Category: Public Health

As Red States Push Strident Abortion Bans, Other Restrictions Suddenly Look Less Extreme

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority has yet to make clear its stand on Roe v. Wade. But state lawmakers aren’t waiting to consider a variety of extreme measures: bills that would ban abortions in cases of ectopic pregnancies, allow rapists’ families to object to terminating a victim’s pregnancy, or prohibit the procedure in the case of fetal disability. Do these proposals make the less extreme restrictions seem more mainstream?

Covid and Schizophrenia: Why This Deadly Mix Can Deepen Knowledge of the Brain Disease

Recent studies from around the world have found that people with schizophrenia are as much as five times as likely to die from covid-19 as the general population. Scientists think the findings suggest schizophrenia is not just a disease of the brain, but also a disease of the immune system.

Omicron subvariant now dominant in US: 3 COVID-19 updates

The BA.2 omicron subvariant accounts for about 55 percent of new cases in the U.S., according to the CDC’s latest estimates for the week ending March 26. 

WHO probes rare reports of hearing issues after COVID-19 vaccination

The World Health Organization is examining rare reports of hearing loss and other auditory issues like tinnitus, or ringing of the ears, after COVID-19 vaccinations, NBC News reported March 28. 

Daily COVID-19 cases to jump 42% by April 10 + 2 more forecasts

Daily COVID-19 cases are projected to increase 42 percent nationwide over the next two weeks as the omicron subvariant BA.2 gains prevalence, modeling from Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic shows.

Colorado Doubles Down on Abortion Rights as Other States — And the High Court — Reconsider

The Supreme Court is expected to overturn or weaken “Roe v. Wade.” If that happens, Colorado may become an abortion-access island, nearly surrounded by a sea of anti-abortion states. The state is bracing for impact, and advocates are trying to shore up its abortion defenses.

Climate Change May Push the US Toward the ‘Goldilocks Zone’ for West Nile Virus

Colorado recently recorded the most West Nile virus deaths and cases of neuroinvasive infections in nearly two decades. Scientists warn that climate change will make conditions ripe for more West Nile transmission.

COVID-19 vaccinations fall 27% as BA.2’s prevalence grows: 10 CDC findings

The number of COVID-19 vaccines administered daily fell by more than 25 percent this week amid the omicron subvariant’s growing prevalence in the U.S., according to the CDC’s COVID-19 data tracker weekly review published March 25.

Senators Ask GAO to Examine Medicaid’s Low Covid Vaccination Rates

Sens. Robert Casey Jr. and Ron Wyden want a probe into what barriers are keeping Medicaid plans from reaching enrollees.

8 states where COVID-19 deaths have climbed the last 2 weeks

COVID-19 deaths are falling nationwide, but eight states are still seeing higher daily death averages than recorded two weeks ago.