Blogs - Page 9 of 92 - This Week In Public Health

Research

Being Better Ancestors for a Healing and Just Healthcare System

Healthcare in the United States is at a crossroads. Rising costs, declining (or precipitously falling) trust, and persistent racial and social inequities have made it clear: patchwork fixes and short-term programs aren’t enough. In their NEJM Catalyst article, Being Better Ancestors for a Healing and Just Healthcare System,” Somava Saha, MD, MS, Kellie Easton, and […]

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Environment

Living Near Illegal Dumpsites Doubles Respiratory Risks

Every morning in Rocklands, a township in Bloemfontein, South Africa, families step out into air tinged with smoke, dust, and decay. Just down the road lie vast illegal waste dumping sites—three of them—where household garbage, rotting food, and plastics pile up in the open air. It’s unsightly, yes. But as new research shows, it’s also […]

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Policy

Growing Concerns Over Rising THC Levels in Cannabis

Cannabis legalization across the globe has sparked a new wave of debates and research around its health implications, especially concerning the rising levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component in cannabis. Recent reports suggest that higher THC levels are linked to increased risks of mental health disorders and addiction. Rising THC Concentrations THC levels […]

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Climate

Heat Deaths Rise 15% When You Count the Right People

Public health experts know that heat kills. But what if the way we measure heat is hiding just how deadly it really is, especially in the world’s hottest regions? A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives reveals that the traditional methods used to estimate temperature—like relying on airport weather stations—may significantly underestimate heat-related deaths […]

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Epi

Addressing the Cholera Outbreak in Darfur

Cholera, a preventable and treatable disease, has once again reared its head in North Darfur, Sudan. The North Darfur region has become the epicenter of a cholera outbreak, threatening the already fragile healthcare infrastructure. This public health crisis is exacerbated by ongoing conflict, displacement, and limited access to resources, thereby putting thousands of lives at […]

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Health equity

FDA Approval for Obesity Pill Orforglipron?

Eli Lilly’s development of Orforglipron, a weight-loss drug, has become a significant topic in public health. This oral medication, designed as an alternative to injectable weight-loss treatments, has shown promising results in clinical trials and is set to seek FDA approval shortly. Orforglipron: A Breakthrough in Obesity Treatment This experimental drug falls under the category […]

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Policy

Best Public Health Tools for Local Government:

A Non-Partisan Guide to Data, Action, and Impact In cities, towns, and counties across the U.S., public health decisions are made every day that shape the well-being of communities. Whether you’re trying to lower asthma rates in a city neighborhood or improve maternal health outcomes in a rural area, the challenge is the same: you […]

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Global

Addressing Mistreatment and Unauthorized Procedures in Maternal Care

Mistreatment in maternal care remains a pressing global health issue, as highlighted by recent findings from the World Health Organization (WHO). This report reveals a troubling prevalence of non-consensual procedures during childbirth, underscoring the need for systemic changes to ensure respectful and humane care for mothers and their newborns. This article explores the current landscape […]

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Commentary

Science is political

For centuries, science has been romanticized as an impartial pursuit, a process that stands above politics and social conflict. We are told that the scientific method is designed to remove bias and that data simply “speaks for itself.” Yet anyone who has watched science operate in the real world knows this is an incomplete picture. […]

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