Your Local Epidemiologist

Your Local Epidemiologist is a Substack that dissects public health issues, focusing on current events and emerging research. It covers epidemic patterns, vaccine developments, public health policy implications, and the role of science in society. It advocates for evidence-based decisions and addresses misinformation in public health communication.

Public Health Epidemiology Vaccine Development COVID-19 Research Science Communication Misinformation in Public Health Mental Health Health Policy

The hottest Substack posts of Your Local Epidemiologist

And their main takeaways

The Dose (October 25)

1299 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Food Safety Epidemiology
  1. Older adults can expect to get a Covid-19 vaccine next spring. Getting two shots a year may provide better protection, especially for those over 65.
  2. There’s a multistate outbreak of E. coli linked to McDonald's hamburgers, caused by slivered onions. It’s important to stay aware of food safety and current health warnings.
  3. Since the Dobbs decision, infant mortality rates have increased, mainly due to birth defects. This shows how political decisions can impact health and wellbeing.

Today's the day

1169 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Election Impact Mental health Political Discourse
  1. Election day is important for public health in the U.S. It can greatly affect how health policies are shaped and implemented.
  2. Open conversations between different political groups are crucial for building trust in public health. Everyone needs to work together to improve health outcomes.
  3. No matter the election result, those in public health will keep fighting for better health for everyone. The commitment to serve the public remains strong.

9 ways to spot falsehoods

1105 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Misinformation Public Health Vaccines Elections Disinformation Critical Thinking
  1. Check the basic logic of claims before sharing. If something sounds outrageous, take a moment to think it through.
  2. Follow the money behind the claims you see. If someone profits from spreading a story, be cautious about believing it.
  3. Stay skeptical and ask questions. The more you look into a claim, the better you'll understand its truth.

Make America Healthy Again?

1193 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Health Policy Healthcare access Disease Prevention Health Education
  1. To improve America's health, we need to focus on real problems and not get distracted by minor issues. Understanding the causes of our health problems is critical.
  2. Access to quality healthcare and addressing social factors like food access is essential for reducing preventable diseases. Solutions should consider both health care and lifestyle.
  3. Public health relies on evidence-based practices. Ideas that sound good but lack strong backing might not help at all and could even make things worse.

The Dose (November 1)

1002 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Mental health Vaccination Disease Control Health Research
  1. The levels of common respiratory viruses like RSV, Covid, and flu are currently low, but keep an eye out for mycoplasma pneumonia if a cough lingers. It's often mild but can be treated with antibiotics.
  2. Many people are feeling stressed about the upcoming elections, which can even lead to health issues like heart problems. It's important to take care of yourself and find ways to manage this stress.
  3. The CDC has lowered the pneumococcal vaccine eligibility to anyone 50 and older, but this could be confusing. It's essential to understand the different vaccines available and make sure you're protected.
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The Dose: This week's public health explained (Oct 11)

959 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Epidemiology Chronic diseases Health Policy
  1. Free Covid-19 tests are now available for all. You can order them online and they will be delivered to your home.
  2. Obesity rates in the U.S. are showing some decline after many years of increase, but the drop could be uncertain and isn't significant yet.
  3. Routine vaccinations for kids are dropping, which is concerning. More children are unvaccinated against diseases like measles, and this trend needs to be addressed to prevent outbreaks.

Science, Policy, and Values

904 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Misinformation Policy decisions Trust Issues
  1. It's important to separate facts from opinions when discussing science and policy. Confusing the two can lead to mistrust in both.
  2. Values play a big role in public health decisions, and people often disagree on what should take priority, like saving lives versus personal freedom.
  3. We need clear and honest communication about scientific uncertainty. People want to understand evolving data, not just fixed facts.

YLE Event Tuesday (December 10)

485 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Health Communication Webinars Pandemic response
  1. There is a webinar on December 10 about communicating health in today's divided environment. It will be helpful for anyone interested in public health.
  2. Kyle McGowan, a former CDC Chief of Staff, will join the discussion to share useful strategies. This could provide valuable insights for health professionals.
  3. The event is free for subscribers and will include a live question-and-answer session. If you can't attend, a recording will be available afterward.

Navigating RSV protection this fall

646 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Disease Prevention Epidemiology
  1. Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies have been developed to protect against RSV, especially for pregnant women and infants, showing high effectiveness in reducing hospitalizations.
  2. Older adults are also at risk for RSV, and the vaccine is effective for those over 60, but it’s important for them to discuss options with their healthcare providers.
  3. Real-world data confirms that RSV protection is effective and safer than getting the disease, but many people still lack awareness about these preventive measures.

We’re still here!

1815 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health Community Engagement
  1. YLE has reached its 4th anniversary with continuous growth and a dedicated audience.
  2. The YLE audience is globally diverse, primarily in North America and Australia, with a strong trend of educated readers interested in healthcare and science.
  3. Looking into the future, YLE plans to expand its content beyond virus-related topics, engage more in local health issues, and diversify its audience.

Recording now available

303 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Communication Trust Building
  1. Effective health communication is about more than just facts. It's about building trust and helping people take action, especially when opinions are divided.
  2. Listening to others and framing messages carefully can help get more people on board with health initiatives.
  3. It's important for public health workers to avoid burnout after a long fight, as they still have ongoing challenges ahead.

Why did we lose trust during the pandemic?

1445 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Trust Public Health Communication Information Improvement
  1. Public health messaging sounded like a sales pitch, leading to a loss of trust due to data issues, messaging inaccuracies, and a mix of advocacy with scientific communication.
  2. Helpful information, like practical tips for care and specific risk factors, was missing, causing confusion and fear among the public.
  3. Opinions being treated as facts and a disconnect between personal experiences and the official narrative led to frustration and loss of trust, but some improvements are being made to address these issues.

DNA in Covid-19 vaccines: 7 pieces of context missed from Florida Surgeon General’s unnecessary warning

1815 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines DNA Molecular Biology Immune Response Safety
  1. The amount of DNA fragments in Covid-19 vaccines is relatively small compared to other particles.
  2. DNA fragments are present in all vaccines and various medical treatments, and are kept at minimal levels for safety.
  3. Human bodies have natural mechanisms to deal with foreign DNA and prevent integration into our genes.

Changing Covid-19 isolation?

1250 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Policy Guidelines Public Health Isolation CDC
  1. Contagiousness of Covid-19 remains the same, spreading for 5-12 days.
  2. Health policy decisions involve balancing protection, actionability, and feasibility for diverse populations.
  3. CDC's consideration of new Covid-19 isolation guidelines raises questions about following guidelines, impact on community transmission, and stakeholder views.

Long Covid Research Roundup

1284 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Research Prevention Treatment Symptoms
  1. The prevalence of long Covid may be decreasing due to a decline in severe disease and the changing virus over time.
  2. Vaccines, especially with additional doses, help protect against long Covid in both children and adults.
  3. Long Covid is a complex condition with various underlying causes, such as viral persistence, immune responses, and gut microbiome links.

Florida’s recommendations give room for measles to spread

889 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Disease Control Public Health Vaccination
  1. Florida's health department made controversial recommendations that contradict standard practice guidelines for managing measles outbreaks, risking the spread of the disease.
  2. Isolation after measles exposure is critical to prevent transmission since measles is highly contagious compared to other viruses and has a long incubation period.
  3. Measles can have severe consequences, including hospitalization, pneumonia, and encephalitis, highlighting the importance of following established guidelines and maintaining high vaccination rates.

State of Affairs: Feb 22

904 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health Epidemiology Vaccines Diseases
  1. Influenza-like illnesses are still prevalent, especially among children, and the season could continue until April or May.
  2. COVID-19 levels in wastewater are high nationally, with a strange pattern in the South, but hospitalizations remain lower than last year.
  3. Flu hospitalizations are stable, RSV cases are decreasing, and there is concern about a rising number of measles cases across several states.

ACIP Cliff notes: Feb 28

853 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines COVID-19 Epidemiology Public Health
  1. CDC recommends older adults receive a second Covid-19 vaccine in the spring, especially those over 65.
  2. The majority of people hospitalized for Covid-19 were not up-to-date on their annual vaccine, with specific risk factors common among them.
  3. Vaccine coverage challenges in the US stem from concerns like unknown side effects, lack of trust, and physician recommendations.

State of Affairs: March 12

768 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology Vaccines Diseases Public Health Preventive measures
  1. Measles cases are increasing, with outbreaks across various regions, underscoring the importance of vaccination and public health measures.
  2. Norovirus is surging in the Northern Hemisphere, causing stomach cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea, emphasizing the need for preventive measures like handwashing and surface cleaning.
  3. The flu season, particularly driven by flu strain B, has been moderate this year, highlighting the potential impact of political influences on vaccine uptake and the importance of public health efforts.

ACIP Cliff Notes: Feb 29 (RSV)

783 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines Public Health Epidemiology
  1. Real-world data showed a true safety signal for the RSV older adult vaccine, particularly after the Pfizer vaccine.
  2. The benefits of the RSV vaccine still outweigh the risks for older adults, preventing significant illness and hospitalizations.
  3. Moderna is introducing an RSV vaccine using mRNA, offering a different platform with potential advantages for safety.

Harassment against scientists is out of control

1594 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🏥 Health Politics Misinformation Public Health Gender differences Online Harassment
  1. Harassment against scientists, including stalking, bullying, and threats, has become a common and serious issue online and offline.
  2. Many scientists, both male and female, have reported experiencing harassment, threats, and emotional stress, particularly women in the field.
  3. The high levels of harassment and threats have led to many scientists withdrawing from social media and public engagement, creating a gap in scientific communication and community trust.

COVID-19: Catch up quick

1263 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 updates
  1. COVID-19 metrics are increasing, but excess deaths are down
  2. Southern and Western United States are seeing an increase in COVID-19
  3. Global concern on rising COVID-19 hospitalizations in Okinawa, Japan, and a new Omicron variant in the Dominican Republic

BRB

1068 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology Public Health Well-being
  1. Katelyn Jetelina is taking a two-week break to recharge before the busy respiratory season.
  2. During her break, she plans to enjoy puzzles, books, crosswords, and time in national parks with her toddlers.
  3. She is looking for nonfiction book recommendations that are not related to public health for her downtime.

FDA's fall 2023 vaccine plan

1156 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines COVID-19 Public Health Immunity Science
  1. COVID-19 vaccines are being updated for the fall 2023-2024 season due to fast mutations and waning effectiveness against hospitalization.
  2. Vaccine formula may shift to target only the Omicron XBB variant for better immune system recognition.
  3. Global alignment on focusing vaccine efforts on the XBB variant signals a step towards addressing the changing landscape of COVID-19.

Out this week

1421 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health Wellness Infectious Diseases
  1. Katelyn Jetelina took a break from newsletter writing this week to work on an emergency with the World Health Organization in Turkey.
  2. A paid subscription to YLE goes beyond commenting powers, as it enables advocacy for necessary change, implementation during emergencies, and saving lives through evidence-based actions.
  3. The subscription also supports advocating for change, implementing changes during emergencies, and saving lives with evidence-based approaches.