Public Health

Image

PHOTO BY SPENCER DAVIS/PIXABAY

Respiratory virus season looms, officials warn

State and county officials say they can’t tell how bad the fall and winter will be for the combination of COVID-19, RSV and the flu, but say measles and whooping cough are already surging

Sep 19, 2024
Premium

Image

Patients who contract measles, a highly contagious disease, develop a skin rash. | WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Largest Oregon measles outbreak in 30 years endangers kids, expert says

Every one of the 31 measles cases reported in Oregon as of Monday surfaced in people who had not received the MMR vaccine, according to an OHSU pediatrician

Sep 10, 2024

Image

Oregon Health & Science University researcher Jonah Sacha is a senior co-author of a study published in the journal Nature Communications on an experimental flu vaccine designed to protect against all variants of the virus. | COURTESY/CHRISTINE TORRES HICKS OF OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY

Study holds hope for revolutionary flu vaccine, OHSU researchers say

A study conducted on monkeys suggests a new approach could help reduce the harms of a wide range of future influenza variants, but more needs to be done to prove safety and effectiveness

Jul 23, 2024
Premium

Image

The Behavioral Health Resource Center at 333 SW Park Avenue in Portland on Nov. 16, 2022. | EMILY GREEN/THE LUND REPORT

County health and social services contracts need better oversight, auditors say

Multnomah County's contract oversight practices need revamping to ensure people are getting the services they need, according to a report issued by Auditor Jennifer McGuirk. County officials say they're working on it.

Jun 27, 2024
Premium

Image

BRETT HONDOW/PIXABAY

Health care groups enter Oregon gun control case

Professional associations representing doctors, nurses and others are backing an appeal in support of Measure 114, arguing research shows it would improve public safety

Jun 18, 2024

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

State issues dashboard as more Oregonians suffer brain injuries

Effort to raise awareness reflects increasing focus of public health research

Jun 4, 2024
Premium

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

State: New and expecting parents with chickens should consider infection risks

A new Oregon study highlights a case investigated with Crook County in which the baby was born 150 miles away from the chickens that infected it — but had to be readmitted due to a serious Salmonella infection just days later

Apr 16, 2024

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

Tobacco companies sue to snuff out Oregon's new ‘equity assessment’

Companies are challenging a new state law in court, saying payments to account for the health effects of cigarettes would be unfair and unconstitutional

Mar 28, 2024
Premium

Image

BRETT HONDOW/PIXABAY

Thinking about gun safety is a doc’s job, physician says

Primary care physician approaches patients with humility and respect while talking about firearms, gun storage and health

Mar 21, 2024
Premium

Image

FRITZ LIEDTKE/OHSU

Oregonians 65 or old urged to get second COVID vaccine

Preliminary research suggests good staying power for the first dose of the updated vaccine, but state and federal officials recommend seniors play it safe in light of their increased vulnerability

Mar 5, 2024