Category: Public Health

Adults may need whooping cough booster as cases rise: CDC

In recent months, parts of the U.S. have reported outbreaks of pertussis, or whooping cough. While some regional outbreaks are expected each year, health officials are underscoring the importance of boosters in adults to protect infants from severe ill…

White House unveils new strategy to prevent future pandemics

The Biden administration launched a new global health security strategy April 16 to prepare for future outbreaks, pandemics or biological threats. 

GLP-1 medications like Wegovy are effective metabolic health tools for teens with insulin resistance

Lizzie is a 13-year-old with a great sense of humor. She tells it like it is, especially to her Mom, Jackie, who admits to being a bit of an Almond Mom (the parent who is stuck in a weight-focused diet culture). Jackie leads a very healthy lifestyle an…

To Stop Fentanyl Deaths in Philadelphia, Knocking on Doors and Handing Out Overdose Kits

Facing widening racial disparities in overdose deaths, Philadelphia officials are sending workers and volunteers to knock on doors across the city, aiming to equip households with naloxone and other drug overdose prevention supplies. City officials hope a proactive approach will normalize naloxone as an everyday item in people’s medicine cabinets and prevent overdoses, especially among Black residents.

FDA nixes anti-ivermectin posts — but maintains its stance

The FDA has removed social media posts decrying the use of ivermectin for treating COVID-19 following a court ruling, Bloomberg News reported April 16.

HHS: Vaccines targeting bird flu strain that infected Texas resident underway

Vaccines are in development that target the bird flu strain that infected a Texas resident, an HHS official told Politico in an April 12 report. Earlier this month, state and federal officials confirmed a person in Texas who had worked on a dairy farm …

CDC probing illnesses linked to fake Botox in 9 states

The CDC is working with the FDA to investigate at least 19 reports of harmful reactions linked to counterfeit or mishandled Botox injections in nine states. Nine of the patients were hospitalized, the agency said. 

Conservative Justices Stir Trouble for Republican Politicians on Abortion

Republicans are learning the admonition “be careful what you wish for,” as conservative judges cause them political problems over abortion in a crucial election year.

New York City reports rise in leptospirosis cases

 Last year, New York City saw 24 cases of human leptospirosis — the highest number in a single year. Six cases have been reported so far this year, the city’s department of health and mental hygiene said in an April 12 health advisory. 

The second leading cause of death worldwide

Viral hepatitis is the second leading cause of death among non-COVID-19 communicable diseases in the world, according to the World Health Organization.