Category: Public Health

Epidemic: Do You Know Dutta?

Who gets credit for wiping smallpox from the planet? American men have been widely recognized while the contributions of South Asian public health workers have been less celebrated. Episode 2 of the “Eradicating Smallpox” podcast tells the story of Mahendra Dutta, an Indian public health leader, whose political savvy helped usher in a transformative approach to finding and containing smallpox cases.

Death toll rises to 9 Americans in meningitis outbreak linked to Mexico clinics

The death toll has risen to nine Americans in an ongoing fungal meningitis outbreak linked to clinics in Mexico that more than 208 U.S. citizens traveled to for cosmetic procedures.

Why brain eating amoeba infections are becoming more common

Emerging from one of the hottest months on record, concerns are mounting from experts over how rising temperatures could also mean a rise of instances of fungal and brain eating amoeba infections.

Summer COVID-19 bump spurs 'tripledemic' concerns

The U.S. is seeing early signs of a COVID-19 bump, and while many experts don’t believe it will materialize into a significant surge, there is concern as to whether there will be enough vaccine uptake to stave off a simultaneous surge of flu, COVID-19 …

To Protect a Mother’s Health: How Abortion Ban Exemptions Play Out in a Post-‘Roe’ World

Florida’s six-week abortion law allows exemptions in cases of rape, incest and human trafficking and to save the health or life of the mother. But the recent history of such exemptions in other states suggests that very few women will be able to take advantage of them.

Why medical professionals disagree on when the next pandemic will be

Thirty-eight percent of medical professionals told Becker’s they believe the next pandemic may be less than five years away, according to the results of a June LinkedIn poll. Thirty-six percent said it could be more than 10 years away.

Georgia resident dies from brain eating amoeba

A brain eating amoeba infection has killed one Georgia resident, the state’s Department of Public Health confirmed July 28.

A growing syndrome 42% of physicians are unaware of

Up to 450,000 people in the U.S. may have alpha-gal syndrome, a meat allergy linked to tick bites many physicians have never heard of, according to new findings from the CDC. 

COVID-19 'not done with us yet': Dr. Michael Osterholm

COVID-19 hospitalizations are ticking up nationwide, spurring questions about potential public health challenges the U.S. may face this fall. Infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm, PhD, told the Star Tribune that he does not anticipate a substant…

In Wisconsin, Women’s Health Care Is Constricted by an 1849 Law. These Doctors Are Aghast.

From the front lines of Wisconsin’s abortion battle, obstetricians describe patients who cannot comprehend having to carry nonviable pregnancies. And only one pharmacist in town can be found who will fill prescriptions for abortion pills.