Why Rapid COVID-19 Test Results Are Getting More Confusing

Time

Experts say ambiguous results on at-home tests may be more common now — but not because rapid tests aren’t working. In fact, these confusing results could actually be a good thing, at least as far as your immune system goes.

Dr. Paul Drain, associate professor of global health and of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.

Can Climate Labels on Menus Turn People Off Cheeseburgers?

Bloomberg

Climate labels on fast-food menus can help steer people in the U.S. away from ordering beef — the food with the worst impact on the climate — and toward meals that are better for the planet, according to new research.

Kristie Ebi, professor of global health and of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.

Is COVID a Common Cold Yet?

The Atlantic

At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, one of the worst things about SARS-CoV-2 was that it was so new: The world lacked immunity, treatments and vaccines. A strange new virus was colliding with people’s bodies in such unusual ways that it couldn’t help but stand out. Now, nearly three years into the crisis, the virus is more familiar, and its symptoms are too.

Dr. Patricia García, affiliate professor of global health at the UW, is quoted.

Montana’s New Sex Ed Law Ensnares English and History Lessons, Too

Kaiser Health News

A Montana law requiring public schools to notify parents of lessons that mention human sexuality — and allowing parents to pull their children from those lessons — has reached further and been more cumbersome than anticipated, according to two school district leaders.

Pamela Kohler, associate professor of global health at the UW, is quoted.

WA advocates highlight health disparities during Trans Awareness Week

The Seattle Times

Transgender community organizations in the Seattle area are marking Trans Awareness Week by highlighting the critical need for improved health care and access to resources. While Washington has made significant strides to curb the HIV epidemic, advocates emphasize this is no time for complacency, and that there is still more work to be done, with a focus on addressing disparities, if Washington is to ever truly end the epidemic.

Stephaun Wallace, clinical assistant professor of global health at the UW, is quoted.

DoxyPEP is a morning-after pill to prevent sexually transmitted infections

Vox

Years after it was first proven to work, a new tool for preventing sexually transmitted infections is on the brink of entering mainstream medicine. That tool is doxyPEP, an antibiotic that works like a morning-after pill — but instead of preventing pregnancy within hours of unprotected sex, it prevents STIs like chlamydia and syphilis.

Dr. Connie Celum, professor of global health and of medicine at the UW, is referenced.

How to Boost Your Immune System During Cold and Flu Season

The New York Times

As the days shorten and people trade their tank tops and shorts for sweaters and tights, the turn of autumn signals another new beginning: the start of flu and cold season, and COVID winter number 3.

Dr. Helen Chu, associate professor of medicine and adjunct associate professor of global health at UW, is quoted.

How Hurricane Ian Became So Powerful

The New York Times

New data from NASA reveals how warm ocean waters in the Gulf of Mexico fueled Hurricane Ian to become one of the most powerful storms to strike the United States in the past decade. Sea surface temperatures were especially warm off Florida’s southwest coast, allowing the storm to pick up energy just before crashing into the state north of Fort Myers.

Kristie Ebi, professor of global health and of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.

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