Free COVID-19 tests and updated vaccines as the cold season approaches The Resumption of Free COVID-19 Tests The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced that American households can once again order up to four free COVID-19 rapid tests to be delivered to their doorstep. This program, previously paused in May, will resume […]
The Nipah Virus Outbreak in Kerala: A Public Health Crisis A Deadly Disease Resurfaces The recent outbreak of the Nipah virus in Kerala, India has once again highlighted the devastating impact that contagious diseases can have on public health. The Nipah virus, first identified in Malaysia in 1998, is a zoonotic virus that spreads from […]
Painkiller: Uncovering the Origins and Impact of the Opioid Crisis A Manufactured Crisis: The Greed Behind the Opioid Epidemic The Netflix drama series “Painkiller,” released today, exposes the trail of destruction left by the infamous OxyContin pill. The show delves into the origins of the opioid epidemic, tracing it from the hands of Richard Sackler, […]
Pediatricians See Summer Spike in Lyme Disease August 10, 2023 Increase in Lyme Disease Cases Among Children As summer arrives and families spend more time outdoors, pediatricians are seeing a spike in Lyme disease cases among children. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted through the bite of infected blacklegged […]
Leprosy could become endemic to Florida. Here is what to know. Rising cases of leprosy in the Southeast U.S. In recent years, there has been a concerning increase in leprosy cases in the Southeast United States, particularly in central Florida. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published a research letter highlighting this […]
Chicago Faces Alarming Air Quality Crisis Chicago, a city known for its iconic skyline and vibrant culture, is currently grappling with a severe air quality crisis. According to the World Air Quality Index, Chicago currently has the worst air quality among the world’s big cities. This alarming revelation comes as wildfire smoke from Canada blankets […]
Philadelphia City’s Response to Air Quality Alert City officials in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, provided an update on Thursday, June 8, 2023, on the city’s response to poor air quality due to wildfire smoke from Canada. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney reported that the smoke from the wildfires traveling along much of the East Coast is potentially dangerous. […]
Unhealthy Air Alert Declared in Philadelphia The Department of Public Health in Philadelphia has declared a Code Red for Fine Particles Action Day Alert, due to the excessive smoke generated by hundreds of wildfires that are currently burning across eastern Canada. Wildfire smoke contains very fine particles, called PM 2.5, that can cause damage by […]
Montana’s pending ban on TikTok, set to take effect on January 1, 2024, has caused mixed reactions from the state’s residents, particularly content creators like Christian W. Poole. A 20-year-old and born-and-bred Montanan, Poole has amassed a considerable social media following, mainly on TikTok, where he offers insight on the culture, everyday life, and quirks […]
National Fentanyl Awareness Day: Understanding the Opioid Epidemic Every Virginian is affected, either directly or indirectly, by the opioid crisis which has become a significant public health challenge globally. Virginia is not an exception, as illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) has become a leading cause of unnatural deaths in the Commonwealth. According to the Virginia Department […]