In our ongoing series of scientific studies proving the obvious, comes news that popular people get sick first.  Duh.

What may be slightly less obvious is that health agencies might benefit from identifying and monitoring these social butterflies.  After all, they are like the proverbial canaries in the coal mine.  If some epidemic is going to run through a community, these soldiers can be expected to step up and take one for the team.

Those of us more socially challenged individuals may also take solace in our relative good health.  Sure, we may not get invited to any of the cool parties or get mobbed with hugs when we walk into a room.  But when all you Paris Hilton wanna-bees are on your deathbed, we’ll be hale as a horse, ensconced in our geeky dens full of Fritos and flat screens.

Remember: there’s an upside to everything if you squint hard enough and tilt your head just right.