Public Health News and Research

RSS

Whooping cough cases on the rise, but public awareness of the disease still persists

Following a several-year lull during the pandemic, cases of whooping cough are increasing across the United States.

17 Dec 2024

Knowing the risks, Americans still sip sugary beverages daily

Health knowledge about sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) does not significantly reduce high SSB consumption, which is driven more by taste, habits, and marketing.

17 Dec 2024

Long COVID affects 8.4% of U.S. adults, with income and geography shaping impact

Long COVID affects 8.4% of U.S. adults, with significant disparities based on sex, income, and geography, limiting daily activities for many.

17 Dec 2024

Study: Nearly 75% of Australian adolescents experience depression or anxiety

Almost three quarters of adolescents in Australia experience clinically significant depression or anxiety symptoms, with most being chronic, according to a new study.

17 Dec 2024

Insurance challenges are hurting access to mental health services

Although demand for mental health treatment remains high, administrative and financial barriers are preventing many psychologists from participating in insurance networks, according to the American Psychological Association's 2024 Practitioner Pulse Survey.

17 Dec 2024

Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’

Many of President-elect Donald Trump's candidates for federal health agencies have promoted policies and goals that put them at odds with one another or with Trump's choice to run the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., setting the stage for internal friction over public health initiatives.

17 Dec 2024

Breakthrough discovery could lead to effective vaccine for S. aureus

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections that can sometimes lead to sepsis and toxic shock syndrome.

16 Dec 2024

Danish studies find increased risk of optic nerve damage with diabetes medicine

Two independent studies from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) show that patients with type 2 diabetes who are treated with the drug Ozempic have an increased risk of developing damage to the optic nerve of the eye, which can lead to severe and permanent loss of vision.

16 Dec 2024

AASM urges permanent telehealth coverage for improved sleep care

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has issued a new position statement advocating for permanent telehealth coverage, emphasizing its essential role in providing high-quality, patient-centered care for individuals with sleep disorders.

16 Dec 2024

Microbial bile acids affect colon cancer risk in opposite ways

Microbes living in our guts help us digest food by reshaping the bile acids that our livers produce for breaking down fats.

16 Dec 2024

Obesity prevalence and BMI decrease in the US for the first time in a decade

Obesity prevalence in the US decreased in 2023, with significant drops in the South, highlighting the impact of GLP-1RA medications on health trends.

16 Dec 2024

How are states spending opioid settlement cash? We built a database of answers

In the past few years, state and local governments across the U.S. have begun spending billions in opioid settlements paid by companies accused of fueling the overdose crisis. But where is that money going, who is getting it, and is it doing any good?

16 Dec 2024

Higher diet quality scores linked to lower emissions but come with trade-offs

Plant-based diets show the best sustainability outcomes, reducing emissions and land use, but increase water use and costs, highlighting diet trade-offs.

16 Dec 2024

Study reveals evidence of 22 viruses in human semen post-infection

This study uncovers the persistence of 22 viruses in human semen, emphasizing the need for updated public health strategies and insights into fertility impacts.

16 Dec 2024

Breaking the vape habit: Challenges faced by young adult users

A randomized clinical trial explored the characteristics of young adult exclusive e-cigarette users seeking treatment, revealing high dependence levels, significant behavioral health concerns, and common usage of nicotine replacement therapies. Findings underscore the need for tailored cessation strategies targeting young adults.

15 Dec 2024

Smoke from Canadian wildfires leads to surge in heart and lung problems in the U.S.

Wildfire smoke has long been known to exacerbate health problems like heart disease, lung conditions, and asthma, but now a new study finds that smoke from these fires can lead to poor health thousands of miles away.

15 Dec 2024

WHO reports major decline in global drowning deaths since 2000

The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes its first-ever report on drowning prevention, which reveals a 38% drop in the global drowning death rate since 2000 - a major global health achievement.

14 Dec 2024

Women face greater barriers to accessing mobility aids despite higher need

Women are more likely than men to experience mobility limitations that could benefit from the use of mobility aids but are much less likely to use them when needed, according to a new study from researchers at UCL and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

14 Dec 2024

Raw milk may carry hidden risks of flu transmission

Raw milk, hailed by some as a natural and nutritious alternative to pasteurized dairy, may come with hidden dangers, according to a new Stanford University study.

14 Dec 2024

Understanding viral composition in marine species from the South China Sea

Announcing a new article publication for Zoonoses journal. This study investigates the viral diversity associated with marine organisms in the South China Sea, to improve understanding of the region's viral ecosystems.

14 Dec 2024