CDC Announces Important Advances in Protecting Americans from Heat
The CDC, in collaboration with NOAA's National Weather Service, has launched the Heat and Health Initiative to combat the escalating health risks posed by heat exposure. Comprising three key resources, including the HeatRisk Forecast Tool and the HeatRisk Dashboard, the initiative empowers individuals to stay cool, stay hydrated, and recognize symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
With heat a...
HHS Releases a 10-year Plan for Suicide Prevention
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled a 10-year strategy to combat the nation's alarming suicide rates, with nearly 50,000 deaths recorded in 2022. The plan emphasizes bolstering community-based prevention, mental health care accessibility, and equitable surveillance.
Hannah Wesolowski from the National Alliance on Mental Illness lauds the inclusive "whole of socie...
Biden Administration Delays Proposed Ban on Menthol Cigarettes
U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra announced a delay in the decision to ban menthol cigarettes in the U.S., stating that "more conversations" are needed due to extensive public feedback, including from civil rights and criminal justice groups.
The ban, initially proposed by the FDA in April 2022, aimed to address health disparities exacerbated by menthol marketing...
The Children of Flint’s Water Crisis, Ten Years Later
In April 2014, Flint, Michigan, switched its water supply to the Flint River, resulting in a public health crisis. Lead exposure affected over 100,000 residents, including Ionna Brown, who experienced learning challenges and later earned a master's degree despite diagnoses of ADHD and dyslexia.
Positive strides have been made, such as replacing lead pipes and establishing support networks. ...
Pandemic Fatigue and Vaccine Hesitancy Continue to Affect Global Public Health
A recent survey published in Nature Medicine sheds light on global vaccine acceptance, revealing mixed sentiments towards COVID-19 boosters and routine immunizations. Conducted by CUNY SPH researchers across 23 countries, the study underscores lingering challenges such as vaccine misinformation and inequitable distribution.
While COVID-19 vaccine uptake reached 87.8%, booster intent decline...
Lyme Disease Is Spreading – Why Don’t We Have Drugs to Stop It?
Researchers are thinking about why preventive options against Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses are more abundant for animals than humans. While pets benefit from vaccines and chewable treatments, human options are limited due to safety concerns and public hesitancy.
Past experiences with the Lyme vaccine, like Lymerix, led to withdrawal despite initial FDA approval. However, recent dev...
Women are Less Likely to Die When Treated by Female Doctors, Study Suggests
A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that hospitalized women have better outcomes when treated by female doctors, highlighting disparities in medical care based on gender. Analyzing data from over 800,000 patients, researchers found that women treated by female physicians were less likely to die or be readmitted within 30 days compared to those treated by male do...