America’s First Bird Flu Death Reported in Louisiana
The first U.S. death from H5N1 bird flu has been reported in Louisiana, underscoring the need for vigilance in public health. The case involved an individual over 65 with underlying conditions who was exposed to wild and backyard birds. Despite the tragic outcome, the CDC emphasizes that the overall risk to the public remains low, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission or alarming ...
Apply Now: Hispanic Leadership Development Fellowship for Public Health Careers
The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Hispanic Leadership Development Fellowship, a paid, 9-month program designed to prepare master’s students and recent graduates for public health careers.
Fellows will gain hands-on experience working with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies in Washington, D.C., and develop skil...
Daily Glass of Milk May Cut Bowel Cancer Risk by Fifth
A recent large-scale study suggests that consuming an additional 300mg of calcium daily, roughly the amount in half a pint of milk, could reduce bowel cancer risk by 17%. Researchers found that calcium, whether from dairy or non-dairy sources like fortified soy milk, played a significant role in lowering the risk.
Bowel cancer, the third most common globally, is rising, especially among you...
CDC Monitors Rising HMPV Cases in China, U.S. Cases Remain Stable
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is monitoring rising cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in northern China, though U.S. cases remain stable at pre-pandemic levels. HMPV, a respiratory virus first discovered in 2001, typically circulates during flu season, causing symptoms similar to the common cold, such as coughing, wheezing, and congestion. It can lead to severe illne...
The U.S. Surgeon General Wants Cancer Warnings on Alcohol
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is urging Congress to update alcohol warning labels to include cancer risks, emphasizing the link between alcohol consumption and seven types of cancer, including breast and colorectal cancer. Alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer, responsible for 100,000 cases and 20,000 deaths annually in the U.S.
Murthy highlights the lack of public aw...
Flu Emergency Room Visits Now "Very High" Nationwide, CDC Says
The CDC reports that flu-related emergency room visits have reached "very high" levels nationwide, with some Western states surpassing last year's peak. This year’s influenza wave aligns with pre-pandemic patterns but is significantly more severe in certain regions. For instance, Oregon hospitals treated over 1,100 flu cases in November and December 2024, compared to 251 in the same months in...
Experts Confused but Delighted by Low Rates of Teen Drug Use
Teen substance use has reached record lows, according to the Monitoring the Future survey, which found two-thirds of 12th graders and over 90% of 8th graders reporting no alcohol, marijuana, cigarette, or e-cigarette use in the past 30 days. This aligns with CDC data showing declines from 2011–2021, including a sharp drop during the pandemic.
Experts are puzzled yet optimistic about the sus...