The death of a premature baby in Alberta due to measles has prompted Alberta doctors to express their deep sadness and emphasize the outbreak’s preventability. The province’s recorded measles death this year occurred after the mother contracted the disease during pregnancy, highlighting the vulnerability of pregnant individuals and young children. With Alberta’s vaccination rates deemed too low, the Alberta Medical Association is urging Albertans to protect themselves against the highly contagious disease, as measles cases in the province have surpassed those in the U.S. per capita, while the NDP calls on the UCP government to increase access to the vaccine.
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The death of 23-year-old Paloma Shemirani from non-Hodgkin lymphoma was ruled to be influenced by her mother’s anti-chemotherapy beliefs. Paloma, after her diagnosis, rejected chemotherapy in favor of alternative treatments, as advocated by her mother, a former nurse with a history of spreading conspiracy theories. The coroner determined the mother’s influence contributed to Paloma’s death, noting the disease was curable with chemotherapy, which would have given her an 80% chance of complete recovery. The inquest found medical staff acted appropriately, despite the mother blaming them for her daughter’s death, and highlighting a dysfunctional family dynamic.
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A mathematical model created by Brooke Nichols predicts a catastrophic rise in global mortality due to the Department of Government Efficiency’s drastic cuts to USAID funding. The model estimates a death every three minutes, with over 300,000 deaths already projected, disproportionately affecting children due to reduced access to essential programs for food, clean water, and disease prevention. These preventable deaths stem from the abrupt halting of funding, impacting crucial initiatives like malaria prevention and treatment of diarrhoea and pneumonia. While acknowledging model limitations, Nichols’s work, peer-reviewed by the HIV Modelling Consortium, highlights the urgent need for funding reinstatement.
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Since the start of the Trump administration, at least seven deaths have occurred within ICE detention facilities. Three deaths in April alone, including those of Brayan Garzón-Rayo, Nhon Nguc Nguyen, and Marie Ange Blaise, highlight deteriorating conditions amidst a surge in deportations and increased detention numbers. ICE’s claims of comprehensive medical care are contradicted by multiple studies revealing preventable deaths and inhumane conditions, exacerbated by the administration’s expansion of detention capacity. Advocates and family members are pushing back against the official narrative, citing overcrowding, medical neglect, and the denial of bond, leading to numerous complaints and lawsuits.
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John Q. Hosedrinker