Yes, it’s that time — spring is in the air, and unfortunately, so are tree pollen and mold spores.  Beginning in March, hay fever, which is an allergy to pollen or mold, affects 30 to 60 million people in the U.S.  Trees cause allergies because they produce small pollen grains that are light and dry and can be carried far by the spring breeze. Similarly, mold releases spores that are also carried by the wind. They’re abundant in the air, and mold allergy sufferers experience the height of symptoms from spring through fall.  Rain washes allergens away, but thunderstorms don’t have the same...

Before the COVID-19 pandemic brought heightened attention to anti-science sentiments, the spread of misinformation has long threatened to undermine public health efforts. Optimal public health depends on effective messaging about vaccines and the prevention of highly infectious diseases.  Understanding the impacts of the anti-vaxxer movement is crucial to implementing public health communication strategies promoting positive health and protecting against widespread misinformation.  The Harm of Disinformation  The spread of disinformation can fuel and exacerbate false beliefs, and it can also...

As the COVID-19 pandemic has approached the second anniversary of the massive shutdown of the United States and other countries around the world, many are wondering if the SARS-CoV-2 virus will still be an omnipresent component of daily life in another two years.  One of the ways in which COVID-19 can be reliably suppressed and managed could be for public health officials and medical providers to successfully transition from a state of periodic boosters to a more routine annual vaccination schedule, similar to the annual flu vaccine.  Here’s what you need to know about the future of boosters...

Over 80 percent of people in the U.S. report that the crisis in Ukraine and current inflation are significant sources of stress. It's normal to feel anxiety, grief, or pressure regarding the present struggle besieging Ukraine. No one can predict how or when this conflict will end, therefore, the uncertainty can take its toll on your health and sense of safety. Nevertheless, you can take steps to safeguard your health, cope with anxiety, and be a source of support for others.  Effects of Developing News about the War  War anxiety can have significant effects on our physical and mental well-being....

Millions of people in the United States misuse opioids, with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimating that more than 10 million people ages 12 or older struggled with opioid abuse within a recent year. Opioids accounted for two-thirds of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in a recent year, as well.  Families of those who have succumbed to opiate addiction, local governments, and members of the medical community at large, have been attempting to hold major drug companies accountable for the manufacturing and sale of these addictive medications, citing deceptive marketing practices...