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Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water
a year ago
- Utah becomes the first US state to ban fluoride in public water due to health concerns raised by health secretary Robert F Kennedy.
- Governor Spencer Cox signed the ban into law, effective from 7 May, with other states like Florida and Ohio considering similar measures.
- Fluoride has been added to US drinking water since 1945 to prevent cavities, but Utah's decision has faced criticism from dental experts.
- Republican state lawmaker Stephanie Gricius introduced the bill, citing potential cognitive effects in children, though public health experts dispute these claims.
- Robert F Kennedy alleged fluoride is linked to various health issues, but most experts reject these claims, citing studies with higher fluoride levels than in the US.
- The American Dental Association criticized Utah's decision, calling it a disregard for oral health and based on pseudoscience.
- Many public health groups, including the CDC, support adding small amounts of fluoride to water for cavity prevention.
- Recent court rulings have led to reduced fluoride levels in US water, with some questioning its necessity given its availability in toothpaste.
- Most of western Europe does not fluoridate water, while about 63% of the US population has fluoridated water.
- Experts argue that water fluoridation prevents at least 25% of tooth decay, with no harmful effects at low levels used in programs.
The environmental burden of the United States' Bitcoin mining boom
a year ago
- Bitcoin mines in the U.S. consumed 32.3 terawatt-hours of electricity from mid-2022 to mid-2023, 85% of which came from fossil fuels.
- 34 largest Bitcoin mines were studied, with a total capacity of 3,910 MW, and their operations led to significant PM2.5 air pollution.
- 1.9 million Americans were exposed to ≥0.1 μg/m³ of additional PM2.5 pollution from Bitcoin mines, often hundreds of miles away from the mines.
- Four regions—New York City, Houston/Austin, Northeast Texas, and the Illinois/Kentucky border—were identified as hotspots with the highest Bitcoin mine-attributable PM2.5 concentrations.
- Bitcoin mining operations often induce electricity production from some of the dirtiest coal-fired power plants, exacerbating air pollution and public health risks.
- The study highlights the need for federal regulation to address cross-state air pollution from Bitcoin mining, as state governments lack jurisdiction over out-of-state power plants.
Maurice Hilleman
a year ago
- Maurice Hilleman was a leading American microbiologist and vaccinologist who developed over 40 vaccines.
- His vaccines save nearly eight million lives each year, and he is considered one of the most influential vaccinologists in history.
- Hilleman developed eight of the 14 vaccines routinely recommended in the U.S., including those for measles, mumps, hepatitis A and B, and chickenpox.
- He played a key role in combating the 1957 Asian flu pandemic and the 1968 Hong Kong flu pandemic, saving countless lives.
- Hilleman discovered antigenic shift and drift in influenza viruses, leading to the concept of yearly flu vaccinations.
- He developed the mumps vaccine using a strain from his daughter, Jeryl Lynn, which is still used today in the MMR vaccine.
- Hilleman's hepatitis B vaccine, developed in the 1980s, drastically reduced the incidence of the disease.
- Despite his monumental contributions, Hilleman remained relatively unknown to the public, earning him the title 'the father of modern vaccines.'
- He received numerous awards, including the National Medal of Science, and was honored posthumously with scholarships and research centers named after him.
CDC's top laboratory on STDs is shut by Trump administration
a year ago
- The U.S. government has closed the CDC's premier STD lab, firing all 28 full-time employees.
- The lab was crucial for monitoring drug resistance in STDs, including gonorrhea, which is down to one effective drug.
- Experts fear the closure will hinder efforts to track and treat drug-resistant STDs, leaving the U.S. 'blind' to emerging threats.
- The lab's closure comes as gonorrhea shows signs of resistance to the last reliable treatment, ceftriaxone.
- The lab also led national surveillance for STD resistance patterns and housed the world's largest repository of gonorrhea isolates.
- New drugs for gonorrhea are nearing approval, but without the lab, there will be no national system to monitor resistance to them.
- The closure coincides with the rollout of a new preventive approach, doxy PEP, which could drive antibiotic resistance without proper monitoring.
- Experts criticize the decision as shortsighted, warning it will set back efforts to control STDs and respond to public health threats.
Vaccination is not a "personal choice"
a year ago
- CDC withheld a report warning higher measles risk in areas with lower vaccination rates.
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CDC now frame vaccination as a 'personal choice,' diverging from public health norms.
- Vaccination as a 'personal choice' disregards its impact on public health, especially on vulnerable groups like infants, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
- A personal story illustrates how an unvaccinated individual led to a 9-month-old contracting chickenpox, causing severe suffering and lifelong risks.
- Vaccination is a social responsibility; opting out free-rides on the immunity provided by others, endangering vulnerable populations.
- Measles, a highly contagious disease preventable by vaccination, is seeing a resurgence due to declining vaccination rates.
- The false belief linking MMR vaccine to autism has no scientific basis, yet it endangers children and public health.
154M lives and counting: 5 charts reveal the power of vaccines
a year ago
- A second unvaccinated child in Texas has died from measles, raising concerns about the outbreak's extent.
- Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but vaccination rates have dropped to 93%, below the 95% threshold needed to prevent transmission.
- Globally, 55 countries reported large measles outbreaks at the end of last year, with significant cases in Vietnam.
- Polio is close to eradication, with only Afghanistan and Pakistan still reporting cases, thanks to global vaccination efforts.
- Childhood vaccinations have saved approximately 154 million lives over the past 50 years, with the measles vaccine being the most impactful.
- Smallpox, eradicated in 1980, would have killed an estimated five million people annually without vaccines.
- Increasing access to existing vaccines could save an additional one to two million lives each year.
- Public health experts warn that vaccination efforts are under threat due to misinformation, reduced funding, and political influences.
Antiviral chewing gum to reduce influenza and herpes simplex virus transmission
a year ago
- Infectious diseases like coronavirus, H1N1, SARS, Ebola, Zika, and H5N1 pose significant global health and economic threats.
- Seasonal influenza causes substantial disease burden and economic losses, exceeding $11.2 billion annually in the U.S.
- HSV-1 infects over two-thirds of the global population and is a leading cause of infectious blindness in Western countries.
- Low vaccination rates and lack of HSV vaccines highlight the need for new approaches targeting viral transmission sites.
- Researchers developed a chewing gum from lablab beans containing antiviral protein FRIL to neutralize HSV and influenza viruses.
- The gum reduced viral loads by over 95%, similar to results seen in SARS-CoV-2 studies.
- The gum was prepared as a clinical-grade drug product and found to be safe for human use.
- Researchers are exploring lablab bean powder to combat bird flu (H5N1), which has affected 54 million birds recently.
- Bean powder has previously shown effectiveness against H5N1 and H7N9, and is being tested in bird feed.
- The study highlights the potential of FRIL protein in natural food products to prevent viral infection and transmission.
America Is Backsliding Toward Its Most Polluted Era
a year ago
- Air pollution in the U.S. is linked to severe health issues, including respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and cognitive impairments.
- The Trump administration is rolling back environmental regulations, potentially worsening air quality and public health.
- Particulate matter pollution kills 100,000 to 200,000 Americans annually, more than double the deaths from vehicular accidents.
- Exposure to air pollution in utero and childhood can lead to lifelong health problems, including lower IQ and behavioral issues.
- The EPA is cutting scientific research and environmental protections, which may obscure the full impact of deregulation.
- Wildfires, exacerbated by climate change, are reversing decades of air quality improvements in the U.S.
- The Heritage Foundation has questioned the link between air pollution and health, undermining decades of scientific consensus.
- Public health research relies on observational studies, which are ethical and robust, but are now under attack.
- Disparities in air quality mean that where you live significantly impacts your health, but few can afford to relocate for cleaner air.
- The administration's policies prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term public health and environmental sustainability.
CDC's cruise ship inspectors laid off amid bad year for outbreaks
a year ago
- All full-time employees in CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) have been laid off, impacting outbreak investigations and cruise ship health inspections.
- A smaller group of 12 U.S. Public Health Service officers remains, but the program's capacity is severely reduced.
- The layoffs occurred despite the program being funded by cruise ship fees, not taxpayer dollars.
- The cuts are part of broader layoffs across public health agencies under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., affecting around 2,400 CDC employees.
- The program had already been understaffed before the layoffs, with only one epidemiologist remaining to investigate outbreaks.
- Nearly 200 cruise ship inspections were conducted last fiscal year, but training new inspectors takes about six months.
- The layoffs will increase administrative burdens on remaining inspectors, reducing time for actual inspections and investigations.
- The CDC's VSP is critical for ensuring cruise ship safety in areas like medical centers, water systems, and food safety.
- The U.S. is experiencing a record surge in norovirus outbreaks, with at least a dozen documented on cruise ships this year.
Cholera cluster in Europe linked to people drinking bottles of holy water
a year ago
- European tourists brought holy water from Ethiopia and got cholera.
- Three people in Germany and four in the UK fell ill; two needed intensive care.
- The infections occurred after trips to Ethiopia, with visits to the Bermel Giorgis holy well.
- The well is in an area with a cholera outbreak and armed conflict, complicating public health efforts.
- Holy water use is deeply rooted in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, increasing risk of further cases.
- Cholera requires exposure to a high dose of Vibrio cholerae, indicating the well's contamination is severe.
Shingles vaccine found to cut dementia risk by 20%
a year ago
- Shingles vaccine reduces dementia risk by 20%, according to a new study.
- The study utilized a unique public health policy in Wales to compare vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.
- Herpesviruses, including shingles, may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease development.
- The research found no significant differences in other health factors between the groups, strengthening the vaccine's link to reduced dementia risk.
- Women benefited more from the vaccine than men, possibly due to stronger immune responses.
- Experts highlight the need for further research to confirm causality but acknowledge the promising findings.
- The study was published in the journal Nature.
CDC denies help for lead poisoning in Milwaukee schools due to layoffs
a year ago
- CDC rejected Milwaukee's request for help with lead poisoning investigation due to layoffs.
- Milwaukee schools found to have 'significant lead hazards', exposing children to potential harm.
- Federal lead poisoning team was eliminated as part of HHS layoffs on April 1.
- Eliminated teams also handled cruise ship outbreaks, radiological threats, and natural disaster responses.
- Local health departments now lack federal expertise for environmental emergencies.
- Lead exposure can cause serious brain and nervous system damage in children.
- Milwaukee schools, mostly built before 1978, may have widespread lead contamination.
- CDC officials warn of challenges in recruiting experts for future emergencies.
Revolt brews against RFK Jr. as experts pen rally cries in top medical journal
a year ago
- Health experts criticize Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s early actions as the country's top health official.
- Kennedy is accused of spreading misinformation and distrust, particularly regarding vaccines.
- Complaints include gutting health agencies, delaying vaccine advisory meetings, and hiring a discredited anti-vaccine advocate.
- Kennedy's handling of the Texas measles outbreak is highlighted, including trivializing the outbreak and promoting unproven treatments.
- Experts warn that the CDC may no longer be a reliable source for timely, evidence-based health guidance.
- Calls for the medical and science communities to step up and provide accurate information if government sources fail.
Half the World May Need Glasses by 2050
a year ago
- By 2050, nearly half of the global population will be nearsighted, with 5 billion people affected.
- High myopia, affecting 1 billion people, carries risks of permanent vision loss like retinal damage and blindness.
- Modern lifestyles, especially intense academic workloads and lack of natural light, are major drivers of the myopia epidemic.
- Urban children are 2.6 times more likely to develop myopia than rural children, highlighting environmental triggers.
- Solutions include reducing academic pressure, increasing outdoor time, limiting screen time for young children, early detection, and following the 20-20-20 rule.
- Countries like Taiwan and Singapore are implementing measures like outdoor classes and regulated homework to combat myopia.
CDC cruise inspectors laid off as ship arrives in Fla with norovirus outbreak
a year ago
- CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program employees laid off, including epidemiologist leading outbreak response.
- Layoffs impact monitoring of gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships, especially problematic for Florida.
- 12 outbreaks documented in first four months of 2025, mostly norovirus, with 10 involving Florida.
- Seaborn Cruise Lines Encore arrived in Miami with 35 norovirus cases; VSP remotely monitored the situation.
- Layoffs part of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s streamlining efforts; work now handled by U.S. Public Health Service officers.
- Only one epidemiologist remains on VSP team, still in early training stages.
- Florida battling record norovirus surge; wastewater samples show high levels, especially near cruise ports.
- Verily reports persistently high norovirus levels in South Florida wastewater since late 2024, higher than previous years.
- Central Florida (Orange County) also reports high norovirus levels, including near Port Canaveral.
- Wastewater data suggests increased transmission risk as travelers move through high-risk areas.
Pregnant Women Are Losing Access to Care, Formula and Shelter
a year ago
- Elon Musk's DOGE group slashes billions in funding for maternal and child healthcare, contradicting his advocacy for higher birth rates.
- Sevonna Brown's $2 million NIH grant for maternal community healthcare was abruptly canceled, halting critical services like lactation appointments and domestic violence shelters.
- DOGE has canceled over $10 billion in grants from HHS, impacting programs that support safe pregnancy, birth, and parenting.
- Musk warns of civilization's collapse due to low birth rates but cuts funding for maternal health services, creating a paradox.
- DOGE's cuts target underserved populations, removing terms like 'women,' 'Black,' and 'immigrants' from grants, leading to erasure of critical services.
- Programs for children's health, including behavioral health and HIV treatment, have also been severely impacted by DOGE's funding cuts.
- The cuts may worsen healthcare outcomes for mothers and children across all demographics, according to experts.
- Conservatives and Trump administration proponents have expressed dissatisfaction with DOGE's cuts, highlighting widespread concern.
- Healthcare providers like Sevonna Brown are resorting to mutual aid to fill the gaps left by funding cuts, straining their resources.
2 in Oregon die of rare brain disease
a year ago
- Two people in Hood River County have died from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
- Three cases of CJD have been identified in the last eight months, with one confirmed by autopsy and two presumptive diagnoses.
- CJD is a rare, fatal brain disorder caused by prions, leading to rapid dementia, movement disorders, and behavioral changes.
- The disease is not typically spread person-to-person except through organ/tissue transplants or exposure to contaminated tissue.
- About 85% of CJD cases are sporadic (no clear cause), while most others are hereditary.
- Diagnosis requires post-mortem examination of brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid, which can take months.
- Hood River County cases are not linked to mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy).
- Health providers are advised to consider CJD in patients with rapidly progressing Alzheimer’s-like symptoms or cognitive decline.
Lab leak – True origins of Covid-19
a year ago
- The 'Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2' publication was influenced by Dr. Fauci to promote the natural origin narrative of COVID-19.
- COVID-19 likely originated from a lab-related incident involving gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
- EcoHealth Alliance, led by Dr. Peter Daszak, misused U.S. taxpayer funds for gain-of-function research in Wuhan and is under investigation.
- NIH's oversight of dangerous research is flawed, posing risks to public health and national security.
- HHS obstructed investigations into COVID-19 origins, delaying and withholding critical information.
- Dr. David Morens, a senior advisor to Dr. Fauci, obstructed investigations and deleted federal records.
- New York's government, under Governor Hochul, obstructed investigations into pandemic-era failures.
- WHO's pandemic response was compromised by Chinese political influence.
- Social distancing and mask mandates lacked scientific backing, leading to public distrust.
- Lockdowns caused significant harm to the economy and public health, especially among younger populations.
- Former New York Governor Cuomo's nursing home policy was deemed 'medical malpractice' and covered up.
- The Biden Administration engaged in censorship of COVID-19 dissent on social media platforms.
The 'king of poisons' is building up in rice
a year ago
- Rice cultivation in flooded paddies, a traditional method, is becoming dangerous due to climate change increasing arsenic levels in rice.
- Research indicates that by 2050, rice-heavy diets could lead to higher risks of cancer and disease due to increased inorganic arsenic.
- Higher temperatures and CO2 levels enhance root growth in rice plants, increasing arsenic uptake from the soil.
- Arsenic in rice is a confirmed carcinogen, linked to various cancers and health issues, with chronic exposure posing significant risks.
- Current regulations on arsenic in food are inconsistent and largely unenforced, with no global standards for organic arsenic exposure.
- Infants and young children are most at risk due to their lower body weight and higher exposure through rice cereals.
- Adaptation strategies include changing planting times, better soil management, and breeding rice varieties that accumulate less arsenic.
- Water-saving irrigation techniques can reduce health risks and methane emissions from rice production.
Swill Milk Scandal
a year ago
- The swill milk scandal was a major adulterated food scandal in New York in the 1850s, linked to high infant mortality.
- Swill milk came from cows fed distillery waste, adulterated with substances like plaster of Paris, starch, eggs, and molasses.
- The scandal arose due to high demand for milk in New York City, with distillery-dairies providing cheap but unsafe milk.
- Investigations revealed filthy conditions in dairies, with cows suffering from diseases and the milk being heavily adulterated.
- Public outrage led to the first food safety laws in 1862, though initial investigations were blocked by corrupt politicians.
- Reformers like Robert Milham Hartley worked to restore milk's reputation as a safe and nutritious drink.

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#public health

Utah becomes first US state to ban fluoride in its water

The environmental burden of the United States' Bitcoin mining boom

Maurice Hilleman

CDC's top laboratory on STDs is shut by Trump administration

Vaccination is not a "personal choice"

154M lives and counting: 5 charts reveal the power of vaccines

Antiviral chewing gum to reduce influenza and herpes simplex virus transmission

America Is Backsliding Toward Its Most Polluted Era

CDC's cruise ship inspectors laid off amid bad year for outbreaks

Cholera cluster in Europe linked to people drinking bottles of holy water

Shingles vaccine found to cut dementia risk by 20%

CDC denies help for lead poisoning in Milwaukee schools due to layoffs

Revolt brews against RFK Jr. as experts pen rally cries in top medical journal

Half the World May Need Glasses by 2050

CDC cruise inspectors laid off as ship arrives in Fla with norovirus outbreak

Pregnant Women Are Losing Access to Care, Formula and Shelter

2 in Oregon die of rare brain disease

Lab leak – True origins of Covid-19

The 'king of poisons' is building up in rice

Swill Milk Scandal