High blood pressure is a big deal, but many people struggle to keep it under control. Even though most folks know about it, only a small number actually manage it well. This is where digital tools come in. They can help people stay on top of their health and make better choices. But do these tools really work? That's what researchers are trying to figure out. Right ...
In Ontario, Canada, a concerning trend has been observed with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter (CP-Ent) bacteria. These superbugs are becoming more common. They are the third most prevalent type of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae globally. What makes them particularly troublesome is their high strain diversity. Researchers looked into the spread of CP...
A surprising change has happened at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ralph Abraham, a former Louisiana health official, has been appointed as the deputy director. This is notable because Abraham has been vocal about his doubts regarding Covid-19 vaccines, even calling them "dangerous" in the past. Abraham's new role has sparked concerns among he...
RFK Jr. has recently made some big changes to the CDC's stance on vaccines and autism. He's been saying that vaccines might cause autism, even though lots of studies say they don't. This is a big deal because vaccines are super important for keeping people healthy. RFK Jr. has been making some big changes at the CDC. He fired a bunch of experts and replaced them wit...
Pasco has recently decided to stop adding fluoride to its water supply. This move is part of a growing trend in North America, where some cities are choosing to do the same. The decision was made by the Pasco City Council on November 17, ending a practice that started in 1998. Science supports the benefits of fluoride in water. It's a simple, cheap way to improve de...
The COVID-19 vaccine was said to be 95% effective. But what does that really mean? It turns out, the number is not as straightforward as it seems. The 95% figure is based on relative risk reduction. When you look at absolute risk reduction, the picture changes. The actual reduction in risk for the average person is less than 1%. That's a big difference! The trials t...
Long COVID is a big problem for many people. It can stick around long after the initial infection. So, finding ways to prevent it is super important. Researchers looked at 31 studies to see if vaccines help. They found that getting vaccinated, even just the basic doses, can lower the chances of getting long COVID. The numbers show that vaccinated people have a 23% l...
Hungary has been checking newborns for serious health issues for 50 years now. This started with tests for two rare conditions: phenylketonuria and galactosemia. Later, they added a test for congenital hypothyroidism 40 years ago. Today, they test for 27 different disorders, plus an optional test for spinal muscular atrophy. Two big labs in Budapest and Szeged handl...
Health inequities are not simple. They arise from a mix of factors like gender, class, ethnicity, age, and migration status. These factors don't work alone. They interact with each other and with bigger systems like policies and institutions. To tackle health inequities, we need to look at these factors together, not separately. This approach is called intersectiona...
In Northern Ghana, teens are facing a big problem with drugs. Many of them want help but find it hard to get. This is a growing issue that needs attention. Why is it so tough for these teens to find help? One big reason is that there aren't enough places for them to go. Even when there are services, teens say they don't know about them or can't reach them easily. A...