Public Health
The U.S. Just Lost 26 Years’ Worth of Progress on Life Expectancy
COVID and overdose deaths have sharply cut U.S. life expectancy, with Indigenous peoples experiencing the biggest decline
Public Health3596 articles archived since 1845
Pollution
People Exposed to Harmful Wildfire Smoke Often Live Far from Lung Specialists
Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires, and those most affected by their pollution must drive miles to access care
Epidemiology
What Does the Future of Monkeypox Look Like?
With cases declining in the U.S. and Europe, here are some scenarios of how the outbreak might play out
Public Health
Understanding Morals Is Key to Accepting Safe Injection Sites
While controversial, safe injection sites help people who need them, and applying moral foundations theory to others’ hesitations could help sway the public
Public Health
Everything You Need to Know about Polio in the U.S.
People fully vaccinated against polio have little to fear
Public Health
The Government Is Racing to Put Your Toilet Under Surveillance—For a Good Reason
A relatively new type of snooping—we will call it poop snooping—could help us all react more quickly to new variants of the COVID-causing coronavirus or future pandemics...
Public Health
What the Disease Feels Like, and Presidents Can’t End Pandemics: COVID, Quickly, Episode 39
On this episode of the COVID, Quickly podcast, Josh Fischman gets COVID, and President Joe Biden says the pandemic is over.
Climate Change
Extreme Heat Saps Billions in Worker Productivity
Annual worker productivity losses from extreme heat amounted to $44 billion on average across 12 cities and are projected to rise to $84 billion by 2050
Public Health
The Hidden Toll of Wildfires
A huge aerial campaign seeks to understand the effects of biomass smoke on human health
Public Health
Why So Few Young Kids Are Vaccinated against COVID—And How to Change That
A small fraction of young children in the U.S. are vaccinated against COVID. Pediatricians can help
Cancer
Most People at Risk for Lung Cancer Never Get Screened: Here’s How to Fix That
U.S. lung cancer screening guidelines miss people who have never smoked, as well as many women and Black people. Expanding outreach and eligibility could help
Cancer
Almost Half of Cancer Deaths Are Preventable
Data show that smoking, drinking alcohol and having a high body mass index are the biggest contributors to cancer worldwide
Public Health
A New Way to Measure Heat Risks for People
Facing more sizzling summers, Colorado tests a new risk formula that raises the likelihood of health warnings
Public Health
A Community-Led Response Can Help Stem Racial Disparities in COVID
Pittsburgh’s Black residents are at a high risk of contracting COVID. A Black-led coalition is trying to reduce it
Public Health
Back-to-School Special: Kids, Tests and Long COVID Reassurance: COVID, Quickly, Episode 37
This is our back-to-school special episode of COVID, Quickly . We’ll talk about why COVID testing is about to become a school problem—and about whether or not kids are at risk for long COVID...
Public Health
A Cure for Vaccine Hesitancy Could Start in Kindergarten
Teaching simple basics in school about masks, handwashing and ethics can stave off misconceptions in adulthood
Public Health
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Why do we pay attention to the quality of our drinking water but not to our indoor air? Scientific American senior health editor Tanya Lewis explains how and why this matters...
Pharmaceuticals
Does a Smallpox Drug Work for Monkeypox? What Scientists Know
The antiviral Tecovirimat (TPOXX) shows promise against monkeypox, but human data and supplies are limited
Epidemiology
Long COVID in Children Appears Less Common Than Early Fears Suggested
Although the risk of long COVID is not insignificant, it is much lower than previously thought
Public Health
Scientists Reflect on Anthony Fauci’s Impact
From the AIDS epidemic to the COVID-19 pandemic, the iconic medical chief has advised seven presidents on numerous outbreaks
