Your Local Epidemiologist
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social
👩🏻🔬 Simplifying public health with data-driven insights
💡 Helping you make informed health decisions
🎓 MPH, PhD
👇🏻 Get weekly science-backed updates
https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/
💡 Helping you make informed health decisions
🎓 MPH, PhD
👇🏻 Get weekly science-backed updates
https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/
7/ Moving on to infectious diseases, Covid cases are down in New York, but flu and RSV are rising fast. Flu hospitalizations jumped 71% statewide, and RSV is surging among kids under 4. Wastewater data suggests Covid could tick up soon too.
November 13, 2025 at 4:10 PM
7/ Moving on to infectious diseases, Covid cases are down in New York, but flu and RSV are rising fast. Flu hospitalizations jumped 71% statewide, and RSV is surging among kids under 4. Wastewater data suggests Covid could tick up soon too.
2/ For context, the ACA Marketplace is where people without employer insurance can shop for affordable plans. In New York, it’s called the New York State of Health. Coverage options vary by income—from Medicaid and the Essential Plan to subsidized Marketplace plans.
November 13, 2025 at 4:10 PM
2/ For context, the ACA Marketplace is where people without employer insurance can shop for affordable plans. In New York, it’s called the New York State of Health. Coverage options vary by income—from Medicaid and the Essential Plan to subsidized Marketplace plans.
7/ We're also seeing corporate consolidation take over U.S. health care. Insurers, hospitals, and pharmacy chains dominate care delivery, buying up practices, and running insurance plans. Vertical integration raises prices, limits choice, and steers business away from independent providers.
November 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
7/ We're also seeing corporate consolidation take over U.S. health care. Insurers, hospitals, and pharmacy chains dominate care delivery, buying up practices, and running insurance plans. Vertical integration raises prices, limits choice, and steers business away from independent providers.
5/There's also this myth that Americans overuse health care so it needs to cost more to discourage use. We don’t visit doctors more, stay in hospitals longer, or get more procedures than other countries. The real driver of high costs is corporate profit-seekers finding ways to bill for more services
November 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
5/There's also this myth that Americans overuse health care so it needs to cost more to discourage use. We don’t visit doctors more, stay in hospitals longer, or get more procedures than other countries. The real driver of high costs is corporate profit-seekers finding ways to bill for more services
3/ The U.S. also spends far more on health care than any other wealthy nation, yet Americans live shorter, sicker lives. Infant & maternal mortality, chronic disease, and preventable deaths all rank near the worst. A key reason is that we underinvest in primary care and social supports.
November 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
3/ The U.S. also spends far more on health care than any other wealthy nation, yet Americans live shorter, sicker lives. Infant & maternal mortality, chronic disease, and preventable deaths all rank near the worst. A key reason is that we underinvest in primary care and social supports.
2/ Employer health insurance costs have soared over the last 20 years with premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses rising faster than wages. 1 in 3 Americans has medical debt, & nearly 60% of those with debt are insured. People delay care, skip meds, & worry every time they use the system.
November 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
2/ Employer health insurance costs have soared over the last 20 years with premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses rising faster than wages. 1 in 3 Americans has medical debt, & nearly 60% of those with debt are insured. People delay care, skip meds, & worry every time they use the system.
7/ There is also the ongoing Listeria outbreak linked to frozen pasta—including some at Trader Joe’s— which has expanded to two more brands. Since late Sept, 27 illnesses, 25 hospitalizations, and 6 deaths have been reported across 18 states. Check recalled products and throw them out immediately.
November 10, 2025 at 11:00 PM
7/ There is also the ongoing Listeria outbreak linked to frozen pasta—including some at Trader Joe’s— which has expanded to two more brands. Since late Sept, 27 illnesses, 25 hospitalizations, and 6 deaths have been reported across 18 states. Check recalled products and throw them out immediately.
3/ In other public health news, CDC data systems are still offline, so we’re relying on PopHive & Dr. Caitlin Rivers’ updates. We're seeing RSV slowly start climbing, especially in kids under 5, and flu is also starting to rise, notably in Hawaii, Arizona, and New York (cases were up 49% last week).
November 10, 2025 at 11:00 PM
3/ In other public health news, CDC data systems are still offline, so we’re relying on PopHive & Dr. Caitlin Rivers’ updates. We're seeing RSV slowly start climbing, especially in kids under 5, and flu is also starting to rise, notably in Hawaii, Arizona, and New York (cases were up 49% last week).
7/ Finally, we have our infectious disease update. New York State and NYC have updated virus dashboards to show which respiratory illnesses are ramping up. Covid-19 is decreasing for now, but flu and RSV are rising across the state, with infants and toddlers seeing the highest rates.
November 6, 2025 at 7:46 PM
7/ Finally, we have our infectious disease update. New York State and NYC have updated virus dashboards to show which respiratory illnesses are ramping up. Covid-19 is decreasing for now, but flu and RSV are rising across the state, with infants and toddlers seeing the highest rates.
5/ Fortunately, we also have some good news to share today as well: Youth tobacco use in New York has hit a record low, the lowest in 25 years. Fewer high school students are using cigarettes, e‑cigarettes, or other tobacco products, marking a major public health milestone.
November 6, 2025 at 7:46 PM
5/ Fortunately, we also have some good news to share today as well: Youth tobacco use in New York has hit a record low, the lowest in 25 years. Fewer high school students are using cigarettes, e‑cigarettes, or other tobacco products, marking a major public health milestone.
10/ Also, a new poll shows U.S. adult obesity rates are dropping, partly thanks to GLP-1s. But these drugs are still not available to everyone because of their relatively high price tag. Epidemiologists are still investigating the reasons behind this decline, but for now, it remains a phenomenon.
November 3, 2025 at 11:05 PM
10/ Also, a new poll shows U.S. adult obesity rates are dropping, partly thanks to GLP-1s. But these drugs are still not available to everyone because of their relatively high price tag. Epidemiologists are still investigating the reasons behind this decline, but for now, it remains a phenomenon.
8/ We're also seeing bird flu detections rise across the U.S., driven by migratory birds and weather. WA & WI have reported millions of cases and some commercial flocks have been affected. There's no human-to-human spread yet, but variants could eventually adapt.
November 3, 2025 at 11:05 PM
8/ We're also seeing bird flu detections rise across the U.S., driven by migratory birds and weather. WA & WI have reported millions of cases and some commercial flocks have been affected. There's no human-to-human spread yet, but variants could eventually adapt.
7/ Private data is also suggesting that the common cold is really taking the cake. Europe, which is usually a few weeks ahead of us, is seeing flu increasing but RSV is fairly low. Overall, it appears to be an unusually quiet season, so enjoy the lull while it lasts!
November 3, 2025 at 11:05 PM
7/ Private data is also suggesting that the common cold is really taking the cake. Europe, which is usually a few weeks ahead of us, is seeing flu increasing but RSV is fairly low. Overall, it appears to be an unusually quiet season, so enjoy the lull while it lasts!
4/ This weekend was also the first time SNAP benefits missed their first of the month payout. Two federal judges have ordered the USDA to release the funds, and today, it was announced that the Trump admin will use $4.65B from SNAP’s contingency fund to cover half of November benefits.
November 3, 2025 at 11:05 PM
4/ This weekend was also the first time SNAP benefits missed their first of the month payout. Two federal judges have ordered the USDA to release the funds, and today, it was announced that the Trump admin will use $4.65B from SNAP’s contingency fund to cover half of November benefits.
3/ Studies show keeping one time year-round could prevent hundreds of thousands of strokes and lower obesity rates. Last week, a bill to make daylight saving permanent was blocked in Congress. 19 states have passed laws for permanent daylight saving time but can't act without Congressional approval.
November 3, 2025 at 11:05 PM
3/ Studies show keeping one time year-round could prevent hundreds of thousands of strokes and lower obesity rates. Last week, a bill to make daylight saving permanent was blocked in Congress. 19 states have passed laws for permanent daylight saving time but can't act without Congressional approval.
5/ We also always hear about candy tampering around this time. Truthfully, there's little validity to those stories, but something we should be worried about is traffic. Halloween night sees a spike in pedestrian accidents, especially among kids ages 4–8. Glow sticks and flashlights go a long way.
October 31, 2025 at 5:35 PM
5/ We also always hear about candy tampering around this time. Truthfully, there's little validity to those stories, but something we should be worried about is traffic. Halloween night sees a spike in pedestrian accidents, especially among kids ages 4–8. Glow sticks and flashlights go a long way.
9/ Finally, let's talk infectious diseases. Covid-19 hospitalizations are declining in NY, but levels remain elevated. Flu and RSV activity in NYC is rising, signaling the start of the respiratory season. Now’s a good time to get vaccinated and stock up on any sick essentials!
October 30, 2025 at 3:20 PM
9/ Finally, let's talk infectious diseases. Covid-19 hospitalizations are declining in NY, but levels remain elevated. Flu and RSV activity in NYC is rising, signaling the start of the respiratory season. Now’s a good time to get vaccinated and stock up on any sick essentials!
8/ The city has also been dropping fish-scented bait packets containing oral rabies vaccine in parts of Queens, Brooklyn, and northern Manhattan. Raccoons and other wildlife eat the bait to become immunized. If you find a packet, don’t touch it and keep pets leashed during distribution.
October 30, 2025 at 3:20 PM
8/ The city has also been dropping fish-scented bait packets containing oral rabies vaccine in parts of Queens, Brooklyn, and northern Manhattan. Raccoons and other wildlife eat the bait to become immunized. If you find a packet, don’t touch it and keep pets leashed during distribution.
5/ In other news, NYC chain restaurants with 15+ locations nationwide are now required to mark menu items with 50g+ of added sugar—the daily limit for a 2,000-calorie diet. The icon below highlights these items, along with warnings about health risks like type 2 diabetes, weight gain, & tooth decay.
October 30, 2025 at 3:20 PM
5/ In other news, NYC chain restaurants with 15+ locations nationwide are now required to mark menu items with 50g+ of added sugar—the daily limit for a 2,000-calorie diet. The icon below highlights these items, along with warnings about health risks like type 2 diabetes, weight gain, & tooth decay.
9/ Now for some good news: Peanut allergies are on the decline! Following updated pediatric guidance in 2017, early introduction of peanuts to babies has reduced overall food allergies by 36%, with peanut allergies dropping 43%. Cheers to more kids enjoying PB&Js safely!
October 27, 2025 at 9:45 PM
9/ Now for some good news: Peanut allergies are on the decline! Following updated pediatric guidance in 2017, early introduction of peanuts to babies has reduced overall food allergies by 36%, with peanut allergies dropping 43%. Cheers to more kids enjoying PB&Js safely!
6/ Fortunately, we have strong protection options. Monoclonal antibodies (for infants) work essentially immediately, and the vaccines take about two weeks to take hold. Vaccination remains the best defense against RSV.
October 27, 2025 at 9:45 PM
6/ Fortunately, we have strong protection options. Monoclonal antibodies (for infants) work essentially immediately, and the vaccines take about two weeks to take hold. Vaccination remains the best defense against RSV.
4/ Moving over to infectious disease news, RSV season is ramping up, especially among kids under four. The virus tends to hit infants first, then spreads to adults about a month later. Emergency department data shows activity climbing, even while flu and Covid-19 remain low.
October 27, 2025 at 9:45 PM
4/ Moving over to infectious disease news, RSV season is ramping up, especially among kids under four. The virus tends to hit infants first, then spreads to adults about a month later. Emergency department data shows activity climbing, even while flu and Covid-19 remain low.
The president demolished the East Wing to build a ballroom. It’s hard to think of a better metaphor for what’s happening to our health ecosystem—gutting Medicaid, weakening the CDC, and cutting SNAP. The symbolism isn’t subtle: luxury expands while the systems that keep people healthy contract.
October 23, 2025 at 7:47 PM
The president demolished the East Wing to build a ballroom. It’s hard to think of a better metaphor for what’s happening to our health ecosystem—gutting Medicaid, weakening the CDC, and cutting SNAP. The symbolism isn’t subtle: luxury expands while the systems that keep people healthy contract.
4/ From a public health perspective, food insecurity affects 1.2 million New Yorkers. This number has increased by 76% since 2021. In the Bronx, 1 in 5 residents (and 1 in 3 kids) experience it. Across the state, 1 in 8 residents live in food-insecure households.
October 23, 2025 at 5:41 PM
4/ From a public health perspective, food insecurity affects 1.2 million New Yorkers. This number has increased by 76% since 2021. In the Bronx, 1 in 5 residents (and 1 in 3 kids) experience it. Across the state, 1 in 8 residents live in food-insecure households.
11/ Finally, dog owners, be sure to check your pup’s food! The FDA recalled Raw Bistro frozen beef dog food for possible Salmonella contamination in CA, CO, IL, & MN. Toss any affected lots, sanitize their bowls, and watch for symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea.
October 20, 2025 at 9:55 PM
11/ Finally, dog owners, be sure to check your pup’s food! The FDA recalled Raw Bistro frozen beef dog food for possible Salmonella contamination in CA, CO, IL, & MN. Toss any affected lots, sanitize their bowls, and watch for symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea.