Health & Disease
Browse the latest in Health & Disease, including blog articles, Annals research, events, Academy news and more.
Content Spotlight
blog
Seasonal Influenza: What You Need to Know
February 11, 2025
This year the U.S. is experiencing one of the most intense flu seasons in at least 15 years. Public health expert Syra Madad, DH Sc. offers advice on how to protect yourself. Published February 11, 2025 By Syra Madad, D.H.Sc., M.Sc., MCP, CHEPPublic Health Editor-at-Large Image courtesy of Puwasit Inyavileart via stock.adobe.com. Influenza, or the flu, is a persistent and evolving viral threat that affects millions of Americans annually. This year, the U.S. is experiencing...
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Advancing Cancer Research and Therapies
February 4, 2025
The Academy’s role in combatting this deadly disease dates to the 1940s. Promoting cancer research remains a prominent part of the Academy’s conference programming today. Published February 4, 2025 By Nick FettyDigital Content Manager Carl June, MD, presents during the Frontiers in Cancer Immunotherapy symposium at NYU Langone Health on May 22, 2024. Photo by Nick Fetty/The New York Academy of Sciences. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States...
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A Year of Progress and Persistence: Public Health Lessons from 2024
January 7, 2025
Public health expert Dr. Syra Madad reflects on resilience, innovation, and collaboration she saw in 2024, though gaps remain in equity, healthcare worker safety, and public trust in science. Published January 7, 2025 By Syra Madad, D.H.Sc., M.Sc., MCP, CHEPChief Biopreparedness Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals Image courtesy of cherdchai via stock.adobe.com. As we step into 2025, I reflect on the remarkable progress and challenges of 2024 in the field of special pathogens and public...
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Unraveling the Mystery in the DRC’s Disease Outbreak—Is It Disease X?
December 10, 2024
A recent outbreak of an undiagnosed illness in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is on the radar of public health professionals. Preparedness is key to mitigating the issue. Published December 10, 2024 By Syra Madad, D.H.Sc., M.Sc., MCP, CHEPChief Biopreparedness Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals Testing for malnourishment in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Image courtesy of DFID - UK Department for International Development, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. A recent outbreak of...
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Discovering Cancer Therapies through Neuroscience
November 11, 2024
The 2024 recipient of the Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine is exploring the interactions between cancer cells and the nervous system. Published November 11, 2024 By Megan Prescott, PhDProgram Manager for Life Sciences Michelle Monje, MD, PhD What does it take to pioneer a new field of science? For Michelle Monje, MD, PhD, the key is humility, collaboration, and resilience. Prof. Monje, the Milan Gambhir Professor of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Stanford University School of Medicine,...
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Protecting Healthcare Workers: A Vital Imperative in Rwanda’s Marburg Virus Outbreak and Beyond
October 30, 2024
Healthcare workers in Rwanda are disproportionately affected by the ongoing outbreak of Marburg virus disease, which is highly virulent despite its relatively low case fatality rate. How can these medical professionals best protect themselves? Published October 30, 2024 By Syra Madad, D.H.Sc., M.Sc., MCP, CHEP and Nahid Bhadelia, MD, MALD A shot of downtown Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda.Image courtesy of F.C.G. - stock.adobe.com. As Rwanda faces its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease...
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Assisting Dementia Patients with AI and AR
August 14, 2024
Winners of the Junior Academy Innovation Challenge Spring 2024: “Wearables” Sponsored by The New York Academy of Sciences Published August 14, 2024 By Nicole PopeAcademy Education Contributor Team members: Riya K. (India) (Team Lead), Shreeniket B. (United States), Sysha R. (India), Prakul P. (India), Tisha S. (India), Medha T. (United States) Dementia is a neurodegenerative condition that affects 55 million people worldwide and 1 in 10 people older than 65 in the United States, according...
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The Rising Threat of Mosquito & Tick-Borne Illnesses
August 8, 2024
Mosquitos and ticks thrive during the summer months, which is when they also present their greatest threat to public health. Dr. Syra Madad, Chief Biopreparedness Officer with NYC Health + Hospitals, offers advice on how to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from these disease-carrying insects. Published August 8, 2024 By Syra Madad, D.H.Sc., M.Sc., MCP, CHEPChief Biopreparedness Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals The mosquito (Culex pipiens) drinks blood on human skin. Image courtesy...
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Cancer Metabolism and Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment
August 7, 2024
From metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells to creating nucleotide imbalances. These experts are advancing the field of medical research and cancer treatment. Published August 6, 2024 By Megan Prescott, PhDProgram Manager for Life Sciences https://vimeo.com/995790207 What causes a normal cell to become a cancer cell? How do cancer cells cooperate to form a tumor? How can we interrupt these processes to inhibit cancer growth? Can nutrients directly modulate disease progression and therapeutic response? These and...
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HPAI A(H5N1) Transmission Among Cattle in the U.S.
May 28, 2024
While the risk to the public remains low, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) is on the radar of those in sectors like livestock breeding, animal sciences and food production. Published May 28, 2024 By Syra Madad, DHSc; Jason Kindrachuk, PhD; and Rick A. Bright, PhD Image courtesy of USDA NRCS Montana/Flickr Recent observations on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) have highlighted the virus's transmission among dairy cattle in the United States. Key...