As we look back on 2015, the top health stories of the year featured some frightening outbreaks of deadly diseases like Ebola, as well as the return of diseases once thought eradicated in the United States, like measles. Here are those and more of the health stories our medical center found most interesting.
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The Ebola Crisis
Outbreaks of Ebola, which has impacted various countries around Africa for many decades, were never more frightening for Americans than 2015 when the epidemic brought a few cases to the United States. The outbreak in Africa saw more than 28,000 people get sick with more than 11,000 dying from the disease.
Ebola is always present somewhere in Africa, and there are usually a few hundred active cases at any one time on the continent. However, the outbreak in 2015 brought surprises to the medical community because of the change in behavior of the virus.
According to an article published by USA Today:
“Scientists this year documented the first known case of sexual transmission of the virus, and studies suggest that male survivors may be able to spread the virus through their semen for nine months or more after recovering from their illness. Scientists learned that Ebola can find “sanctuaries” not just in semen, but in the eye and central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord.”
Although some of the Americans infected with Ebola survived their ordeals, there is mounting evidence that those survivors – often part of healthcare teams in Africa – will have to deal with the effects of the disease for many years.
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Clik here to view.The Rise of Measles
Millions of children around the country get their routine vaccinations from their family practice center each year and are protected from deadly diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella. For many years, the incidence of measles in the United States was virtually zero, and the disease was considered eradicated because of strong vaccination programs.
Unfortunately, a damaging report linking vaccines to autism has convinced many parents to hold off getting their children vaccinated, even though the report was debunked a few years later. A measles outbreak that began in 2014 during the holiday festivities at Disneyland thrust vaccines into the national consciousness.
A few states decided to implement tougher vaccination laws and passed legislation eliminating personal exemptions.
Of a new California law, NPR shared:
“Starting July 1, 2016, all children enrolled in public or private schools or day cares must be vaccinated against whooping cough, measles and other diseases, regardless of parents’ religious and other personal beliefs.”
The law provided exemptions for children with compromised immune systems.
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Clik here to view.The Fall of Trans Fat
It feels like each year the foods that were “bad” for us are suddenly good and the foods that were once touted for their healthfulness are now deadly. That’s not the case with trans fat, which has been vilified ever since scientists linked the toxic type of fat to an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
In 2015, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) finally took steps to eliminate trans fat from the food supply in the United States, but trans fat has been on the FDA’s radar for several years. In 2013, the agency released a report that said partially hydrogenated oils were no longer “generally recognized as safe,” which would mean they weren’t appropriate for use in food used for human consumption. Partially hydrogenated oils are where most trans fats come from when they aren’t otherwise naturally occurring (such as in some dairy and animal products).
America’s food manufacturers have until June 18, 2018, to remove the deadly fat from their products, and the government suggests the country will see a significant economic and health benefit with the removal:
“A healthier food supply is absolutely critical in supporting good health and reducing chronic disease related to poor nutrition… obesity and food insecurity.”
Until the rule goes into effect, the FDA suggests that Americans look at the labels on their food and make healthy choices that include avoiding trans fat.
Start 2016 with a visit to your local doctor and Pro-Care Medical Center. Make sure you’re making the right choices for your health by getting your yearly checkup and adopting good habits for health and exercise as the New Year arrives.
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