CBS News rounded up some of the top health stories of 2018 and explained how those stories will continue to be important in the new year.
A polio-like illness affecting children and gene-editing technology like CRISPR were some of the top health news stories in 2018, and CBS News predicts those stories and others will gain momentum in 2019.
Here are three stories to look out for in 2019, according to CBS News:
1. Accute flaccid myelitis. The CDC has been tracking those affected by the disease since 2014 and has counted approximately 491 cases. The agency created a task force in November to help researchers and clinical professionals better understand the disease. AFM, which typically affects children, begins with a mild respiratory-like infection and may progress to weakness in the arms or legs, vision troubles, or other symptoms.
2. 3D printing of human organs. Tara Narula, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and a CBS News medical contributor, said 3D-printed organs will make a significant difference in the lives of transplant patients in the next five to 10 years, as organ donations have decreased in recent years.
"We know that 100,000 people are waiting for organs every year, and there's only 16,000 donors, so the idea is that this could be a wonderful thing for that," she said.
3. CRISPR and other gene-editing technology. Right now, the technology is typically used in cells and animal models to explore treating devastating diseases like cystic fibrosis, Dr. Narula said. However, the technology "has a lot of promise in the future for things like heart disease and mental health and cancer even," she added.
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