Category: Public Health

Asymptomatic monkeypox spread possible, study suggests: 4 updates

Researchers in France have detected monkeypox virus on samples collected as part of routine sexually transmitted infection screenings of aymptomatic men who have sex with men, accoring to findings published Aug. 16 in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Waning immunity likely fueling shorter COVID-19 reinfection windows, data suggests

Around 98 percent of COVID-19 reinfections are occurring in patients previously infected with the virus more than 90 days ago, suggesting that waning immunity — rather than highly transmissible variants — is propelling the uptick, according to Helix, a…

On the Wisconsin-Illinois Border: Clinics in Neighboring States Team Up on Abortion Care

When Roe v. Wade was overturned, Wisconsin banned nearly all abortions. To preserve access, now more than a dozen providers are traveling across the border into Illinois to treat patients. This partnership between Planned Parenthood organizations could be a model as dozens of abortion clinics close across the U.S.

COVID-19 hospitalization plateau to last through August, forecast suggests

COVID-19 hospitalizations appear to be plateauing nationwide, a trend that will likely continue through the end of the month, CDC forecasting suggests. 

Polio detected in New York City’s wastewater

Health officials investigating a polio case have detected the virus in wastewater in New York City, suggesting “likely” local circulation of the virus, the New York State Department of Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygien…

WHO to rename monkeypox: 5 updates

The World Health Organization is accepting proposals to rename monkeypox in an effort to align with “current best practices” for naming diseases and avoid offense to any group. 

For Medically Vulnerable Families, Inflation’s Squeeze Is Inescapable

Inflation hasn’t hit Americans like this in decades. And families living with chronic diseases have little choice but to pay more for the medicine, supplies, and food they need to stay healthy.

Community Health Centers’ Big Profits Raise Questions About Federal Oversight

Nonprofit federally funded health centers are a linchpin in the nation’s health care safety net because they treat the medically underserved. The average profit margins is 5%, but some have recorded margins of 20% or more in three of the past four years.

Our Shakespearean love affair with BMI

I’m standing outside the exam room, reviewing Marcus, my 16-year-old patient’s growth chart, specifically his BMI. It’s up again, and my heart sinks. I feel that all too common rush of frustration and disappointment and, “Why am…

Watch: How Nursing Homes Put Friends and Families on the Hook for Residents’ Debts

In pursuit of unpaid bills, nursing homes across Rochester, New York, have been suing relatives and friends of their residents. This CBS News report, done in partnership with a KHN-NPR investigation, takes a look at the practice and tells the stories of some of the people affected.