Summary

Oregon confirmed its first human case of avian influenza, linked to a poultry operation in Clackamas County.

The H5N1 strain has infected millions of birds and other animals, but poses a low risk to the public with mild symptoms and no evidence of person-to-person transmission

Summary

U.S. health officials confirmed the first case of a new form of mpox in a traveler who returned from eastern Africa.

Treated in Northern California, the individual is isolating at home with improving symptoms, and the public risk is deemed low.

This form of mpox, first identified in eastern Congo, spreads through close contact, including sexual transmission.

While endemic in parts of Africa, over 3,100 cases have recently been reported, primarily in Burundi, Uganda, and Congo.

Summary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as head of the Department of Health and Human Services has reignited concerns over his vaccine-skeptic views.

Kennedy, who has previously promoted debunked claims linking vaccines to autism and criticized COVID-19 vaccines, is seen by experts as a “vaccine cynic” undermining trust in vaccine safety.

Health officials worry his leadership could worsen declining vaccination rates, already linked to rising measles and whooping cough cases.

Experts fear Kennedy’s influence may lead to unqualified leadership appointments at health agencies and deepen vaccine hesitancy among parents.

Summary

Some U.S. OB-GYNs are requiring pregnant women to prepay for maternity care, a shift from traditional billing after delivery. The practice, while legal, is criticized as unethical by patient advocates, adding financial and emotional stress during pregnancy.

Providers argue it ensures compensation amid rising maternity care costs and high-deductible insurance plans. Critics say it can lead to inflated estimates, complicate provider switches, and deter prenatal care. Refunds for overpayments often require patient advocacy, exacerbating stress.

Experts note the legal gray area and challenges in regulating such payment practices.

Summary

Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as U.S. health secretary has sparked backlash, with critics labeling Kennedy, an anti-vaccine activist and conspiracy theorist, a “clear and present danger.”

Advocacy group Public Citizen warned the appointment could lead to a “public health catastrophe,” while physicians condemned Kennedy’s history of spreading vaccine misinformation, linking it to fatal outbreaks like the 2019 Samoa measles epidemic.

Kennedy has also promoted debunked health claims, including raw milk and ivermectin for COVID, prompting fears his leadership could undermine U.S. health infrastructure.

Summary

Opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. have declined to their lowest levels since 2020, with a reported 18% drop in fatalities from June 2023 to June 2024, per CDC estimates.

The decrease is attributed to factors like broader access to naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and improved primary prevention efforts, such as fewer high school students trying drugs.

However, overdose rates remain high, particularly among Native Americans and Black men, while new drug supply trends, including shifts linked to xylazine, may also be influencing the decline.

Experts caution against complacency, as nearly 100,000 people still die annually.

Summary

The FDA’s new rules for TV and radio drug ads, effective Nov. 20, require clearer, distraction-free presentations of risk information, using simple language without overwhelming visuals.

While aimed at improving consumer understanding, experts warn that companies may exploit certain requirements, such as on-screen text, to dilute risk awareness.

Amid these changes, drug promotion is increasingly shifting to social media influencers, often with little regulatory oversight.

A proposed bill in Congress seeks to close this loophole by mandating risk disclosures and transparency in influencer payments tied to drug promotions.

Summary

President-elect Donald Trump’s support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an outspoken opponent of water fluoridation, is pushing baseless anti-fluoride views into mainstream debate.

Despite scientific consensus that fluoridation is safe and prevents tooth decay, especially in underserved communities, Kennedy plans to advise water districts against it, citing unfounded health concerns.

While fluoridation decisions are regulated by state and local governments, Trump’s administration could influence conservative states to drop fluoridation, potentially undermining a key public health tool and increasing dental health disparities, particularly for disadvantaged children.

Summary

Hospitals are reporting an increase in insurance denials, particularly for Medicare Advantage plans, which are allegedly being targeted by AI algorithms.

These denials have led to delays in patient care and increased administrative burden for hospitals.

The Senate has called out the use of AI in prior authorization, suggesting it may be used to deny care and drive down costs.

Summary

An E. coli outbreak linked to slivered onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has sickened at least 104 people across 14 states, hospitalized 34, and led to one death in Colorado.

The CDC traced the contamination to onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado facility, prompting McDonald’s to temporarily remove Quarter Pounders from select locations and halt onion sourcing from the supplier.

Other chains, including KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Burger King, also removed onions from menus as a precaution. The CDC states the public risk remains low.

Homicide is the leading cause of maternal death, surpassing medical causes, according to a JAMA Network Open study. The University of South Carolina researchers found intimate partners are the primary perpetrators, with laws in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas increasing risks.

Summary

U.S. rates of syphilis and gonorrhea fell in 2022, marking significant progress in curbing sexually transmitted diseases after years of increases.

Syphilis cases in their most infectious stages dropped 10%, including a 13% decline among gay and bisexual men.

Experts attribute improvements to increased use of doxycycline as a “morning-after pill” for STDs, expanded testing and contact tracing, and a heightened focus on STD prevention.

However, syphilis cases in newborns rose, indicating gaps in prenatal testing. Funding cuts to STD prevention programs may challenge future progress.

Summary

A new Lancet study reveals global diabetes rates have doubled since 1990, affecting over 800 million people, with the steepest rise in low- and middle-income countries.

Key contributors include rising obesity and aging populations. Over half of global diabetes cases are concentrated in India, China, the U.S., and Pakistan.

Despite effective treatments, many low-income countries struggle with access, leaving 59% of diabetics untreated.

Health experts urge stronger policies to promote healthy diets, increase exercise opportunities, and improve access to care to combat this growing public health crisis.

• Four women are suing the state of Idaho after they were denied abortions for fatal fetal abnormalities.
• The lawsuit seeks to clarify the medical exemptions to Idaho’s strict abortion laws.
• The plaintiffs will testify about their experiences in court starting on Tuesday.

Summary

A teenager in Canada has been hospitalized with the first presumptive human case of avian influenza, H5N1, after developing symptoms including conjunctivitis, fever, and coughing.

The teen had no farm exposure but had been exposed to dogs, cats, and reptiles.

Summary

A study from the IMT School for Advanced Studies in Italy suggests that prolonged self-control can lead to mental exhaustion, resulting in more aggressive behavior.

Researchers found that participants asked to restrain their emotions during 45-minute tasks showed increased delta brain wave activity, associated with sleep, in areas related to impulse control.

In subsequent games, only 41% of these participants chose cooperative actions, compared to 86% of those who didn’t exert self-control.

However, some experts urge caution, citing the study’s modest behavioral effects and the controversy surrounding “ego depletion” theory.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the pneumonia risk based on the patient’s sex during the COVID-19 pandemic and the early months of the endemic phase of the disease in Mexico. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a dataset resulting from the epidemiological surveillance of COVID-19 (February 2020 to August 2023). Data from 1.6 million adults with laboratory-positive disease, were analyzed. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), computed through generalized linear regression models, were used. The overall risk of pneumonia was 9.3% (95% CI 9.2–9.4%), with sex-specific estimates of 7.0% (95% CI 6.9–7.1%) for women and 12.0% (95% CI 11.9–12.1%) for men. This disparity was consistently observed throughout all phases of the pandemic, including the endemic phase of the disease. After adjusting for age, predominant viral genotype at illness onset and preexisting medical conditions, men had a 3.3% higher risk of severe manifestations when compared to women (RR = 1.033, 95% CI 1.032–1.034). Our research highlights the potential role of patients’ sex as a factor influencing pneumonia risk during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. These findings may provide useful considerations for healthcare planning and policy development focused on addressing the impact of the disease on vulnerable populations.

Summary

Many older Americans living alone, often without close family, rely on networks of friends, neighbors, and former colleagues for daily support and companionship.

As the number of “solo agers” grows, questions arise about who will help them with healthcare navigation, household tasks, and emotional support.

While some, like Donald Hammen and Michelle Wallace, have built supportive networks, others face challenges finding reliable assistance for more intensive needs.

Stories like Gardner Stern’s, whose ex-wife and neighbors provide crucial care, highlight the importance of local connections for aging solo.