The state of New York sees first drop in opioid deaths since 2009
After years of rising opioid-related overdoses deaths among state residents, 2018 finally saw a drop, from 2,170 deaths in 2017, to 1,824 deaths – a 15.9 percent decrease.
Public health & disease
Researchers create AI system that predicts epileptic seizures with 99.6% accuracy
The system will give people suffering from epilepsy warning that a seizure is imminent, enabling them to take medication—or alert a friend, relative or medical professional.
14 of the largest US hospitals and health systems are investing $700 million into affordable housing
The new approach marks perhaps the first time that these health systems have acknowledged that impact investment can and should be part of their overall strategy for improving health and well-being in their communities.
First-ever Ebola vaccine approved by European regulators
The drug, which has already been given to hundreds of thousands of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, can now be distributed more widely.
E.U. to step up its support to Zimbabwe with a new package of €53 million
The new package will strengthen national health systems and promote equal access to health services, notably from a gender perspective.
Murder rate in India drops steadily to lowest since 1963
The murder rate in India in 2017 was the lowest it has been in the last 54 years. With the exception of 1963, it has never been lower since 1957, the earliest year for which data on this rate is available.
New drugs improve late-stage melanoma survival rate in the U.K. from 5% to 52%
Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK and kills nearly 2,300 people each year. Doctors said this new intervention marked an extraordinary and rapid transformation in care.
Washington state launches statewide standing order for Naloxone
Naloxone (or Narcan) is a medication that can save lives by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. Now anyone in Washington state who needs naloxone can get it at a pharmacy.
Abortion decriminalized in Sydney after Australian lawmakers overturn 119-year-old law
Women will now be able to get abortions up to 22 weeks into their pregnancy without proving that their health will be impacted if they continue the pregnancy.
Human organs can be stored for three times as long in major breakthrough for transplants
Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have developed a method to preserve livers for 27 hours, using a super-cooling method which ‘freezes’ the organ at -4C.