Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease: What Is It? Symptoms, Risk Factors, Contagiousness—and Why It’s on the Rise in New York

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease: What Is It? Symptoms, Risk Factors, Contagiousness—and Why It’s on the Rise in New York

By: Janet Howard Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness familiar to many parents and pediatricians—but that doesn’t make it harmless. Recently, healthcare providers in New York have observed a notable rise in HFMD cases, particularly in the spring and summer months. Here’s what you need to know: what HFMD is, how […]

5 Years of COVID-19 Underscore Value of Coordinated Efforts to Manage Disease – While CDC, NIH and WHO Face Threats to their Ability to Respond to a Crisis

5 Years of COVID-19 Underscore Value of Coordinated Efforts to Manage Disease – While CDC, NIH and WHO Face Threats to their Ability to Respond to a Crisis

By Katherine A. Foss, THE CONVERSATION | Editorial credit: Tada Images / shutterstock.com  Five years ago, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a global pandemic. The novel coronavirus, dubbed SARS-CoV-2, began as a “cluster of severe pneumonia cases of unknown cause” reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It had […]

How to Stay Safe as Measles Cases Emerge in NYC

How to Stay Safe as Measles Cases Emerge in NYC

By Eliza Fawcett, Healthbeat, THE CITY  With measles cases on the rise in the United States, public health experts in New York are encouraging vaccination against the highly contagious virus. Measles spreads easily and can lead to serious complications, or death, among those who are unvaccinated. New York City has confirmed two cases of measles […]

Your Favorite Drink Can Cause Breast Cancer – but Most Women in the US aren’t Aware of Alcohol’s Health Risks

Your Favorite Drink Can Cause Breast Cancer – but Most Women in the US aren’t Aware of Alcohol’s Health Risks

By THE CONVERSATION  Did you know that casual drinks with friends or having a “wine mom” moment to unwind could actually be nudging up your risk for breast cancer? It sounds like a buzzkill. But it’s a truth that many might not know: Alcohol actually causes breast cancer. The World Health Organization and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse […]

The Human and Economic Cost of Major Health Diseases in East New York and Brownsville, Brooklyn

The Human and Economic Cost of Major Health Diseases in East New York and Brownsville, Brooklyn

By Chris Tobias | Editorial credit: emin kuliyev / shutterstock.com  East New York and Brownsville, two neighborhoods in Brooklyn, New York City, face significant health challenges that have profound human and economic impacts. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension are prevalent, leading to a cascade of related health issues and substantial financial burdens […]

HIV Understanding Its Impact on the Body and Effects on Children Born to HIV-Positive Parents

HIV Understanding Its Impact on the Body and Effects on Children Born to HIV-Positive Parents

By Chris Tobias Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a chronic viral infection that targets the immune system, weakening its ability to fight infections and diseases. If left untreated, HIV can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a life-threatening condition. Beyond its profound effects on the individual, HIV can also impact children born to parents with […]