Public Health

Cows and at least one person in the U.S. have been sickened by avian influenza. We asked experts about the risk to humans.

Scientists say extreme temperatures that reached 119 degrees Fahrenheit and killed at least 100 people in parts of West Africa would only occur every 200 years in the absence of climate change

At least 2.1 million cases of dengue fever have been reported in North and South America, and this year 1,800 people have died from the mosquito-borne disease

Deadly bites could surge as venomous snakes migrate into unprepared countries as the climate changes

A recent study suggests that Paxlovid is ineffective at treating symptoms in people with mild illness or those who have been fully vaccinated. It is still a lifesaving medication in vulnerable groups

The urban-rural mortality rate gap in the U.S. is increasing, especially among young women and Native Americans. Limited access to health care could help explain why

You’re going to want to guard your eyes from the sun using legitimate protective gear

Countries from Sierra Leone to Mexico are looking for low-cost, easy ways to protect residents from extreme heat, such as planting shade trees and setting up warning systems

Molecular biology could have changed the mpox epidemic—and could stop future outbreaks

Ailments of the mouth can put the body at risk for a slew of other ills. Some practitioners think dentistry should no longer be siloed

A growing number of measles cases in the U.S. has experts worried about how a decline in routine vaccinations could bring back preventable illnesses

A global study identified 61 PFAS chemicals in food packaging that are not authorized for use in such products