HIV Cases Drop In D.C., But Doctors Wary Of Decline In Important Office Visits

The Washington Post: D.C. Report Shows Drop In HIV Infections, Other Progress Ending AIDS Epidemic 
The District has reached new milestones in its effort to end a decades-long HIV epidemic, according to a report released Thursday, with a reduction in new cases and the overwhelming majority of those who have the virus in effective treatment. In 2019, the city recorded its largest decline in new infections since Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) took office in 2015 and crafted a strategy for ending the epidemic, which has afflicted nearly 2 percent of city residents. (Nirappil, 8/20)

Sacramento Bee: Fentanyl Overdose Deaths On The Rise In Sacramento Area
U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott had a simple message at a news conference Thursday: “One pill can kill you,” Scott said, gesturing to a bag of fentanyl-laced pills to his left. Representatives from law enforcement agencies in the Sacramento region gathered Thursday for a news conference to warn the public about the dangers of fentanyl. Overdose deaths from the powerful narcotic have increased dramatically in the region. (Burke, 8/20)

ABC News: Racial Disparities Among Lung Cancer Diagnoses Have Nearly Vanished, New Study Finds 
A new study shows that racial disparities among new lung cancer diagnoses have nearly vanished. Because of deeply-rooted systemic problems, Black Americans tend to experience disproportionate rates of many common illnesses. However, a recent study has found that with thoughtful and rigorous public health programs, it is possible to flatten some of this disparity. (Stout, 8/21)

AP: Alert System For Mental Health Crises Advanced By Lawmakers
A Virginia Senate committee has approved legislation that would establish an alert system to dispatch mental health providers along with police to help stabilize people in crisis situations, a move prompted by the police killing of a high school teacher in Richmond police two years ago. The bill approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday is named after Marcus-David Peters, a 24-year-old Black man who was killed while he was undergoing a mental health crisis. Peters, who was naked and unarmed, was fatally shot after he charged at an officer and threatened to kill him. (Lavoie, 8/20)

In other public health news —

CNN: Thousands Of Hasbro Water Guns Sold At Target Recalled Due To Lead 
More than 52,000 water guns which are sold only at Target are being recalled by Hasbro, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a notice. "The decorative sticker on the water tank of the water blaster toys contain levels of lead in the ink that exceed the federal lead content ban," the notice said. Lead exposure in children can lead to impaired cognition and behavioral disorders, among other health effects. and is toxic if ingested. (Maxouris, 8/21)

AP: Washington Coach Ron Rivera Has A Form Of Skin Cancer
Washington Football coach Ron Rivera has a form of skin cancer, which the team called “very treatable and curable” because it was discovered at an early stage.A team spokesman confirmed Thursday night Rivera was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. The team said Rivera detected it in a lymph node from a self-care check and that the prognosis is good for him to make a full recovery. Rivera, 58, is expected to continue coaching for now after consulting with doctors and oncology specialists. (Whyno, 8/21)

NBC News: How This Mosquito, One Of Nature's Greatest Killers, Evolved Its Taste For Human Blood
Mosquitoes are humanity’s deadliest pest. Their bites spread painful diseases that sicken and kill tens of millions of people, making them the target of advanced schemes to limit their impact. But new research suggests some mosquitoes could prove especially difficult to eradicate, and that the diseases they spread could get even worse as more people move from rural environments into cities. (Metcalfe, 8/20)