The CDC released a report showing that the rate of new HIV infections in the US has decreased by 12% between 2017 and 2021, despite a sharp drop in HIV testing in 2020. Other wealthy Western nations have seen even greater success, with annual infection rates dropping by more than 70% in the Netherlands, 68% in Italy and 44% in Australia. The CDC report is a positive sign of progress, but there is still much work to be done to ensure all Americans have access to HIV testing, treatment, and prevention.
Posts tagged as “CDC”
The CDC has reported 81 cases of highly drug-resistant bacterial infections linked to contaminated eyedrops, including four deaths and additional cases of vision loss. The CDC has recalled three products and is urging people to stop using any eyedrops from EzriCare or Delsam Pharma and to contact their healthcare provider if they have any symptoms of an eye infection. The agency is also working with the FDA to investigate the cause of the contamination and to identify any other products that may be affected.
President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss a way to break the logjam on the debt ceiling and avert a potential economic calamity. The White House has indicated that Biden is open to making changes to the budget, but will not accept any cuts to Social Security or Medicare. If an agreement is not reached by June 1, the U.S. could face a default on its debt, a situation that could have devastating economic consequences.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has announced her resignation, effective June 30. President Biden praised her work, saying she has saved lives with her focus on the health of every American. Walensky has been a key figure in the administration's pandemic response, helping to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States. It is unclear who will take over the role and what the future of the agency will be.
The CDC has announced that older adults aged 65 and up, as well as those with weakened immune systems, can now receive a second dose of the updated versions of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid booster shots. The agency has recommended that people wait at least two weeks after their first dose before getting the second dose, and that those immunocompromised should wait at least two months. Vaccination is the best way to protect against the virus, but it is not 100% effective, so people should still take precautions such as wearing a mask and social distancing.
Nine media organizations, including CNN, have filed a lawsuit in federal court against the FBI and US Attorney's Offices at the Justice Department for access to surveillance tapes of the Capitol Hill riot on January 6, 2021. The tapes, which have been provided exclusively to Fox News, contain 44,000 hours of footage and the plaintiffs argue that they should be made available to all media outlets. The lawsuit argues that the tapes are of public interest and the media outlets have diligently sought access to them for the past two years.
This article discusses the alarming rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the US in 2021, with syphilis rates increasing by 32%. Chlamydia accounted for more than half of the reported cases, and the most concerning increase was in cases of congenital syphilis, which rose by 32% and caused 220 stillbirths and infant deaths. The CDC recommends regular testing for STIs, particularly for pregnant women, in order to prevent further spread of the infection.
Former President Donald Trump has filed an appeal in federal court in Washington, DC, seeking to block former Vice President Mike Pence from testifying before a grand jury investigating Trump's role in the efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The Biden administration has said it is committed to transparency and accountability, and that it will cooperate with any investigations into the Trump administration. It is unclear how the appeal will affect the investigation.