Latest news with #LourdesDuarte
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
U.S. fertility rates hover near record low — and more
For Wednesday, April 23, WGN's Ben Bradley and Lourdes Duarte have the latest on new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch According to a newly released report from the CDC, the U.S. fertility rate continues to hover near record lows. Statistics show just over three and a half million babies were born in the U.S. last year. That's only a one percent increase from 20-23, when birth rates hit a record low. The CDC report also shows a shift toward older mothers. President Donald Trump has called for a 'baby boom,' and Vice President J.D. Vance has notably criticized childless young Americans. Experts say the U.S is facing a maternal health care crisis, pointing to the high maternal mortality rate and the maternal health care deserts in more than a third of the country. The American Cancer Society reports that smoking-related cancers in the U.S. have dropped. In its latest report, the agency attributes the decline to decreasing smoking rates. But it also warns that cervical cancer screenings have dropped among women ages 21 to 65, leaving them at risk of not detecting the disease early. In addition, rates of HPV vaccination, which prevents cervical cancer, have stalled. The report also says cancers linked to excessive weight, like kidney, colon, and pancreatic cancers, are on the rise. Misinformation about measles is spreading fast. A new poll reveals that parents are uncertain about the safety of the measles vaccine. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has amplified some misconceptions about a link between the vaccine and the diagnosis of autism. An estimated 6 out of 10 adults have heard a false claim about the measles vaccine. Uncertainty has led some parents to delay or skip vaccinating their children. There have been 800 confirmed measles cases across 24 states in the United States so far this year. Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGN's Dina Bair and the Med Watch team, including, the latest updates from health organizations, in-depth reporting on advancements in medical technology and treatments, as well as personal features related to people in the medical field. Sign up here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chicago small business owners concerned over Trump's tariffs on Mexican imports
CHICAGO — Chicago's small business owners are still on edge after Monday's news that President Trump will begin enforcing tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada. In Little Village, 26th Street is considered the economic engine of a neighborhood that brings Mexican traditions to Chicago. But that engine is beginning to feel some cracks. Mexico is the third largest importer of goods for Illinois, bringing in an estimated $18 billion dollars in 2023. The talk of tariffs comes at a time when business owners say Mexican brands were beginning to recover from the pandemic. WGN Investigates: Investigating public corruption, crime & fraud Meanwhile, the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is tasked with easing consumers and conglomerates as they attempt to build more Mexican investment in Illinois. WGN Investigates' Lourdes Duarte spoke with one business owner who laid out what it means for Illinois. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Heart disease remains top cause of death in the US — and more
For Monday, Feb. 24, WGN's Patrick Elwood and Lourdes Duarte have new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Texas is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in decades, as the CDC continues with large-scale layoffs. All told, 700 people have been fired, including scientists in a program investigating disease outbreaks. In Texas, 90 people have been diagnosed, 16 patients hospitalized, with the highly contagious disease since late January. Five of the patients are vaccinated – the rest are unvaccinated or their status is unknown. In reported children cases, 77 are in youth 17 or younger. New Mexico is also reporting nine cases of measles. Heart disease is still the top cause of death in the US. The American Heart Association says more than 940,000 Americans died of cardiovascular disease. In 2022, heart disease and stroke killed more people than all forms of cancer and accidental deaths. The report also found that between 2017 and 2020, nearly half of all adults in the US had some form of cardiovascular disease. Major risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. A study that took six years, should put to rest the idea that the Covid vaccine caused cardiac arrest in young athletes. The study compared cardiac arrests and deaths before the pandemic and during. It found the numbers were relatively similar, and in fact, lower during covid. The results were published in the journal, JAMA Network Open, on Monday. The study's author says the findings invalidate claims made on social media, with videos that actually showed incidents before Covid. Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGN's Dina Bair and the Med Watch team, including, the latest updates from health organizations, in-depth reporting on advancements in medical technology and treatments, as well as personal features related to people in the medical field. Sign up here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Flu cases hit worst level in 15 years in the US — plus more headlines
For Tuesday, Feb. 18, WGN's Ben Bradley and Lourdes Duarte have the latest on new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch It's the worst flu season to hit the US in 15 years. The CDC reports that there have been at least 29 million estimated cases so far this season. There have been 16,000 deaths as of Feb. 8 and 68 kids have died. There have been a minimum of 370,000 hospitalizations. This season may be more severe due to falling vaccination rates in recent years for some groups, including children. There may be yet another use for the drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, beyond diabetes and weight loss. A new study shows the active ingredient – Semaglutide – may also help reduce alcohol cravings, in people with 'alcohol use disorder.' That's a condition where a person can't stop drinking alcohol, or has become dependent on it. In the study, people injected with Semaglutide had reduced alcohol cravings and fewer heavy drinking days. About 400 million people suffer with 'alcohol use disorder,' globally. The measles outbreak in rural West Texas has grown to 58 cases as of Tuesday, Feb. 18. Experts believe it jumped the state line into eastern New Mexico, with eight people now diagnosed with the highly contagious virus. Public health officials in New Mexico have said they suspect some of the state's cases are linked to the Texas outbreak but haven't confirmed it. In Texas, 13 people are hospitalized. State health officials say it's the largest outbreak in 30 years. The cases in Texas are concentrated in a close-knit, under-vaccinated Mennonite community, where many children are home-schooled or taught in private religious schools. Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGN's Dina Bair and the Med Watch team, including, the latest updates from health organizations, in-depth reporting on advancements in medical technology and treatments, as well as personal features related to people in the medical field. Sign up here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
