Graph showing the rise of CRE infections in South Korea over recent years.
Published: December 6, 2025, 6:51 a.m.
Health
Negative
In South Korea, the number of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), a dangerous antibiotic-resistant 'superbug', has reached alarming heights, with nearly 45,000 cases documented as of December 1, 2025. This figure not only exceeds the total cases reported for all of 2024 but also reflects a 6.1% increase compared to the previous year. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has observed a steady uptick in CRE infections since they were added to mandatory surveillance in 2017, with older adults particularly affected. Those aged 60 and over account for more than 86% of the reported cases, highlighting the challenges posed by South Korea's aging population in the face of growing antimicrobial resistance. In response to this escalating crisis, health officials are formulating a new National Antimicrobial Resistance Management Plan, which aims to reduce antibiotic usage and strengthen infection control strategies.
superbugs
CRE
antimicrobial resistance
South Korea
public health
Published: December 5, 2025, 10:52 p.m.
Health
Negative
Social media platforms, with TikTok in the spotlight, are under fire for allowing AI-generated deepfake videos that impersonate healthcare professionals to advertise unverified health supplements. An investigation conducted by the fact-checking group Full Fact uncovered multiple instances where authentic video clips of physicians were altered to deceive viewers into buying products from Wellness Nest, a U.S.-based firm. One notable victim of this deception is Professor David Taylor-Robinson, whose image has been misused in misleading videos touting questionable menopause treatments. The rise of these deepfakes has sparked concerns over the potential for misinformation to target vulnerable groups, leading to increased demands for stricter regulations governing AI-generated content. Critics assert that social media companies need to enhance their accountability regarding the accuracy of the information disseminated on their platforms.
AI
Deepfake
Health Misinformation
Social Media
Wellness Nest
Published: December 5, 2025, 6:56 p.m.
Health
Negative
According to industry insiders, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), established by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has voted 8-3 to eliminate its recommendation for administering the hepatitis B vaccine to newborns at birth. This controversial decision was reached without any evidence suggesting that the vaccine poses a risk or that delaying its administration offers any benefits. Public health experts, including several committee members, have voiced concerns that this policy change could result in higher rates of hepatitis B infections in infants, potentially leading to chronic liver disease and other severe health complications. The revised guidelines now permit the vaccine to be administered only to infants born to mothers who are known to be infected with hepatitis B or whose maternal status was not tested. Vaccination for other newborns is left up to the parents' judgment. Critics warn that this alteration could undermine years of public health initiatives and may confuse parents about the best practices for safeguarding their newborns' health.
Hepatitis B
Vaccination
Public Health
ACIP
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Published: December 5, 2025, 6:56 p.m.
Health
Negative
In a noteworthy development, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has voted to retract its universal recommendation for the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. Under the new guidance, parents are encouraged to discuss the vaccine's administration with healthcare providers, especially for infants born to mothers who have tested negative for the virus. This change represents a significant departure from prior recommendations that have been instrumental in decreasing hepatitis B infections in children by 99% over the last thirty years. Public health experts have raised alarms about the potential consequences of this decision, warning it could result in a rise in chronic hepatitis B cases among children, as the vaccine plays a vital role in preventing mother-to-child transmission. The revised recommendations are pending approval from the acting director of the CDC, but they have already ignited discussions among medical professionals concerning their implications for public health.
Hepatitis B
Vaccination
Public Health
ACIP
CDC
Published: December 4, 2025, 6:58 p.m.
Health
Neutral
San Francisco has launched a pioneering lawsuit against ten leading food manufacturers, representing the first instance of government legal action in the U.S. aimed at ultra-processed foods (UPFs). City Attorney David Chiu contends that these companies profit significantly while local governments shoulder the financial strain of health issues tied to their products, which range from frozen pizzas to sugary cereals. The lawsuit alleges that these corporations engage in deceptive marketing practices that breach state laws, knowingly distributing items that exacerbate serious health problems like obesity and diabetes. This legal initiative comes in response to increasing worries about the health effects of UPFs, which make up more than 70% of the U.S. food supply and are associated with various chronic illnesses. San Francisco's lawsuit is part of a wider public health strategy, as California has recently passed laws aimed at regulating UPFs and their detrimental additives.
San Francisco
lawsuit
ultra-processed foods
health
food industry
Published: December 4, 2025, 2:56 p.m.
Health
Neutral
A recent report from the French Ministry of Health has confirmed two cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) involving individuals who have just returned from the Arabian Peninsula. Both patients, who were traveling together, displayed symptoms consistent with the virus. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist announced that they are currently hospitalized but in stable condition, with measures in place to curb any potential spread. These include contact tracing and monitoring of other travelers from their trip, although no secondary infections have been identified in France at this time. MERS-CoV, which was first recognized in 2012, is mainly transmitted from camels, and while it can spread between humans, such occurrences are rare outside of healthcare environments.
MERS
coronavirus
France
health
travel
Published: December 4, 2025, 10:51 a.m.
Health
Negative
A recent report from Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN) has unveiled concerning levels of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a harmful 'forever chemical,' in various cereal products throughout Europe. The study assessed 65 conventional cereal items from 16 different countries and discovered that TFA concentrations were, on average, 100 times higher than those typically detected in tap water. TFA, which is a byproduct of pesticides containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), is associated with serious health concerns, including reproductive toxicity and potential connections to severe diseases. These findings have sparked demands for more stringent regulations regarding TFA and a complete ban on PFAS pesticides, highlighting the current shortcomings in monitoring TFA levels in food. This research represents a significant advancement in understanding the widespread presence of these chemicals in our food supply and their long-term effects on public health.
TFA
PFAS
food safety
health risks
Europe
Published: December 4, 2025, 10:51 a.m.
Health
Negative
Recent reports indicate that China is poised to raise prices on contraceptives, including condoms and birth control pills, as the government ends a long-standing tax exemption that has existed since the One-Child Policy. This adjustment, set to take effect next month, is part of a larger initiative by Beijing to tackle the nation's declining birth rate, which has experienced a downturn for three consecutive years. Analysts caution that this tax increase could disproportionately impact women, young people, and those with lower incomes, potentially limiting access to crucial contraceptive options. This policy shift marks a significant transition in China's family planning strategy, moving away from strict population control towards encouraging higher fertility rates. Critics contend that this decision neglects issues of gender equality and may complicate efforts to curb sexually transmitted infections among young people.
China
Contraceptives
Birth Rate
Tax Policy
Public Health
Airline pilots discussing mental health issues in a cockpit setting.
Published: December 4, 2025, 6:50 a.m.
Health
Negative
Experts warn that numerous airline pilots are hiding their mental health struggles, a trend that could jeopardize aviation safety. Many pilots avoid seeking help due to fears of stigma and the potential negative impact on their careers. This reluctance can have dire implications in the cockpit, as unaddressed mental health issues may hinder a pilot's performance. Authorities stress the importance of fostering a cultural transformation within the aviation sector that encourages pilots to prioritize their mental health without the fear of being judged. Tackling these issues is essential for maintaining air travel safety and supporting pilots' overall well-being.
airline safety
mental health
aviation
pilot health
industry culture
Published: December 3, 2025, 10:54 p.m.
Health
Negative
As conversations intensify around body image, the revival of extreme thinness among celebrities—most notably figures such as Ariana Grande—is sparking serious concerns about its effects on public health. While these stars draw attention for their latest ventures, their strikingly slender appearances are often lauded, eclipsing the backlash that such trends typically attract. This resurgence is occurring alongside a surge in the use of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which many are taking without medical guidance, reinforcing the damaging belief that lower body weight equals better health. The cultural standards of beauty and self-worth seem to be reverting to harmful ideals, raising alarms about a potential increase in eating disorders, especially among young women. Those who have previously faced similar struggles are expressing worry over this trend, urging for a broader acceptance of health and beauty definitions that do not equate worth with weight loss.
Celebrity Culture
Body Image
Eating Disorders
Health
Weight Loss