Story at a glance The national mental health emergency hotline is getting a three digit number: 988. The new shorter number is easier to remember and more accessible, but could lead to an influx of phone calls. The old 1-800 number will still work. A therapist and a suicide prevention researcher weigh in. On July…
Author: Chia-Yi Hou
Majority of households have been affected by extreme weather events, leading to health and financial problems for some
Story at a glance Extreme weather events, like severe flooding from heavy rainfall, are affecting larger swathes of the U.S. A new poll finds that 78 percent of people surveyed have experienced a severe weather event in the last five years. Respondents report health and financial problems, as well as property damage as a result….
What to know about the new Novavax vaccine for COVID-19
Story at a glance The Maryland-based company Novavax has a COVID-19 vaccine that is approved for emergency use internationally but not yet in the U.S. The FDA’s Advisory Committee has recommended it be granted emergency use authorization. The manufacturing process follows more traditional vaccine production and can be slower to build up supply. Last week,…
What to know about the avian influenza outbreaks
Story at a glance Outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported among wild and domesticated birds since late 2021. A handful of cases in humans have been detected in the U.S. and U.K. The risk to people is low, although scientists are concerned that wild birds are spreading it and dying from it. Recent outbreaks…