HHS is investing more than $800 million in vaccine development and manufacturing capacity to strengthen the nation’s response capabilities to emerging infectious disease threats, including bird flu.
Category: Public Health
16 states report high respiratory virus activity: 5 notes
Respiratory illness activity remains elevated across the U.S., with emergency department visits and positive test rates rising for COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, according to the CDC.
CDC urges more bird flu testing in hospitals
Clinicians serving influenza A patients should test them for bird flu, ideally within 24 hours of hospital admission, the CDC said Jan. 16.
Junk Food Turns Public Villain as Power Shifts in Washington
Some Trump insiders are ready to take on the food industry. It remains to be seen whether their entrée will result in any meaningful change in government oversight of “Big Food” — or in American health.
For Homeless Seniors, Getting Into Stable Housing Takes a Village — And a Lot of Luck
The number of unhoused seniors in the U.S. is expected to triple by 2030. About half of this population is becoming homeless for the first time. Homeless services struggle to help. Finding affordable housing that’s also accessible for older Americans with medical conditions is an extra challenge.
Researchers propose new obesity definition
On Jan. 15, a group of international experts proposed new ways to define and diagnose obesity that place less emphasis on body mass index.
New California Laws Target Medical Debt, AI Care Decisions, Detention Centers
California has a few major changes coming to its health policy landscape in 2025. New laws that took effect Jan. 1 ban medical debt from credit reports, allow public health inspections of private immigration detention centers, and ban toxic chemicals in makeup.
Childhood Vaccination Rates, a Rare Health Bright Spot in Struggling States, Are Slipping
Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia — states with some of the worst health outcomes — also have some of the highest childhood vaccination rates. But doctors and health officials worry a rising tide of vaccine skepticism is causing those public health bright spots to dim.
Norovirus positivity rate hits 28%, double 2024's peak: 6 notes
A surge in norovirus infections this season has resulted in a 28% positivity rate, more than double 2024’s high, alarming health officials, CBS News reported Jan. 14.
I’m Moving Forward and Facing the Uncertainty of Aging
Our “Navigating Aging” columnist sets off on a new phase in life with lessons she’s learned reporting on aging and health.
