J. Wesley Boyd – The Conversation

Exercise equipment in a yard outside the East Block for condemned prisoners at San Quentin State Prison in California. Reuters/Stephen Lam

January 31, 2018

How mass incarceration harms U.S. health, in 5 charts

Emily Nagisa Keehn, Harvard University and J. Wesley Boyd, Harvard University

Mass incarceration harms the health of prisoners, their families and the people who work in detention centers.

Sometimes doctors need help, too. Doctor image via www.shutterstock.com.

October 21, 2016

Do programs to help doctors with substance abuse treat them fairly?

J. Wesley Boyd, Harvard University

Physician Health Programs are intended to help doctors with substance abuse disorders and mental health problems. But that’s not always what happens.

A US Army soldier closes the gate at maximum security prison Camp Delta at Guantanamo Naval Base August 25 2004 in Guantanamo, Cuba. Mark Wilson/Reuters/POOL/mw/jf/HB

July 15, 2015

How the largest association of psychologists in the US colluded in torture

J. Wesley Boyd, Harvard University

The American Psychological Association’s collusion in one the most egregious ethical lapses in our nation’s history is unconscionable.

Psychologists aren’t supposed to be involved in torture. In this 2009 file photo a sign marks a closed-off area at Camp Justice, the location of the US Military Commissions court for war crimes, at the US Naval Base, in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Witness-Guantanamo/Reuters/Brennan Linsley/Pool/Files

April 29, 2015

An ethics lesson for psychologists: don’t participate in torture

J. Wesley Boyd, Harvard University

Why hasn’t the American Psychological Association prohibited members from participating in interrogations? And what are future psychologists learning about military medical ethics?

Easier access to marijuana doesn’t necessarily lead to more addicts. Image of person smoking via Stanimir G.Stoev/Shutterstock

January 14, 2015

Will legal marijuana lead to more addicts? Probably not

J. Wesley Boyd, Harvard University

At present, cannabis is fully legalized in Colorado and Washington and will soon be fully legalized in Oregon and Alaska. Additionally, medical cannabis is legal in 23 states. The writing is on the wall…

There just aren’t enough psychiatrists to meet demand. Psychiatrist via Shutterstock

November 13, 2014

Why is it so hard to see a psychiatrist?

J. Wesley Boyd, Harvard University

Getting psychiatric care in the United States is a lot harder than it should be. Patients around the country are having a hard time booking appointments for outpatient care, and face significant hurdles…

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