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Genetically modifying mosquitoes to control infectious disease is not a new idea. But all consequences—the good and the bad—of such an intervention must be adequately vetted. And importantly, argues physician and alum Utibe Effiong, local communities should have a say in the process.
During gestation, the human body grows at tremendous speeds, and even slight changes to a child’s biology during this sensitive time can dramatically alter health outcomes. Recent studies in Puerto Rico and elsewhere provide further support for the need to address even low levels of lead exposure for all pregnant women.
Children with epidermolysis bullosa are often called butterfly children—their skin seems to be as fragile as a butterfly’s wing. While there is no cure for EB, ongoing clinical trials have developed treatments to manage symptoms. Public health clinicians can help patients and their families build support networks by connecting them to local support groups and other families caring for children with EB.
As states open up, more coronavirus spread is expected, and models can show whether public health measures are working. Models are more like compasses than crystal balls, says epidemiologist Joseph Eisenberg, and current models from epidemiologists suggest that we must make changes slowly and relax social distancing measures incrementally during the coming months.
In the post COVID-19 world, we understand in very fundamental ways that low-wage workers, once considered marginal, are “essential” to the continued functioning of critical infrastructure, health, and social care systems. Sustained protections for low wage workers can protect them from adverse health effects.
Ultimately, vaccines are beneficial, and human trials are essential in determining the safety of any vaccine. But how do we select candidates for vaccine tests? Fallout from unethical experiments is persistent, and we must insist on the most ethical and medically accurate appraisals of the vaccine landscape.