Public Health

Preliminary federal data reveals that approximately 110,000 individuals died from drug overdoses in the United States last year. While this number indicates a plateau after two years of sharp increases, it remains a devastating toll. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl, often mixed with other drugs,…

Drug shortages in the United States are causing significant delays in accessing vital treatments, particularly chemotherapy, bypass surgery, and lead-poisoning drugs. The generic drug market, responsible for 90% of domestic prescriptions, is grappling with supply chain disruptions, quality…

The number of diphtheria cases in the UK have risen in the past year, with 3 people having died from the disease. According to the UK Health Security Agency, the increase could have been caused by an increase in the number of asylum seekers in the UK as well as people catching diphtheria from their…

On April 5, 2023, the National IHR Focal Point for the United Kingdom informed WHO of an increase in severe myocarditis in neonates associated with enterovirus infection in Wales. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle, and the most common cause is viral infection, but it can also be…

The WHO has ended the monkeypox global emergency, declaring it to no longer be a public health emergency. The number of monkeypox cases have fallen by 90% in the last 3 months.  To read the full article on the New York Times by Apoorva Mandavilli, click here

Vivek Murthy, the US surgeon general, urged people to treat loneliness as seriously as they would other health issues like obesity and drug use. Loneliness is linked to increased risk of premature death in the US due to elevated anxiety and depression and other health issues like heart attacks. The…

The deadliest fire at Changfeng Hospital killed at least 29 people – most of whom were receiving nursing care or staying at a private hospital for extended periods of time. It brings to light a bigger question of China’s rapidly aging population, even with the prevalence of social stigmas against…

Mayor Eric Williams and his administration are preparing to launch the “Public Health Call Center”, which will be open 24/7 and have doctors available to answer questions from citizens and health-care workers about a wide variety of medical issues, including COVID-19. The pandemic brought about the…

Delaware Governor John Carney has announced that the state's Public Health Emergency order, which has been in place since March 13, 2020, will end on May 11, the same day that the federal Public Health Emergency is set to end. The order ensures access to federal emergency assistance and enforces…

The medical community in America is increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) products to speed up patient care and prevent burnout among healthcare professionals. Various AI technologies are being introduced in hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices across the country. California-based…

US District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk blocked approval of the abortion drug mifepristone by the Food and Drug Administration, while US District Judge Thomas O. Rice ordered the FDA to retain access to the medication in select states. The conservative groups sued the FDA, where in response, the…

An advisory committee to the US health regulator has recommended Pfizer’s respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for older adults, voting 7-4 in favor of its efficacy and safety in preventing lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in people aged 60 and above. However, some members…

Countries have proposed more than 300 amendments to the WHO International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed amendments were discussed during the second meeting of the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations. The 194 member…