Francesca Rome-Marie’s Blog
What You Need to Know About the Cholera Outbreak
On October 6, 2022, the Public Health Ministry of Lebanon notified WHO about two cholera cases in the northern part of the country, the first outbreak of the disease in the region since 1993. As of October 13, there are 18 cases and 2 probable deaths confirmed. While...
Significant Global Health Issues to Be Aware Of
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, various organizations were publishing their top global health concerns for the coming decade. While warnings of pandemics seem eerily prescient, other issues are worth renewed focus. Global Health Defined Definitions of global...
The Polio Outbreak in New York Could Be a Global Health Risk
Officials in New York are sounding the alarm about an outbreak of polio which has paralyzed one person. Since most cases are asymptomatic and paralysis only occurs in about 1 of 200 people, health experts warn this means hundreds are infected. The US...
Misconceptions About Monkeypox
In July the WHO declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern. Cases have appeared in countries with no previously reported infections. And according to the CDC, the number of cases of monkeypox in the U.S. has reached over 6,600 as of August...
Migration and Displacement on the Health of Refugees and Migrants
According to a new report by the World Health Organization, the 1 billion migrants and refugees worldwide are facing poorer health outcomes than those in host communities – meaning 1 out of every 8 people on earth are affected by this health disparity. With the...
Why the World Is Still Vulnerable to Polio
Though polio has existed throughout history, the first mass outbreaks didn’t occur until the industrial era. Peaking in the Americas and Europe in the 1940’s and 1950’s, the highly contagious virus spread fear as it indiscriminately killed and paralyzed children. Then...
What We Know About Monkeypox
Monkeypox, a rare and less severe relative of smallpox, is currently making headlines. According to the World Health Organization, more than 250 cases have been reported in approximately 16 countries. This is a viral disease spread by close and prolonged contact with...
Understanding Immunity and the Coronavirus
Finding a way to grant immunity to the Coronavirus has been a worldwide preoccupation since the beginning of the pandemic. However, the colloquial definition of the word ‘immunity’ is somewhat different than what medical professionals mean when they use this term....
Mistreatment in Childbirth: Both a Human Rights and Healthcare Problem
Childbirth is a powerful event that should be protected. Tragically, mistreatment, abuse, and obstetric violence are far too common in the delivery room. Although pregnancy itself can pose risks, seeking care during labor should not. Neglect and...
Which Countries Have Been Given the COVID-19 Vaccine?
It has been nearly a year since the COVID-19 vaccine was first administered and distributed to various hospitals. What began as a hopeless pandemic now has an end in sight. Although nobody expects the virus to go away completely, the introduction of the COVID-19...