INSIDER
US health authorities need to play a larger role in cannabis policy, a new report says
Read full article: US health authorities need to play a larger role in cannabis policy, a new report saysA scientific panel is calling for a public health approach to marijuana that’s a big departure from “Just Say No.” The report was released Thursday by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
Missouri bird flu case is a 'one-off' and the public risk is still low, officials say
Read full article: Missouri bird flu case is a 'one-off' and the public risk is still low, officials sayHealth officials say they don’t know how a Missouri person caught bird flu, but they believe it may be a rare instance of a “one-off,” stand-alone illness.
IUD insertion pain is complicated. Doctors say the new CDC guidelines are only a start
Read full article: IUD insertion pain is complicated. Doctors say the new CDC guidelines are only a startThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued new guidance on managing pain during IUD insertion, but doctors say the updated advice — while a step in the right direction — doesn’t tackle all of the sources of discomfort during the procedure.
Recall of Boar's Head deli meats announced during investigation of listeria outbreak
Read full article: Recall of Boar's Head deli meats announced during investigation of listeria outbreakU.S. health officials have announced a recall of some Boar's Head liverwurst and other deli meats as they investigate a listeria outbreak.
Two deaths linked to listeria food poisoning from meat sliced at deli counters
Read full article: Two deaths linked to listeria food poisoning from meat sliced at deli countersAt least two people have died and more than two dozen were hospitalized in an outbreak of listeria food poisoning linked to meat sliced at grocery store deli counters.
Biden has COVID-19 and didn't wear a mask. The CDC's guidelines say he doesn't have to
Read full article: Biden has COVID-19 and didn't wear a mask. The CDC's guidelines say he doesn't have toPresident Joe Biden did not wear a face mask in public a couple of times after the White House announced he had tested positive for COVID-19.
What to know about water safety before heading to the beach or pool this summer
Read full article: What to know about water safety before heading to the beach or pool this summerWith temperatures rising across the country and school out for the summer, many families will visit the beach, lake or local swimming pool.
Most kids get antibiotics for pink eye, study shows. Experts say they're usually not needed
Read full article: Most kids get antibiotics for pink eye, study shows. Experts say they're usually not neededResearchers say doctors are prescribing antibiotics to most kids and teens who have pink eye, despite guidelines that discourage their use.
Health officials tell US doctors to be alert for dengue as cases ramp up worldwide
Read full article: Health officials tell US doctors to be alert for dengue as cases ramp up worldwideU.S. health officials are warning doctors to be alert for dengue cases as the tropical disease breaks international records.
Past COVID infections may help protect against certain colds. Could it lead to better vaccines?
Read full article: Past COVID infections may help protect against certain colds. Could it lead to better vaccines?If you’ve been sick with COVID-19, you may have some protection against certain versions of the common cold.
US health officials advise using antibiotic as a ‘morning-after pill’ against STDs
Read full article: US health officials advise using antibiotic as a ‘morning-after pill’ against STDsU.S. health officials now recommend that some people consider taking an antibiotic as a morning-after pill to prevent certain sexually transmitted diseases.
Dozens of United Airlines passengers headed to Houston fall ill after international cruise
Read full article: Dozens of United Airlines passengers headed to Houston fall ill after international cruiseAccording to Houston firefighters, at least 25 people on the flight reported feeling sick due to a cruise they were on.
Guillain-Barre syndrome 'more common than expected' with RSV vaccine in older people, CDC reiterates
Read full article: Guillain-Barre syndrome 'more common than expected' with RSV vaccine in older people, CDC reiteratesReports of a rare nervous system disorder are “more common than expected” in older U.S. adults who got the new RSV vaccines.
‘We are failing our moms’: Disparity in maternal mortality rates persists in Harris County despite national decline
Read full article: ‘We are failing our moms’: Disparity in maternal mortality rates persists in Harris County despite national declineWhile the overall rates have decreased, women from marginalized backgrounds continue to face alarming risks during pregnancy and postpartum.
CDC says it's identified 1st documented cases of HIV transmitted through cosmetic needles
Read full article: CDC says it's identified 1st documented cases of HIV transmitted through cosmetic needlesFederal health officials say three women who were diagnosed with HIV after getting “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed New Mexico medical spa are believed to be the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles.
USDA tells producers to reduce salmonella in certain frozen chicken products
Read full article: USDA tells producers to reduce salmonella in certain frozen chicken productsU.S. poultry producers will have to reduce salmonella bacteria in certain chicken products to very low levels to prevent food poisoning.
When red-hot isn't enough: New government heat risk tool sets magenta as most dangerous level
Read full article: When red-hot isn't enough: New government heat risk tool sets magenta as most dangerous levelU.S. health and weather officials are unveiling a new color-coded system to warn Americans about heat danger, and it will set magenta as the most dangerous level.
As syphilis cases among US newborns soar, doctors group advises more screening during pregnancy
Read full article: As syphilis cases among US newborns soar, doctors group advises more screening during pregnancyWith syphilis cases in U.S. newborns skyrocketing, a doctors group is now recommending that all pregnant patients be screened three times for the sexually transmitted infection.
US officials warn of increase in bacterial illnesses that can lead to meningitis and possibly death
Read full article: US officials warn of increase in bacterial illnesses that can lead to meningitis and possibly deathU.S. health officials are warning of an increase in illnesses caused by a bacteria that can cause meningitis and possible death.
COVID-19 milestone: How Houston’s response to the virus has changed in the last four years
Read full article: COVID-19 milestone: How Houston’s response to the virus has changed in the last four yearsMarch 11 marks the day four years ago when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
The CDC has relaxed COVID guidelines. Will schools and day cares follow suit?
Read full article: The CDC has relaxed COVID guidelines. Will schools and day cares follow suit?Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools, the CDC says parents can start treating the virus like other respiratory illnesses.
Norovirus illnesses are up in some places. Here's what you need to know
Read full article: Norovirus illnesses are up in some places. Here's what you need to knowCases of norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug, are climbing in the Northeastern U.S. Nationwide, about 12% of most recent norovirus tests sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were positive.
Don't eat pre-cut cantaloupe if the source is unknown, CDC says, as deadly salmonella outbreak grows
Read full article: Don't eat pre-cut cantaloupe if the source is unknown, CDC says, as deadly salmonella outbreak growsU.S. health officials say consumers should not eat pre-cut cantaloupe if they don’t know the source.
The flu is soaring in seven US states and rising in others, health officials say
Read full article: The flu is soaring in seven US states and rising in others, health officials sayU.S. health officials say at least seven states are seeing high levels of the flu and that cases are rising in other parts of the country.
Diabetes awareness: Houston woman’s fight against the disease that took her son
Read full article: Diabetes awareness: Houston woman’s fight against the disease that took her sonApproximately 37.3 million people, or about 11% of the U.S. population, have diabetes while an additional 96 million have prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
National Suicide Prevention Month: Here’s where to seek treatment in the Houston area
Read full article: National Suicide Prevention Month: Here’s where to seek treatment in the Houston areaIn September, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness.
Updated COVID shots are coming. They're part of a trio of vaccines to block fall viruses
Read full article: Updated COVID shots are coming. They're part of a trio of vaccines to block fall virusesUpdated COVID-19 shots are coming soon, part of a trio of fall vaccines that doctors hope will help avoid another “tripledemic."
Legionnaires' disease outbreak in southeast Poland on decline with only 1 new case reported
Read full article: Legionnaires' disease outbreak in southeast Poland on decline with only 1 new case reportedJust one new case of Legionnaires’ disease has been reported in southeast Poland in an area close to the Ukraine border, an indication the spread of the disease has been curbed following chlorine disinfection of the water system.
Death toll from Legionnaires' disease rises to 16 in southeast Poland close to Ukraine border
Read full article: Death toll from Legionnaires' disease rises to 16 in southeast Poland close to Ukraine borderPoland's health authorities say the death toll from Legionnaires' disease has risen to 16 with another 140 people infected in the southeast region close to the border with Ukraine.
Legionnaires' disease kills 7 people in a strategic Polish city on the Ukrainian border
Read full article: Legionnaires' disease kills 7 people in a strategic Polish city on the Ukrainian borderPoland's internal security officers are searching for the source of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease which has killed seven people and infected more than 100 in a strategic city near the border with Ukraine.
How doulas help with advocacy and expertise for women
Read full article: How doulas help with advocacy and expertise for womenEach year, hundreds of women die during pregnancy or within a year after bird, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Black women are three times more likely than white women to die from a pregnancy-related cause.
Tick and mosquito season is already shaping up to be severe this year
Read full article: Tick and mosquito season is already shaping up to be severe this yearSummer is peak tick and mosquito season, and the insects may pose a particularly acute threat this year, experts say. On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert about the first locally acquired cases of malaria in the United States in 20 years, detected in Florida and Texas.
CDC reports another death linked to recalled eyedrops
Read full article: CDC reports another death linked to recalled eyedropsThe number of people with highly drug-resistant bacterial infections linked to contaminated eyedrops has reached 81, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday.
At least 2 cases of drug-resistant ringworm infections found in the U.S., CDC says
Read full article: At least 2 cases of drug-resistant ringworm infections found in the U.S., CDC saysTwo cases of highly contagious, drug-resistant ringworm infections have been detected in New York City — the first such cases reported in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday.
More babies born with syphilis in Texas than other parts of United States
Read full article: More babies born with syphilis in Texas than other parts of United StatesTexas was the state that had the most congenital syphilis cases in the United States with 680 cases, according to a 2021 report published in April by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Am I in an abusive relationship? This app will answer your question and provide help
Read full article: Am I in an abusive relationship? This app will answer your question and provide helpBright Sky App is said to be the first American app to offer free and discrete resources for victims of domestic violence.
More than 300 passengers became sick after possibly contracting Norovirus on Galveston-based cruise ship
Read full article: More than 300 passengers became sick after possibly contracting Norovirus on Galveston-based cruise shipMore than 300 passengers who set sail aboard the Ruby Princess late last month became sick after possibly contracting Norovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CDC warns about the rise in almost untreatable Shigella bacterial infections
Read full article: CDC warns about the rise in almost untreatable Shigella bacterial infectionsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning about a rise in extensively drug-resistant cases of the bacterial infection Shigella, a major cause of inflammatory diarrhea.
FDA panel narrowly backs Pfizer RSV vaccine for older adults
Read full article: FDA panel narrowly backs Pfizer RSV vaccine for older adultsFederal health advisers have narrowly backed an experimental vaccine from Pfizer that could become the first shot to protect older adults against the respiratory illness known as RSV.
Sexual attacks against teen girls increased at school, online and at home during lockdown
Read full article: Sexual attacks against teen girls increased at school, online and at home during lockdownThe recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found an unprecedented wave of grief and sadness among teenage girls uncovered a stunning statistic: In 2021, nearly 20 percent said they had been victims of violent sexual behavior. More than one in 10 had been raped, they said.
CDC says teen girls are caught in an extreme wave of sadness and violence
Read full article: CDC says teen girls are caught in an extreme wave of sadness and violenceSexual attacks and other traumatic experiences have led to an unprecedented level of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts among America’s young women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Monday.
CDC warns that a brand of eyedrops may be linked to drug-resistant bacterial infections
Read full article: CDC warns that a brand of eyedrops may be linked to drug-resistant bacterial infectionsOne person has died and at least three other people have permanent vision loss because of a bacterial infection possibly linked to a brand of over-the-counter eyedrops, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which urged consumers Wednesday to stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears while it investigates the outbreak.
Use of controversial border policy unclear despite last minute order from SCOTUS Chief Justice
Read full article: Use of controversial border policy unclear despite last minute order from SCOTUS Chief JusticeUS Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily halted the termination of Title 42, a controversial policy being used along the border to quickly expel migrants. Until Robert’s order, Title 42 was set to expire at midnight Dec 21.
Legal battle continues over use of Title 42 along the border
Read full article: Legal battle continues over use of Title 42 along the borderA controversial law used along our borders in response to rising apprehensions is set to expire in less than month’s time. However, the battle to continue using Title 42 is not over.
Europe OK's 1st one-dose drug to protect babies against RSV
Read full article: Europe OK's 1st one-dose drug to protect babies against RSVThe European Commission has authorized the world’s first one-dose drug against a respiratory virus that sickens millions of babies and children globally every year.
Fighting food poisoning: Sweeping poultry changes proposed
Read full article: Fighting food poisoning: Sweeping poultry changes proposedThe U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing sweeping changes in the way chicken and turkey meat is processed in an effort to reduce salmonella illnesses from food contamination.
Wendy's pulls lettuce from sandwiches amid E. coli outbreak
Read full article: Wendy's pulls lettuce from sandwiches amid E. coli outbreakThe fast-food chain Wendy’s says it is pulling lettuce from sandwiches in its restaurants in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania after people eating them there reported falling ill.
Africa CDC says renaming of monkeypox variants curbs stigma
Read full article: Africa CDC says renaming of monkeypox variants curbs stigmaThe head of Africa’s public health agency says he’s “really pleased” that the World Health Organization is renaming the strains of the monkeypox disease to remove references to African regions to reduce concerns of stigmatization.
CDC drops quarantine, distancing recommendations for COVID
Read full article: CDC drops quarantine, distancing recommendations for COVIDThe nation’s top public health agency is relaxing its COVID-19 guidelines and dropping the recommendation that Americans quarantine themselves if they come into close contact with an infected person.
Africa CDC in 'advanced' talks to obtain monkeypox vaccines
Read full article: Africa CDC in 'advanced' talks to obtain monkeypox vaccinesAfrica’s public health agency says the continent of 1.3 billion people still does not have a single dose of the monkeypox vaccine, but “very advanced discussions” are underway with at least two partners.
Houston Health Department earns CDC designation as Center of Excellence for wastewater epidemiology
Read full article: Houston Health Department earns CDC designation as Center of Excellence for wastewater epidemiologyThe Houston Health Department announced Wednesday it is now recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a National Wastewater Surveillance System Center of Excellence.
More than 20,000 people have been diagnosed with monkeypox globally; Here’s how it spreads, symptoms to look out for
Read full article: More than 20,000 people have been diagnosed with monkeypox globally; Here’s how it spreads, symptoms to look out forGlobal health leaders say more than 20,000 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed across 71 countries where the virus isn’t historically found.
Hundreds of student athletes receive free heart screening test thanks to The Cody Stephens Foundation
Read full article: Hundreds of student athletes receive free heart screening test thanks to The Cody Stephens FoundationAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 2,000 young, seemingly healthy people under age 25 in the United States die each year of sudden cardiac arrest.
EU drug regulator recommends clearing vaccine for monkeypox
Read full article: EU drug regulator recommends clearing vaccine for monkeypoxThe European Medicines Agency says the smallpox vaccine made by Bavarian Nordic should also be authorized against monkeypox as an outbreak of the once-rare disease sickens people across Europe.
1st probable monkeypox case reported in Galveston County, health officials say
Read full article: 1st probable monkeypox case reported in Galveston County, health officials sayGalveston County Health District announced Wednesday its first probable monkeypox case in an out-of-state resident, according to a release.
What is parechovirus? Signs, symptoms and risk factors of the virus infecting babies across the country
Read full article: What is parechovirus? Signs, symptoms and risk factors of the virus infecting babies across the countryMultiple states have reported new cases of parechoviruses, a group of viruses that commonly infect children, over the last two months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a health alert to physicians and public health departments this week.