Global & Public Health (all articles)
WHO approves first ever malaria vaccine for children at risk.
7 Oct, 2021 | 10:40h | UTCWHO recommends groundbreaking malaria vaccine for children at risk – World Health Organization
Commentaries:
WHO Approves First Ever Malaria Vaccine – Health Policy Watch
In major decision, WHO recommends broad rollout of world’s first malaria vaccine – STAT
Why the WHO approval of the first malaria vaccine is a big deal – Vox
WHO greenlights the world’s first malaria vaccine — but it’s not a perfect shot – NPR
The World Health Organization Just Endorsed The World’s First Malaria Vaccine – TIME
WHO Backs Widespread Use Of First Malaria Vaccine – Forbes
World’s 1st malaria vaccine recommended by WHO – LiveScience
Commentaries on Twitter
I started my career as a #malaria researcher, and I longed for the day that we would have an effective vaccine against this ancient and terrible disease. Today is that day: @WHO is recommending the broad use of the world’s first malaria vaccine. #EndMalaria https://t.co/Oh1O155tYj
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 6, 2021
(thread – click for more)
A child dies from #malaria every two minutes.
One death is one too many.🚨 Today, WHO recommends RTS,S, a groundbreaking malaria vaccine, to reduce child illness & deaths in areas with moderate and high malaria transmission https://t.co/xSk58nTIV1#VaccinesWork pic.twitter.com/mSECLtRhQs
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) October 6, 2021
Choosing Wisely: Seven things physicians and residents/patients should question in long term care.
7 Oct, 2021 | 10:31h | UTCSee complete lists of low-value practices: Choosing Wisely U.S. / Choosing Wisely UK / Choosing Wisely Australia AND Choosing Wisely Canada
Sweden, Denmark pause Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for younger age groups.
7 Oct, 2021 | 10:45h | UTCSweden, Denmark pause Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for younger age groups – Reuters
The Lancet Commission: transforming access to diagnostics.
7 Oct, 2021 | 10:33h | UTCNews release: The Lancet: Half of the global population lack access to basic diagnostics for many common diseases
Video: Transforming access to diagnostics | The Lancet Commission on diagnostics
Homepage: The Lancet Commission on diagnostics: transforming access to diagnostics
The Lancet Commission on diagnostics: transforming access to diagnostics (free registration required)
Transforming access to diagnostics: how to turn good intentions into action? (free registration required)
Can COVID-19 help accelerate and transform the diagnostics agenda?
Commentary: A Grim Diagnosis – Half The World’s Population Has Limited Access To Diagnostics – Forbes
Related:
WHO Updates Global Guidance on Medicines and Diagnostic Tests
The WHO Essential Diagnostic List: A Tool for the Future
Perspective: Health Care is an Essential Human Right – And So Is a Proper Diagnosis
Report: First-ever WHO List of Essential Diagnostic Tests
Commentary on Twitter
https://twitter.com/DiagnosticsCom/status/1445879305536483332
Cohort Study: Effect of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns on planned cancer surgery for 15 tumor types in 61 countries.
6 Oct, 2021 | 10:09h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
What were the unintended consequences of COVID lockdowns on cancer care?@CovidSurg study in @TheLancetOncol:
🔹Lockdowns independently associated with delayed treatment
🔹At median 5.3 months f/u, 1 in 7 pts had not had planned cancer surgery🆓https://t.co/UZe0euq5kg pic.twitter.com/4fPl6UEb9D
— Dmitri Nepogodiev (@dnepo) October 5, 2021
Opinion | Why Are Americans Still—Still!—Wearing Cloth Masks?
6 Oct, 2021 | 10:04h | UTCWhy Are Americans Still—Still!—Wearing Cloth Masks? – The Atlantic
Related:
Evidence shows that, yes, masks prevent COVID-19 – and surgical masks are the way to go.
[Preprint] Largest study of masks yet details their importance in fighting Covid-19.
Commentary on Twitter
Any mask is better than no mask, especially indoors. But for those who are at higher risk of severe disease or around lots of unvaccinated people, consider upgrading to an N95 (or equivalent) mask, which are more protective. https://t.co/vhNPadTP8O
— Dr. Tom Frieden (@DrTomFrieden) October 5, 2021
EMA recommendations on extra doses and boosters of BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines.
6 Oct, 2021 | 10:15h | UTCComirnaty and Spikevax: EMA recommendations on extra doses and boosters – European Medicines Agency
Related: The difference between COVID-19 ‘third doses’ and ‘boosters’ – Emory News Center
Commentary on Twitter
EMA recommended additional doses and boosters for #Comirnaty and #Spikevax. https://t.co/qefPg2kMMO
In this context, see below what the difference between an additional dose and a #boosterdose is. pic.twitter.com/HeyOACbWXm
— EU Medicines Agency (@EMA_News) October 5, 2021
What we know — and don’t know — about Merck’s new Covid-19 pill.
6 Oct, 2021 | 10:07h | UTCWhat we know — and don’t know — about Merck’s new Covid-19 pill – STAT
Related:
Merck’s Covid-19 pill is great news but may not be a game-changer.
Video | A Pill For COVID? A Doctor Explains Molnupiravir.
Supplement: Triumphs of Vaccination.
6 Oct, 2021 | 08:55h | UTCHomepage: Triumphs of Vaccination – The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Hib Vaccines: Their Impact on Haemophilus influenzae Type b Disease
The Rotavirus Vaccine Story: From Discovery to the Eventual Control of Rotavirus Disease
Triumph of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines: Overcoming a Common Foe
Rubella Eradication: Not Yet Accomplished, but Entirely Feasible
Live Attenuated Varicella Vaccine: Prevention of Varicella and of Zoster
Immunization Against Poliomyelitis and the Challenges to Worldwide Poliomyelitis Eradication
Influenza Vaccines: Successes and Continuing Challenges
Measles in the 21st Century: Progress Toward Achieving and Sustaining Elimination
Overview of the United States’ Immunization Program
The World of Immunization: Achievements, Challenges, and Strategic Vision for the Next Decade
Is salt good for you after all? The evidence says no.
6 Oct, 2021 | 08:52h | UTCIs salt good for you after all? The evidence says no – The Conversation
Related:
Systematic Review: Altered dietary salt intake for people with chronic kidney disease.
New WHO benchmarks help countries reduce salt intake and save lives.
RCT: Reduced-sodium added-potassium salt substitute reduces blood pressure in hypertensive patients
Potassium Enriched Salt Substitution Could Prevent a Large Number of Cardiovascular Deaths
Meta-Analysis: Effect of Reduction in Dietary Sodium on Blood Pressure Levels
Cohort study: Acute myocarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in adults aged 18 years or older is rare, and most cases are not severe.
5 Oct, 2021 | 10:07h | UTCEditorial: COVID-19 Messenger RNA Vaccination and Myocarditis—A Rare and Mostly Mild Adverse Effect
Commentary on Twitter
New report on very rare acute myocarditis after mRNA vaccination in age 18+
5.8 cases/million after 2nd dose, 0.8/million 1st dose, all cases fully resolved with conservative managementhttps://t.co/Mfh5ImiSpW @KPSCALnews @KPSCalResearch @JAMAInternalMed— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) October 4, 2021
Cohort study: Pfizer vaccine effectiveness against any infections declined from 88% during the first month after full vaccination to 47% after 5 months. Vaccine effectiveness against hospital admissions remained high; 87% within 1 month, and 88% at 5 months after full vaccination, with no significant waning.
5 Oct, 2021 | 10:09h | UTCCommentary: Expert reaction to study on Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine effectiveness up to 6 months – Science Media Centre
Commentary on Twitter
Study of 3.4 million people @aboutKP @TheLancet
Vaccine efficacy against infections:
– First month post: 88%
– 5 months post: 47%But vaccine efficacy against hospitalization (Figure):
– First month post: 87%
– 5 months post: 88 %https://t.co/1Gse0FKpoI pic.twitter.com/p9wyiaWGeg— Vincent Rajkumar (@VincentRK) October 4, 2021
New Zealand acknowledges it can no longer completely get rid of the coronavirus.
5 Oct, 2021 | 10:02h | UTCNew Zealand acknowledges it can no longer completely get rid of the coronavirus – NPR
See also:
New Zealand admits it can no longer get rid of coronavirus – Associated Press
Battling Delta, New Zealand Abandons Its Zero-Covid Ambitions – The New York Times
Video | A Pill For COVID? A Doctor Explains Molnupiravir.
5 Oct, 2021 | 09:57h | UTCA Pill For COVID? | A Doctor Explains Molnupiravir – ZDoggMD
Merck’s Covid-19 pill is great news but may not be a game-changer.
5 Oct, 2021 | 09:59h | UTCMerck’s Covid-19 pill is great news but may not be a game-changer – CNN
AAN Position Statement: Ethical perspectives on costly drugs and health care.
5 Oct, 2021 | 08:57h | UTCEthical Perspectives on Costly Drugs and Health Care: AAN Position Statement – Neurology
News release: AAN Issues Ethics Position Statement on Costly Drugs and Health Care – American Academy of Neurology
[Press release – not published yet] Merck announces oral antiviral Molnupiravir reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by approximately 50 Percent compared to placebo for patients with mild or moderate COVID-19.
3 Oct, 2021 | 23:02h | UTCCommentaries:
Expert reaction to interim analysis of oral antiviral molnupiravir – Science Media Centre
Covid antiviral pill can halve risk of hospitalization – BBC
Why Merck’s Covid-19 pill molnupiravir could be so important – Vox
Commentaries on Twitter
.@DrEricDing convinced many that stopping the #molnupiravir trial early for benefit was a good idea
But it was NOT
Large body of evidence suggests that stopping early for benefit biases the results: overestimates the benefits of the treatment #EBM https://t.co/b3tHEtliO0 https://t.co/LwuCgqcY0C pic.twitter.com/vyPWc0nd37
— Kari Tikkinen (@KariTikkinen) October 2, 2021
(thread – click for more)
💡BREAKING—New oral anti-viral drug *molnupiravir* cuts risk of #COVID19 hospitalization and death **in HALF** in a randomized trial. Results so astounding that the trial is being stopped early, and Merck plans to apply for emergency authorization ASAP. 🧵 https://t.co/g8JGNzvuRg pic.twitter.com/K1SwC3QFXS
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) October 1, 2021
[Preprint] Assessing the Burden of COVID-19 in Developing Countries: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Public Policy Implications.
3 Oct, 2021 | 22:56h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
https://twitter.com/GidMK/status/1444125087553114113
Will the pandemic fade into an ordinary disease like the flu? The world is watching Denmark for clues.
3 Oct, 2021 | 22:58h | UTC
New analysis shows benefits of offering two doses of COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 12-17 clearly outweigh risks.
3 Oct, 2021 | 22:52h | UTCOriginal report: Vaccinating adolescents against SARS-CoV-2 in England: a risk-benefit analysis
Related: Covid: Single jab recommended for 12 to 15-year-olds by UK’s top doctors.
Editorial | Clinical ethics: consent for vaccination in children.
3 Oct, 2021 | 22:53h | UTCClinical ethics: consent for vaccination in children – Archives of Disease in Childhood
Editorial | Covid-19 vaccination: evidence of waning immunity is overstated.
3 Oct, 2021 | 22:49h | UTCCovid-19 vaccination: evidence of waning immunity is overstated – The BMJ
Related:
COVID vaccine effects wane over time but still prevent death and severe illness.
Perspective | What we actually know about waning immunity.
Another study shows Pfizer mRNA vaccine immunity is reduced over time.
Studies: COVID vaccine protection waning against infection but not hospitalization.
Pfizer says it’s time for a Covid booster; FDA and CDC say not so fast.
WHO prioritizes access to diabetes and cancer treatments in new Essential Medicines Lists.
3 Oct, 2021 | 22:46h | UTCNews Release: WHO prioritizes access to diabetes and cancer treatments in new Essential Medicines Lists – World Health Organization
Report: WHO model list of essential medicines – 22nd list, 2021 – World Health Organization
Commentary: For the first time, WHO committee recommends action on high-priced essential medicines – STAT
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
🆕 WHO 2021 Essential Medicines Lists have 20 new medicines for adults & 17 for children, incl. insulin analogues, new oral medicines for diabetes & medicines for cancer treatment https://t.co/LfWwHEZtuM pic.twitter.com/HMFOP8ioBf
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) October 1, 2021
Physician Well-being 2.0: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?
3 Oct, 2021 | 22:36h | UTCPhysician Well-being 2.0: Where Are We and Where Are We Going? – Mayo Clinic Proceedings
Related:
[Abstract Only] Assessment of Risk Factors for Suicide Among US Health Care Professionals
Beyond Burnout: Docs Decry ‘Moral Injury’ From Financial Pressures of Health Care
Perspective: Hospital Administration Response to Physician Stress and Burnout
Opinion: It’s Time to Talk About Physician Burnout and Moral Injury
Systematic Review: Effect of Organization-Directed Workplace Interventions on Physician Burnout
Perspective: The 3 Causes Of Physician Burnout (And Why There’s No Simple Solution)
Physician Burnout: A Global Crisis (several resources on the subject)
Efficient and targeted COVID-19 border testing via reinforcement learning.
1 Oct, 2021 | 10:33h | UTCEfficient and targeted COVID-19 border testing via reinforcement learning – Nature
Editorial: Greece used AI to curb COVID: what other nations can learn – Nature
Commentary: An algorithm may have helped slow the spread of COVID-19 in Greece – University of Southern California
Commentary on Twitter
https://twitter.com/NaturePortfolio/status/1440810407334080519