Tag: publichealth - Page 2

#publichealth

Chris Lyons

HHS Office Closures: Who’s Got Our Backs Now?

Did you hear HHS is shutting down half its regional offices? That means the local teams who helped with Medicare, Head Start, and public health emergencies are out—and now, everything’s getting rerouted through fewer, far-away offices. Experts say this could seriously mess with how communities get help, especially for programs like Head Start. Instead of real people, it’s all websites and confusion. Feels like a big gamble with public health, tbh. #PublicHealth #HHS #HeadStart #Health #BodyHealth

Courtney Williams

Anthrax Outbreak Shocks Thai Vacation Spot

A rare anthrax outbreak just hit a popular Thai getaway—first death in 21 years, and four more people hospitalized. The source? Locals shared meat from cows slaughtered in April, and over 600 people might’ve been exposed, mostly from eating raw or undercooked beef. Health officials are urging everyone to skip rare meat and watch for symptoms. Wild to think something this old-school is making a comeback! #AnthraxOutbreak #ThailandNews #PublicHealth #Health

Michelle Welch

Fish Tacos With a Side of Parasite?!

Wild stat: Over 90% of SoCal’s fave freshwater fish (think bass and bluegill) are packing parasites that can actually cause strokes or heart attacks in humans. Researchers say these tiny flatworms (trematodes) used to be an Asia-only problem, but now they’re all over California. No reported cases in people yet, but here’s the kicker—most of us aren’t cooking or freezing our catch well enough to kill them. Next time you’re fishing or eating local fish, maybe double-check those prep steps! #CaliforniaFish #ParasiteAlert #PublicHealth #Health

Adam Cox

MMR Vaccine Rates Are Dropping—Here’s Why

Did you know MMR vaccination rates for kids in the US have dropped nearly 3% since COVID? That’s after a decade of steady numbers! Most counties saw a dip, and only a handful of states (like CA and NY) went up. The drop is linked to a surge in anti-vax misinformation online. Now, with measles cases spiking (over 1,000 this year!), some states are even making it easier to skip vaccines for school. Herd immunity is slipping, and experts are worried. Wild times! #MMR #Vaccines #PublicHealth #Health

martinezlaura

Microplastics Are Making Rivers Dangerous?!

Just when you thought microplastics couldn’t get any worse, scientists found they’re turning riverbeds into breeding grounds for superbugs. A new study found that microplastics in the Oder River are helping dangerous bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes thrive. That means these tiny plastics aren’t just everywhere—they could actually make infections harder to treat. Wild, right? Makes you wonder what’s really in your drinking water. Anyone else suddenly eyeing their reusable water bottle a little closer? #Microplastics #PublicHealth #Superbugs #Science

Joel Sweeney

Fluoride Ban = Millions More Cavities?!

If cities ditch fluoride in tap water, experts say we could see 25 million extra cavities in kids in just 5 years—plus nearly $10 billion in dental bills! And it’s not just about money: more kids in pain, missing school, and families struggling. The hardest hit? Low-income families who already have a tough time getting dental care. Turns out, that “boring” tap water has been quietly saving a lot of teeth for decades! #DentalHealth #Fluoride #PublicHealth #Health

sperkins

France’s Outdoor Smoking Ban Is Here!

Big news if you’re Paris-bound: starting July 1, lighting up in French parks, beaches, or even outside schools could cost you €135! France is going smoke-free in most outdoor public spaces, and it’s not just for locals—tourists are on the hook too. The goal? Protect kids and make public air cleaner. If you’re a smoker, plan those breaks carefully (and maybe save that fine money for wine instead). Non-smokers, rejoice: your strolls just got fresher! #FranceTravel #TravelTips #PublicHealth #Travel

Joel Sweeney

New Tick Alert: Backyard Danger?

Did you hear about the rabbit ticks in Maine carrying a new bacteria linked to life-threatening spotted fever? Scientists found these ticks right in someone’s backyard, and now they’re popping up all over the state. Even though rabbit ticks don’t usually bite people, there’s a chance other ticks could spread this bacteria to us. With ticks moving into new areas thanks to warmer weather, it’s time to get serious about bug bite prevention! #PublicHealth #Ticks #SpottedFever #Health

Barry Miller

FDA’s COVID Vax Shake-Up: Only for High-Risk?

Big news: The FDA just changed the COVID vaccine game! Now, only folks 65+ or those at high risk are getting the official vax recommendation. No more annual shots for everyone—healthy kids and adults under 65 are off the list unless new trials prove it’s worth it. The move follows super low booster rates and puts the US in line with other countries. Some are worried this could fuel more vaccine hesitancy. What do you think about this switch? #COVID19 #FDA #VaccineUpdate #HealthNews #PublicHealth #Health