Health

Recent developments have heightened global health concerns, as the World Health Organization recently classified a new mpox outbreak in Africa as a global health emergency. A day later, Sweden confirmed its first case of a particularly virulent strain of the disease, underscoring the reality that the threat of a global pandemic persists. Monkeypox, formerly known as Mpox, has seen a dramatic increase in cases across Africa, with a 160 percent increase in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period in 2023. To date, the continent has reported more than 15,600 cases with 537 deaths, the…

It’s been a year of anticipation for Lykos Therapeutics, as they await a landmark decision from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The drugmaker had filed an application to approve MDMA as a treatment for PTSD, expecting a positive outcome that would catapult them to new heights. However, on August 9, the FDA responded with a rebuttal, culminating growing concerns about the quality of Lykos’ clinical trials. Following the decision, the journal Psychopharmacology retracted three studies related to MDMA research, citing unethical practices and making serious allegations, including sexual misconduct by an unlicensed therapist at one of the study sites.…

On a recent visit to a densely populated homeless shelter in Delhi, India, I encountered firsthand the harsh reality of tuberculosis (TB), a disease that continues to claim lives in underprivileged regions despite current medical advances. A young boy whose family had recently moved into the shelter shared his harrowing experience with TB, which, due to a late diagnosis, led to the tragic loss of his sister. Despite being an airborne bacterial disease that has historically caused a significant share of deaths in developed nations such as the United States, TB has been largely controlled in these regions. However, in…

In recent news, the White House has made a significant announcement that marks a new chapter in health care policy. This development is the culmination of years of tireless effort: For the first time, the U.S. government has successfully negotiated drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies. This achievement is noteworthy because the battle to reduce health care costs has always been daunting; thus, Medicare’s new ability to negotiate marks a pivotal moment. In the United States, an estimated 18 million people struggle to afford essential medications. As a result, any reduction in drug prices is likely to have a substantial…