Health

Smoke and Scramble: Life Under the Wildfire's Shadow in Los Angeles The scene at Teddy's Cocina in Pasadena, California, was bustling—almost a small oasis of normalcy amid chaos. As wildfire evacuees dug into their lunches and locals scuttled indoors to escape the brown, smoky air choking the city, one couldn’t help but feel a touch surreal. A meal had never felt so poignant. Dulce Perez, a cook at the restaurant, succinctly described the experience: “It's not breathable.” And who could argue? It felt as if the sky had…

The Kenyan Health Ministry has stepped forward to calm public nervousness about the buzz surrounding the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) flu outbreak over in China. Despite the chatter, they’re saying, “Stay cool, folks!” while giving the nod to those with gnarly respiratory symptoms—if it hits hard, go see a doc. To clear the air, they mentioned that HMPV is certainly not some brand-new bug. It’s a bug that’s been giving people snotty noses and buggy tubes for quite some time now, even in Kenya. “No spike in the number of…

In a striking move, President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental advocate known for spreading dubious claims about vaccines, to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the preeminent health agency in the United States. Kennedy, who once pursued the presidency as an independent candidate earlier this year, withdrew from the race in August. He subsequently threw his support behind Trump, looking to secure a position within the Republican administration as part of the…

MSF counselors gather women at a nutrition center inside Bay Regional Hospital, Baidoa. © Alberto Macin/MSF Meet Alberto Macin, the spirited maestro of mental health initiatives with MSF for the better part of a decade. His globe-trotting missions span Mexico, El Salvador, and South Sudan, right through to Ukraine, the perilous routes from Libya to the Mediterranean, not to forget Mozambique, Kenya, and his latest haunt, Somalia. Macin’s gig? Crafting mental health blueprints, embedding vital services into MSF’s action…

 Aspiring Alexandria School Board member, Abdullahi Abdalla, campaigns under the vast city skyline hoping to secure his inaugural term. Abdalla champions his cause with a fervent focus on championing educators, safeguarding students, and fostering robust community ties. CREDIT/ SUPPLIED Mogadishu (AX) — Abdullahi Abdalla, a key player on the School Board Budget Advisory Committee, is vying for a seat on the Alexandria School Board. His campaign swings heavily towards empowering teachers, invigorating community…

Mogadishu (AX) — For many years, Somalia has been caught in a storm of turmoil, poverty, and uprooting that's left the nation's mental health in shambles. This dire situation has largely been ignored, as highlighted by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). "Women and kids are really taking the hardest hit," they noted in a recent report, pointing to the intensifying mental stress blanketing these already strained communities. From the start of 2024 to September, MSF's dedicated mental health squads have…

In the vibrant neighborhoods of Epworth and Mbare in Harare, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has embarked on a crucial mission: empowering the youth to confront mental health issues through a unique peer-led initiative. Equipped with specialized training, educators affiliated with MSF deliver essential psychological first aid. They bridge young individuals with critical mental health resources, encompassing a range of services such as medical care, HIV testing, STI management, contraceptive options, health education,…

Democratic contender for the presidency, Kamala Harris, is reported to be in "excellent health," as indicated by a comprehensive medical evaluation released by the White House. This announcement comes as Harris's campaign takes a bold step, urging her opponent, Donald Trump, to unveil his health records as well. "Vice President Harris is in superb health," her physician, Joshua Simmons, emphasized in the report. He went on to state that she "exhibits both the physical stamina and mental clarity necessary to fulfill the…

The Palestinian health ministry has reported a grievous loss of life in the Tulkarm refugee camp situated in the West Bank, where at least 18 individuals were tragically killed due to an Israeli airstrike. This attack was purportedly aimed at eliminating a Hamas commander, whose presence was significant in the region. A representative from the Palestinian security services described this air raid as the most catastrophic event in the West Bank since the year 2000, highlighting the escalation of violence in recent times.…

The Lebanese Ministry of Health has reported tragic news, indicating that Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the death of 21 individuals in eastern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in violence that has persisted for nearly a week. According to the ministry's statement, “The raids carried out by the Israeli forces in the Baalbek-Hemel region have left 21 dead and 47 injured,” providing a preliminary count as heavy bombardment continues in the Baalbek vicinity, noted an AFP reporter. In its ongoing military…