iHeard sends a weekly alert to community partners highlighting top findings and priorities, accurate health information, and local resources to support a community-wide response.
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Latest Alerts
Most St. Louisans are hearing chatter about vaccines
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, […]
Dead duck with bird flu found in St. Louis Zoo
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. […]
Measles on the rise in U.S.
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? […]
Is the flu vaccine less effective this year?
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 […]
Can cats spread bird flu to people?
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 levels rising again
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 […]
Egg prices rise as bird flu spreads in poultry
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 […]
Will Medicare and Medicaid cover weight loss drugs?
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 […]
BANNED: Red Dye No. 3
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 […]