Friday is World AIDS Day
Friday, December 1, is World AIDS Day and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and remember those who have died from an HIV-related illness. Started in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first-ever global health day.
The CDC offers #MyVoiceMyAction, an initiative highlighting that every voice and every action impa...
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes; CDC Expands Recall
Health authorities issued an alert last Friday of a deadly salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes and pre-cut fruit products. The alert from the CDC said the outbreak has jumped to 99 cases in 32 states. At least two people have died in Minnesota and a total of 45 people have been hospitalized so far, all whom reported eating the contaminated cantaloupe.
An ongoing recall was expanded t...
New Research Supports Potential Link Between Low-Level Lead Exposure and Liver Injury
New research suggests a link between Black Americans’ higher exposure to environmental toxins and advanced liver scarring, which can lead to disease and cancer. For decades, lead has been known to be harmful even in small doses. And there have been plenty of reports and studies on how racial and ethnic minorities, as well as low-income communities in the U.S., are burdened by higher levels of p...
The Top COVID-19 Hot Spots in the U.S.
COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S. again rose week over week, according to the latest figures from the CDC. The U.S. tallied approximately 18,100 new hospitalizations of people with COVID-19 over the seven days (ending Nov. 18), about 1,600 more than the total for the previous week and a rise of approximately 10%.
Among patients visiting a subset of emergency departments, data indicates ...
PRSA Releases Guidelines for AI Use
Public Relations practitioners have a new resource to help them navigate the growing world of artificial intelligence (AI). On Nov. 20 the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) released “Promise and Pitfalls: The Ethical Use of AI for Public Relations Practitioners,” an extensive framework that follows PRSA’s Code of Ethics to provide best practices on preventing and managing potential eth...
One-Third in New Survey Worried About Catching Flu, COVID, RSV in Next Three Months
More than a third of Americans say they are worried that they or one of their family members will contract a seasonal respiratory virus like the flu, COVID-19 or RSV in the coming months. The survey was conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania Oct. 5-12.
However, getting vaccinated against these viruses appeared to be less of a concern for the partic...
Despite Less Driving, Traffic Deaths Still Increasing
People are driving fewer miles than they were in 2019, but more are dying on roadways. Traffic deaths spiked 18 percent from 2019 to 2022 — though miles traveled fell 3 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Experts blame bad driving habits that took hold when roadways suddenly cleared out as the COVID-19 pa...
When to Come out of COVID Isolation, According to Experts
COVID symptoms may change, but the appearance of a pink line on a rapid test means one thing for sure: five days of isolation. The guidance from the CDC has been in place since late 2021. At the moment, the agency doesn’t appear to be making any changes to the policy.
There is evidence that people are most contagious during those first five days of infection. That remains the most reliable ...
From NPHIC: Winter Storm Safety
The winter season is officially upon us and soon, if not already, many in the U.S. will be facing extreme winter storms. Here’s what you need to know about staying safe during a winter storm, including preparedness tips. NPHIC’s article also includes sharable tips about driving safely during winter storms, weather-proofing your home for winter, creating a disaster plan and what to do during a w...