Pandemic News and Research

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A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. During a pandemic, transmission can be anticipated in the workplace, not only from patient to workers in health care settings, but also among co-workers in general work settings. A pandemic would cause high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

Cardiometabolic diseases remain leading cause of excess American mortality

Between 1999 and 2022, the US had substantially higher death rates than other wealthy nations, largely due to cardiovascular disease, metabolic diseases (including diabetes), Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and drug and alcohol complications.

8 May 2026

Promising new Hanta virus vaccine under development by University of Bath researchers

A highly promising vaccine for Hanta virus is being developed by researchers from the University of Bath. The team is led by Professor Asel Sartbaeva, Chemistry researcher at the University and co-founder of University spinout company Ensilitech.

8 May 2026

UK restaurant chains miss most government sugar and salt targets

A study reveals low adherence to UK nutrition targets in major restaurant chains, raising concerns about dietary risks for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

8 May 2026

Digital therapy apps improve mental health support for college students

College students with anxiety, depression and eating disorders may be more likely to start and to respond more positively to therapy offered via a digital app compared to referrals to in-person campus clinics, according to a study led by Penn State researchers and published today (May 7) in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.

7 May 2026

Smokers now view e-cigarettes as riskier after lung injury crisis

The study analyzes changing views on e-cigarette risks, noting EVALI's role in shaping public perception and its implications for smoking cessation.

7 May 2026

Cervical cancer gap will widen without urgent global action

Global modeling reveals that without urgent action, cervical cancer inequalities will worsen, highlighting the need for enhanced vaccination and screening.

6 May 2026

Artificial intelligence accelerates discovery of next-generation disinfectants

Chemists and computer scientists tapped AI to find new disinfectants to combat the growing threat of dangerous "superbugs."

5 May 2026

Cruise ship-linked hantavirus cases highlight zoonotic infection risks

The Global Virus Network (GVN), representing eminent human and animal virologists from more than 90 Centers of Excellence and Affiliates in over 40 countries dedicated to advancing research, collaboration, and pandemic preparedness, is closely monitoring reports of a hantavirus cluster linked to a cruise ship traveling in the Atlantic, which has resulted in multiple severe cases and fatalities.

5 May 2026

Stroke incidence rises again with widening ethnic health inequalities

A new study presented today at the European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC) 2026 shows that after decades of decline, stroke incidence is rising again, driven by higher rates in some ethnic minority populations and concentrated among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.

5 May 2026

Poor mental health linked to worse care quality and lower confidence in healthcare system

People with self-reported poorer mental health also report worse quality of care and lower confidence in healthcare systems, according to a study published May 5th in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine by Margaret E. Kruk from Washington University in St. Louis, U.S., and colleagues.

5 May 2026

Telehealth autism tools provide high accuracy for children using short phrases

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down clinics and forced face-to-face interactions behind masks, autism diagnoses for many children came to a halt.

5 May 2026

Dopamine may stretch time perception and shape lasting memories

Ever heard of getting a "dopamine hit" from something you enjoy? These exciting moments also appear to influence memory, although perhaps not in the way you'd expect.

4 May 2026

Sickle cell disease care is unevenly distributed across regions in New York State

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. Approximately 10 percent of people with SCD in the US live in New York State, with the majority residing in New York City.

4 May 2026

Temporary pandemic changes did not alter long-term fathering roles

In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, much has been said about how the lockdowns created conditions for dual-parent families to spend more time at home with their children.

30 Apr 2026

The handbook that can prepare countries for the next pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc and lives were at stake, the advice experts gave to decision-makers became indispensable.

29 Apr 2026

How media choices shape MMR vaccine hesitancy in the US

The study examines how media sources impact MMR vaccine attitudes, revealing a connection between non-mainstream outlets and increased vaccine hesitancy.

29 Apr 2026

Why H2N2 flu is back on the pandemic preparedness radar

A historical review in Vaccine warns that global H2N2 immunity has sharply declined since the 1957 Asian influenza pandemic, leaving most people without H2-specific protection if the virus re-emerges. The authors highlight animal reservoirs, waning birth-cohort immunity, and modern H2 vaccine platforms as key priorities for pandemic preparedness.

28 Apr 2026

Digital media preferences influence public beliefs about vaccines

People who follow "new right" media outlets are more than twice as likely to be vaccine-hesitant compared to those who never engage with those outlets, a new Johns Hopkins University study finds.

28 Apr 2026

Twice-yearly blood pressure treatment could reshape hypertension care, but doctors warn against a “fire-and-forget” approach

Long-acting RNA interference therapy for hypertension could shift blood pressure control from daily pill-taking to scheduled, system-led protection. But the authors warn that this “vaccine-like” model must preserve lifestyle support, monitoring, and follow-up to avoid clinical disengagement.

27 Apr 2026

Socio-economic gaps hinder mental health care for children and teens

Children and young people from deprived areas with mental health conditions are less likely to access mental health services, according to a new study led by experts from the University of Nottingham.

27 Apr 2026