Author: Sarah Ortega

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WHO Declares Mpox Outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern

Scientist testing mpox virus.

Updated August 29, 2024: The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally declared a global health emergency of international concern for the mpox (formerly monkeypox) outbreak concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths have been recorded in the DRC in 2024 so far, with the outbreak rapidly spreading to surrounding countries such as Kenya and Uganda. Vulnerable populations, and those the most at risk, include women, children, and the immunocompromised.

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USAID Aims to Strengthen Southeast Asia’s Climate Resilience

A man working with USAID helps with a shipment of relief supplies.

As the world continues to prepare for the deleterious effects of climate change, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is focusing its international efforts on assisting the highly at-risk region of Southeast Asia. The agency aims to increase the region’s resilience to climate change-induced disasters such as flooding, droughts, and heat waves by encouraging international cooperation.

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WHO Responds to Dire Food and Water Insecurity in Greater Horn of Africa

Women in Africa harvest crops, fighting food insecurity.

A historic drought continues to affect millions in the greater Horn of Africa, which includes Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan. In light of the dire conditions, the World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing for the expected increase in healthcare demand as the lack of access to food and water takes a toll on the population.

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World Health Organization Addresses Global Health Impacts of Air Pollution

Air pollution in Egypt.

In a recent press release, the World Health Organization addressed the effects of air pollution on human health, as well as how to combat dangerous air pollutants. In mitigating these adverse impacts, the organization developed the “WHO Strategic Approach for Air Quality, Energy Access and Health,” which outlines the 2023-2030 plans to protect the global population from air pollution’s harmful effects.

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Research Finds Benefits of Social Media in Disaster Preparedness

Social media apps on iPhone.

While the negative consequences of social media use have been well documented, researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign discovered a surprising benefit in its ability to inform the public about climate change risks and disaster preparation. The research demonstrates how those more socially connected to regions impacted by natural disasters are more likely to be prepared for climate tragedies in the future.

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Drowning in NYC Basements, Leading Cause of Death for Hurricane Ida

Hurricane Ida, NYC

Hurricane Ida made landfall in New York City on September 1st, 2021. The extratropical storm brought a historic 3.5 inches of rainfall per hour in some areas, overwhelming the city’s sewer and stormwater drainage system, and causing the first flash-flood emergency to be issued in the city. Excess water quickly flowed into underground spaces such as basement apartments, drowning vulnerable residents.

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Sarah Crisci, Shannon Malloy, and Mariami Chitadze’s Study on COVID-19 Experiences and Behaviors

This cross-sectional study looked at how people responded to the pandemic through a survey distributed through Qualtrics that asked a series of questions aimed at assessing people’s experiences and attitudes about COVID-19 and how this may have translated into behavioral differences. The team concluded that interventions to increase and maintain compliance with recommended behaviors to avoid the spread of COVID-19 need to be further researched and prioritized for future pandemics.

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Improving Consistency in Health System Resilience Research

Covid-19 patient taken to covid hospital isolation by medical staff and care taker (family member)

The concept of health system resilience is one that evokes images of communities and healthcare infrastructures and systems weathering a devastating event and working together to rebuild and emerge stronger. This idea is beginning to gain attention, as the subject of empirical studies more recently but has mostly been explored only conceptually in the past.

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