The Practice of Ruth Haskins MD

02/26/2026

After the State of the Union, I can’t shake thinking about the real state of the union rather than the “speech", not the staged partisan applause, but what’s actually happening in this country.

We’re told everything is “the best it’s ever been.” That the economy is booming. That the nation is safe. That corruption is under control. CBS gave Trump’s speech lavish praise. Really? That’s the messaging. Spin trying to pass as reality and relentless repetition drowns out truth.

Meanwhile, lies are piling up faster than raindrops in a thunderstorm. Facts are twisted. History is rewritten. Public memory is manipulated. Press control isn’t subtle anymore; it’s normalized propaganda, often under the cloak of patriotism. Journalists repeat narratives uncritically while accountability seems to have vanished into the ether.

The Epstein files sit like an open wound, as we incredulously watch the blatant cover-up continue. The highest echelons of power evade justice while ordinary citizens see the system bend for elites. It’s hard to call this governance; the U.S is a theater of power, and the curtain is permanently drawn on consequences.

Olympic athletes are unwittingly politicized, signaling that this normalization extends beyond politics. Questionable appointments to top medical posts are made to people whose record on science and public health is, at best, dubious. Build-up toward war with Iran is whispered in halls of power while the public watches the rhetoric escalate, desensitized to catastrophe.

Laws are ignored, sections of law enforcement have become militarized with citizens executed on our streets. Congress seems to have completely abdicated all responsibilities. Corruption is rampant, brazen, and profitable. Influence is monetized. Public service is for sale. Our allies hedge, and our credibility erodes. What was once a proud country seen as a pillar of democracy now feels arrogant, bullying and transactional, fragile, corrupt, and performative.

The real state of the union isn’t measured in applause, spin, or headlines proclaiming greatness. It’s measured in fact, truth, accountability, and the fragile trust of its people. Right now, that trust feels dangerously thin as we travel on the wrong side of history.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

02/19/2026

The Lunar New Year is a time that celebrates renewal, hope, and new beginnings, all values that resonate deeply with the journey of new and growing families and welcoming new life. The Year of the Fire Horse symbolizes strength, resilience, and vibrant energy, qualities we see every day in the mothers, parents, and families we are privileged to care for.

Whether you celebrate Lunar New Year as part of your tradition or simply embrace the spirit of a fresh start, this season is a beautiful reminder of the possibilities ahead. Each new year brings new milestones, new babies, and new chapters — and we are honored to be part of your story.

We wish all of our patients and their loved ones a year filled with health, happiness, and meaningful new beginnings.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

02/17/2026

Honoring Black History Month

This month, we celebrate the incredible contributions, resilience, and achievements of Black individuals throughout history. From medicine to science, Black trailblazers have paved the way for innovation and progress.

I’m inspired by pioneers like Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S., Dr. Charles Drew, who revolutionized blood banking, and Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, whose work helped develop the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Their dedication reminds us of the importance of equity, representation, and perseverance in healthcare and beyond.

Let’s honor their legacy by continuing to learn, uplift, and promote wellness for all.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

02/14/2026

This Valentine’s Day, we’re reminded that caring for your health is one of the most meaningful forms of self-love.

Our bodies carry us through every stage of life — through change, growth, and transition. Take time to listen, to care, and to prioritize your well-being.

With appreciation for you and the community we are privileged to serve. Happy Valentine’s Day.

❤️

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

02/12/2026

Mental Health Care During Pregnancy: Continuity Matters

Pregnancy does not protect against depression or anxiety — yet studies show that nearly half of women taking antidepressants before pregnancy stop their medication once they conceive. Recent data presented at national maternal-fetal medicine meetings found that discontinuing antidepressants during pregnancy is associated with nearly double the risk of serious mental health emergencies compared with continuing treatment.

Untreated or undertreated psychiatric illness carries real risks — including poor prenatal care engagement, preterm birth, and increased maternal morbidity. While concerns about medication exposure are understandable, many commonly used antidepressants have reassuring safety data, and abrupt discontinuation is often not the safest choice.

The key is individualized, shared decision-making. Pregnancy is a time for proactive mental health support — not silent suffering. If you or your patient is considering stopping medication, a thoughtful conversation with an obstetric and mental health provider is essential.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

02/09/2026

Menopause and Cardiovascular Health

Menopause is often discussed in terms of symptoms such as hot flashes or sleep disruption, but an important and sometimes overlooked aspect of this transition is its relationship to cardiovascular health. A growing body of research shows that menopause — particularly when it occurs earlier than expected — is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.

Large observational studies have demonstrated higher rates of coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure among women who experience earlier menopause, even after accounting for traditional risk factors. The decline in estrogen during this transition is thought to contribute through its effects on vascular function, lipid metabolism, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity.

Clinically, this matters because cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women, yet it is often under-recognized during midlife. Menopause represents a natural inflection point when changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose regulation, and body composition may begin to emerge or accelerate, sometimes before symptoms are apparent.

Encouragingly, menopause also offers an opportunity for prevention. When this transition is recognized as a meaningful health milestone, much can be done to reduce long-term risk. Care may include reassessment of cardiovascular risk factors, guidance around nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress, and appropriate monitoring over time. Treatment options to manage menopausal symptoms may also be considered to support overall health and quality of life when used in an individualized and timely way.

For women entering menopause — particularly those who do so earlier than expected, have a history of pregnancy complications, or have a family history of cardiovascular disease — a conversation with a physician can be an important first step. Menopause is not simply an endpoint; it is a transition that allows us to focus on long-term health and prevention, with the goal of supporting well-being for decades to come.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

02/03/2026

Have we had enough yet? An accurate commentary of what is going on in Minneapolis - thank you Boss, for highlighting what so many of us think.

Directed by Thom ZimnyEdited by Thom Zimny and Samuel ShapiroProduction Footage: Pam Springsteen and Thom Zimny

02/01/2026

February is here! With the Super Bowl coming up (even if the Steelers aren’t in it 😏) and Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s a month full of heart, connection, and care.

Between game-day snacks and sharing the love, don’t forget to show some love to yourself. February is a great time to schedule an annual exam, check in on your reproductive health, or simply come talk with us about how you’re feeling.

Our team is here with the same compassionate care you trust — helping you stay healthy, balanced, and supported all year long.

📞 (916) 817-2649 🌐 www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

01/30/2026

A few days ago, I remarked upon my fears for the US leaving the WHO and its ramifications. I’m relieved to see California step up as the Trump administration pulls the U.S. out of the World Health Organization. This isn’t political theater, it’s practical public health.

By joining WHO, California keeps access to early outbreak warnings, shared data, and international expertise that help detect and stop threats before they reach our clinics and hospitals. Diseases don’t stop at borders, and pretending otherwise doesn’t protect patients.

When federal leadership chose withdrawal over reform, it weakened preparedness. California’s move helps close that gap — protecting 40 million residents with science, collaboration, and foresight.

This is what responsible health policy looks like!

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

01/26/2026

Murders by ICE, is this our USA?

Watching federal immigration agents flood Minneapolis feels less like law enforcement and more like an occupation. Armed raids, unaccountable force, people killed or seriously harmed.

ICE has become a paramilitary force, a federal agency unleashed on communities, overriding local leadership, escalating tensions, and leaving fear and grief in its wake. Minneapolis has been invaded.

Power without accountability. When federal agents operate above local law, when residents are treated as enemies, and when deaths are brushed aside as collateral damage, something has gone badly wrong.

If this can happen in Minneapolis, it can happen anywhere. If we shrug it off, we’re accepting a version of America where force replaces justice and fear replaces the rule of law.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

01/24/2026

The U.S. flag has been removed from the World Health Organization. This as a direct consequence of President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from an institution we helped found and lead for nearly 80 years. It’s not a misunderstanding. It’s not symbolism run amok. It’s the visible result of a reckless policy choice.

The United States helped create the WHO in 1948 because we understood something fundamental after World War II: disease is a national security threat. For decades, U.S. leadership inside the WHO gave us early warning of outbreaks, influence over global health standards, and coordination that protected Americans before threats reached our shores.

Trump’s withdrawal has removed American influence entirely. You don’t fix something by walking away from it. You surrender control, credibility, and leverage. The decisions the WHO makes will still affect Americans: on travel, vaccines, supply chains, and outbreak response. Only now they’ll be made without U.S. leadership or oversight.

This move weakens U.S. preparedness by design. It cuts us off from coordinated global surveillance at a time when pandemics, antibiotic resistance, and biological threats are increasing, not fading. Any short-term political satisfaction comes at the cost of slower response times, higher long-term costs, and greater vulnerability.

Worse, it hands leadership to others. Power vacuums don’t stay empty. Countries with very different priorities and values are now better positioned to shape global health rules — while the U.S. stands on the sidelines, pretending disengagement is strength.

The flag didn’t come down because America was disrespected. It came down because American leadership was voluntarily withdrawn. That decision reflects ideology over evidence, grievance over governance, and posturing over preparedness.

Being a founding member of the WHO wasn’t charity. It was smart policy. Walking away from it isn’t bold. It’s self-sabotage.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com