Latest news with #CenterforDiseaseControl
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
SD doctors on measles, removal of CDC vaccine experts
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The South Dakota State Medical Association is speaking out against the recent removal of the entire advisory committee for vaccinations at the Center for Disease Control. This comes at the same time measles cases are being seen in South Dakota. This week, all 17 immunization experts who advise the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were removed from their positions. South Dakota State Medical Association president, Dr. Keith Hansen, says he wasn't sure why when he heard the news. Pride fests and protests make for busy Sioux Falls weekend 'To me, it didn't make a lot of sense. Why would you fire all of these very well-respected, intelligent individuals who spend all this time and effort to come up with these recommendations?' Hansen said. In response to the change, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he's already tapped their replacements. 'We're going to bring people on to the ACIP Panel, not anti-vaxxers, we're bringing people on who are credentialed scientists or highly credentialed physicians who are going to do evidence-based medicine,' RFK Jr. said. This month South Dakota saw it's second case of measles this year, both on the west side of the state. It's something Hansen says can be preventable by vaccines. 'Measles is a very highly contagious disease. So our best battle is for individuals to get the vaccine and to try to get as many people vaccinated as we can.' Hansen said. 'So that we maximize herd immunity and also the individual's immunity, and especially for our real young kids.'Monument Health's chief of staff, Dr. Michael Huot in Rapid City says the MMR vaccine is still used today since approved by the FDA in 1971. 'The reason we still use treatments that are that old is because they're extremely effective and extremely safe. So, of vaccinations that MMR has had hundreds of millions of people vaccinated,' Huot said. With over 100,000 followers on TikTok, Huot hopes to continue spreading medical knowledge to those in his community and beyond. 'It also kind of dispels a lot of misinformation out there. I think it's a way for people to connect with somebody locally,' Huot said. As of Wednesday, eight new vaccine members have been appointed to the panel by RFK Jr. Click here for more info about measles symptoms. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Overdose deaths decrease nationwide, and here in the Upstate
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), overdose deaths have decreased nationwide by almost 27% in the past year, and are projected to reach their lowest level since 2019. 'You realize you have a problem, you know true leadership is dealing with the problem and then putting the plan in place, and I believe that's probably what's happening nationwide,' said Spartanburg Co. coroner Rusty Clevenger. Clevenger's data showed overdose deaths in Spartanburg Co. skyrocketed during Covid. He said it was then that he and state officials knew they not only needed to track the deaths, but exactly where these drugs were coming from and which ones were the cause. 'We had to figure out where the hotspots were at so we could put you know, measures in place to try, whether it be education or whatever, and it seems to be working as well,' he said. Data showed Spartanburg County saw a marked decrease in overdose deaths in 2024. 'The numbers are holding steady about last year's levels, maybe a little bit less right now,' Clevenger explained. However Keith Blanton, the Pastor and Superintendent at Faith Home, a non-profit Christian recovery center, said beds in their facilities across the Upstate stay full. He told us between their four locations, there are 135 beds. 'I think more people are getting help,' said Blanton. 'I just do. I think that you know, Narcan is a good thing. It saves people's lives and as long as they're alive, you know there's a chance.' Blanton said thanks to the coroner's office and law enforcement agencies tracking 'hotspots' and providing education, drugs no longer have to be the end of every user's story. 'It's tough,' Blanton said. 'It's tough at first especially, but it gets easier, and it gets better. But if I had one thing to say, you do not have to live that way, there's a way out if you want out.' Blanton told 7NEWS over the years that the people they serve have become significantly younger. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
It might be time to get the men in your life to see a doctor!
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Every June, you have the opportunity to celebrate the men in your life by sending them to the doctor. Maybe not the doctor, but to make sure they stay healthy. Men's Health Week is the week leading up to Father's Day every year. Men are encouraged to make their health a priority and, of course, spread awareness. According to Arik Olson, the medical director with Fidelis Care, you have to be consistent. 'I believe it's important for all men to have a primary care provider. That could be a doctor, a nurse practitioner, a physician assistant,' said Olson. 'But I believe it's important to see that doctor, or primary care provider, at least once a year just for a check-up. Even if you're not sick, just to see if there's anything you should be doing to stay healthy.' According to data from the Center for Disease Control, the leading causes of death for men include heart disease, cancer, and accidents. They say: 14.7% of men 18 and older are in fair or poor health 30.9% had five or more drinks in one day, at least once within a year 12.5% smoke cigarettes 7.6% use E-cigarettes 50.8% are struggling with hypertension 39.2% of men 20 and older are considered obese There are a number of things men can do for their health, including eating healthy, exercising, not smoking, and not drinking too much. Those are the usual suspects, but Olson says it's also important to get your teeth cleaned every year and be social. 'Even joining a sports league or meeting with a group of people for whatever reason — maybe to play cards — has significant impacts for our health.' Then, of course, there are age-specific tests to keep in mind, like getting a colonoscopy after the age of 45. On Friday, people are encouraged to wear blue to celebrate Men's Health Week. Don't forget to snap a photo for social media, if you do. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New guidelines tackle long-standing pain issues with IUD insertion
Pain is a predictable part of the process for many women walking into a reproductive healthcare clinic. That problem now is receiving renewed focus in the wake of a report released May 15 by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The report compiles recommended pain management techniques for eight of the more common pain-inducing procedures routinely performed in a clinic. These include intrauterine device (IUD) insertion, endometrial and cervical biopsies and hysteroscopies. The advised techniques include local anesthetic options and providing anti-inflammatory drugs. The report details dosages and side effects for each advised treatment. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, or ACOG, is urging clinicians to communicate these options to their patients in a manner that is 'individualized, culturally competent, trauma-informed, and guided by shared decision-making.' Dr. Marie Forgie, an obstetrician and gynecologist performs all of the procedures mentioned in the report through her practice at Aurora Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee. She said understanding, predicting and managing patient pain during gynecologic procedures has been a recent 'hot topic' for the field. 'There's been limited or conflicting evidence about different pain control options, and that information has been scattered across different publications,' Forgie said. 'Having this guidance will make clear all the options that we know could potentially work.' The report emphasizes how systemic racism and gender bias in medicine has historically affected the kind and quantity of pain control options offered to patients, with Black patients receiving less attention to their pain than White patients, and women's pain garnering less concern than that of men. In August 2024, the Center for Disease Control updated its own advice on pain management for IUD insertion, recommending topical numbing creams and paracervical block injections — both lidocaine-based local anesthetics, as potentially 'useful' for reducing patient pain. The CDC's updated guidelines also urged doctors to counsel their patients on pain management before they undergo the procedure to insert the contraceptive device. Dr. Allison Linton, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin's chief medical officer, noted that pain is difficult to study because it is subjective, and can vary patient to patient. 'Our field of reproductive health has realized for a long time that even though IUDs are a very effective form of birth control, they can be really uncomfortable to place,' Linton said. 'For quite a long time, we've all been trying to figure out how we best support patients while making sure that we are keeping them as comfortable as possible and certainly not creating more trauma in an area that historically has had a lot of trauma for a lot of patients.' Linton's routine pain management protocol has focused on giving patients 'realistic expectations' of how IUD insertions and other procedures might feel, and helping patients cope with anxiety about upcoming procedures, sometimes by offering them a pre-procedure visit to talk through pain management options. In the past one to two years, Linton said, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin clinicians have also started offering paracervical blocks to IUD insertion patients — one of the local anesthetics recommended by the recent CDC and ACOG recommendations. Dr. Laura Jacques, an associate professor in the University of Wisconsin's obstetrics and gynecology department, recalled she has offered local anesthesia for in-office procedures since 2017 at least. 'ACOG is the standard-setting body for our field, so their new guidance will undoubtedly have broad influence on OB-GYN practice,' Jacques wrote. 'While it doesn't change my individual practice, or our practice at UW, it helps promote patient-centered care across the field.' This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin OB-GYNs cheer new IUD insertion pain management guidance
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GMA Network
07-06-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Go calls for increased surveillance amid threat of HIV, monkeypox, COVID-19
Senator Christopher 'Bong' Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, said there is an urgent need to intensify disease surveillance and prevention capabilities through legislative efforts, amid the threat of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), monkeypox and COVID-19 in the Philippines and other countries. In a public hearing committee conducted earlier in the week, Go highlighted the need for proactive measures following the increase of COVID-19 and monkeypox (mpox) cases across the region, adding that greater public awareness and early interventions are crucial. 'Napakaimportante rin po nitong Virology Institute and the Center for Disease Control (The Virology Institute and the Center for Disease Control is very important) that would strengthen research and development on potential disease-causing agents and medical surveillance,' Go said, emphasizing the necessity of institutionalized infrastructure to fight against emerging health threats. Go said the Virology Institute has been identified as one of the administration's current priorities. ''Yun po ang pinag-uusapan din po na naging prayoridad din po ng administration ngayon, ito pong pagpasa ng panukalang magtatayo ng Virology Institute,' he said. (The passage of the bill on the proposed Virology Institute was discussed and made a priority by the administration now.) Go is the principal author and co-sponsor of the Senate Bill No. 2893, or the Virology Institute of the Philippines Act, which was approved on its third and final reading by the Senate last February 3. Once enacted, the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) will intensify the country's virology research capabilities, advance vaccine self-reliance, and certify a more proactive approach in fighting emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Go also called for vigilance in light of mpox infections detected in several areas in the country, warned against complacency and urged Filipinos to act before a potential outbreak escalates. 'Alam naman natin minsan na nagiging kumpyansa tayo. Pero kung mapipigilan natin sa lalong madaling panahon ay 'wag po itong kumalat, at 'wag na po umabot sana sa isang pandemya muli. Lessons learned po tayo. Dapat po'y unahin natin parati ang prevention.' (We know that sometimes we become complacent. But if we can stop it as soon as possible, it will no longer spread and not reach another pandemic. We have our lessons learned. We must always prioritize prevention.) More cases of mpox were detected in April 2025 as compared to May, and the total cases have so far reached 911 since 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) previously said. The City of Iloilo logged three additional confirmed cases of mpox, according to a report released by the Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) last Monday. The three additional cases are from the list of four suspected cases previously reported, according to GMA Regional TV. The three new confirmed cases have no close contact with the first confirmed case. Meanwhile, Go cited that as of June 5, Asia is experiencing a renewed rise in COVID-19 cases through the highly transmissible Omicron subvariant NB.1.8.1, which currently spreads across countries including India, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and others. Countries reported sharp increases despite severity remaining generally low and hospital systems are not overwhelmed. Symptoms associated with NB.1.8.1 include fatigue, sore throat, congestion, and fever. However, there's no indication yet that the variant leads to more severe illness. The number of young Filipinos infected with HIV has increased by 500%, prompting the DOH to request for the declaration of a national public health emergency for HIV. Go has also filed Senate Bill No. 195, proposing the creation of a Center for Disease Control modeled after the disease control institutions of other countries, and will serve as the central authority on public health surveillance and disease prevention. 'These institutions are vital to protecting our people and preparing our health system for the challenges ahead,' Go said. —KG, GMA Integrated News
