health Archives - Cambridge | Somerville Independent

An algae bloom has returned to the Charles River that could be dangerous to people, fatal to a dog

by Marc Levy August 21, 2026

Residents warned by health officials to avoid parts of the Charles River because of a potentially dangerous cyanobacteria algae bloom.

DID YOU KNOW

The Magazine Beach bathhouse debate and the politics of public hygiene

by Beth Folsom of History Cambridge August 3, 2026

Many Cantabrigians at the turn of the 20th century lacked bathing facilities at their homes, so a swimming beach and bathhouse were not just for leisure.

LIT

Reviewed: ‘On the Other Side is March’ is a clear-eyed look at caring for a fading parent

by Josh Cook July 28, 2026

Sólrún Michelsen tries to give caregivers language and images that make it easier to bear a burden, hold on when adrift or see in the fog.

OPINION

Barber’s abortion care bill heads to the Senate for women still being denied treatment

by Christine Barber July 27, 2026

My bill replaces a narrow checklist of pregnancy health care exceptions with a single standard: a physician’s professional judgment.

BICYCLING

Before a 343-mile fundraising ride to New York’s 9/11 Memorial, bicyclists gather in Cambridge

by Marc Levy July 25, 2026

Cambridge is the starting point for a 343-mile bicycle ride to New York for the 25th anniversary of 9/11, raising money for organizations serving first responders and cancer survivors.

NEWS

Cambridge and Somerville risk levels for West Nile Virus are raised to ‘moderate’

by Marc Levy July 23, 2026

Risk levels for West Nile Virus in Cambridge and Somerville were raised to “moderate” on Thursday by the state, along with Boston, Newton and Brookline.

NEWS

West Nile Virus is detected in Somerville mosquitoes, but city and region are at low risk

by Marc Levy July 20, 2026

Only a small number of mosquitoes are infected at any given time, and there have been no animal or human cases of the virus reported in the state.

OPINION

Treating health care as a business risks turning patients into profit rather than people

July 17, 2026

Health care is a universal public utility, but Wall Street financing models threaten our local independent care systems.

COMMUNITY

A four-day heat emergency begins Wednesday, and officials are warning it’ll feel like 110 degrees

by Marc Levy June 30, 2026

An extreme heat warning called by the National Weather Service for Wednesday through Saturday has drawn declarations of heat emergencies in Cambridge and Somerville.

BICYCLING

Celebrating Kittie Knox, the Black cyclist who rode her way through the barriers of the 1800s

by Eric Cao June 19, 2026

Katherine T. “Kittie” Knox was a pioneering cyclist who challenged racial and gender barriers. MassBike celebrated her Friday with the fifth annual Kittie Knox ride.