HHS Fetal Tissue Research Ban Threatens Progress Toward Cure for HIV, Other Life-threatening Diseases

The Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to halt funding for research involving the use of human fetal tissue conducted within the National Institutes of Health imperils quest for cures of HIV other life-threatening diseases.

DISARM Act Provides Framework Needed to Spur Antibiotic R&D, Protect Existing Drugs

The introduction of the Developing an Innovative Strategy for Antimicrobial Resistant Microorganisms -- DISARM -- Act -- by United States Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) Tuesday represents an essential step toward addressing the growing threat of infections that are increasingly resistant to existing treatments.

Ebola Crisis in DRC Demands Immediate, Ongoing Investments

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province remains uncontrolled despite heroic efforts on the part of international and local responders. The spread of the disease continues to pose imminent risks of cross-border transmission.

House Spending Bill Recognizes Need to Strengthen Health Responses and Research

Once again rejecting proposed cuts to vital domestic and global health programs and research, House appropriators Wednesday approved funding for fiscal year 2020 that demonstrates commitment to tackling critical health challenges and threats at home and abroad.

Record Measles Numbers Underscore Urgency of Heightened Vaccine Outreach, Access

The announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wednesday that measles cases in the United States have reached numbers unseen since the disease was declared eliminated here in 2000 brings with it the real possibility that measles could again become endemic in this country.

Drug Company Closing Underscores Needs for Swift Federal Action

News today that the antibiotic producer Achaogen has filed for bankruptcy represents the most recent consequence of the steep economic challenges facing antibiotic research and development.

Experts Call for Integrated Opioid, ID Responses

An article published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases calls on the federal government to support coordinated and strengthened responses to the spread of infections associated with the opioid crisis.

Vaccine Avoidance Endangers Individual and Public Health

The Kentucky governor’s decision this week to voice support for the irresponsible practice of deliberately exposing children to chickenpox as an alternative to vaccination is gravely concerning.

Bacteria in Urine Doesn’t Always Indicate Infection

Doctors should think carefully before testing patients for a urinary tract infection (UTI) to avoid over-diagnosis and unnecessary antibiotic treatment, according to updated asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) guidelines released by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Ebola Hearing Highlights Global Health Investment Payoffs, Ongoing Needs

The Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee’s hearing on the continuing Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo brought the unprecedented challenges posed by the current outbreak, as well as the responses needed before policymakers Thursday.

White House Budget Plan Shows Some Investment but Inadequate Commitment to Sustained Public Health Responses

The president’s fiscal year 2020 budget proposal released Monday is responsive to some of our nation’s most urgent public health challenges. The proposal, however, also neglects, and even deeply undermines critically needed investments in both immediate and long-term responses to infectious disease threats.

Hearings Highlight Vaccine Access, Knowledge, Policy Gaps

With evidence that the number of measles cases and outbreaks this year is already well on track to exceed last year’s numbers, today’s Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing is drawing urgent attention to a central tenet of public health: vaccines save lives.