Major Public Health Crises the U.S. is Dealing With Today

It seems that there is no end to the public health crises facing the United States. Polio, high rates of tobacco use, HIV/AIDS, and the swine flu are just a few of the public health concerns we have faced over the decades. Add to that the current rate of obesity and other diseases of affluence, and our national healthcare spending goes well into the trillions. 

Today, we face issues that have been unheard of in past generations. Here are a few of the major public health crises that the United States is dealing with today.

Monkeypox

Just when we thought we could quiet our fears of going out into the public after the worldwide pandemic, monkeypox hits. Monkeypox is a virus from the same family as smallpox. It has similar symptoms but is almost never fatal. Symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, achiness, headaches, and a tell-tale rash. The rash is painful and is most commonly found on the face and extremities. 

At first, it looks like pimples, after which it forms into blister-like bumps that fill with fluid. The monkeypox virus is contagious until a new layer of skin forms over the bumps. The CDC is currently tracking monkeypox because of recent outbreaks worldwide. It is spread by close, intimate contact with an infected person. 

COVID-19

COVID-19 is no longer in the spotlight, thanks to other concerns taking precedence. However, this doesn’t mean that the United States is in the clear. Hundreds of people are still dying from the virus every day. While restrictions and mandates have been lifted nationwide, the unpredictability of the virus has health officials only guessing as to what it will do next. 

We can expect cases to be on the rise as the weather cools, as well. Furthermore, many people who were infected by COVID are still dealing with long-term symptoms. These include shortness of breath, brain fog, and anxiety.

Mental Health Issues

Mental health challenges are also on the rise in the United States. Almost 20% of adults in the U.S. are dealing with some form of mental illness. Of those, nearly 5% face a severe mental illness. This is especially concerning because of the low rate of coverage for mental health treatment amongst most health insurance plans. 

While there is much to be done to get our country out of the health crises we currently face, there is hope. Vaccines are becoming more widespread and readily available. The public is being better educated about the risks they face. And courageous healthcare workers continue to dedicate their lives to fighting these concerns. 

Did you enjoy reading this article? Here’s more to read. Why You Should Listen to What Your Body is Telling You