• Surgeon general: Why the US needs to address loneliness

    It's time for the U.S. to prioritize Americans' social connections and address the health implications of loneliness, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, wrote in an April 30 opinion piece for The New York Times. 
  • XBB.1.16 prevalence, by region

    The omicron subvariant XBB.1.16 is quickly gaining prevalence in the U.S., spurring the CDC to start tracking the strain separately in mid-April. 
  • Subvariant trends, hospital reporting: 5 COVID-19 updates

    Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16 continues its growth path in the U.S., with the latest CDC estimates showing it accounts for nearly 12 percent of cases. 
  • 16 numbers on high schoolers' health: CDC

    The CDC released its latest Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System study April 28. Here are 16 things to know from the research that spanned 2021 — when many high schools were operating virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic:
  • US biosafety and pathogen research needs more oversight, experts say

    A U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee met April 27 to hear insight and recommendations from a panel of expert witnesses on how to improve U.S. biosafety and pathogen research in light of concerns surrounding the origins of COVID-19 stemming from a possible lab leak. 
  • CDC investigates rise in mysterious brain abscesses among Nevada kids

    Southern Nevada saw cases of rare, serious brain abscesses among children triple in 2022. Now the CDC is investigating what caused the increase, according to an April 28 report from CNN.
  • CDC to trim hospital COVID-19 reporting rules: 2 notes

    The CDC plans to reduce the number of COVID-19 data elements hospitals must report upon termination of the COVID-19 public health emergency May 11. 
  • COVID-19 in the short and long term: 3 thoughts from Dr. Peter Hotez

    Ahead of the May 11 end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Houston-based Baylor College of Medicine, told the Houston Chronicle April 27 that emerging variants, vaccine uptake and pandemic preparedness are top of mind for him.
  • WHO rolls out initiative to improve pandemic preparedness — for next time

    The likelihood of another pandemic similar to COVID-19 or worse is around 28 percent, Bloomberg reported April 13. As such, the question for many has become "Are we ready?" In response, the World Health Organization has launched a new initiative aimed at making the answer a "Yes," — or at least "Here's how to be" — for countries around the world. 
  • Viewpoint: Dr. Fauci reflects on pandemic, 'fractured' public health system

    Anthony Fauci, MD, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, detailed his take on the COVID-19 pandemic, what went wrong, what went right and how it all ties back to the overarching picture of public health in the U.S. during a lengthy interview published April 24 in The New York Times.
  • RSV may raise childhood asthma risk, Vanderbilt researchers find

    Infants who contract respiratory syncytial virus in the first year of life may have a greater risk of childhood asthma, according to new findings led by researchers at Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 
  • Children's ED visits will likely increase as climate threats grow: EPA report

    Cases of asthma-induced hospitalizations and incidences of Lyme disease are expected to increase for children globally, as climate change continues to worsen, according to a new EPA report.
  • Is this the 'new normal' stage of the pandemic? Experts think so

    In terms of COVID-19 risk, this spring feels different than the last two, experts told The New York Times in an April 25 report. 
  • CDC says COVID-19 tracking will be similar to seasonal flu surveillance

    Nearly two weeks away from the end of the public health emergency, the CDC has detailed what and how it will continue tracking COVID-19 data as some reporting aspects begin to sunset, according to an April 24 report from CNN.
  • XBB.1.16's growth and symptoms: 5 updates

    The latest CDC estimates indicate omicron subvariant XBB.1.16 accounts for nearly 10 percent of COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
  • House subcommittee to explore concerns on hazardous pathogen research

    In light of COVID-19's origins likely stemming from safety issues at an infectious disease research lab, the U.S. House of Representatives announced a new hearing will take place April 27 as part of further investigations into it.
  • Houston hospitals see increase in patients with mold infections after hurricane

    Four hospitals in Houston have reportedly seen marginal increases in patients being diagnosed with mold-related infections possibly linked to the timeline of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Houston Public Media reported April 20.
  • Gun violence costs healthcare $1B per year: 9 stats

    Each year, firearm-related injuries lead to roughly 30,000 inpatient hospital stays and 50,000 emergency room visits, which generates more than $1 billion in medical costs, an Urban Institute report found.
  • ED visits for strep hit 5-year high

    Emergency department visits for strep throat infections reached a five-year high in February and March, according to unpublished CDC data cited by NBC News in an April 19 report. 
  • New COVID-19 bivalent booster may require 'customized dosing': Study 

    A preprint study released by Texas-based Houston Methodist suggests COVID-19 vaccine dosing is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. In the past three years, as vaccines and boosters were released, the CDC recommended all of the doses in stages based on age. 

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Webinars