Why is it so hard to get care in early pregnancy? My latest for @npr.org

www.npr.org/2025/11/11/n...

“You Just Have to Keep Buying”: How Diet Culture Profits from Fatphobia - Showit Blog

I went on the MONEY WITH KATIE podcast to talk about diet culture in health care.

moneywithkatie.com/the_mwk_show...

Is telehealth a good idea, or should I see my regular doctor? Social media is full of their colorful ads, but are online doctors legit? Here's the lowdown on the pros and cons of online medicine.

For @npr.org, I wrote about an evergreen topic that endlessly vexes primary care docs: is telehealth sketchy?

www.npr.org/2025/09/16/n...

RFK, Jr. comes for primary care open.substack.com/pub/maragord... via @maragordonmd.bsky.social

Dr. Mara Will Not Sell You a Weighted Vest Actual, non-sponsored answers to your questions about weight and health in menopause.

No supplements for sale here. 🔥

Loved joining the inimitable Virginia Sole-Smith to talk about the menopause industrial complex and body shame in aging.

virginiasolesmith.substack.com/p/dr-mara-wi...

this from @maragordonmd.bsky.social about @jessicaslice.bsky.social and her new book.

(i am intensely envious of Jessica's power chair right now.)

My latest piece for @npr.org

One woman's fight to remove barriers for aspiring doctors with disabilities After her dreams of becoming a doctor were denied, one California woman is working to make the profession more accessible to those with disabilities.

Powerful piece from @npr.org

We have such a long way to go making medicine more welcoming to people with disabilities - both patients and doctors. #medsky

www.npr.org/2025/05/15/n...

Dr Gordon's rules of primary care.

To get a blood pressure machine covered by insurance, you need a diagnosis of hypertension.

To get a diagnosis of hypertension, you need a blood pressure machine.

(Ok, there are actually a few ways to diagnose HTN, but home BP checks are the gold standard.) 🤯

Election day, Philly!!

My essay for @npr.org

Why bother traveling with kids?

Read my justification at maragordonmd.substack.com ❤️

Opinion | I Came to Study Aging. Now I’m Trapped in ICE Detention.

A research colleague here at Harvard Medical School has been detained by ICE since February. Her story is powerful and disturbing. Please read: www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/o...