Summary
This document offers news and information about public health issues and concerns as of 2024. More information will be added as it becomes available.
As of August 2024, the World Health Organization has declared monkeypox (MPOX) to be an international public health emergency.
COVID has been spreading rapidly due to a highly contagious mutating version of the disease. For more, read COVID Report 2024.
Presently, one of the biggest threats to public health is the spread of a fear of vaccinations. This is causing diseases to return that we had finally overcome decades ago.
News
Entries below are listed by date with the most recent at the top.
CBS (7 Sep 2024)
“Ultra Processed: How Food Tech Consumed the American Diet” — Americans are among the world’s biggest consumers of ultra-processed foods, which comprise more than half of an average adult’s diet and two-thirds of a child’s. As technology continues to accelerate innovations in additives, chemicals and food products, U.S. regulators are struggling to keep up. CBS Reports examines why ultra-processed foods have become so pervasive in the American diet, and what filling the gaps in federal regulation can do to ensure Americans are fed and healthy. [Source]
Al Jazeera (19 Aug 2024)
“What is mpox and how do you protect yourself?” — The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says mpox has been detected in at least 13 African countries, and cases have been confirmed in other continents, too. How can people protect themselves? [Source]
Al Jazeera (18 Aug 2024)
“What risks does the mpox virus pose?” — The Mpox virus triggers the World Health Organization’s highest state of alert. Democratic Republic of Congo has reported the majority of cases. But infections have been recorded in Sweden and Pakistan. [Source]
BBC News (16 Aug 2024)
“More mpox expected in Europe over the coming weeks, World Health Organization warns” — Travellers should consider getting vaccinated against mpox if they will be visiting affected areas in Africa, new advice says. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has updated its recommendations in response to outbreaks of a new strain of the virus. Other continents, including Europe, can expect some cases too, it says. EDC says the risk of it spreading everywhere is low, despite the World Health Organization recently declaring the mpox situation a global emergency. The disease – formerly known as monkeypox – can be passed on by close contact with anyone with the infection. [Source]
DW News (16 Aug 2024)
“EU says further mpox cases are likely to be found soon in Europe” — The European Union’s health agency has warned that additional cases of a new mpox variant are likely to be found in Europe in the coming days after Sweden confirmed the first infection outside Africa. Officials say the patient had been infected while staying in an area experiencing a major outbreak. On Wednesday the World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency following an outbreak in Congo that had spread to neighboring countries. But both the WHO and the International Federation of the Red Cross are recommending that countries not close their borders. [Source]
MedCram (16 Aug 2024)
“Mpox (clade IB) in Africa Declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern” — Roger Seheult, MD of MedCram explains the current mpox outbreak. [Source]
DW News (15 Aug 2024)
“Mpox virus moves to Sweden as DRC remains most impacted” — The World Health Organization has declared a global public health emergency – over an outbreak of a new strain of the MPOX virus in Africa. The virus was formerly known as monkeypox and can be passed on through close contact. It causes flu-like symptoms and lesions on the body, and can be deadly. It’s now been detected in at least 13 African countries and Sweden, but the Democratic republic of Congo has been hit particularly hard. [Source]
PBS (15 Aug 2024)
“Epidemiologist breaks down how and where mpox is spreading” — The World Health Organization has declared a global emergency due to the rapid spread of mpox in several African nations. Experts warn that if it is not contained, the virus could spread even further internationally. Sweden reported the first case outside Africa after an individual was staying there. Ali Rogin discussed more with Anne Rimoin. [Source]
Guardian News (14 Aug 2024)
“WHO says mpox outbreak in Africa is international public health emergency” — The World Health Organization has said the outbreak in Africa of mpox, the disease formerly known as monkeypox, is serious enough to declare a ‘public health emergency of international concern’, the category used in the past for Ebola outbreaks, Covid-19 and a 2022 mpox surge in Europe. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the WHO, said the situation was ‘very worrying’ and warranted the ‘highest level of alarm under international health law’. He highlighted the emergence of a new variant, clade Ib, in the east of the DRC and its detection in neighbouring countries. [Source]
WREG (14 Aug 2024)
“COVID briefly closes TN elementary school” — [Source]
ABC News (13 Aug 2024)
A highly contagious mutating version of COVID is spreading quickly this summer.
“Over half of US states report ‘very high’ levels of Covid activity: CDC” — ABC News medical contributor Dr. Alok Patel joins to talk about what is driving this summer’s COVID-19 surge. [Source]
Dr. Casey Means (15 May 2024)
“‘This Is Decreasing Our Lifespan!’ – Dark Side of Food Industry Nobody Talks About” — One of the many reasons I was drawn to Functional Medicine is that it’s the medicine of asking “why?” and looking beyond the status quo to reimagine health. When we use this practice to assess the metabolic diseases we see today, we can see we’re in an energy crisis. We’re wrapped up in a web of physiologic root causes, but also a web of policies, industries, and economic incentives impacting our health from the ground up. I loved discussing all this and more on this episode of the podcast with Dr. Casey Means. [Source]
Dr. Gabrielle Lyon and Dr. Casey Means (23 Apr 2024)
“The Missing Piece to Better Health: Optimizing Your Metabolic Health with Dr. Casey Means” — Americans are getting sicker year after year, despite ever-increasing healthcare spending. Dr. Means believes we are focusing on the wrong problem entirely. Metabolic dysfunction. In this podcast, expect to learn about the world of cellular health, the five pillars that contribute to optimal function, the best ways to nourish your cells with the right nutrients and foods, the unique needs of women’s health, including hormonal considerations and why fasting might not be the best approach for women (especially during pregnancy). This podcast sheds further light on the connection between fertility and metabolic health and the 5 biomarkers you can get checked for FREE during your yearly physical to gain valuable insights into your metabolic health. We also touch on how simple changes in your eating habits can significantly lower your risk of disease. This episode is packed with valuable insights into how you can optimize your metabolism and cellular health for a longer, healthier life. Casey Means, MD is a Stanford-trained physician, Chief Medical Officer and Co-founder of metabolic health company Levels, and Associate Editor of the International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention. [Source]