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Opioid Crisis Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research (CNN) — Here’s a look at the opioid crisis. Experts say the United States is in the throes of an opioid epidemic. An estimated 8.9 million Americans aged 12 and older misused opioids in 2023. Opioids are drugs formulated to replicate the pain-reducing properties of opium. Prescription painkillers like morphine, oxycodone and

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Avian Flu Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research (CNN) — Here’s a look at avian flu. Avian influenza, also called avian flu or bird flu, is an illness that usually affects only birds. There are many different strains of avian flu: 16 H subtypes and 9 N subtypes. Only those labeled H5, H7 and H10 have caused deaths in humans.

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Vaccines Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research (CNN) — Here’s a look at information and statistics concerning vaccines in the United States. For vaccines related to coronavirus, see Coronavirus Outbreak Timeline Fast Facts. Facts The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides vaccine recommendations by age, as well as by disease. For more than 100 years, there has

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About 10 out of 100 known pregnancies end early

A West Virginia prosecutor is warning women that a miscarriage could lead to criminal charges

By Jen Christensen, CNN (CNN) — Amid a constantly changing reproductive landscape, one West Virginia prosecutor is warning people who have miscarriages in his state that they could get in trouble with the law. Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Truman says that although he personally wouldn’t prosecute someone for a miscarriage, he made the suggestion

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Zika Virus Infection Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research (CNN) — Here’s a look at Zika virus, an illness spread through mosquito bites that can cause birth defects and other neurological defects. Facts Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and CNN Zika virus is a flavivirus, part of the same family as yellow fever, West

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Black-colored plastics used in electronics are leaching flame retardants into kitchen utensils

Black-colored plastic used for kitchen utensils and toys linked to banned toxic flame retardants

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Black-colored plastic used in children’s toys, takeout containers, kitchen utensils and grocery meat and produce trays may contain alarming levels of toxic flame retardants that may be leaching from electronic products during recycling, a study has found. “A product with one of the highest levels of flame retardants were

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Sarin Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research (CNN) — Here’s some background information about sarin, a man-made nerve agent developed for chemical warfare. Facts Sarin is a liquid that is clear, colorless, tasteless and odorless. Sarin is an extremely volatile nerve agent because of its ability to change from liquid to gas. If it evaporates into a gas, it

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HIV/AIDS Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research (CNN) — Here’s a look at the origins, treatments and global response to HIV and AIDS. Facts HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV/AIDS is spread through sexual contact with an infected person, sharing needles with an infected person, through transfusions of infected blood or through

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Autism Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research (CNN) — Here is a look at autism. Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) incorporates a group of neurodevelopmental disorders causing impaired communication skills and social skills. ASD generally starts before three years of age and lasts a lifetime, but early intervention plays a role in treatment and progress. ASD is about

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2001 Anthrax Attacks Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research (CNN) — Here’s a look at the 2001 anthrax attacks, also referred to as Amerithrax. Facts about anthrax There are four types of anthrax infection: cutaneous (through the skin), inhalation (through the lungs; the most deadly), gastrointestinal (through digestion) and injection anthrax. Injection anthrax is common in heroin-injecting users in northern Europe.

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