Public Health Disasters
1.4 million people with tuberculosis, lost out on treatment during first year of COVID-19 pandemic, according to World Health Organization.
Today is World TB Day. Observed on 24 March each year, the goal is to raise awareness and understanding about one of the world’s top infectious killers and catalyze action to address its devastating health, social, and economic impact around the world.
Yesterday, early phase 3 data from Oxford-AstraZeneca was published and shared about the latest clinical trial on its COVID-19 vaccine including a study conducted in United States. Post here: https://publichealthdisasters.com/2021/03/22/worlds-vaccine-found-79-percent-effective/. Now a possible rebuke?
“Vaccine for the world” – COVID-19 Vaccine by Oxford University and AstraZeneca was found to be 79 % effective against symptomatic COVID-19 and 100 % effective against severe illness. New clinical study data was released from recent studies carried out in United States, Chile and Peru. Including 32,449 adult participants in all age groups (most from United States), the study participants received either two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine or a placebo between four-week time. The two-shot system was completely effective at preventing severe cases of illness in the new studies. Five cases of severe illness were found in the new studies – all of them had received a placebo.
“Right now, millions of people across the country are desperately suffering from opioid addiction. They need help and they need it now”
– Quote from joint statement issued by 20+ US State Attorney Generals
Over 20+ US State Attorney Generals reject the current bankruptcy plan offered by Purdue Pharma, who have ongoing claims against them for their role in the opioid epidemic in United States. Still no admittance from owners of company on wrongdoing, though this addiction crisis has killed more than 450,000 Americans.
“Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine. I’m begging of you please don’t hesitate.”
Using celebrities to help lower the burden for adoption of a public health action may not have always worked, as there are many factors that shape a person’s desire for behavior change. Still, the vaccine campaign that Vanderbilt University & Dolly Parton organically put together should hopefully help reduce the burden of the rising skepticism with getting the vaccines in the United States.
Inspiring campaign by Brigg Reilley and team. Brigg founded it after losing a close family member to COVID-19 and seeing the disproportionate COVID-19 impact on Native American communities. The goal of the “Protects Me, Protects You” campaign (link in comment) is to build confidence in getting vaccinated. All the graphics and messaging (already translated over 20 languages and more on the way) are simple and FREE tools which any of us can use in our organizations, communities, and social circles to share hope and positive messaging during this phase of COVID-19.
100 million doses for US by the end of June 2021! A third COVID-19 vaccine option is now available in US. About 500 million doses are being purchased through Covax scheme for many global countries as well.
Mental Health Matters – you hear me say it all the time but how much self assessment have you done with yourself during the coronavirus pandemic?
Keeping Elderly Loneliness at Bay! If you missed reading the previous publications or webinars on this topic which featured myself and colleagues such as Aaron Clark-Ginsberg, Kristina Conroy, Stacy Mittelstaedt & Simone Bacchini, don’t worry – check out the latest research article on Public Health Post published today (link below & can be found here: https://hoo.be/sonny).
Kristina and I did our best to succinctly summarize what we found in our past research and highlighted ways that technology could help to reduce loneliness. Thanks to Michael Stein, Jennifer Beard, Nicholas Diamond, & rest of the team at Boston University School of Public Health for showcasing our work.
Link: https://www.publichealthpost.org/research/keeping-elderly-loneliness-at-bay-during-covid/
An unwanted milestone! The number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States may surpass 500,000 today. Many COVID-19 dashboard data platforms put the number at about 499,000 at time of writing.
The rise of the death toll has been growing at alarming rate. Roughly, the US coronavirus death toll since last May:
100,000: May 2020
200,000: September 2020
300,000: December 2020
400,000: January 2021
500,000: February 2021
Dr. Anthony Fauci was recently quoted that mask-wearing may continue into 2022. To ensure everyone’s safety, it is looking more and more like that.