Tick and Mosquito Season

Step up your defense: It’s mosquito season! Suggested Caption: It’s the start of mosquito season for many places in the U.S. including Missouri. Use these tips to help prevent mosquito-borne diseases like Zika and Malaria.   #iHeardSTL #MosquitoSeason #Mosquito Step up your defense: It’s tick season! Suggested Caption: Don’t let a tick make you sick! Wear […]

Poll: Bird Flu

How do milk drinkers feel about the safety of pasteurized milk? Suggested Caption: Is the U.S. milk supply safe? Yes. On May 1st, FDA announced new test results that confirmed that live (active) bird flu virus does not remain in pasteurized milk, further confirming the safety of the milk supply. Raw milk is not safe […]

UPDATE: Bird Flu

What do we know about bird flu spreading to mammals? Suggested Caption: The FDA and multiple news groups reported that particles of the bird flu virus were found in some cow’s milk samples taken from U.S. grocery stores. FDA and CDC say that based on what we know today, pasteurized milk is safe because the […]

Bird Flu

What should I know about bird flu? Suggested Caption: The bird flu virus is spreading among birds and cattle in the U.S. The risk for the general public is low; those in close contact with infected birds or cows should take precautions.  #iHeardSTL #BirdFlu  Should I be worried about getting bird flu? Suggested Caption: The […]

Weight-loss drugs

Public understanding of weight-loss drugs is low Suggested Caption: It’s okay to have questions about weight-loss medicines. Look to sources like your doctor, Mayo Clinic, and MedlinePlus to learn more. #iHeardSTL #WeightLossDrugs #StayAware #PublicHealthEducation Fake weight-loss drugs Suggested Caption: Only 4% of adults surveyed in MD, MO and NE are confident that they could tell […]

Updated Resource: Measles

Measles is preventable! Suggested Caption: There have been 58 cases of measles so far this year. This already equals the total number of cases in ALL of 2023. The takeaway: measles is preventable. Vaccinations reduce the spread of measles & the severity of symptoms. #iHeardSTL #Measles #StayHealthy #GetVaccinated

COVID-19 Vaccine & Blood Donation

Can I give blood after getting vaccinated for COVID-19? Suggested Caption: Help spread the word: You can donate blood after getting a COVID vaccine. If the vaccine is FDA-approved and you don’t feel sick, you can give blood right away. If you don’t know which vaccine you got, wait 14 days after getting vaccinated. #iHeardSTL […]

Additional Resources: CDC Guidelines for Respiratory Illnesses

What if I get sick? Suggested Caption: As of March 1, the CDC updated guidelines for respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. Take a look at Elena, Sean, Isabella, and Max’s situations for examples on how to navigate the new guidelines! The updated guidelines can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/updated-respiratory-virus-guidance.html #iHeardSTL #COVIDGuidelines #CDC #STLHealth […]

Measles

Measles cases Suggested Caption: Have you been hearing about the recent measles outbreaks? Swipe to learn more about what’s going on. The takeaway: measles is preventable. Vaccinations reduce the spread of measles & the severity of symptoms. #iHeardSTL #Measles #StayHealthy #GetVaccinated Measles case increase Suggested Caption: Have you been hearing about the recent measles outbreaks? […]

CDC Guidelines for Respiratory Illnesses

UPDATE (March 1, 2024): Please use the newest resource “New CDC Guidelines” instead of the “COVID-19 Isolation” resource because the guidance on isolation with COVID has changed. New CDC Guidelines Suggested Caption: As of March 1, the CDC has announced new guidelines for respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. People who test positive […]

National Blood Shortage

Did you know? Suggested Caption: According to the Red Cross, the number of people donating blood is the lowest it has been in 20 years. Visit http://RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 to find your local blood donation center and make an appointment. #iHeardSTL #RedCross #GiveBlood Donar sangre puede ayudar a salvar la vida de una persona. […]

Food Safety – Cantaloupes

Are these in your home? Don’t eat them! Suggested Caption: The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes and urging consumers to avoid eating certain recalled cantaloupe products, including some fruit cups. Make sure you check your cantaloupe products before eating! #iHeardSTL #FDA #SalmonellaOutbreak #FoodSafety ¿Los tiene en […]

Mammograms

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 […]

FDA Recall – Eyedrops

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 […]

FDA Recall – Fruit Pouches

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 […]

Oral Phenylephrine (PE)

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 […]

Masking and Long COVID

Weekly alert: Does masking protect against Long COVID? Suggested Caption: Does masking protect against Long COVID? Let’s clear the air! According to our recent survey, most respondents believe masks prevent getting COVID-19 (80%) and prevent spreading it to others (84%). However, only 49% of our panel think masks can lower the risks of developing Long […]

Twitter & Trust

Weekly alert: Trust in Twitter has dropped Suggested Caption: 🚨 Our panel of St. Louis adults reveals that trust in Twitter has declined for some time 📉 40% of Twitter users on our survey panel reported decreased trust in information they see on the platform in the past 6 months. The other panel members (60%) […]

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Weekly alert: COVID-19 public health emergency expiration Suggested Caption: St. Louis residents are still hearing about the Public Health Emergency ending in May. In mid-February, when this item first appeared on our survey, 43% of STL adults had heard it. Exposure to this information has steadily remained high over these 2+ months. Is there anything […]

Candida Auris Fungus Spreading in Healthcare Settings

Weekly alert: What are St. Lousians hearing about Candida auris? Suggested Caption: Nearly 1 in 3 St. Louis adults heard about a new fungus spreading between people. Adults age 40 and older were much more likely to hear it than those younger than 40. Most people heard the claim on TV and radio. The fungus […]

Ozempic drug shortages

Weekly alert part 1: What are St. Louisans hearing about Ozempic? Suggested Caption: For the fourth consecutive week, about 1 in 4 St. Louis adults heard that people with diabetes are not able to access the drug Ozempic because of its recent popularity for weight loss. This week’s total, 27%, is actually up 4% increase […]