U.S. Pays $590 Million to Moderna to Speed up Development of Bird Flu Vaccine
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 li…
Raging California Wildfires May Spread Toxic Asbestos
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…
CDC Monitors Rising HMPV Cases in China, U.S. Cases Remain Stable
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is monitoring rising cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in northern China, though U.S. cases remain stable at pre-pandemic levels. HMPV, a respiratory virus first discovered in 2001, typically circulates during flu season, causing symptoms similar to the common cold, such as coughing, wheezing, and congestion. It can lead to severe illness…
Louisiana Forbids Public Health Workers from Promoting COVID, Flu and Mpox Shots
Louisiana's Department of Health has implemented a policy prohibiting public health workers from promoting COVID-19, flu, and mpox vaccines. Staff were instructed to stop advertising vaccines, hosting events, or sharing information about them, even within clinics. The policy, not put in writing, contradicts the core mission of public health: preventing illness and saving lives through evidence-based interventions.
Experts warn this decision could erode trust in public health and increase preventable illnesses and deaths. With Louisiana already experiencing high flu rates and significant C…
U.S. Life Expectancy Rose Last Year to Highest Levels Since Pandemic
U.S. life expectancy rose to 78.4 years in 2023, the highest since the pandemic, with nearly a full year of recovery from 2022. However, it remains below pre-pandemic levels. Men’s life expectancy increased to 76, while women’s rose to just over 81. Death rates also dropped, with 189,000 fewer deaths in 2023 compared to the previous year.
The top causes of death—heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, stroke, and chronic respiratory diseases—saw reduced mortality rates, with significant decreases among Hispanic and Native American populations. COVID-19 deaths fell dramatically, dro…