A study from Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that older adults with weakened immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients, may not produce sufficient protective antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus after vaccination.
Category: Public Health
24 states report high levels of respiratory virus activity
Respiratory virus activity levels are rising in many parts of the country, with 24 states reporting high levels for the week ending Dec. 21, up from 14 the week prior.
Bird flu virus shows signs of worrisome mutation: CDC
Samples from a patient who recently developed the first severe case of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. showed mutations that may make it easier for the virus to bind to cell receptors in the human upper respiratory tract, according to a Dec. 26 update from t…
LGBTQ+ People Relive Old Traumas as They Age on Their Own
The generation that faced discrimination, ostracism, and the AIDS epidemic now faces old age. Many struggle with isolation along with a host of pressing health problems.
HHS launches campaign against vaccine misinformation
In response to declining childhood vaccinations and rising infection rates across the U.S., HHS has launched a vaccine education campaign, encouraging parents to make informed healthcare decisions for their children based on more balanced information.
Bird flu: 6 developments to know heading into 2025
Federal officials have maintained that the nation’s bird flu outbreak does not pose an immediate threat to public health, but infectious disease experts say recent developments indicate the H5N1 virus’ spread is widening — and with it, the risks it pos…
Trash Incinerators Disproportionately Harm Black and Hispanic People
Across the country, trash incinerators disproportionately overburden majority-Black and -Hispanic communities. Though the number of incinerators has declined nationwide since the 1980s, Florida offers financial incentives to waste management companies that expand existing facilities or build new ones.
In Settling Fraud Case, New York Medicare Advantage Insurer, CEO Will Pay up to $100M
A whistleblower suit alleged a health insurer bilked Medicare by exaggerating how sick patients were.
Respiratory illnesses surge: 5 updates
Fourteen states and Washington, D.C., are experiencing high or very high levels of respiratory illness, with influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytical virus all contributing to increased healthcare visits across the U.S.
FDA updates definition of 'healthy'
The FDA shared new guidelines for when manufacturers can label food as “healthy” in a final rule published Dec. 19.
