Did you know that epidemiology has been around since the time of Hippocrates? But let's focus on when it really took off – during the late 18th to mid-19th century. This was a time when countries were growing economically, spreading their influence, and facing infectious diseases. Epidemiology playe
Suicide is a serious public health concern, so understanding what drives it is crucial. Social factors, known as social determinants of health (SDOH), play a big role in suicide risk. These include things like education, income, and social support. Figuring out how these factors influence suicide ca
Recently, bird flu (H5N1) has made headlines, reminding us all about the importance of understanding how Americans feel about future pandemic policies. To figure this out, a national survey was conducted in 2024 with 1017 adults from across the U. S. The results showed that most people are likely to
You know those festive winter gatherings? Well, they might come with an unwanted guest this year – the norovirus. The U. S. has seen a spike in its outbreaks, especially in places where people are close, like schools and cruise ships. In the week ending Dec. 5, the count was at 91 outbreaks. That's
Even though Iran has strict rules against making, selling, or drinking alcohol, a secret market has been thriving. Many people are getting seriously hurt or even dying because these secret drink makers often don't follow safety rules. A group of researchers decided to find out why this black market
Let's talk about something that's not always talked about but is super important: public hygiene. We're focusing on King County, including Seattle. For a long time, these areas have been lacking in public restrooms, places to wash hands, and places to get clean drinking water. This isn't good for pu
Scientists have discovered mutations in the H5N1 bird flu virus from a recent Louisiana patient that could make it easier for the virus to spread among humans. This patient likely got infected from sick or dead birds in their backyard. The changes weren't found in the birds, suggesting they happened
Mycotoxins like aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), trichothecenes (TCNs), and patulin can sneak into our food and cause serious health problems. In forensic science, detecting these toxins is super important, especially when someone dies from poisoning or long-term exposure. But how do these t
Antibiotics have long been heroes in the medical world, battling bacterial infections with ease. But lately, bacteria have started fighting back, leading to a global health concern called antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This means some antibiotics don't work as well as they used to, making it crucia
Public health bodies around the world, like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), offer guidelines to keep us active. But hold on – are they telling us the same thing? Not quite. For starters, they use different names for what we know as 'aero
