IHME: Over 20 Countries Environmentally Suitable for Ebola Transmission by Bats

Though the West African Ebola outbreak that began in 2013 is now under control, 23 countries remain environmentally suitable for animal-to-human transmission of the Ebola virus. Only seven of these countries have experienced cases of Ebola, leaving the remaining 16 countries potentially unaware of regions of suitability, and therefore underprepared for future outbreaks.

HS NewsBeat: Labor Unions are Boons for Community Health, Study Finds

Positive influence extends beyond members, Public Health researchers say

Labor unions, whose numbers are at historic lows in the United States, help to build a culture of health in the workplace and beyond, according to a report from the University of Washington School of Public Health. The study was co-authored by Associate Professor Amy Hagopian.

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BBC: Viral Hepatitis 'Kills as Many as AIDS or TB'

By Smitha Mundasad

The report estimates that hepatitis infections and their complications led to 1.45m deaths in 2013 - despite the existence of vaccines and treatments.

World Health Organization data shows there were 1.2m AIDS-related deaths in 2014, while TB led to 1.5m deaths.

The WHO has put forward a global strategy to tackle hepatitis.

'Startling findings'

Researchers say these plans must be put into action urgently to tackle the crisis.

Seattle Times: UW Students Head to Nepal for Hands-on Learning

By Erica Pandey

For the first time in recent history, 10 University of Washington students will go to class about 7,000 miles from campus this August, in Nepal.

For 3½ weeks, they will participate in a seminar organized by the Nepal Studies Initiative (NSI), one of the few formal programs in the U.S. that focus on that country.

NY Times: 'Rare, Dangerous' Heat Headed to Parts of Western US

LOS ANGELES — It's a dry heat, Phoenix residents like to say about Arizona's hot weather. That bravado may vanish as the thermometer flirts with 120 degrees this weekend.

Phoenix won't be alone in the oven. A strengthening ridge of high pressure lifting out of Mexico is on course to also scorch other parts of Arizona and Southern California, bringing potentially record-shattering temperatures.

Though accustomed to triple digits, the upcoming heat spell is a rarity in Phoenix, a desert metropolis of 1.5 million people, raising concerns of heat stroke.

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