An online influencer posted a Spanish-language video on Facebook with a false claim that mammograms are not necessary or safe for women over 40. The video had 500,000+ views before it was removed. We asked adults in Missouri, Colorado and Nebraska if they had heard the claim in the last 7 days. Overall, 1 in […]
Are mammograms necessary for women over 40? Suggested Caption: An online influencer posted a Spanish-language video on Facebook with a false claim that mammograms are not necessary for women over 40, viewed over 500,000 times before it was removed. Overall, 1 in 8 panelists from three states (13%) heard this false claim. Hispanic respondents were […]
On October 27, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers to stop using 26 over-the-counter eye drop products due to unsanitary manufacturing conditions. Last week, about 1 in 6 (16%) St. Louis adults said they had heard that eyedrops are unsafe. Almost all (92%) who heard it said it could be true. Not […]
Do you use eyedrops? Suggested Caption: On October 27, the FDA warned consumers to stop using 26 over-the-counter eyedrop products. Anyone using recalled eye products should visit an eye care professional if they have eye infection symptoms such as blurry vision, discharge, pain or discomfort, redness of the eyelid, feeling like there is something in […]
WanaBana & Schnucks recall contaminated fruit pouches Suggested Caption: Parents and caregivers: don’t give your kids apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches! The FDA says they might have too much lead. To learn more about this and other health topics in St. Louis, visit iHeardSTL.org or follow @iHeard_STL. #iHeardSTL #SafetyFirst #RecallAlert Alerta de retirada del mercado de […]
Schnuck’s Markets recalled its cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches because they may contain high lead levels. This follows last week’s recall by WanaBana USA of its Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches due to possible lead contamination. Weis Markets in Pennsylvania also recalled a similar product. Only 15% of St. Louis adults heard about the WanaBana recall last […]
If you hear this…You can say: Suggested Caption: The claim that “if vaccines worked, we wouldn’t have diseases like flu, measles and mumps,” has been circulating as a meme on social media. That claim is NOT true. Vaccines reduce the risk or severity of an illness by training our immune system to fight the illness. […]
Local efforts to address inaccurate health information may be working. For weeks, a social media meme has been circulating, claiming that “if vaccines worked, we wouldn’t have diseases like flu, measles and mumps.” However, the proportion of St. Louisans who believe the claim has dropped for 5 straight weeks. Among St. Louis adults surveyed, less […]
Looking for a COVID vaccine for your child? Suggested Caption: Vaccinating kids can help protect family members and keep kids in daycare and school, allowing them to safely participate in sports, playdates, and other group activities. Use these tips to find and schedule a vaccine for your child today! To learn more about this and […]
The local supply of COVID vaccine for children is lagging, and more St. Louisans are hearing about it. Last week, one in five adults surveyed had heard that it’s hard to find COVID vaccine for young children, up 20% from the prior week. Availability of the pediatric COVID vaccine currently varies across St. Louis. Some […]
Free at-home COVID tests Suggested Caption: Did you hear? FREE at-home COVID test kits are back! Order your tests from COVIDTests.gov. Need help placing an order for your at-home tests? Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) To learn more about this and other health topics in St. Louis, visit iHeardSTL.org or follow @iHeard_STL. #iHeardSTL #FreeCOVIDtests #SelfTesting Los kits […]
Every U.S. household is again eligible to receive four free COVID-19 rapid test kits delivered to their homes this fall. When asked if they’d heard about the free tests in the last week, only 43% of St. Louis adults surveyed said yes. The free test kits are part of public health efforts to reduce the […]
Can I get the flu, COVID and/or RSV vaccines at the same time? Suggested Caption: Yes, you CAN get the flu, COVID and/or RSV vaccines at the same time! Talk to your healthcare provider to find out which vaccines are right for you. To learn more about this and other health topics in St. Louis, […]
Find COVID-19 vaccine locations at Vaccines.gov Suggested Caption: Need help finding a COVID‑19 vaccine near you? Visit Vaccines.gov or call 1-800-232-0233. Call your local vaccine provider to check for vaccine availability and appointment times. To learn more about this and other health topics in St. Louis, visit iHeardSTL.org or follow @iHeard_STL. #iHeardSTL #StayUpdatededAndProtected! #COVIDVaccine What you […]
It’s been three weeks since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the updated COVID-19 vaccine for people six months and older. More than 1 in 3 St. Louis adults (36%) have heard about the FDA’s approval, but many are also hearing that the vaccine is hard to find in St. Louis right now. […]
Oral phenylephrine (PE; pronounced “fen-il-ef-rin”), considered a decongestant, is listed as an active ingredient in many common over-the-counter oral cough and cold medicines. There’s just one problem: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it may not work. On September 11th, FDA held a Non-prescription Drug Advisory Committee meeting and concluded that there is […]
Finding PE on over-the-counter medicine labels Suggested Caption: The FDA recently advised that there is insufficient evidence to support oral phenylephrine as a decongestant ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products. To find and avoid this ingredient when looking at oral decongestant medicine this season, check the “Active Ingredients” label on the back of […]
In parts of the U.S., infections from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are on the rise. About 1 in 5 St. Louisans (20%) say they’ve heard about the increase. RSV infection typically causes mild cold-like symptoms but can be severe among infants and older adults. Among St. Louis adults surveyed, African American community members were more […]
Version 1: Did you know? Version 2: Did you know? Suggested Caption: 1 in 5 St. Louisans say they’ve heard about the increase in RSV infections. A new RSV immunization for infants and vaccine for older adults and pregnant people is now available and could help protect against hospitalizations from RSV this year. To learn […]
For the last 10 weeks, St. Louis has seen a steady increase in the proportion of adults who have heard that the FDA recommended an updated COVID vaccine for the fall. In last week’s survey, 40% of St. Louis adults had heard about the FDA recommending an updated COVID vaccine. This survey was administered just […]
Weekly alert: New variants. New vaccine. What are people hearing? Suggested Caption: The CDC has confirmed two new COVID variants: EG.5 (Eris) and BA.2.86 (Pirola). EG.5 is now the most common variant, accounting for about 20% of cases. To learn more about this and other health topics in St. Louis, visit iHeardSTL.org or follow @iHeard_STL. #iHeardSTL […]
We asked St. Louis adults what they are hearing about COVID-19. In the last 7 days, nearly two-thirds (65%) have heard that COVID cases are rising. This is a big increase from last week (+42%). In addition, 35% heard there is a new COVID variant, and 37% heard that FDA advisers recommended an update to […]
Free at-home COVID tests Suggested Caption: Here’s what you need to know about ordering free COVID-19 tests again:– Limit of one order per residential address– One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests (COVIDTests.gov has more details about at-home tests, including extended shelf life and updated expiration dates)– Orders will ship free starting the […]
COVID-19 Cases Rising Suggested Caption: iHeard asked St. Louisans if they had heard “COVID cases are rising” at the end of August. Almost half (46%) said “yes.” More people (11%) also reported taking more frequent precautions (such as wearing masks, washing their hands often, avoiding close contact with others, and avoiding large indoor gatherings). This […]
We asked St. Louis adults if they had heard “COVID cases are rising” in the past week. Almost half (46%) said “yes” and nearly all of them (93%) believed it was true. When the same respondents were asked about their own COVID precautions such as mask-wearing, hand-washing, avoiding close contact or large gatherings, 11% reported […]
Over half (54%) of adult survey respondents in St. Louis reported knowing someone who has ever experienced post-partum depression (PPD), and 1 in 5 (20%) know someone who’s had PPD in the last year. Postpartum depression – a condition in which a person feels sad, anxious, and tired after giving birth – has been in […]
In last week’s poll, 38% of St. Louis adults surveyed reported hearing about the closure of SSM Level II trauma services at DePaul Hospital in North County. This week, we asked respondents if they would be affected by the change, and separately, if they would be affected the expected closure of South City Hospital. Almost 1 […]
Only one week after the FDA approved a new pill for postpartum depression, nearly 30% of St. Louis adults surveyed had heard the news. Increasing community awareness of this treatment is an important part of protecting moms, babies and families in St. Louis. According to the CDC, 1 in 8 women who recently gave birth […]
Weekly alert: Postpartum depression Suggested Caption: Following the FDA approval of the first postpartum depression pill on August 4, iHeard asked St. Louisans if they had heard about the approval. Almost three in ten (29%) said “yes.” Postpartum depression is a medical condition where a woman feels sad, anxious, and tired after giving birth. It […]
Within weeks, North County’s DePaul Hospital will be ending its Level II trauma services. That news is spreading in St. Louis: 38% of adults surveyed this week heard about the change in service, up 68% from the prior week. SSM Health announced that on September 10th it will end Level II trauma services at DePaul […]
Weekly alert: Be aware of hospital changes in St. Louis Suggested Caption: DePaul Hospital will end Level II trauma services on September 10th due to a low number of trauma patients. The hospital will continue Level I trauma care for treating conditions like heart attacks and strokes. To learn more about this and other health […]
Elon Musk claimed on Twitter that COVID vaccines may be the cause of basketball player Bronny James’ cardiac arrest. We asked St. Louisans if they had heard in the past week that COVID vaccines are causing increased heart problems among young athletes. Although few had heard it (9%), two-thirds of those (67%) believed it. Multiple […]
We asked St. Louis adults, “If someone you know in St. Louis needs help staying cool or paying utility bills from air conditioning, do you know where to send them?” Only 24% said “yes.” The majority (63%) said “no,” while 13% were “not sure.” Younger St. Louisans (under age 40) were less likely to know […]
Weekly alert: Are COVID vaccines safe for young athletes? Suggested Caption: Although only a few (9%) of surveyed STL adults have heard COVID-19 vaccines cause heart problems among young athletes, two-thirds (67%) of those who heard it believed it. Multiple scientific studies have found no evidence of an increased risk of cardiac arrest after COVID […]
Weekly alert: Are COVID vaccines safe for young athletes? Suggested Caption: Did you hear? Ameren is working to support customers with the Keeping Current & Keeping Cool payment assistance programs. Summer heat waves and excessive heat can be dangerous for children, older adults, people with heart conditions, and those who work outside. Cool Down St. […]
For 22 weeks, iHeard panel members have reported hearing about the rising mental health crisis among teens. This week, we asked what they were hearing about the reason for declining teen mental health. Most cited social media use (53%), followed by social and cultural division in the U.S. (12%) and gender and sexual identity (8%). […]
In a poll from June 24-26, St. Louis adults rated gun violence as the biggest health problem in St. Louis. Three weeks later, in a follow-up survey among the same adults, 37% selected “banning semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles” as the most effective way of reducing gun violence in St. Louis, followed by “increasing the […]
Weekly alert: What would reduce gun violence in STL? Suggested Caption: In a poll from June 24-26, St. Louis adults rated gun violence as the biggest health problem in St. Louis. Three weeks later, in a follow-up survey, 37% selected “banning semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles” as the most effective way of reducing gun violence […]
Weekly alert: Let’s help protect mental health Suggested Caption: iHeard asked panel members were hearing about the reason for declining teen mental health. The most cited was social media use (53%), followed by social and cultural division in the U.S. (12%) and gender and sexual identity (8%). The coronavirus pandemic (5%), school shootings (4%), and […]
The two health stories most heard by St. Louis adults last week both involved beverages. Almost half (45%) of respondents to a weekly survey had heard in the last 7 days that aspartame sweeteners may cause cancer; 28% had heard about new energy drinks under investigation due to possible health risks. White St. Louisans were […]
Weekly alert: Aspartame sweeteners and energy drinks Suggested Caption: iHeard surveyed St. Louisans to learn what they’ve been hearing about two nutritional products – aspartame sweeteners and new energy drinks. 45% have heard that aspartame sweeteners might cause cancer, while 28% were informed about the investigation into potential health risks associated with new energy drinks. […]
More St. Louis organizations are expanding access to safe spaces for young people, and at least some in St. Louis are getting the message. In this week’s poll, 43% of African American adults surveyed and 25% of Whites had heard about it. Adults ages 40 and older were more likely to have heard it than […]
Weekly alert: Organizations expand access to safe spaces for young people Suggested Caption: At least 3 out of 10 (31%) surveyed St. Louis adults have heard that more organizations are expanding access to safe places for young people in St. Louis. Older people (40+ years) are more likely to have heard this information than younger […]
Although there was widespread agreement in last week’s survey about the biggest health concerns facing St. Louis, we found some differences by sub-group that are relevant for local community leaders and service providers to consider. Respondents chose from 13 health problems: Gun violence, Mental health, Healthcare access and cost, Drug abuse, Traffic safety, Obesity, Reproductive […]
Weekly alert: Top health concern in St. Louis is gun violence Suggested Caption: iHeard asked St. Louis adults what they considered the biggest and second biggest health problem facing St. Louis. By a landslide margin, most people named gun violence the area’s biggest health problem. Other notable problems include mental health, healthcare access and cost, […]
In the latest iHeard survey, we asked St. Louis adults what they considered the biggest and second biggest health problem facing St. Louis. By a landslide margin, most people named gun violence the area’s biggest health problem. The order of health problems in our survey was randomized for each respondent. This week’s report is based on […]
It’s been one month since a new recommendation was announced to lower the starting age for mammograms from 50 to 40 years, but awareness of the guideline remains low in St. Louis. Only 19% of St. Louis adults surveyed heard last week about the new recommendation, a 39% decline from when we first asked about […]
Weekly alert: New mammogram guidelines – what to know Suggested Caption: On May 9, 2023, after considering scientific evidence, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended lowering the screening age for breast cancer to 40 years for women with an average risk of breast cancer. Only 19% of St. Louis adults surveyed heard about the […]
Weekly alert: Free gun locks Suggested Caption: Guns are the leading cause of death for US children and teens, since surpassing car accidents in 2020. In response to this crisis and a growing number of recent child firearm injuries in St. Louis, SSM Health and some other St. Louis hospitals began offering free gun locks […]
St. Louis hospitals are now distributing free gunlocks to help reduce firearm injuries, but only 15% of St. Louis adults surveyed have heard about the initiative. African American community members were more likely to have heard about it than Whites (26% vs 9%). On June 2, 2023, SSM Health joined 8 other hospitals across the […]