2019health news
Here are some of the top health news stories from 2019:
Vaccines
- Measles outbreaks: The US experienced its worst measles outbreak in 25 years, with over 1,200 cases reported. (Source: CDC)
- HPV vaccine: The FDA approved a new HPV vaccine that protects against nine types of HPV, including those that cause most cervical cancers. (Source: FDA)
Cancer
- Cancer deaths decline: According to the CDC, cancer deaths in the US declined by 2.2% from 2016 to 2017, the largest decline in 25 years. (Source: CDC)
- Immunotherapy: The FDA approved several new immunotherapy treatments for various types of cancer, including lung, breast, and kidney cancer. (Source: FDA)
Mental Health
- Mental health awareness: Mental health awareness increased significantly in 2019, with many celebrities and public figures speaking out about their own mental health struggles. (Source: Various news outlets)
- Suicide prevention: The US government launched a national suicide prevention hotline, 988, to provide support to those in crisis. (Source: SAMHSA)
Diseases
- Flu season: The 2018-2019 flu season was one of the worst in recent history, with over 49 million people infected and 79,000 deaths reported. (Source: CDC)
- Antibiotic resistance: The WHO warned that antibiotic resistance is a major global health threat, with many common infections becoming increasingly difficult to treat. (Source: WHO)
Nutrition and Food
- Plant-based diets: Plant-based diets were increasingly popular in 2019, with many celebrities and influencers promoting the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. (Source: Various news outlets)
- Food labeling: The FDA introduced new food labeling rules, requiring food manufacturers to list added sugars and other nutrients on packaging. (Source: FDA)
Healthcare
- Healthcare reform: The US government continued to work on healthcare reform, with several bills introduced to address issues such as prescription drug prices and healthcare access. (Source: Various news outlets)
- Telemedicine: Telemedicine continued to grow in popularity, with many healthcare providers offering virtual consultations and remote monitoring services. (Source: Various news outlets)
Other notable health news
- Gene editing: The FDA approved the first gene editing treatment, Zolgensma, for spinal muscular atrophy. (Source: FDA)
- Medical marijuana: Several states legalized medical marijuana in 2019, bringing the total number of states with legal medical marijuana to 33. (Source: Various news outlets)
- Public health crises: The world faced several public health crises in 2019, including the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: WHO)
These are just a few of the many health news stories from 2019. It was a year marked by significant advances in medicine, public health awareness, and ongoing challenges in healthcare.