Public Health in the News (4/9/17 – 4/15/17)

By Grace Bellinger – Blog Editor

Global

• Podoconiosis outbreak in Uganda caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil, rather than worms.
• Yellow fever outbreak in rural Brazil continues to grow.
• China is concerned that more people have died from bird flu this season than any other season since its discovery.

National

• A panel of experts has proposed that older men should discuss the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening with their doctor.
• The CDC has reported that thousands of people continue to die each year from a cancer linked to asbestos, despite federal regulations.
• Childhood cases of type 2 diabetes are on the rise along with childhood obesity.
• The FDA has stated that St. Jude Medical downplayed the battery problems in their defibrillators.

Northwestern

• Recent Northwestern Medicine study reports the quality of life of women following mastectomy and different forms of breast reconstruction.