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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has committed $590 million to Moderna to accelerate the development of a bird flu vaccine. This effort builds on $176 million awarded last year and aims to advance late-stage development, clinical studies, and licensure of a "pandemic influenza vaccine" targeting H5N1 and other influenza subtypes.
 
With bird flu rapidly spreading among livestock and mammals, and 67 confirmed human cases—including one death—public health officials emphasize the unpredictability of the virus. The CDC recently issued an alert urging hospitals to prioritize testing for suspected infections, reinforcing the urgency of proactive measures to mitigate potential public health emergencies. Read more from NPR here.

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As wildfires ravage Southern California, thousands are at risk of exposure to toxic asbestos. Older buildings, particularly those built before 1980, often contain asbestos, which can be released into the air as fires destroy structures. The dry conditions and high winds exacerbate the spread of these dangerous fibers, potentially affecting people far from the flames.
 
Asbestos exposure can lead to severe respiratory issues and cancers, including mesothelioma. Public health experts stress the importance of protective measures like wearing respirators and using air purifiers to reduce exposure. Cleaning up fire-damaged areas also requires caution to prevent inhalation of asbestos-contaminated debris. Read more from Asbestos.com here.
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Individual and systemic racism affects virtually every aspect of public life. It is especially pervasive in medicine and public health. Being Black, indigenous, or a person of color (BIPOC) can be harmful to your health. 

The U.S. Congress and several local and state governments have declared racism a public health crisis. While these declarations are not legally binding, they convey that racial and cultural justice is necessary to safeguard all citizens’ health. Racism at individual and societal levels negatively impacts vulnerable populations’ mental and physical health. It also prevents members of marginalized groups from receiving equitable and adequate healthcare. 

Understanding why racism is a public health emergency can shed light on the health-related harms of racism and bigotry. It also stimulates efforts to remedy the injustices and improve the general health of all Americans. 

Why Is Racism a Public Health Emergency? 

A public health emergency occurs when the effects or consequences of a public health threat are pervasive enough to overwhelm the organizations and facilities responsible for responding to it. In most cases, policymakers and community leaders cannot legally enforce emergency declarations. Nevertheless, they serve as a call to action to review and revise current policies and practices that allow the emergency to permeate. 

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