Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
1.1 Billion People Smoked In 2019; Nearly 8M Died Of Related Causes
Fox News: Number Of Smokers Soars To 1.1B Worldwide, Study Says
A new study suggests there were a record 1.1 billion smokers worldwide in 2019, and nearly 8 million related deaths. Researchers warn progress against the prevalence of smoking tobacco use has slowed in the last 10 years in many countries, and population growth is resulting in an increasing number of smokers. "Countries have a clear and urgent opportunity to pass strong, evidence-based policies to accelerate reductions in the prevalence of smoking and reap massive health benefits for their citizens," study authors wrote. (Rivas, 5/29)
In other public health news —
Los Angeles Times: O.C. Health Officials Impose Quarantine — On Toxic Mussels
Officials with the Orange County Health Care Agency, the body tasked with oversight of public health programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, on Thursday announced a different kind of quarantine would be imposed through October: on mussels for human consumption. Through Oct. 31, residents across California are being warned not to eat mussels and other potentially toxic shellfish collected by sports harvesters from coastal waters. The reason? Harmful marine biotoxins produced by some species of microscopic algae can be absorbed by the digestive systems of mussels, clams, oysters and scallops. The consumption of affected mollusks puts humans at risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning. (Cardine, 5/28)
Bloomberg: Sunscreen With Leukemia-Causing Benzene Is Latest Summer Worry
Four decades ago, the U.S. government used rarely deployed emergency powers to reduce workers’ exposure to benzene, a chemical linked to a five-fold increased risk of potentially deadly leukemia. After a landmark study in 1977 highlighted its health risks, employers and manufacturers were forced to limit the industrial compound in their workplaces. Yet just within the past few months, elevated levels of benzene have appeared in some hand sanitizers, and on Tuesday, an analysis by an independent testing lab revealed its presence in some sunscreens and after-sun skin soothers. (Edney, 5/28)
Fox News: Tick Bites On The Rise: How To Stay Safe As You Head Outdoors
Tick bites are on the rise in the U.S. with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that the majority of cases typically occur in the warmer months. The agency's tracker showed 169 bites reported this week, an increase of nearly 70 from the week prior. Over the last several years, the week ahead has seen a peak number of tick bites. Most bites are usually reported in children ages 0-9. (Hein, 5/29)
The New York Times: More Than A Third Of Heat Deaths Are Tied To Climate Change, Study Says
More than a third of heat-related deaths in many parts of the world can be attributed to the extra warming associated with climate change, according to a new study that makes a case for taking strong action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to protect public health. (Schwartz, 5/31)
CNN: Falling Out Of Shape Can Take Mere Weeks, Researchers Say
Getting in shape isn't easy. But after all that hard work, how long do we actually maintain it? Turns out that even the great effort we put into training, taking a bit of time off can mean that we become "unfit" much faster than it took us to actually get in shape. To understand how the body becomes "unfit," we first need to understand how we become fit. The key to becoming fitter -- whether that's improving cardiovascular fitness or muscular strength -- is to exceed "habitual load." This means doing more than our body is used to. The stress that this has on our body makes us adapt and become more tolerant, leading to higher fitness levels. (Gordon and Roberts, 5/31)
Also —
CNN: Naomi Osaka Withdraws From French Open, Citing Her Mental Health
Tennis star Naomi Osaka said Monday she is withdrawing from the French Open after refusing to speak to the media at the grand slam. The four-time major winner posted a statement on Twitter saying she was pulling out so that "everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris," adding that she would "take some time away from the court." Osaka revealed she had "suffered long bouts of depression" since winning her first Grand Slam title in 2018. (Morse, 5/31)
Dallas Morning News: ‘It’s An Obligation For All Of Us To Listen’: Cowboys QB Dak Prescott On Dealing With Depression, Loss Of His Brother
When the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. in early 2020, it had profound effects on Americans in many different ways. Even Cowboys star quarterback Dak Prescott wasn’t immune. Like many others last year, Prescott’s normal daily life was uprooted by the pandemic. He was forced to socially distance and spend more time alone than before, which contributed to struggles with depression and anxiety. And on top of all that, his brother, Jace Prescott, died at 31 years old in April 2020. (5/31)
Los Angeles Times: Teachers Not Trained For Students' COVID Mental Health Trauma
Before the pandemic, Jessica Bibbs-Fox’s eighth-graders would parade into her classroom bursting with energy. “Settle down,” she’d playfully shout over the clamor of voices. Now, Room 18 at Kelly Elementary is eerily quiet. Her 14 pupils are cordoned off by plexiglass shields. She pleads with them to participate during a math lesson — to say something, anything. The 20 students she teaches on Zoom are just as withdrawn. They turn in work sporadically, if at all. Every single student in her homeroom class has an F. (Newberry, 5/31)
Noticias Telemundo: Racism May Be Breaking Latinos’ Hearts
Feeling stigmatized, threatened or discriminated against correlates with structural heart abnormalities in Latinos, according to a preliminary study. Experts increasingly recognize the negative effects of discrimination on physical wellbeing, and the American Medical Association has identified racism as a public health threat. (Franco, 5/29)
