Tag: Medicine

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The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance

Pills

In September 2024, 193 delegations gathered during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to withstand the effects of treatments, such as antibiotics. This makes common infections more difficult to treat, potentially reversing decades of medical advancements. The UN emphasized that without immediate action, AMR could cause millions of additional deaths each year, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. The high-level meeting on AMR called for coordinated global efforts to reduce the projected 10 million annual deaths by 2050 due to drug-resistant infections.

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Ameisha O’Connor’s Case Study on Childhood Cancer in New Jersey

Water quality test

In 1995, the New Jersey Department of Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry began an investigation into the growing concerns about elevated rates of childhood cancer in the New Jersey region. The investigation was a response to resident concerns about water environmental pollution. The research focused on industrial sites in the area that were ultimately found responsible for significant contamination. 

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New Study Reveals HIV Preventative Drug With 99% Efficacy

Scientists working with vaccination.

A life-saving HIV preventative drug with nearly 100% efficacy passed its latest round of trials, providing hope to millions worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, which has one of the highest HIV rates in the world. Although advocates celebrate the arrival of this new drug, many are skeptical that the twice-a-year injection will be made affordable to people in the low-income countries that need it most.

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Recent Report Finds ICE Detainees Suffer Preventable Deaths

ICE Contract Detention Facility in San Diego.

A recent study found critical issues within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities, particularly focusing on the inadequate medical care provided to detainees. The research references a report written by three advocacy groups, the American Civil Liberties Union, American Oversight, and Physicians for Human Rights, which highlights numerous systemic failures. 

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Worldwide Shortage of Nurses Declared a Global Health Emergency

Photo courtesy of Darko Stojanovic.

The world is currently experiencing a mass shortage of nurses. The U.S. has lost an estimated 100,000 nurses since the pandemic hit in 2020, and this number is expected to rise to approximately 600,000 in the next three years. The same issue faces the United Kingdom and Switzerland, with Switzerland experiencing high drop out rate of 18% to 36% among new nursing students.

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Surge of Measles and Rubella Cases in Yemen

Photo courtesy of EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations

Cases of measles and rubella are increasing at a dangerous rate across Yemen. Measles is an acute viral respiratory infection which, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications. Rubella has the same symptoms as measles caused by a different virus. Both infections are highly contagious and can live in the air for up to two hours.

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Wanda Dikiy’s Key Definitions of Disasters

In this brief, Wanda Dikiy defines disasters in the following two categories: acute, or slow-onset. Dikiy then argues that disruption to essential services is the most important indicator of a disaster’s impact, since it exposes the community to risks normally addressed by the local medical system and produces additional negative effects that may lead to long-term complications.

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Individuals 65 and Older Make Up Nearly 90% Of Covid-19 Related Deaths

According to a recent study by the CDC, adults aged 65 and older hospitalized for COVID-19 accounted for 87.9% in-hospital deaths from January to June 2023. Data shows that approximately 53 million U.S. adults are in this population category. Despite being more at risk, only around 43% of individuals from this age group received the bivalent booster shot approved by the FDA in April.

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