Ahead of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in June, we asked St. Louis adults about risk and protective factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s. On average, they identified 3 of 8 risk and 4 of 7 protective factors; 42% had a close friend or family member with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Most and least known RISK factors […]
Earlier this week, the City of St. Louis Department of Health announced that an out-of-state visitor to the St. Louis Aquarium had measles and could have spread it to others there. iHeard found that St. Louis adults were already hearing about nearby measles cases before this news. Measles in surrounding states Missouri shares a border with eight […]
PLEASE SHARE THE RESOURCE BELOW RIGHT AWAY TO GET THE WORD OUT! Earlier today the City of St. Louis Department of Health notified the public of a potential local measles exposure. An out-of-state visitor to the St. Louis Aquarium has been confirmed with measles. The visitor was at the St. Louis Aquarium on Wednesday, April 30, between 1-6 […]
GLP-1 weight loss drugs have been so popular that drug makers could not keep up with public demand. In response to shortages, the FDA allowed use of “compounded” GLP-1 drugs. What are “compounded” drugs? Most prescription medications are approved by the FDA and manufactured by drug companies. Compounded drugs are made by licensed pharmacists or physicians who […]
At-home health tests can be quick and convenient. More are being introduced each year. Nearly all St. Louis adults surveyed had heard about at-home tests for COVID-19 and pregnancy, but far fewer knew about the tests for food allergies, sexually transmitted infections, and cancer. Most were “very” or “somewhat” concerned about test accuracy and cost. What […]
This week’s survey asked St. Louis adults about 12 symptoms of heart attack: six that are commonly experienced by men and women, and six affecting mostly women. The women’s symptoms were less well known, especially among men. Common heart attack symptoms are well known among St. Louisans… Nearly all St. Louisans correctly identified chest […]
Two Walgreens locations in St. Louis are closing. The Penrose neighborhood store closed on March 27; the 2310 McCausland Avenue store will shut down permanently on April 21. Among St. Louis adults surveyed, 45% heard about the closures in the last week. Store closures at pharmacy chains a national trend Walgreens operates about 8,500 U.S. stores, […]
Measles continues to spread nationally. As of March 27th, 483 cases have been confirmed in 20 states. In St. Louis, 46% of adults surveyed heard about rising measles cases in the last 7 days; only 14% heard that a small group of adults vaccinated 50 years ago may need a booster. Current measles outbreaks in the […]
Although colorectal cancer rates have declined in the U.S. in the last 20 years, new diagnoses among those under age 45 are rising. One in four St. Louis adults surveyed (26%) heard about the rising rates in the last week. What are the age trends in colon cancer? From 1995 to 2019, the proportion of […]
Vaccine discussions have been prominent in the news and social media recently. When asked if they’d heard anything about vaccines in the last two weeks, 52% of St. Louis adults said “yes.” However, only 13% said they had questions about vaccines. Who’s hearing about vaccines? Among 377 adults surveyed in four states (MO, NE, GA, […]
A wild duck found dead in the St. Louis Zoo’s Cove Lake tested positive for bird flu. Among St. Louis adults surveyed, 37% heard about it in the last 7 days. White respondents were more likely to hear about the Zoo’s bird flu case than Black respondents (46% vs. 30%). Bird flu situation at St. […]
So far in 2025 (through Feb. 27), 164 measles cases have been reported in nine states, a 262% increase from the same week in 2024. In St. Louis, 61% of adults surveyed had heard in the last week about rising rates. Most heard it from TV/radio sources (53%) and/or social media (50%). What’s the current measles situation? […]
One in 10 St. Louis adults surveyed reported hearing in the last 7 days that this year’s flu vaccine is less effective. In a broader sample of adults in St. Louis, Omaha, Atlanta, and North Carolina, 12% heard it. Awareness was highest among Hispanics (18%) and lowest in non-Hispanic Whites (10%). How effective is this […]
Although 1 in 3 U.S. households has a cat, only 10% of St. Louis adults surveyed reported hearing in the last 7 days that cats can spread bird flu to humans. Is there evidence of bird flu passing from cats to humans? A CDC report briefly posted online—and later removed—suggested that infected cats might spread bird flu to humans […]
Flu rates are surging in St. Louis. Through February 1, 2025, about 1 in 3 flu tests in Missouri came back positive– that’s more than double the 15% positivity rate from the same time last year. Half of St. Louis adults surveyed had heard about the rising flu rates in the last 7 days. How high […]
As of January 29, 2025, the average price of eggs in the U.S. was $7.09 a dozen, a 22% increase since January 1, 2025. Over half of St. Louis adults surveyed had heard about the increase due to bird flu in the last 7 days. Most heard it from social media (47%) or TV/radio (38%) How are […]
On November 26, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed expanding Medicare Part D and Medicaid to cover weight loss drugs. About 38% of St. Louis residents reported hearing about this proposal in the last 7 days, up from 20% the previous week. What’s included in the policy proposal? Currently, 14 state Medicaid programs cover weight […]
On January 15, the FDA announced a ban on Red Dye No. 3 in food and drug products. Three days later, we asked St. Louis residents if they had heard about the ban: 63% said yes. Manufacturers are required to remove the dye from their food products by January 2027. Makers of ingested drugs have until January […]
In 3 out of 4 categories, St. Louis adults were satisfied with the local response to the January 4-5 winter storm. But snow removal from streets and roads was a different story. Poll results In the iHeard STL weekly poll for January 11-13, St. Louisans rated their satisfaction from 1 to 10 (10=highest satisfaction) on […]
As of January 3, 2025, the CDC reports that respiratory illnesses causing people to seek healthcare are at high levels and continue to rise nationally. St. Louis residents seem to be taking note, with 3 in 8 (38%) reporting they heard “Cases of respiratory diseases such as flu, COVID-19, and RSV are increasing” in the […]
Here’s what was new in 2024: Centering community. iHeard joined with the St. Louis Partnership for a Healthy Community to support local public health efforts across our region. Growing again! We added 30 new community members to our weekly survey panel this year and will add another 45 in January and February. Look for iHeard at community events around St. Louis – […]
The CDC reports that from March 31 to October 5, 2024, rates of pneumonia in kids ages 2-4 increased from 1 to 7.2 percent, and from 3.6 to 7.4 percent among kids 5-17. Among St. Louis adults surveyed, 29 percent reported hearing about the increase during the last 7 days. Is it pneumonia? Symptoms of pneumonia usually […]
[Update] On Sunday, December 15th, the authors of a study referenced in this alert issued a correction to their findings. We have updated the alert and assets to reflect this correction. Updated text is shown in bold. A new study found that black-colored plastics used in cooking utensils and toys may contain banned toxic chemicals. Over […]
Holiday gatherings often bring together people with differing perspectives, sometimes leading to sensitive conversations. We asked St. Louisans what they discussed at their Thanksgiving meals. Different viewpoints were common Among adults surveyed in St. Louis and Omaha, 74% shared a meal with family or friends from outside their household; of those, nearly two-thirds said someone at […]
This week, 16% of St. Louis adults surveyed reported that in the last 7 days they had heard that “all fluoride in water is dangerous;” of those who heard it 46% thought it was probably or definitely true. What is fluoride? Fluoride is a natural mineral found in water, soil, air, and certain foods. In the […]
On October 7, the FDA authorized another over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 and flu combo test kit. One in five (20%) St. Louis adults surveyed reported hearing about it this week, an increase from 9% who had heard about it one week prior. How does the combo test kit work? The Healgen Rapid Check COVID-19/Flu A&B Test is made […]
Asked if they trust the safety of the food they buy in stores or restaurants, 74% of St. Louis adults surveyed say they “mostly trust it,” and 9% say they “trust it completely.” About 12% said they “mostly do not trust it,” and 5% said they “don’t trust it at all.” Trust in food safety […]
If you’ve never heard of a sobering support center, you’re not alone. Only 13% of St. Louis adults surveyed had heard of it, and of those, only 1 in 4 knew the name or address of St. Louis’s center. What is a sobering support center? A sobering support center is a better community response to public intoxication. It’s a […]
As of October 12, 2024, Whooping Cough cases in St. Louis County are 25 times higher than the same period in 2023. Only one in six St. Louis adults (17%) surveyed this week said they had heard about the rise in cases during the last 7 days. More St. Louisans hearing about Whooping Cough This is the […]
Over 500 miles away from the nearest damage brought by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, adults in St. Louis still heard false claims about the storms. No, humans cannot create or steer hurricanes… Among St. Louis adults surveyed, 32% heard in the last week that humans can create hurricanes, 29% heard that humans can control the […]
We surveyed St. Louis adults for World Mental Health Day, and found that nearly half (48%) believed the mental health of people in St. Louis has become worse over the last year. Only 6% felt it was getting better; 46% said it was about the same. What do different groups believe? Among 222 adults surveyed in St. […]
Every U.S. household is eligible to receive four free COVID-19 rapid test kits this fall. When surveyed, 44% of St. Louis adults had heard about the free tests in the last week. What we know about the at-home test kits On September 27, the federal government announced the return of free COVID-19 test kits. The at-home over-the-counter […]
As weight loss drugs explode in popularity, we asked St. Louisans if they have heard about GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro in the last 2 weeks. Most (62%) said yes. This was the highest rate among five states included in the survey. Who is hearing about GLP-1 drugs? Among the 551 adults […]
Earlier this month, the CDC confirmed a unique human case of bird flu in Missouri. It was the first case to be reported in which the patient had no known contact with a sick or infected animal. It was the 14th case of bird flu in humans this year in the U.S. One in five St. […]
Although 61% of adults surveyed across five states think the benefits of COVID vaccines outweigh the risks, only 36% say they are very likely to take the updated COVID vaccine. Who is likely to take the updated COVID vaccine? Among 585 adults surveyed, 36% reported it was “very likely” and 28% “somewhat likely” that they […]
According to the CDC, 377 human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been detected in 38 states in 2024, including St. Louis County. Last week, nearly 1 in 4 St. Louis adults surveyed (23%) heard about WNV cases occurring earlier this year. That’s up from 10% the week prior. Most St. Louisans heard it from […]
Due to severe health risks, the FDA is investigating the recall of all Diamond Shruumz products. These include chocolate bars, cones, and gummies that contain psychoactive (brain affecting) ingredients. This week, 12% of St. Louisans surveyed heard about the recall, up from 8% last week. About Diamond Shruumz products “Edibles” containing psychoactive compounds, such as cannabis or […]
Has COVID-19 become “endemic” in the United States? CDC says yes, but others disagree. What does endemic mean, and why does it matter? It’s new to most St. Louis adults In a survey of St. Louis adults, only 17% had heard in the past week that some scientists believe COVID-19 is now “endemic” in the […]
According to CDC, 32 states are likely seeing an increase in COVID-19 infections in August. Levels of the virus in sewage water – a marker of COVID spreading in communities identified by using wastewater monitoring – are three times higher in August 2024 than one year prior. Growing awareness in St. Louis Among St. Louis […]
Since July 26, more than 7 million pounds of popular Boar’s Head deli meats have been recalled due to their link to a listeria outbreak. So far, 43 people in 13 states – including Missouri – have been hospitalized, and three have died. Among St. Louis adults surveyed, 37% heard about the outbreak this week, up from […]
The survey St. Louis adults (n=141) were asked, “Many things affect the lives of people living in St. Louis. If you could address one of the challenges below, which do you think would have the greatest benefit for St. Louis?” They chose from 9 options, each of which is known to be a social determinant of […]
For the second year in a row, gun violence and mental health are the top health concerns of St. Louis adults. Healthcare access and costs and drug abuse/addiction/overdose were 3rd and 4th. The survey St. Louis adults (n=141) were asked, “What is the biggest health problem facing St. Louis?” After choosing from 14 options, they […]
COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S. have increased steadily since May 4, and COVID cases are growing or likely growing in 45 states and territories. One-third of St. Louis adults surveyed (34%) had heard about the summer wave of COVID in the last week, up from 32% the prior week. Why a summer surge? COVID infections […]
Last month, the U.S. Surgeon General called for warning labels on social media and declared gun violence a national health crisis. Only 24% of St. Louis adults surveyed had heard about the social media warning, down from 37% one week prior. Even fewer (23%) had heard about the gun violence declaration, which was also lower […]
Protecting your skin from the sun isn’t complicated. But it’s easy to get lost in all the letters and numbers like “SPF-30” and “UPF” or terms like “broad-spectrum” and “mineral-based.” Among St. Louis adults surveyed, just 7% to 32% felt they understood these terms well, and many didn’t know which sunscreen types worked best. Here’s […]
Although one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70, sunscreen use and knowledge remain low. Among St. Louis adults surveyed, only 17% reported using sunscreen when outside for 15 minutes or more during daylight hours. Just 32% felt that they understood the term SPF “very well.” Nearly half of adults rarely or never used […]
From 2021 to 2023, heat-related deaths in the U.S. increased by 44%. Only 19% of St. Louis adults surveyed heard about the increase in the last week. Of 542 adults surveyed in five states, those ages 50 and older were more likely than those under 50 (39% vs. 24%) to hear that heat-related deaths are increasing, […]
According to CDC, syphilis cases in the US have surged 80% higher since 2018. Congenital syphilis, which is passed from mother to fetus, is up 31% since 2018, with rates 10 times higher than they were in 2012. Only 17% of St. Louis adults surveyed reported hearing about it in the last week. A top priority in […]
Missouri and 34 other states will be launching SUN Bucks, a summer nutrition program to help feed kids. Only 12% of St. Louis adults surveyed (and 11% of those with children under 18 in their home) had heard about SUN Bucks in the last week. What is SUN Bucks? When approved in Missouri, SUN Bucks, also […]
A survey of 565 adults from five states found that most (58%) were aware that public health officials tested sewer water, but less that 10% said they knew a lot about it. In contrast, 61% said they knew little or nothing about it. What is wastewater monitoring? Wastewater monitoring helps communities detect and respond promptly […]