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
At-home health and medical tests are increasingly available
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 […]
Women can have different symptoms of heart attack
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 […]
CLOSED: Two St. Louis Walgreens stores shut down
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 cases still rising
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 […]
Colon cancer rates increasing among younger people
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 […]
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 […]