Latest news with #Brull
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
How do vaccines work? Medical experts explain.
How do vaccines work? Medical experts explain. Show Caption Hide Caption Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posts endorsement of measles MMR vaccine on X Health and Human Services secretary, and vaccine skeptic, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports measles vaccine after visiting West Texas. Medical experts repeatedly reiterate how vital vaccinations are to global health. As of last spring, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that worldwide immunization efforts have saved at least 154 million people's lives over the past 50 years. But despite vaccines having a "long history of successfully protecting people and communities against infectious diseases," per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some hesitancy – and sometimes outright opposition – around them remains. "Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a shift in the perception of vaccines. Misinformation about health, and especially about vaccines, is prevalent," says Dr. Jennifer Brull, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Being vaccinated for a certain illness also decreases a person's chance of contracting that illness. And if they do get it anyway, the CDC says they're "less likely to die or become seriously ill than someone whose immune system is unprepared to fight an infection." A 2023 survey of local U.S. health departments, conducted by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), found that more than 80% of local departments reported experiencing challenges with patients and/or parents being hesitant toward vaccinations. That's nearly a 40% increase from their 2017 survey results. "Vaccines are safe, effective and save lives," Brull adds. "They are one of our best tools to prevent severe illness, hospitalizations and death in our communities. ... Being vaccinated against diseases helps build a community of immunity and protects those more vulnerable to disease who may not be able to get vaccinated." Here's everything medical experts want you to know about how vaccines work. In case you missed: RFK Jr. claims 'leaky' measles vaccine wanes over time. Scientists say he's wrong. What is a vaccine? How do vaccines work? Vaccines work by imitating an infection to teach the body how to recognize and defend itself from disease without experiencing the dangers of an actual infection, according to the CDC. "They do so by exposing the body to an active ingredient called an antigen which triggers an immune response," Brull says. Depending on the vaccine, "this immune response can protect you for many years or your entire life." They exist for all kinds of diseases, including measles and whooping cough, among many others, and have different formulations. What is Tdap? Here's what you need to know to stay protected against whooping cough Are vaccines safe? Side effects may cause tiredness, fever or a sore arm at the injection site for a day or two, but medical experts want to assure you that it just means the vaccine is working. If you have a more serious reaction, you should call your doctor. But most of the time, reactions are nothing to worry about. "Instead of a mild reaction deterring you from getting future vaccines, it should encourage you," Brull says. "That's the vaccine working and jumpstarting your body's immune system." Brull encourages those who have questions or concerns about vaccines to speak with a properly qualified and certified medical expert. They're prepared to have an "honest conversation" and listen to your concerns while providing accurate information and can debunk unfounded claims. "As trusted messengers in our communities, we can help dispel myths and misconceptions about vaccines," she says. "Your family physician can help answer questions you may have about information you see online or hear from friends and family."
USA Today
03-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
What BMI does and doesn't say about your health, according to doctors
What BMI does and doesn't say about your health, according to doctors Show Caption Hide Caption Ozempic warning: Experts warn of side effects from weight loss drug Experts are warning of the possible side effects of popular diabetes medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro when used for weight loss. At your last physical, your doctor may have recorded your body mass index (BMI). That statistic has long been thought of as an indicator of how healthy someone is. While it's still helpful, the truth is a little more complicated, doctors say. "It's not the only factor we look at, nor is it the best way to tell if patients are at a healthy weight," says Dr. Jennifer Brull, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. "There are some people whose BMIs may not be a good reflection of how much body fat they have." Here's what to know about different levels of BMI and what that actually means for your health. The fastest way to lose weight? Diets, pills and the conversation we need to have What is a healthy BMI? That depends. BMI is calculated using a person's weight and height, with the idea that it can show if a person's weight is healthy based on an estimation of their body fat percentage. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these are the BMI categories for adults 20 and older: Underweight: BMI is less than 18.5 BMI is less than 18.5 Healthy Weight: 18.5 to less than 25 18.5 to less than 25 Overweight: 25 to less than 30 25 to less than 30 Obesity: 30 or greater Class 1 Obesity: 30 to less than 35 Class 2 Obesity: 35 to less than 40 Class 3 Obesity: 40 or greater 30 or greater One issue with this sort of calculation is that BMI can't actually distinguish between fat, muscle and bone mass, according to the CDC. "A BMI that is low could mean a person doesn't have enough body fat. A high BMI could mean that they have too much body fat," Brull says, though she notes that "every body is different and BMI isn't one-size-fits-all." In case you didn't see: Travis Kelce, Jake Gyllenhaal and why BMI is problematic. It needs to change, panel says. Can I be overweight on the BMI and still healthy? While many doctors do consider BMI, Brull notes that it's a small portion of the conversation rather than the end-all-be-all. It's also important to consider factors such as the patient's diet, physical activity level, their relationship with food and wellness and even their socioeconomic status. "This includes where they live, income, access to nutritious meals and grocery stores that carry fresh foods, transportation access and health literacy," Brull says. "BMI should be used as a screening tool and as a starting point for a conversation with a family doctor about weight." Take athletes for example. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has made headlines in the past for being technically obese by BMI standards at 6 feet, 5 inches and around 265 pounds, despite the fact that he has a super-muscular build and regularly works out. Older adults can also be an exception: They tend to lose muscle mass and therefore could have a higher percentage of body fat, according to the AAFP. "We know that muscle weighs more than fat, so their weight may not be a good indicator of how much fat they have in their body," Brull says. "Patients who suffer from being overweight or obese can face stigma. Focusing too much on weight rather than taking a more holistic approach can be detrimental to the care of all patients. Addressing these health risks require a customized, sensitive approach from a family physician."
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
What doctors want you to know about weight and weight loss
What doctors want you to know about weight and weight loss Show Caption Hide Caption Ozempic warning: Experts warn of side effects from weight loss drug Experts are warning of the possible side effects of popular diabetes medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro when used for weight loss. Weight is an eternally-pressing topic, but conversations around GLP-1s and other weight loss drugs have brought it to the forefront even more. Body mass index (BMI) is the tool doctors use to calculate whether someone is underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight or obese. But because BMI calculations can't tell the difference between body fat, muscle and bone mass, it's not always the best way to actually tell if a patient is healthy, many medical experts argue. "We know that muscle weighs more than fat, so their weight may not be a good indicator of how much fat they have in their body," says Dr. Jennifer Brull, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. "Patients who suffer from being overweight or obese can face stigma. Focusing too much on weight rather than taking a more holistic approach can be detrimental to the care of all patients. Addressing these health risks require a customized, sensitive approach from a family physician." Here's what medical experts want you to know about being overweight and how it relates to your health. The fastest way to lose weight? Diets, pills and the conversation we need to have What is considered overweight? BMI is calculated using a person's weight and height, with the idea that it can show if a person's weight is healthy based on an estimation of their body fat percentage. "A BMI that is low could mean a person doesn't have enough body fat. A high BMI could mean that they have too much body fat," Brull says, though she notes that "every body is different and BMI isn't one-size-fits-all." Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these are the BMI categories for adults 20 and older: Underweight: BMI is less than 18.5 BMI is less than 18.5 Healthy Weight: 18.5 to less than 25 18.5 to less than 25 Overweight: 25 to less than 30 25 to less than 30 Obesity: 30 or greater Class 1 Obesity: 30 to less than 35 Class 2 Obesity: 35 to less than 40 Class 3 Obesity: 40 or greater 30 or greater Seen this yet? Travis Kelce, Jake Gyllenhaal and why BMI is problematic. It needs to change, panel says. How to lose weight Health experts stress that tactics to lose large amounts of weight quickly are either inaccurate or unsustainable. "There's not a magical food or drink that can help you lose body fat," dietitian Caroline Thomason previously told USA TODAY. "Unfortunately, the boring basics still work for weight loss: Diet and exercise are the two most important factors you can change to lose weight." For those looking to lose weight, Thomason recommends starting with the following daily lifestyle tweaks:
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Everyone's sick this winter. What's up with flu, norovirus, RSV and COVID?
If it seems like you and everyone around you is getting sick this winter, you're not wrong. Experts say this is the worst flu season in the U.S. in more than a decade and cases are still trending up. Flu infections have reached the highest level since the winter of 2010 and 2011 when the swine flu swept across the nation, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. The surge in flu cases also comes amid concerns about high infection rates for other viruses including RSV, COVID-19 and the gastrointestinal bug norovirus. Still, health officials say flu cases are among their top concerns right now. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began five years ago, flu-related deaths topped COVID-19-related ones this winter. Those numbers reflect just how intense this year's influenza season has been, said Jen Brull, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. 'It's not that COVID-19 is getting better, it's that influenza is getting worse,' Brull said. "It sounds like, 'Oh, good, COVID deaths are going down,' but really it's just influenza illness and deaths are going up." The CDC estimates that there have been at least 29 million flu infections so far this season, through Feb. 8, including 370,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths. While some years the flu disproportionately affects people of certain age groups, the agency described this year as a high severity season for people of all ages. For instance, the number of people who have so far visited the doctor for flu-like symptoms in February has spiked higher than during the same timeframe in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. And last year, the CDC estimated that the flu caused a total of 470,000 hospitalizations and 28,000 deaths. Brull, who also works as a family physician in Colorado, said flu cases typically swell in February just when it seems like the winter virus season is ending. This year's surge in infections and hospitalizations appears larger than in the past, suggesting that this strain of influenza virus is 'more contagious' and 'more severe' than in past years, she said. If cases remain high throughout February, as they are expected to, Brull told USA TODAY flu deaths could triple from last year. The severity of this year's flu season is driven by a combination of factors, experts suggested. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease specialist at Columbia University, said the uptick could be a result of people socializing more this year than they did in the immediate years after the pandemic. Vaccination rates might also be playing a role, Brull said. Flu vaccination rates among the general population are at their lowest level in three years, according to CDC data. Among children, they're at a six-year low. 'Any family physician would tell you it is not too late to get your flu shot or your COVID booster this year,' Brull said. 'Flu and COVID exist all year round.' This year's cold and flu season has also seen spikes in other illnesses, including COVID-19, RSV and the gastrointestinal-related norovirus. There were more norovirus cases between November and January of this year than at any point going back to at least 2012, according to CDC data. Infections related to that virus appear to be on the decline for this season. The number of people heading to the emergency room for RSV and COVID-19 infections also is decreasing across much of the country, though wastewater data collected by the CDC suggests that COVID-19 infections are still high. Griffin said the flu is 'the most common' illness infectious disease consultants are being called for in hospitals right now. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Flu cases are surging. How infection rates compare to the past.
USA Today
19-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Everyone's sick this winter. What's up with flu, norovirus, RSV and COVID?
Everyone's sick this winter. What's up with flu, norovirus, RSV and COVID? Show Caption Hide Caption Flu cases on the rise nationwide Of the 50 states, 40 are reporting high or very high levels of flu activity. Nearly released data shows the current U.S. flu season is shattering records. Fox - Milwaukee If it seems like you and everyone around you is getting sick this winter, you're not wrong. Experts say this is the worst flu season in the U.S. in more than a decade and cases are still trending up. Flu infections have reached the highest level since the winter of 2010 and 2011 when the swine flu swept across the nation, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. The surge in flu cases also comes amid concerns about high infection rates for other viruses including RSV, COVID-19 and the gastrointestinal bug norovirus. Still, health officials say flu cases are among their top concerns right now. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began five years ago, flu-related deaths topped COVID-19-related ones this winter. Those numbers reflect just how intense this year's influenza season has been, said Jen Brull, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. 'It's not that COVID-19 is getting better, it's that influenza is getting worse,' Brull said. "It sounds like, 'Oh, good, COVID deaths are going down,' but really it's just influenza illness and deaths are going up." Flu season by the numbers The CDC estimates that there have been at least 29 million flu infections so far this season, through Feb. 8, including 370,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths. While some years the flu disproportionately affects people of certain age groups, the agency described this year as a high severity season for people of all ages. For instance, the number of people who have so far visited the doctor for flu-like symptoms in February has spiked higher than during the same timeframe in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. And last year, the CDC estimated that the flu caused a total of 470,000 hospitalizations and 28,000 deaths. Brull, who also works as a family physician in Colorado, said flu cases typically swell in February just when it seems like the winter virus season is ending. This year's surge in infections and hospitalizations appears larger than in the past, suggesting that this strain of influenza virus is 'more contagious' and 'more severe' than in past years, she said. If cases remain high throughout February, as they are expected to, Brull told USA TODAY flu deaths could triple from last year. Why are flu cases surging? The severity of this year's flu season is driven by a combination of factors, experts suggested. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease specialist at Columbia University, said the uptick could be a result of people socializing more this year than they did in the immediate years after the pandemic. Vaccination rates might also be playing a role, Brull said. Flu vaccination rates among the general population are at their lowest level in three years, according to CDC data. Among children, they're at a six-year low. 'Any family physician would tell you it is not too late to get your flu shot or your COVID booster this year,' Brull said. 'Flu and COVID exist all year round.' A confluence of illnesses This year's cold and flu season has also seen spikes in other illnesses, including COVID-19, RSV and the gastrointestinal-related norovirus. There were more norovirus cases between November and January of this year than at any point going back to at least 2012, according to CDC data. Infections related to that virus appear to be on the decline for this season. The number of people heading to the emergency room for RSV and COVID-19 infections also is decreasing across much of the country, though wastewater data collected by the CDC suggests that COVID-19 infections are still high. Griffin said the flu is 'the most common' illness infectious disease consultants are being called for in hospitals right now.
