public health
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture is ramping up efforts to stop the spread of New World screwworms by releasing billions of sterile flies over southern Texas and Mexico. The screwworm’s larvae consume live flesh, posing a threat to livestock, pets, wildlife, and even humans. A sterile fly program—once used successfully in the 1960s—is being revived, […]
Dr. Keith Grams from Rochester Regional Health offered critical safety tips for handling fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July. Firework-related injuries caused 11 deaths and over 14,000 injuries in 2024, including 1,700 ER visits for sparklers. Grams emphasized the importance of keeping children supervised and maintaining a safe distance during displays. He also warned […]
Jamie Peterson of Rochester, NY, is raising awareness about lead poisoning after her son Ryder tested with an alarmingly high blood lead level of 182—nearly four times the emergency threshold. Peterson moved into a rental property in 2021, unaware it contained lead hazards. Her son, then 18 months old, showed developmental delays and was diagnosed […]
With extreme heat gripping much of the U.S., health experts stress the importance of recognizing and treating heat exhaustion. The condition occurs when the body overheats and loses water and salt through excessive sweating, leading to dizziness, nausea, cramps, and a rapid heart rate. High-risk groups include outdoor workers, athletes, older adults, children, and those […]
A massive heat dome affecting over 90 million Americans is amplifying air pollution, posing a “double whammy” health threat. Scientists warn that extreme heat can trap polluted air, preventing its dispersion, and climate change-driven wildfires worsen the situation by releasing dangerous particulate matter. Ground-level ozone and PM2.5 levels rise during such events, triggering respiratory, cardiovascular, […]
With extreme heat now a leading cause of weather-related deaths, New York State is stepping up its public health response by launching a new interactive Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard. Developed by the Department of Health in partnership with the National Weather Service and the NYS Mesonet, the dashboard uses a five-color scale to forecast […]
A new study in JAMA Pediatrics reveals nearly 19 million U.S. children live with a parent who has a substance use disorder, with 7.6 million exposed to moderate or severe addiction. Alcohol is the most common substance involved. Experts warn these children face higher risks for mental health issues, abuse, and future substance problems. Pediatricians […]
The Ontario County Health Department has confirmed a measles case linked to an individual recently returned from Ontario, Canada, where an outbreak is underway. The infected person self-isolated, and all close contacts were vaccinated. The individual has since fully recovered. Health Director Kate Ott emphasized that there is currently no public risk but encouraged travelers […]
Monroe County will host three pharmaceutical waste collection events in 2025 in partnership with Wegmans and the Sheriff’s Office. The program aims to prevent environmental contamination and reduce access to unused medications amid the opioid crisis. Residents can dispose of pills, syringes, inhalers, and more at designated Wegmans locations in May, July, and September. Additional […]
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is compiling a sweeping dataset of American health records for autism research under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s direction. The initiative will aggregate data from federal agencies, commercial providers, insurance companies, wearable devices, and more—creating one of the most comprehensive platforms ever for autism and […]
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