The U. S. government recently pulled the plug on a major project. The project was to create a vaccine for bird flu. This vaccine was to protect people from flu viruses that could start a pandemic. The government was worried about the safety of the mRNA technology used in the vaccine. The Department of Health and Human Services ended a $766 million deal with Moderna....
The World Health Organization (WHO) made history on March 20. It happened when member countries adopted the first-ever global pandemic agreement. This pact aims to strengthen the world's readiness for future pandemics. The U. S. chose not to join in. This decision has sparked conversations about global health equity and preparedness. The agreement focuses on severa...
The COVID-19 pandemic changed how we think about healthcare. It highlighted the importance of digital health tools. These tools helped people stay connected to healthcare services when in-person visits were risky. The World Health Organization created a system to organize these digital tools. This system is called the Classification of Digital Interventions, Services...
The world is always at risk of pandemics, and being ready is crucial. One big challenge is mixing health data from humans and animals. This is especially tough at the basic healthcare level. Vietnam has made strides in health info systems and telehealth. Yet, there are gaps in using and sharing data between human and animal health sectors. This slows down risk warnin...
Bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, is becoming a permanent fixture in our world. This virus is evolving rapidly and finding new ways to infect mammals, including humans. It's spreading widely among both domestic and wild animals, and the exact paths it takes to do so remain unclear. While the risk to the public is currently low, the possibility of it mutating to...
Bird flu has been a major problem for animals in recent years, affecting many birds and some mammals. But humans? Not so much. While it's true that the number of human cases might be underestimated, there's no solid evidence that this specific strain of H5N1 bird flu is spreading widely among people. However, scientists are worried that if the virus changes in certai...
Picture this: You're in a hospital, gasping for air, but the oxygen you need is nowhere to be found. This isn't a rare scenario. Every day, millions of people worldwide face this exact dilemma. Oxygen is a lifeline for those with breathing difficulties, infections, or recovering from operations. Yet, a staggering 370 million people who need it can't get it. This is ...
The Biden administration recently shared a report highlighting their efforts to boost pandemic defenses. They've been working on vaccinations, wastewater monitoring, and more to fight COVID-19, mpox, and other diseases. But public health experts aren't all impressed. Some say the bird flu threat to people isn't being taken seriously enough. Meanwhile, President-elect...
The world has been shaken by the COVID-19 pandemic, making everyone more prepared for future health crises. The WHO's Pandemic Treaty and the World Bank's Pandemic Fund are great steps forward. But what if we could combine these efforts with a broader healthcare goal like universal health coverage (UHC)? This could be especially beneficial for developing countries. T...
Imagine this: the COVID-19 pandemic is finally over, but what steps do doctors take next? A recent study in Germany looked into just that, focusing on how general practitioners (GPs) feel about keeping pandemic practices in place. The German College of General Practitioners and Family Physicians (let's call them DEGAM) had rolled out some useful guidelines during the...