Public Health Headlines: 2024 | Johns Hopkins

This year has been a roller coaster for public health, with historic firsts, unwelcome resurgences, and rays of hope. Here's a look back at some of the key public health topics we covered in 2024.

The Usual Suspects: Coronavirus and Influenza

2023 Public Health Highlightsnoted that experts predict 2024 as follows: “About the year” They were not wrong in that many viruses are circulating: Thank you Suboptimal vaccination coveragethe CDC's estimates for the 2023-2024 influenza season are: Rising numbers of illnesses and deaths The number of deaths from the previous season and the number of pediatric deaths in the United States this season (200) have already been exceeded the highest value previously reported For a non-pandemic flu season.

In March, for the first time since 2021, CDC updates coronavirus isolation guidanceJust a few months before the rise of “FLiRT variants”” KP.2 and its parent JN.1. summer surge. The latest new coronavirus vaccine, Released in late Augustincluded mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer, and a protein-based vaccine from Novavax. However, like the influenza vaccine, uptake has so far been low.

H5N1 avian influenza has spread its wings

H5N1 has been circulating in wild birds and poultry farms for many years, but the outbreak of the H5N1 virus has attracted even more attention. contained in dairy cows As of December 18th, this virus has been reported in the following locations: 123,689,426 poultry And even more 860 dairy farms.

More than 50 human infections It has also been confirmed in the United States, where the virus was introduced in October. found in pigs-There is growing concern about the ability to mutate across species.

“Good news so far.” Andrew PecosPh.D., Professor Molecular microbiology and immunology, said In November, it said “no human-to-human transmission of any significant nature has been clearly recorded or detected.”

New implications of abortion bans

From 2022 onwards Dobbs decision, Women's Health Care in the United States is facing new challenges. The ban on abortion is Changing where future doctors learn and workFor example, health care shortages and disparities could become even worse.

Analysis of national survey data in January Self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression found to be on the rise Among respondents in states that banned abortion after 2022; Dobbs While making a decision, study A paper published in June found that infant deaths in Texas increased more than expected in the year after the state banned first-trimester abortions in 2021.

The resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases

In November, WHO announced that measles outbreaks were occurring in the following regions: all parts of the world. In the United States, CDC reported There have been 16 measles outbreaks in 2024 (so far), compared to 4 in 2023. The reasons for this surge are believed to be: Insufficient vaccinationis supported by anti-vaccine movement.

Whooping cough is back with a vengeance: more than six times as many cases of the highly contagious bacterial infection had been reported This year's total number of infections is higher than the number reported during the same period in 2019, pre-COVID-19.

“We have made incredible progress in preventing vaccine-preventable diseases and achieving high immunization rates in the United States. It exists inside.” said william mossMD, MPH, Executive Director International Vaccine Access Center and professor epidemiology.

Mpox is once again a global concern

August 14th, WHO declared The occurrence of mpox (particularly clade Ib) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and several other countries in Africa has been public health emergency.

“We have confirmed cases outside the African continent, for example in Sweden,” Moss said in November. “It's only a matter of time before we see clade I of mpox viruses here in the United States.” mpox's Clade II is in circulation In the United States, since the outbreak of infection in 2022. )

of JYNNEOS mpox vaccine now available While syringes have been provided to areas under emergency, efforts are still underway to get them into the arms of people who need them.

Gun Violence: Crisis and Conviction

On July 25, U.S. Army Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D. declared Gun violence poses a public health crisis. The gun was still there Leading causes of death in children and teens.

However, something unprecedented happened this year. James Crumbley and Jennifer Crumbley convicted of manslaughter's son shot and killed four students at his school. The conviction “suggests a new path forward and a different way to treat school shootings and accountability,” he said. Tim CareyJ.D., Legal and Policy Advisor Johns Hopkins Gun Violence Solutions Center.

Reduced overdose deaths and sexually transmitted diseases

CDC data A paper published in December showed that the drug decreased by about 17%. death from overdose This is believed to be due in part to its OTC availability. naloxoneas well as increased access to addiction treatment drugs. harm reduction services.

The sexually transmitted disease epidemic will lose momentum in 2023, according to CDC data—The increase in syphilis was only 1% after that. It has continued to increase by double digits in recent years.the number of gonorrhea infections decreased by 7%, below pre-COVID-19 levels.

What's behind the improvements? Experts point out: Increased use of the antibiotic doxycycline It is intended as a “morning-after pill” to reduce the risk of bacterial sexually transmitted infections and changes in sexual behavior and testing habits in high-risk populations following the 2022 mpox outbreak.

EPA said no to PFAS

In April, the EPA required water utilities to reduce water usage. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)to near-zero levels, also known as “eternal chemicals.”

“There is growing evidence that there are toxic effects.'' [of PFAS] At various levels.” said Carsten PlassePh.D., Master's degree, Assistant Professor Environmental health and engineering. The mandate “hopes that it will lead to further research to address the presence of these compounds in the environment,” he said.

However, from good neighbor plan to respect for chevronSCOTUS continues to remove authority from government agencies The United States desperately needs better, more informed environmental protection.

Extreme heat and weather disasters

community in the US and abroad continue to experience the effects of the intensifying climate crisis, including living with extreme heat affected by disasters such as hurricane helen.

special issue of Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Service magazine We explored the planet's crisis and the role we all play in solving it. “The only way we can move forward is through deep and rapid structural changes in the way we live and a global commitment to protecting and restoring the Earth's natural systems.” I wrote samuel myersMD, MPH, Director Johns Hopkins Planetary Health Institute.

Average life expectancy in the US has decreased

new report from Bloomberg American Health Initiative They found that heart disease, overdose, gun violence, and car accidents are the leading causes, in that order. Life expectancy differs by 2.7 years In America compared to England and Wales.

“There is no good reason to expect people in the United States to die nearly three years earlier than people across the Atlantic.” said Josh SharfsteinMD, Director of Initiatives and Associate Dean for Public Health Practice and Community Engagement. “Evidence-based programmatic and policy solutions will close this gap.”

Looking to 2025

We are already asking the hard questions. What authority do states have to determine their own public health priorities and take action??And what will happen? election results Do you take into account the major health areas? What does the future hold for environmental protection under the next administration?

The public health situation is constantly changing. However, people working in the field are not accustomed to emergencies and unexpected situations. determination to keep moving forward.

Morgan Coulson is Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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