Penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic, transformed medicine in the early 1940s. Yet, in the beginning, production was so costly that only small batches could be made. Albert Alexander, the first patient treated with penicillin, died from its insufficient quantity.

During and after World War II, production methods improved, sparking a medical revolution. Today, many are hoping for a similar breakthrough with sickle cell disease. Gene therapies offer a promising solution, but several significant obstacles prevent treatment access.

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On average, office employees spend up to 15 hours a day sitting. For decades, studies have shown that prolonged sitting increases health risks. It’s linked to higher rates of mortality and cardiovascular disease in both men and women.

As a result, standing desks have been proposed as a healthier alternative to sitting. Many have turned to this technology to improve wellness at work. In fact, the height-adjustable desk market was valued at $5.5 billion in 2023. Market value will reach over $10 billion by 2034, growing nearly 6% year-over-year.

Yet, new research suggests that standing may not improve health outcomes. In fact, standing for too long could come with its own risks.

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Egypt is the 44th country to be certified malaria-free, and the first to achieve this since 2010. Egypt’s certification marks one more step in the global effort to eradicate malaria.

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s flu shot is seeing its first major change in over a decade. Since 2013, flu shots have included four viral strains. But global travel restrictions reduced spread and may have eliminated one of them. As travel resumes, influenza vaccines remain crucial for controlling spread and preventing illness.

Influenza shots provide the most effective prevention against severe forms of the flu. According to the CDC, everyone six months of age and older should receive the flu vaccine each year. Annual vaccination is a critical to protect vulnerable groups and limit spread.

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Whooping cough (pertussis) cases surged in 2024, showing a sharp rise over last year. By late October, cases were over five times higher than the same period in 2023. Numbers have even surpassed pre-pandemic levels from 2019.

Doctors recommend that infants, children, adolescents, and adults all receive the pertussis vaccine.

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The Avian H5N1 influenza virus was recently found in a pig on an Oregon farm. This marks the first recorded instance of swine carrying bird flu in the United States. Pigs serve as “mixing vessels” where viruses can mutate, leading to human-to-human transmission.

Such a development could spark the next global pandemic—a scenario the U.S. and world are not prepared for. Gaps in vaccine readiness and stockpiling are vast. Medical and government officials must consider the possibility of a major H1N1-like outbreak.

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Global heat levels are climbing, jeopardizing public health and environmental agreements. In 2024, extreme temperatures set records, causing deadly climate events worldwide. Heat-related deaths in the United States also hit a 45-year high.

Some international efforts aim to combat climate change. But significant shifts are needed to address current global heat risks.

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Sunita Bhaiji was 13 when a mosquito bite changed her life. The mosquito carried a parasite that caused lymphatic filariasis, or elephantiasis. Now in her 60s, Sunita suffers from severe leg swelling. She faces stigma and alienation from close family members and her local community.

Sadly, Sunita is far from alone. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) impact hundreds of millions worldwide.

Climate change is worsening the spread of NTDs. Rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns fuel their spread. Global efforts to address NTDs have grown, but action remains urgent.

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Seventeen-month-old Zamira fell ill after returning from the Philippines. Back in the United States, she had severe vomiting, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Her symptoms seemed completely out of place for her healthy lifestyle.

The onset was sudden. At first, doctors misdiagnosed her with meningitis. For two months, she stayed in the hospital while they treated her for the wrong condition.

Finally, they found the true cause: tuberculosis meningitis. This form of TB infects the tissue around the brain or spinal cord.

Fortunately, with the correct treatment, Zamira fully recovered. Her ordeal led her mother to urge the world to end tuberculosis. Still, the fight against TB is far from over.

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Karen Terlach, a 64-year-old grandmother, has battled chronic back pain since her 30s. Initially, she tried prescription medications, but the side effects outweighed the benefits. Later, a doctor suggested stretching exercises, which offered some relief.

Karen’s curiosity about stretching soon led her to yoga. The practice transformed her experience with back pain. Now, Karen is training at the Cleveland Clinic School of Yoga to help others ease theirs.

Karen isn’t alone in finding relief through yoga. Many people with chronic back pain have found it both effective and empowering. A recent randomized clinical trial supports yoga’s effectiveness in treating back pain.

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