Category: Public Health

CDC unable to identify source of infection spread in Oklahoma

Two Oklahoma counties where 53 residents have become infected with Campylobacter and Shiga-toxin producing E. coli still don’t have answers, KFOR 4 News reports.

XBB.1.5's prevalence jumps to 75%: CDC

The highly transmissible omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 now accounts for about three-fourths of all COVID-19 cases reported nationwide, according to the CDC’s latest estimates.

Children's hospital adds new gunshot detection equipment

Dayton (Ohio) Children’s Hospital deployed gunshot detection technology which can activate security measures at a moment’s notice, SDM Magazine reported Feb. 9.

WHO warns bird flu's risk to humans could increase: 6 updates

Avian flu has begun to spread to mammals, including minks, otters, foxes and sea lions, and WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, warned that the risk to humans may begin to rise.

Era of ‘Free’ Covid Vaccines, Test Kits, and Treatments Is Ending. Who Will Pay the Tab Now?

Insurers, employers, and taxpayers will all be affected as drug manufacturers move these products to the commercial market.

Public Health Agencies Turn to Locals to Extend Reach Into Immigrant Communities

Local health departments combat disparities by funding immigrant and minority community groups and letting them decide how best to spend the money.

Chemicals in plastic may heighten the risk of diabetes in some women

Shower curtains, wallpaper, paints, toys and makeup are just a few of the items in daily life that contain phthalates, a common chemical used in plastics. Now, research suggests that the chemical may be traced to a higher risk of diabetes in white wome…

A Health-Heavy State of the Union

President Joe Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address leaned heavily on health care issues. Biden took a victory lap for recent accomplishments like capping prescription drug costs for seniors on Medicare. He also urged Congress to make permanent the boosted premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, and he sparred with Republicans on threats to cut Social Security and Medicare. Also this week, both sides in the abortion debate are bracing for a court decision out of Texas that could, at least temporarily, make the abortion pill mifepristone illegal nationwide. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Kate Baicker of the University of Chicago about a possible middle ground in the effort to get universal health insurance coverage.

Rhinovirus accounted for three-quarters of viral infections for children during the pandemic

The occurrence of rhinovirus and enterovirus among children rose slightly between 2019 and 2020 — surprising some and revealing new insights for pediatricians. 

Where things stand 2 months after tripledemic's peak

It’s been roughly two months since the combined hospitalization rate for flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus peaked. The decline, however, has only meant a minor sigh of relief for hospital workers.