Demographics

How pharmacy deserts are putting the health of Black and Latino Americans at risk Lack of access to a nearby pharmacy can have major health consequences by impeding people's ability to get vaccinations and keep up with prescriptions. Anika Nayak STAT

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Newborn syphilis cases at highest level in 30 years: CDC Cases of newborn syphilis are rising rapidly in the U.S., and federal health officials are sounding the alarm and urging action.  New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (… nweixel The Hill

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show cases are at the highest level in at least 30 years. There were more than 3,700 infants born with syphilis in 2022, a tenfold increase over the past 10 years.

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COVID-19 death rates higher for ‘critical’ occupations, new study shows The new University of Minnesota study looked COVID-19 deaths by occupation, finding which workers faced the greatest risk from the virus. The study also pointed out failures in Minnesota's rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. Yahoo News

...Previous studies have revealed disparities in COVID-19-related deaths among population demographics, including age, race and pre-existing medical conditions, but a new study by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health (SPH) has determined another factor – a person’s profession.

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Study: Paxlovid safe, effective in pregnancy EmiliaU / iStock CIDRAP

A study based on 211 pregnant women given the antiviral drug nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid) during pregnancy for acute COVID-19 infections shows no increased risk of adverse events in the women or their babies and a reduced risk of complications called the maternal morbidity and mortality index (MMMI).

The findings, published today in Nature Medicine, suggest the drug is safe to use in pregnancy and is effective in reducing MMMI risk but not COVID-related hospitalizations.

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