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.

Researchers investigate CBD's effect on scan-related anxiety in breast cancer patients

The findings showed that CBD did not significantly change scan-related anxiety when compared to a placebo, but researchers did find that CBD was safe and resulted in significantly lower overall anxiety levels.

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

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

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

Nutrition progress stalls: Most nations lag behind 2030 goals

Global progress toward nutrition targets is slow, with few countries on track to meet goals for anemia, stunting, and child overweight by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for long-term, multisectoral strategies.

12 Dec 2024

Metastatic breast cancer rates surge across U.S. women, exposing disparities and pandemic impacts

Metastatic breast cancer diagnoses are rising in U.S. women, especially in younger age groups and racial minorities, as revealed by SEER data from 2004–2021. The study highlights disparities and COVID-19's impact, urging systemic changes to improve early detection and healthcare equity.

12 Dec 2024

WHO report highlights decline in global health spending in 2022

The 2024 Global Heath Expenditure Report by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that the average per capita government spending on health in all country income groups fell in 2022 from 2021 after a surge in the early pandemic years.

12 Dec 2024

Modified chemotherapy regimen for Hodgkin lymphoma reduces long-term side effects

A simple change to the chemotherapy regimen for people with Hodgkin lymphoma could reduce the long-term health impacts that can result from treatment, according to researchers in Cambridge.

11 Dec 2024

New class of antivirals shows promise against multiple viruses

The arrival of Paxlovid in December 2021 marked another turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic - an effective antiviral that has since successfully treated millions.

11 Dec 2024

Ultra-processed foods dominate American home diets

A new analysis led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that more than half of calories consumed at home by adults in the U.S. come from ultraprocessed foods.

11 Dec 2024

Interim analysis of STOMP study finds no efficacy for tecovirimat in mild to moderate Mpox cases

The antiviral drug tecovirimat did not reduce the time to lesion resolution or have an effect on pain among adults with mild to moderate clade II mpox and a low risk of developing severe disease, according to an interim data analysis from the international clinical trial called the Study of Tecovirimat for Mpox (STOMP).

10 Dec 2024

Empathy-focused phone calls improve blood sugar control for low-income adults with diabetes

Empathy-focused phone calls made by trained, nonmedical community members led to significant improvements in blood sugar control for low-income adults with diabetes, according to a new study from Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin in collaboration with Lone Star Circle of Care.

10 Dec 2024

Short, daily reflection sessions help health care workers combat burnout

Watching short, web-based tutorials that inspire health care workers to contemplate awe, gratitude and kindness can promote enduring improvements in mental health outcomes such as depression and emotional exhaustion.

10 Dec 2024

A centenarian thrives living alone, active and engaged

"The future is here," the email announced. Hilda Jaffe, then 88, was letting her children know she planned to sell the family home in Verona, New Jersey. She'd decided to begin life anew — on her own — in a one-bedroom apartment in Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan.

10 Dec 2024

Parental food preferences linked to children's restaurant choices

A new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, published by Elsevier, examines how the food choice values of parents impact their children's eating behaviors in restaurants.

9 Dec 2024

Study: One-third of older Americans still struggle with loneliness

Loneliness and isolation among older Americans have mostly returned to pre-pandemic rates, but that still means more than one third of people age 50 to 80 feel lonely, and nearly as many feel isolated, a new national study shows.

9 Dec 2024

New immunotherapeutic platform improves mRNA therapy efficacy against cancer

Therapeutic mRNAs offer great potential as a versatile and precise tool against cancer and other diseases.

9 Dec 2024

Post-COVID health risks: Obesity fuels sequelae, smoking hits memory

Obesity significantly increases the risk of post-COVID-19 long-term sequelae, while smoking is primarily linked to memory disorders but does not raise the risk of long COVID symptoms or hospitalization.

9 Dec 2024

Single mutation in (HPAI) H5N1 influenza virus could increase human transmission risk

A single modification in the protein found on the surface of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 influenza virus currently circulating in U.S. dairy cows could allow for easier transmission among humans, according to new research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published today in the journal Science.

9 Dec 2024

California official comes out of retirement to lead troubled mental health commission

Veteran California public servant Will Lightbourne has stepped in as interim executive director of the state's mental health commission after its previous executive director resigned following conflict of interest allegations.

9 Dec 2024