PolicyAugust 24, 2018
Former CDC Director Tom Frieden Arrested on Sexual Misconduct Charge
The alleged incident occurred in October
Stories by Helen Branswell
Helen Branswell is STAT's infectious diseases and public health reporter. She comes from the Canadian Press, where she was the medical reporter for the past 15 years. Helen cut her infectious diseases teeth during Toronto's SARS outbreak in 2003 and spent the summer of 2004 embedded at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2010-11 she was a Nieman Global Health Fellow at Harvard, where she focused on polio eradication. Warning: Helen asks lots of questions.
Public HealthAugust 1, 2018
New Ebola Outbreak Declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Experimental therapies, shipped to the DRC for its last outbreak, are still in the country
MedicineJuly 17, 2018
Resistance to Gonorrhea Spurs Bespoke Treatments
Researchers are developing diagnostics to determine which drugs might work for specific patients
MedicineJune 28, 2018
A Flu Drug May Be Poised to Upend Treatment in U.S.
The medication can reduce the duration of symptoms
MedicineJune 17, 2018
Dengue Vaccine Maker Struggles to Find a Diagnostic That Will Make Its Product Safe to Use
Right now, each child would need to be tested prior to receiving the shot
Public HealthJune 9, 2018
China May Compete for Limited Opportunities to Test Ebola Vaccine
Only one experimental shot, made by Merck, has been approved for use amid the current outbreak
Public HealthMay 30, 2018
Ebola Outbreak Opens Way to Chaotic Jockeying to Test Experimental Drugs
The final decision about which potential therapies to allow rests with the DRC government
MedicineMay 14, 2018
Experimental Vaccine Will be Used against Ebola Outbreak in the DRC
The inoculation, called V920, was developed by Merck
Public HealthMay 9, 2018
WHO Officials Fear Latest Ebola Outbreak in Congo Could Spread to Big Cities
Two cases in the western part of the country have been confirmed
MedicineApril 26, 2018
Shoebox-Sized Lab Can Diagnose Infectious Diseases from a Drop of Blood
The device can already detect antibodies for measles and rubella
Public HealthApril 16, 2018
Ebola Vaccine Appears to Provide Long-Lasting Protection
Researchers are now optimistic about combating the virus with this inoculation
Public HealthMarch 20, 2018
When Towns Lose Their Newspapers, Disease Detectives Are Left Flying Blind
Reports from local communities have helped identify outbreaks
PolicyFebruary 1, 2018
CDC Director’s Investment in Tobacco, Drug Companies Baffles Ethics Experts
The purchases occurred after she took over the agency
Public HealthJanuary 9, 2018
“The Problem Child of Seasonal Flu”: Beware This Winter’s Virus
H3N2 is deadlier than many other influenza strains
Public HealthJanuary 5, 2018
CDC Plans Session on the Medical Response to a Nuclear Detonation
The public health workshop will include education on “preparing for the unthinkable”
Public HealthDecember 22, 2017
How to Stay Healthy While Traveling Over the Holidays
From norovirus to Zika, there are lots of nasty bugs out there.
NeurologyNovember 29, 2017
Scientist Concedes His Controversial MS Therapy is “Largely Ineffective”
A gold standard trial found the approach does not help patients
Public HealthNovember 28, 2017
Scarlet Fever, a Disease of Yore, Is Making a Comeback
The reason for the sudden surge remains a mystery
FitnessNovember 5, 2017
Scientists Solve a Dengue Mystery: Why Second Infection Is Worse Than First
Antibodies from a first bout can raise the risk of more severe disease if the virus is contracted later
Public HealthSeptember 13, 2017
Scientists Urge Caution about Study Linking Flu Vaccine to Some Miscarriages
Authors say result, based on small numbers, contradicts earlier works and prompts deeper digging
Public HealthSeptember 13, 2017
Former CDC Director Tom Frieden to Launch New Global Health Initiative
He wants to tackle trans fats and lower salt content, among other challenges
MedicineJuly 11, 2017
Vaccine Shows Protection against Gonorrhea for First Time
The shot was designed to protect against a strain of meningitis
Public HealthJuly 10, 2017
Scientists Re-created an Extinct Virus
The feat has triggered new warnings about controversial research
Public HealthJuly 7, 2017
Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald Named New CDC Director
Theincoming chief was a two-time Republican candidate for Congress