Year in Review: COVID-19 A look back at newsworthy stories of 2024 Katherine Kahn Medpage Today

This year's headlines on COVID-19 featured new research on COVID-related mortality, post-acute sequelae of infection, vaccine safety, and potential therapeutics.

COVID Deaths Are Down, but...

Asia needs to spend much more to adapt to climate change and limit its damage, bank study says A study by the Asian Development Bank shows that countries in Asia will suffer worse damage from the climate crisis than other regions and they are not spending enough to limit the damage and adapt to changing weather patterns and natural disasters. AP News

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Long COVID inflammation damages heart cells - Earth.com Long COVID inflammation linked to heart damage, as blood analysis reveals elevated cytokines impacting heart cells. Earth.com

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Often referred to as “long COVID,” the condition is marked by an array of recurring symptoms, including chest pain and heart palpitations.

But why do these symptoms persist? Recent research by the University of Queensland (UQ) offers profound insights.

Maryland is the first state to sign into new federal health care program Maryland is the first state to sign an agreement with the federal government designed to improve health care and lower costs. AP News

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Risk of post-COVID symptoms linked to body mass index in children A study by the University of Pennsylvania and researchers from 26 U.S. children's hospitals has linked elevated body mass index (BMI) to a significantly higher risk of developing post-acute sequelae of ... Justin Jackson Medical Xpress

A study by the University of Pennsylvania and researchers from 26 U.S. children's hospitals has linked elevated body mass index (BMI) to a significantly higher risk of developing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) among children and young adults.

RFK Jr. says fluoride is ‘an industrial waste’ linked to cancer, diseases and disorders. Here’s what the science says | CNN Robert F. Kennedy Jr. waded into another scientific debate on Saturday by saying Donald Trump’s administration would advise that fluoride be removed from the country’s water supplies if the former president wins Tuesday’s presidential election. Nadia Kounang, Carma Hassan, Deidre McPhillips CNN

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Here’s what health experts are weighing as the public health practice of adding fluoride to America’s water supply comes under increased scrutiny.

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Fungal Infections: Deadly Outbreaks Surge Following Covid Pandemic A largely unnoticed surge of rare but deadly fungi is accelerating around the world, helped by the Covid-19 pandemic and a warming planet that appears to be training them to survive at higher and higher temperatures. Jinshan Hong,Bhuma Shrivastava Bloomberg

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Do the Covid vaccines provide long-lasting protection?

An Idaho health department isn't allowed to give COVID-19 vaccines anymore. Experts say it's a first A regional public health department in Idaho is no longer providing COVID-19 vaccines to residents in six counties after a narrow decision by its board. AP News

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Do I have COVID, the flu or something else? 2024 symptoms and testing to know. But what kind of sickness do your symptoms point to? Here's a breakdown for COVID-19, flu and more — and why testing is so important. CBS News

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Determining your exact illness through testing also helps decide on the best course of treatment.

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