Health and Me

Tanya Dutt

India Records 1,010 Active Covid Cases, New Variants LF.7 & NB.1.8.1 Raise Concerns

India Records 1,010 Active Covid Cases, New Subvariants LF.7 and NB.1.8.1 Under WHO Watch

India, with the world's largest population and a frontline state in the war against <span>Covid-19</span>, is seeing a steady but significant increase in active cases. On May 27, 2025, the country had 1,010 active cases, with the majority of the cases in Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. This recent upsurge coincides with the detection of two newly emerging subvariants—NB.1.8.1 and LF.7—both descendants of the Omicron lineage, raising cautious concern among public health experts and virologists.

Although numbers are still relatively low compared to previous peaks hence there is no need for panic, the appearance of new mutations and uneven booster uptake have pushed India back into the international Covid-19 spotlight. Here's what the resurgence says, what is currently known about the subvariants, and how it might affect global pandemic preparedness.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/rfk-jr-announces-cdc-no-longer-recommends-covid-vaccine-for-kids-and-pregnant-women-what-do-experts-think-article-151745014" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">CDC No Longer Recommends COVID Vaccine For Kids And Pregnant Women - What Do Experts Think?</a>

India had 257 active cases on May 19. Within about a week, the number had passed 1,000, with Kerala contributing more than 400 of them and Delhi reporting over 100 cases. Maharashtra, which includes Mumbai, Pune, and Thane, remains a Covid hotspot, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports.

The recent discovery of new strains, especially NB.1.8.1 in Tamil Nadu and LF.7 in Gujarat, also complicates the epidemiological scenario. The latest such confirmed case, that of a 55-year-old woman from Noida in Uttar Pradesh, is the first for that district in the current surge, underlining the slow but consistent dissemination of the virus across geographies.

<h2>What Are The <span rel="noindex">New Covid Variants</span> Currently Circulating?</h2>

The new-found sub-lineages NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 belong to the larger JN.1 Omicron lineage. Although these mutations have not yet been tagged as "Variants of Concern" by the World Health Organization (WHO), they are included in "Variants Under Monitoring"—a label for the mutations that can influence virus traits like transmissibility and potential for immune evasion.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/11-year-old-dies-from-h5n1-bird-flu-in-cambodia-country-records-100-fatality-rate-in-all-human-bird-flu-cases-article-151744208" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">11-Year-Old Dies From H5N1 Bird Flu In Cambodia, Country Records 100% Fatality Rate In All Human Bird Flu Cases</a>

Early investigations and genomic monitoring indicate that NB.1.8.1 possesses spike protein mutations like A435S, V445H, and T478I, which may make it more infectious and resistant to earlier immunity. LF.7 has also indicated capacity for partial immune evasion, while it is still premature to conclusively evaluate the clinical severity.

Dr. Arup Halder, Consultant Pulmonologist, CMRI Kolkata, provided essential insight, "As of May 2025, India is experiencing a modest but significant surge in COVID-19 cases. Though the majority of cases are still mild with low hospitalization rates, the increase is being fueled by newer sub-lineages of the JN.1 variant, namely LF.7 and NB.1.8, which are known to be highly transmissible and partially immunoevasive." 

<h2>What's Driving the Rise in Covid-19 Cases?</h2>

A number of factors are driving the increasing trend:

<strong>Declining Immunity:</strong> Naturally, immunity from past infections or vaccination weakens with time, increasing the susceptibility of populations to reinfection. Immunocompromised people and older adults are most vulnerable.

<strong>Weather and Climate:</strong> The advance arrival of monsoon in most Indian states has brought with it rising humidity and unstable temperatures—both conducive to transmission of respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2.

<strong>Improved Testing and Reporting: </strong>Maharashtra and Kerala states have had strong genomic surveillance infrastructure, which has helped in the early identification of new variants.

"Maharashtra's high test positivity rate is also due to its population density, international transit points, and early exposure to previous pandemic waves", Dr. Halder added.

India has so far given over 2.2 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses. Experts have, however, raised red flags over the patchy uptake of booster shots, particularly among high-risk categories like the elderly and healthcare workers. The bivalent boosters are still available, but variant-specific shots remain unavailable in India.

"Although new variant-specific vaccines are not yet ready, current bivalent boosters continue to reduce symptomatic infections by 50% and severe disease by as much as 80%," said Dr. Halder. "It is important that high-risk individuals receive a booster dose immediately, continue to mask in crowded areas, and practice basic hygiene measures."

Across the world, there is increasing concern over access to vaccines. In America, health officials recently dropped Covid-19 vaccination for healthy kids and expectant mothers from the CDC's vaccination calendar on the grounds of requiring more comprehensive clinical trials. Experts are concerned that such limitations may impact global confidence in vaccines and booster campaign momentum in nations such as India.

The WHO is monitoring seven variants under consideration, among which are NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. None have been designated as Variants of Concern, but the agency continues to assess how they're evolving using global genomic data.

NB.1.8.1, which has been found in more than 22 countries, has demonstrated a consistent rise in share across the world. This suggests a possible competitive edge over other existing circulating strains—worth watching through genomic surveillance and public health readiness.

Though the ongoing Covid-19 wave in India is mild in severity and containable with available healthcare infrastructure, it comes as a timely reminder: the pandemic does not end. The virus still mutates, and any slip in surveillance, booster coverage, or public health messaging can lead to populations being susceptible to future waves.

Delhi has already advised the hospitals to make beds available, oxygen supplies, and medicines and vaccine stockpiles. States such as Kerala are taking localized containment measures in order to trace the spread and promote testing in high-risk areas.

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covid-19

covid india 2025

nb.1.8.1 variant

lf.7 subvariant

kerala covid surge

active covid cases india

who covid monitoring

new covid variants

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Covid Cases Surge Again In India, But This Time It’s Your Stomach And Throat That Suffer First; New Symptoms To Note

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India, with the world's largest population and a frontline state in the war against Covid-19, is seeing a steady but significant increase in active cases. On May 27, 2025, the country had 1,010 active cases, with the majority of the cases in Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. This recent upsurge coincides with the detection of two newly emerging subvariants—NB.1.8.1 and LF.7—both descendants of the Omicron lineage, raising cautious concern among public health experts and virologists.Although numbers are still relatively low compared to previous peaks hence there is no need for panic, the appearance of new mutations and uneven booster uptake have pushed India back into the international Covid-19 spotlight. Here's what the resurgence says, what is currently known about the subvariants, and how it might affect global pandemic preparedness.Also Read: CDC No Longer Recommends COVID Vaccine For Kids And Pregnant Women - What Do Experts Think?India had 257 active cases on May 19. Within about a week, the number had passed 1,000, with Kerala contributing more than 400 of them and Delhi reporting over 100 cases. Maharashtra, which includes Mumbai, Pune, and Thane, remains a Covid hotspot, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports.The recent discovery of new strains, especially NB.1.8.1 in Tamil Nadu and LF.7 in Gujarat, also complicates the epidemiological scenario. The latest such confirmed case, that of a 55-year-old woman from Noida in Uttar Pradesh, is the first for that district in the current surge, underlining the slow but consistent dissemination of the virus across geographies.What Are The New Covid Variants Currently Circulating?The new-found sub-lineages NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 belong to the larger JN.1 Omicron lineage. Although these mutations have not yet been tagged as "Variants of Concern" by the World Health Organization (WHO), they are included in "Variants Under Monitoring"—a label for the mutations that can influence virus traits like transmissibility and potential for immune evasion.Also Read: 11-Year-Old Dies From H5N1 Bird Flu In Cambodia, Country Records 100% Fatality Rate In All Human Bird Flu CasesEarly investigations and genomic monitoring indicate that NB.1.8.1 possesses spike protein mutations like A435S, V445H, and T478I, which may make it more infectious and resistant to earlier immunity. LF.7 has also indicated capacity for partial immune evasion, while it is still premature to conclusively evaluate the clinical severity.Dr. Arup Halder, Consultant Pulmonologist, CMRI Kolkata, provided essential insight, "As of May 2025, India is experiencing a modest but significant surge in COVID-19 cases. Though the majority of cases are still mild with low hospitalization rates, the increase is being fueled by newer sub-lineages of the JN.1 variant, namely LF.7 and NB.1.8, which are known to be highly transmissible and partially immunoevasive." What's Driving the Rise in Covid-19 Cases?A number of factors are driving the increasing trend:Declining Immunity: Naturally, immunity from past infections or vaccination weakens with time, increasing the susceptibility of populations to reinfection. Immunocompromised people and older adults are most vulnerable.Weather and Climate: The advance arrival of monsoon in most Indian states has brought with it rising humidity and unstable temperatures—both conducive to transmission of respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2.Improved Testing and Reporting: Maharashtra and Kerala states have had strong genomic surveillance infrastructure, which has helped in the early identification of new variants."Maharashtra's high test positivity rate is also due to its population density, international transit points, and early exposure to previous pandemic waves", Dr. Halder added.Vaccination and Booster StatusIndia has so far given over 2.2 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses. Experts have, however, raised red flags over the patchy uptake of booster shots, particularly among high-risk categories like the elderly and healthcare workers. The bivalent boosters are still available, but variant-specific shots remain unavailable in India."Although new variant-specific vaccines are not yet ready, current bivalent boosters continue to reduce symptomatic infections by 50% and severe disease by as much as 80%," said Dr. Halder. "It is important that high-risk individuals receive a booster dose immediately, continue to mask in crowded areas, and practice basic hygiene measures."Across the world, there is increasing concern over access to vaccines. In America, health officials recently dropped Covid-19 vaccination for healthy kids and expectant mothers from the CDC's vaccination calendar on the grounds of requiring more comprehensive clinical trials. Experts are concerned that such limitations may impact global confidence in vaccines and booster campaign momentum in nations such as India.The WHO is monitoring seven variants under consideration, among which are NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. None have been designated as Variants of Concern, but the agency continues to assess how they're evolving using global genomic data.NB.1.8.1, which has been found in more than 22 countries, has demonstrated a consistent rise in share across the world. This suggests a possible competitive edge over other existing circulating strains—worth watching through genomic surveillance and public health readiness.Should You Be Worried?Though the ongoing Covid-19 wave in India is mild in severity and containable with available healthcare infrastructure, it comes as a timely reminder: the pandemic does not end. The virus still mutates, and any slip in surveillance, booster coverage, or public health messaging can lead to populations being susceptible to future waves.Delhi has already advised the hospitals to make beds available, oxygen supplies, and medicines and vaccine stockpiles. States such as Kerala are taking localized containment measures in order to trace the spread and promote testing in high-risk areas.

india records 1,010 active covid cases, new variants lf.7 & nb.1.8.1 raise concerns

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When the World Health Organization (WHO) officially pronounced <span>COVID-19</span> a pandemic on March 11, 2020, it signaled the start of an unprecedented public health crisis that would redefine societies globally. Since SARS-CoV-2 first appeared years ago, developments with vaccines, treatments and public knowledge generated optimism that the virus would fade into endemicity. 

By the early part of 2025, India's daily cases and hospitalizations had fallen to negligible numbers, and societies were able to creep back to near-normal ways of life. But as India heads into the summer of 2025, a sharp rise in cases in several states—from Kerala to Delhi, Karnataka to Chandigarh—came as a rude reminder that the pandemic was far from over.

In urban and semi-urban hubs, outpatient departments (OPDs) are seeing patient volumes three to four times greater than two weeks ago. In large hospitals in Bengaluru, Belagavi, and elsewhere, doctors say lines spill into waiting rooms as people with mild to moderate illness line up for tests and consultation. Intensive-care units are still relatively unaffected, but increasing OPD traffic indicates a key public-health issue: controlling diffuse, low-severity illness without swamping primary health-care facilities

In contrast to earlier waves, where loss of taste and smell were the hallmark clinical presentation, current infections present mainly in the upper respiratory and GI tracts. Clinicians observe that patients typically present with:

Hoarseness and Throat Pain: A sore, strained voice often preceding or following sore throat.

Low-grade Persistent Fever: Temperature ranging around 100–101°F for two to three days.

Gastrointestinal Distress: Painless, watery diarrhoea of 24–48 hours duration, often followed by profound lethargy that can last weeks after infection.

Mild Stomach Cramps and Fatigue: Intermittent abdominal aching accompanied by extreme tiredness.

Even if these symptoms themselves are usually mild, their unusual combination can result in misdiagnosis or delayed testing—especially in areas where influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) are still endemic

<h2>Decoding the Variants Behind the Surge</h2>

Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) genomic surveillance identifies the rise as due to a number of Omicron sublineages—mainly JN.1, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. These have been listed by WHO as "Variants Under Monitoring" and have mutations that increase transmissibility while retaining largely mild clinical profiles.

Early evidence implies that NB.1.8.1's spike-protein mutations might bestow enhanced immune evasion and cell-binding competence, although no unequivocal connection to increased severity has been found. As the push for sequencing grows stronger, public-health officials hope to track the geographic distribution of each subvariant to inform focused interventions.

Healthy adults recover within days, but some remain susceptible:

Older Adults (65+ years): Immune senescence can delay viral clearance and complicate comorbidities.

Individuals with Chronic Illnesses: Diabetes, hypertension and chronic respiratory illnesses raise the risk for complications.

Immunocompromised Persons: From transplant recipients to those taking long-term corticosteroids, suppression of the immune system can impede both vaccine efficacy and natural healing.

Young Children: Though uncommon, some instances in infants and toddlers occasionally need hospital observation for hydration issues.

In Chandigarh, a 40-year-old man with no history of health problems died of acute cardiorespiratory arrest almost immediately after returning a positive result—highlighting the virus's erratic course in vulnerable hosts

Both national and state authorities have ramped up testing, contact tracing and isolation measures. In Karnataka, Karnataka Health Department made mask wearing compulsory again in health-care institutions and redirected isolation beds in district hospitals. West Bengal's latest advisory makes it mandatory for private hospitals and labs to report positive cases of the day in a standardized format and store samples for sequencing, a sign of sharpened alertness after an extended period of complacency

Parallelly, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is assessing vaccine inventories and examining precautionary booster campaigns for high-risk groups. Top pulmonologists and infectious-disease specialists advise against across-the-board booster drives, referring to prevailing evidence that existing vaccine regimens still provide strong protection against severe disease—despite surfacing subvariants.

<h2>What Kind of Prevention Can Be Done At A Personal Level?</h2>

Since COVID-19 and other ILIs blur together so indistinctly, experts recommend that the public embrace commonsense practices:

Test Early: Get RT-PCR or rapid-antigen testing when symptoms first appear, such as hoarseness or diarrhoea.

Isolate Early: Stay home for at least five days after symptom onset or after becoming negative through testing.

Practice Mask Discipline: Wear good-fitting masks—especially in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor areas.

Prioritise Hygiene: Proper hand hygiene and surface disinfection cut down on SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens' transmission equally.

Stay Hydrated and Rested: Proper fluid intake and rest promote immune strength and counter fatigue.

While the clinical impact of the latest wave seems contained, its spread so quickly reflects the ongoing threat of viral evolution. With the world and regional health systems preparing for a possible surge in influenza and other respiratory viruses later in the year, an interlinked surveillance strategy—capitalizing on genomic information, syndromic reporting and vaccination data—will be essential.

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hoarseness diarrhoea covid

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When the World Health Organization (WHO) officially pronounced COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020, it signaled the start of an unprecedented public health crisis that would redefine societies globally. Since SARS-CoV-2 first appeared years ago, developments with vaccines, treatments and public knowledge generated optimism that the virus would fade into endemicity. By the early part of 2025, India's daily cases and hospitalizations had fallen to negligible numbers, and societies were able to creep back to near-normal ways of life. But as India heads into the summer of 2025, a sharp rise in cases in several states—from Kerala to Delhi, Karnataka to Chandigarh—came as a rude reminder that the pandemic was far from over.In urban and semi-urban hubs, outpatient departments (OPDs) are seeing patient volumes three to four times greater than two weeks ago. In large hospitals in Bengaluru, Belagavi, and elsewhere, doctors say lines spill into waiting rooms as people with mild to moderate illness line up for tests and consultation. Intensive-care units are still relatively unaffected, but increasing OPD traffic indicates a key public-health issue: controlling diffuse, low-severity illness without swamping primary health-care facilitiesNew Covid SymptomsIn contrast to earlier waves, where loss of taste and smell were the hallmark clinical presentation, current infections present mainly in the upper respiratory and GI tracts. Clinicians observe that patients typically present with:Hoarseness and Throat Pain: A sore, strained voice often preceding or following sore throat.Low-grade Persistent Fever: Temperature ranging around 100–101°F for two to three days.Gastrointestinal Distress: Painless, watery diarrhoea of 24–48 hours duration, often followed by profound lethargy that can last weeks after infection.Mild Stomach Cramps and Fatigue: Intermittent abdominal aching accompanied by extreme tiredness.Even if these symptoms themselves are usually mild, their unusual combination can result in misdiagnosis or delayed testing—especially in areas where influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) are still endemicDecoding the Variants Behind the SurgeIndian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) genomic surveillance identifies the rise as due to a number of Omicron sublineages—mainly JN.1, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. These have been listed by WHO as "Variants Under Monitoring" and have mutations that increase transmissibility while retaining largely mild clinical profiles.Early evidence implies that NB.1.8.1's spike-protein mutations might bestow enhanced immune evasion and cell-binding competence, although no unequivocal connection to increased severity has been found. As the push for sequencing grows stronger, public-health officials hope to track the geographic distribution of each subvariant to inform focused interventions.Who's at Maximum Risk?Healthy adults recover within days, but some remain susceptible:Older Adults (65+ years): Immune senescence can delay viral clearance and complicate comorbidities.Individuals with Chronic Illnesses: Diabetes, hypertension and chronic respiratory illnesses raise the risk for complications.Immunocompromised Persons: From transplant recipients to those taking long-term corticosteroids, suppression of the immune system can impede both vaccine efficacy and natural healing.Young Children: Though uncommon, some instances in infants and toddlers occasionally need hospital observation for hydration issues.In Chandigarh, a 40-year-old man with no history of health problems died of acute cardiorespiratory arrest almost immediately after returning a positive result—highlighting the virus's erratic course in vulnerable hostsBoth national and state authorities have ramped up testing, contact tracing and isolation measures. In Karnataka, Karnataka Health Department made mask wearing compulsory again in health-care institutions and redirected isolation beds in district hospitals. West Bengal's latest advisory makes it mandatory for private hospitals and labs to report positive cases of the day in a standardized format and store samples for sequencing, a sign of sharpened alertness after an extended period of complacencyParallelly, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is assessing vaccine inventories and examining precautionary booster campaigns for high-risk groups. Top pulmonologists and infectious-disease specialists advise against across-the-board booster drives, referring to prevailing evidence that existing vaccine regimens still provide strong protection against severe disease—despite surfacing subvariants.What Kind of Prevention Can Be Done At A Personal Level?Since COVID-19 and other ILIs blur together so indistinctly, experts recommend that the public embrace commonsense practices:Test Early: Get RT-PCR or rapid-antigen testing when symptoms first appear, such as hoarseness or diarrhoea.Isolate Early: Stay home for at least five days after symptom onset or after becoming negative through testing.Practice Mask Discipline: Wear good-fitting masks—especially in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor areas.Prioritise Hygiene: Proper hand hygiene and surface disinfection cut down on SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens' transmission equally.Stay Hydrated and Rested: Proper fluid intake and rest promote immune strength and counter fatigue.While the clinical impact of the latest wave seems contained, its spread so quickly reflects the ongoing threat of viral evolution. With the world and regional health systems preparing for a possible surge in influenza and other respiratory viruses later in the year, an interlinked surveillance strategy—capitalizing on genomic information, syndromic reporting and vaccination data—will be essential.

covid cases surge again in india, but this time it’s your stomach and throat that suffer first; new symptoms to note

Ishita Roy

Errors In MAHA Report Acknowledged By the White House, What Happens Next?

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Last week, the US Health and Human Services Department's Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr released a 69-page long 'Make American Healthy Again' (MAHA) report revealing the health priorities of the state. The report was said to guide health policies during the remining of President Trump's term. 

While the report has noted some essential points like chemical safety in food, results of physical inactivity and over medication, the report has also been criticised for its anti-vaccination stance. The report called for a heightened scrutiny of childhood vaccine schedule. In fact, recently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/rfk-jr-announces-cdc-no-longer-recommends-covid-vaccine-for-kids-and-pregnant-women-what-do-experts-think-article-151745014" data-type="tilCustomLink">removed COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for kids and pregnant women</a>. 

Amid this, the <span>White House</span> has acknowledged the report, however, it has also acknowledged the errors the report has and has said to fix them. 

While RFK says his <span>MAHA Report</span> harnesses 'gold standard' science and it has cited more than 500 studies. The NOTUS has found that some of the cited sources do not exist at all. 

The White House press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed that the report will be updated. “I understand there was some formatting issues with the MAHA report that are being addressed and the report will be updated.” Leavitt told reporters during her briefing. “But it does not negate the substance of the report, which, as you know, is one of the most transformative health reports that has ever been released by the federal government. This is also reported on NOTUS website and as reported by US News. 

The NOTUS, on Thursday reported that seven of the more than 500 studies cited in the report did not appear to have been published. 

In fact, author of one study confirmed that while she did conduct research on topic of anxiety in children, she never authored the report which had been listed in the MAHA report. Other discrepancies include studies being misinterpreted, or problems with citations, especially on the topics around children's screen time, medication use, and anxiety. 

RFK, while claimed to bring "radical transparency" and "gold standard" science to public health agencies, he has refused to release details on studies which calls for an increased scrutiny of the childhood vaccine schedule and describes the children to be overmedicated and undernourished.

<strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/rfks-maha-report-raises-concerns-on-american-healthcare-article-151700452" data-type="tilCustomLink">RFK's MAHA Report Raises Concerns On American Healthcare</a></strong>

However, Leavitt said that the White House has "complete confidence" in Kennedy. 

“Minor citation and formatting errors have been corrected,” HHS Spokesman Andrew Nixon said in an emailed statement. He described the report as a “historic and transformative assessment by the federal government to understand the chronic disease epidemic afflicting our nation's children.”

This is not it, but his report is already stirring concerns not just among the Democrats, but also among Trump loyalists, including farmers, who criticized this report for characterizing the chemicals sprayed on the US crops. 

As of now, the report is supposed to be used to develop policy recommendations that will be released later this year. 

US health news

Make America Healthy Again Report

health news

MAHA Report

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RFK Jr

RFK and Trump

RFK Jr on Health

White House

Last week, the US Health and Human Services Department's Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr released a 69-page long 'Make American Healthy Again' (MAHA) report revealing the health priorities of the state. The report was said to guide health policies during the remining of President Trump's term. While the report has noted some essential points like chemical safety in food, results of physical inactivity and over medication, the report has also been criticised for its anti-vaccination stance. The report called for a heightened scrutiny of childhood vaccine schedule. In fact, recently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has removed COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for kids and pregnant women. Amid this, the White House has acknowledged the report, however, it has also acknowledged the errors the report has and has said to fix them. While RFK says his MAHA Report harnesses 'gold standard' science and it has cited more than 500 studies. The NOTUS has found that some of the cited sources do not exist at all. The White House press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed that the report will be updated. “I understand there was some formatting issues with the MAHA report that are being addressed and the report will be updated.” Leavitt told reporters during her briefing. “But it does not negate the substance of the report, which, as you know, is one of the most transformative health reports that has ever been released by the federal government. This is also reported on NOTUS website and as reported by US News. What Are The Discrepancies?The NOTUS, on Thursday reported that seven of the more than 500 studies cited in the report did not appear to have been published. In fact, author of one study confirmed that while she did conduct research on topic of anxiety in children, she never authored the report which had been listed in the MAHA report. Other discrepancies include studies being misinterpreted, or problems with citations, especially on the topics around children's screen time, medication use, and anxiety. RFK, while claimed to bring "radical transparency" and "gold standard" science to public health agencies, he has refused to release details on studies which calls for an increased scrutiny of the childhood vaccine schedule and describes the children to be overmedicated and undernourished.ALSO READ: RFK's MAHA Report Raises Concerns On American HealthcareHowever, Leavitt said that the White House has "complete confidence" in Kennedy.  “Minor citation and formatting errors have been corrected,” HHS Spokesman Andrew Nixon said in an emailed statement. He described the report as a “historic and transformative assessment by the federal government to understand the chronic disease epidemic afflicting our nation's children.”This is not it, but his report is already stirring concerns not just among the Democrats, but also among Trump loyalists, including farmers, who criticized this report for characterizing the chemicals sprayed on the US crops. As of now, the report is supposed to be used to develop policy recommendations that will be released later this year. 

errors in maha report acknowledged by the white house, what happens next?

Not Just COVID, 1.5 Million More Lives Were Lost After The Pandemic Than Expected

Amid Measles Outbreak, Texas Makes Vaccine Exemption Easier For Kids

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As the world collectively exhaled a sigh of relief in 2022, thinking the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic had come and gone, a covert crisis stealthily took hundreds of thousands more lives in America. Rather than rebounding toward pre-pandemic levels, U.S. death rates have remained obstinately elevated, accounting for over 1.5 million "missing Americans" during 2022 and 2023—fatalities that could potentially have been avoided if our country had been comparable to other affluent nations on health outcomes. This quiet excess wave of mortality reveals deeply ingrained national shortcomings well beyond the range of any given infectious illness.

Scientists from Boston University and the University of Minnesota analyzed U.S. official death records and those from 21 other high-income countries—Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and others—over 43 years from 1980 to 2023. During that period, the U.S. incurred almost 15 million excess deaths against peer nations, which means Americans died at rates much higher than what would be predicted if we followed their lower death trends.

In 1980, the U.S. actually performed better than its contemporaries, saving approximately 42,000 lives. By 1990, it had chalked up about 89,000 excess deaths. The count rose to 355,000 in 2000 and 409,000 in 2010. At the peak of the pandemic, excess deaths ballooned to 1 million in 2020 and 1.1 million in 2021. Even as COVID-19 declined, the U.S. lost 820,000 excess lives in 2022 and 705,000 in 2023.

This long-term trend indicates not a fleeting anomaly but a prolonged public health crisis. "Imagine the lives saved, the grief and trauma prevented, if the U.S. simply performed at the average of our peers," says lead author Jacob Bor, associate professor of Boston University's School of Public Health. "One in every two U.S. deaths before age 65 is probably preventable. Our failure to do something about it is a national scandal.

<h2>Are People Under-65 at Higher Risk?</h2>

Perhaps the most alarming finding is that in 2023, nearly 46% of deaths among Americans under 65 could have been prevented were our mortality rates on par with other high-income nations. In a country that prides itself on medical innovation and economic prowess, young and middle-aged adults are dying from conditions that, elsewhere, are managed far more effectively.

An important proportion of these deaths are motivated by deep-seated noncommunicable and social-environmental causes: drug overdoses, firearms violence, motor vehicle crashes, and avoidable cardiometabolic disease. "These trends preceded the pandemic and went unstopped thereafter," says University of Minnesota's Elizabeth Wrigley-Field. "The 700,000 surplus American deaths in 2023 are precisely what you'd expect from previously increasing trends, even if there'd never been a pandemic."

<h2>What Is Reason Behind This Excess Mortality?</h2>

The American overdose epidemic, driven by opioids, methamphetamine, and increasingly by powerful synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, continues to be a major cause of premature mortality. Whereas peer countries have introduced harm-reduction policies—expanded naloxone distribution, supervised injection sites—the United States has grappled with adopting these data-driven policies at scale.

Homicide and gun-related fatalities have exploded in recent decades. Other rich nations, however, have witnessed declines in violent crime and road traffic deaths due to draconian gun-control policies, safer car regulations, and vigorous road-safety campaigns.

Heart disease, diabetes, and obesity are responsible for a significant proportion of preventable deaths. Compounding factors—disproportionate access to medical care, food deserts, and socioeconomic inequalities—exacerbate these conditions among vulnerable groups.

Senior researcher Andrew Stokes refers to the stark policy distinctions: "Other nations demonstrate that investing in universal health care, robust safety nets, and evidence-based public health policies results in longer, healthier lives." The U.S., however, has:

Fragmented Healthcare: Close to 30 million Americans lack insurance, and millions more underinsured, with obstacles to preventive health care and management of chronic diseases.

Weak Social Safety Nets: Family pay leave, unemployment benefits, and poverty assistance in the United States are far behind those in Europe, Canada, and Australia.

Political Polarization: Government distrust and partisan gridlock have interfered with coordinated actions to deal with health crises, ranging from overdose response to pandemic readiness.

Even worse, the planned federal reductions to Medicare, Medicaid, and public health funding could further expand the gap. The recently House-approved legislation, as part of a possible second Trump administration agenda, would contract health programs at the very time that strong support is needed more than ever. "Severe reductions to public health, safety net programs, and federal health data could result in a further expansion of health disparities—and increasing numbers of excess—and entirely preventable—deaths," warns Bor.

<h2>Reversing America's Excess Death Crisis</h2>

In spite of the grim fact of excess mortality in America, solutions are not new nor out of reach. Other nations, such as Canada, the U.K., and France, have shown that universal healthcare, be it through single-payer or hybrid models, can provide near-universal coverage for primary and preventive care. This kind of complete coverage greatly reduces deaths from treatable causes, which serves as a reminder of the value in a system emphasizing early intervention over crisis management.

Equally, harm reduction strategies have been strikingly effective in nations like Australia and a number of European countries. In these nations, there has been increased access to addiction treatment, overdose reversal medicines with lifesaving properties, and safe-use centers, which have worked together to decrease overdose death in a noticeable manner. These initiatives are a realistic and humane response to drug use, centering on reducing harm and supporting recovery over punitive policies.

Prevention of injury and violence deaths is yet another critical element. Seat-belt laws, graduated licensing of teenage drivers, and strict gun control have been shown to prevent car accident fatalities and violence caused by guns. These evidence-based and public safety policies provide a clear plan to mitigate avoidable deaths in the United States.

But applying these solutions at home will take political will, institutional capacity, and societal consensus. The cost of not acting has already been staggering more than 1.5 million excess deaths in the last two years alone. If the U.S. keeps on its present course, the numbers could go even higher.

To turn around this trend, America needs to spend significantly on public health infrastructure. Disease surveillance should be made stronger, data need to be made more transparent, and community health centers should be extended to cover more areas in order to build a more resilient healthcare system. These initiatives not only will ready the country for crises ahead but also improve daily health outcomes.

Increasing access to care is also paramount. Progress toward universal coverage—or at least the removal of financial obstacles that keep individuals from accessing timely preventive and primary care—could have an enormous impact on decreasing early death. Healthcare access should be a right tied neither to employment nor income but to basic human needs.

In addition, adopting evidence-based policies must become the standard rather than the exception. Harm reduction, injury prevention, and targeted interventions for chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes must be prioritized. These are not radical ideas; they are proven strategies with measurable success rates in comparable countries.

As Bor insists, “We have the tools and the knowledge. What we lack is the collective resolve to act.”

The 1.5 million lives lost in 2022 and 2023 are not mere statistics—they are mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends whose deaths were avoidable. While the pandemic was a tragic catalyst, the underlying causes of excess mortality run much deeper than any single virus. Confronting this crisis requires acknowledging that America’s health system and social policies have long failed to protect large swaths of its population.

Ultimately, catching up to, or exceeding, the health achievements of our peer nations is not only a matter of national pride or global reputation. It is a moral obligation, requiring us to deploy science, policy, and empathy to ensure that the next generation of Americans lives longer, healthier lives.

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missing americans study

As the world collectively exhaled a sigh of relief in 2022, thinking the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic had come and gone, a covert crisis stealthily took hundreds of thousands more lives in America. Rather than rebounding toward pre-pandemic levels, U.S. death rates have remained obstinately elevated, accounting for over 1.5 million "missing Americans" during 2022 and 2023—fatalities that could potentially have been avoided if our country had been comparable to other affluent nations on health outcomes. This quiet excess wave of mortality reveals deeply ingrained national shortcomings well beyond the range of any given infectious illness.Scientists from Boston University and the University of Minnesota analyzed U.S. official death records and those from 21 other high-income countries—Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and others—over 43 years from 1980 to 2023. During that period, the U.S. incurred almost 15 million excess deaths against peer nations, which means Americans died at rates much higher than what would be predicted if we followed their lower death trends.In 1980, the U.S. actually performed better than its contemporaries, saving approximately 42,000 lives. By 1990, it had chalked up about 89,000 excess deaths. The count rose to 355,000 in 2000 and 409,000 in 2010. At the peak of the pandemic, excess deaths ballooned to 1 million in 2020 and 1.1 million in 2021. Even as COVID-19 declined, the U.S. lost 820,000 excess lives in 2022 and 705,000 in 2023.This long-term trend indicates not a fleeting anomaly but a prolonged public health crisis. "Imagine the lives saved, the grief and trauma prevented, if the U.S. simply performed at the average of our peers," says lead author Jacob Bor, associate professor of Boston University's School of Public Health. "One in every two U.S. deaths before age 65 is probably preventable. Our failure to do something about it is a national scandal.Are People Under-65 at Higher Risk?Perhaps the most alarming finding is that in 2023, nearly 46% of deaths among Americans under 65 could have been prevented were our mortality rates on par with other high-income nations. In a country that prides itself on medical innovation and economic prowess, young and middle-aged adults are dying from conditions that, elsewhere, are managed far more effectively.An important proportion of these deaths are motivated by deep-seated noncommunicable and social-environmental causes: drug overdoses, firearms violence, motor vehicle crashes, and avoidable cardiometabolic disease. "These trends preceded the pandemic and went unstopped thereafter," says University of Minnesota's Elizabeth Wrigley-Field. "The 700,000 surplus American deaths in 2023 are precisely what you'd expect from previously increasing trends, even if there'd never been a pandemic."What Is Reason Behind This Excess Mortality?1. Substance Use and OverdoseThe American overdose epidemic, driven by opioids, methamphetamine, and increasingly by powerful synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, continues to be a major cause of premature mortality. Whereas peer countries have introduced harm-reduction policies—expanded naloxone distribution, supervised injection sites—the United States has grappled with adopting these data-driven policies at scale.2. Violence and InjuryHomicide and gun-related fatalities have exploded in recent decades. Other rich nations, however, have witnessed declines in violent crime and road traffic deaths due to draconian gun-control policies, safer car regulations, and vigorous road-safety campaigns.3. Cardiometabolic DiseaseHeart disease, diabetes, and obesity are responsible for a significant proportion of preventable deaths. Compounding factors—disproportionate access to medical care, food deserts, and socioeconomic inequalities—exacerbate these conditions among vulnerable groups.Why the U.S. Lags Behind?Senior researcher Andrew Stokes refers to the stark policy distinctions: "Other nations demonstrate that investing in universal health care, robust safety nets, and evidence-based public health policies results in longer, healthier lives." The U.S., however, has:Fragmented Healthcare: Close to 30 million Americans lack insurance, and millions more underinsured, with obstacles to preventive health care and management of chronic diseases.Weak Social Safety Nets: Family pay leave, unemployment benefits, and poverty assistance in the United States are far behind those in Europe, Canada, and Australia.Political Polarization: Government distrust and partisan gridlock have interfered with coordinated actions to deal with health crises, ranging from overdose response to pandemic readiness.Even worse, the planned federal reductions to Medicare, Medicaid, and public health funding could further expand the gap. The recently House-approved legislation, as part of a possible second Trump administration agenda, would contract health programs at the very time that strong support is needed more than ever. "Severe reductions to public health, safety net programs, and federal health data could result in a further expansion of health disparities—and increasing numbers of excess—and entirely preventable—deaths," warns Bor.Reversing America's Excess Death CrisisIn spite of the grim fact of excess mortality in America, solutions are not new nor out of reach. Other nations, such as Canada, the U.K., and France, have shown that universal healthcare, be it through single-payer or hybrid models, can provide near-universal coverage for primary and preventive care. This kind of complete coverage greatly reduces deaths from treatable causes, which serves as a reminder of the value in a system emphasizing early intervention over crisis management.Equally, harm reduction strategies have been strikingly effective in nations like Australia and a number of European countries. In these nations, there has been increased access to addiction treatment, overdose reversal medicines with lifesaving properties, and safe-use centers, which have worked together to decrease overdose death in a noticeable manner. These initiatives are a realistic and humane response to drug use, centering on reducing harm and supporting recovery over punitive policies.Prevention of injury and violence deaths is yet another critical element. Seat-belt laws, graduated licensing of teenage drivers, and strict gun control have been shown to prevent car accident fatalities and violence caused by guns. These evidence-based and public safety policies provide a clear plan to mitigate avoidable deaths in the United States.But applying these solutions at home will take political will, institutional capacity, and societal consensus. The cost of not acting has already been staggering more than 1.5 million excess deaths in the last two years alone. If the U.S. keeps on its present course, the numbers could go even higher.To turn around this trend, America needs to spend significantly on public health infrastructure. Disease surveillance should be made stronger, data need to be made more transparent, and community health centers should be extended to cover more areas in order to build a more resilient healthcare system. These initiatives not only will ready the country for crises ahead but also improve daily health outcomes.Increasing access to care is also paramount. Progress toward universal coverage—or at least the removal of financial obstacles that keep individuals from accessing timely preventive and primary care—could have an enormous impact on decreasing early death. Healthcare access should be a right tied neither to employment nor income but to basic human needs.In addition, adopting evidence-based policies must become the standard rather than the exception. Harm reduction, injury prevention, and targeted interventions for chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes must be prioritized. These are not radical ideas; they are proven strategies with measurable success rates in comparable countries.As Bor insists, “We have the tools and the knowledge. What we lack is the collective resolve to act.”The 1.5 million lives lost in 2022 and 2023 are not mere statistics—they are mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends whose deaths were avoidable. While the pandemic was a tragic catalyst, the underlying causes of excess mortality run much deeper than any single virus. Confronting this crisis requires acknowledging that America’s health system and social policies have long failed to protect large swaths of its population.Ultimately, catching up to, or exceeding, the health achievements of our peer nations is not only a matter of national pride or global reputation. It is a moral obligation, requiring us to deploy science, policy, and empathy to ensure that the next generation of Americans lives longer, healthier lives.

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