The Scan by 2 Minute Medicine®: Fall boosters, mosquitoes, skin awareness, and Hollywood healing

FDA authorizes updated COVID 19 boosters but uptake remains uncertain
On August 27 the FDA approved updated COVID 19 vaccines for the fall, but eligibility is limited mostly to older adults and people with certain health conditions. The new shots were designed around the LP 8.1 variant and trial data from Moderna suggest stronger protection against the strains circulating right now. That matters, since last year nearly 500,000 people ended up in the hospital with COVID 19. Even so, surveys show that only about 35 percent of seniors say they plan to get a booster this season, far lower than what’s needed to keep hospital beds open. Pediatric and maternal health experts are worried too, pointing out that children and pregnant people were left out of the current eligibility criteria. Public health officials are rolling out toolkits, email reminders, and social media campaigns to try and boost uptake before October. Clinicians are being encouraged to bring up the vaccines at every routine visit, because a single conversation can often tip the balance. Hospitals are also trying to plan ahead by ordering stock early, since demand may spike unevenly by region. Cost could be another hurdle, with some patients facing bills over $100 if their insurance doesn’t cover the shot. Doctors are reminding hesitant patients that the small risks linked to vaccination are still far lower than the risks of COVID infection itself. All of this adds up to a frustrating reality: the tools are better than ever, but without clear communication the public may not take advantage of them.

West Nile virus cases surge as summer mosquito activity peaks
The CDC’s tracking map is lighting up this summer, showing higher than average mosquito pools testing positive for West Nile virus across multiple states. Each year about 2,000 people are diagnosed in the U.S., and more than half of the severe cases end up in the hospital, according to federal surveillance data. Most infections fly under the radar, but about one in five people develop fever and body aches, and about one in a hundred progress to brain infections like meningitis or encephalitis. Those who do get severe disease face a 10 percent fatality rate, and nearly a third of survivors are left with lasting neurologic issues. This season looks more worrisome than usual, with some counties reporting double or triple the number of positive mosquito pools. Older adults and those with weaker immune systems remain the most vulnerable. Because there is still no vaccine or specific treatment, prevention is the best tool available. That means using EPA approved repellents, covering up in the evenings, and avoiding peak mosquito hours when possible. Emergency rooms are already being advised to think about West Nile when patients show up with fever and confusion in late summer. Primary care clinics can also help by sending reminders through patient portals about how to stay safe outdoors. With hot weather lingering into September, the risk may stick around longer than usual this year.

John Cena highlights skin cancer risk and the importance of prevention
When John Cena revealed he’d been treated twice for skin cancer, it caught the attention of both fans and doctors. He admitted that years of skipping sunscreen during his younger days likely played a role, and he’s now urging men to take skin protection seriously. It’s a timely message: men are 34 percent less likely than women to see a dermatologist regularly, according to the New York Post, and often wait until a spot looks suspicious. Cena has since partnered with Neutrogena to push an SPF 70 campaign, promoting simple habits like keeping sunscreen next to your toothbrush so applying it becomes part of the morning routine. That kind of consistency matters, since early detection boosts five year melanoma survival to more than 90 percent, compared with less than 20 percent when it spreads. Dermatologists say athletes and outdoor workers should also focus on areas people often forget, like ears, lips, and shoulders. Some experts even recommend patients snap monthly phone photos of their moles, so changes are easier to spot. Teledermatology is also making it easier to get quick feedback without waiting weeks for an in person appointment. Families with a history of melanoma are being urged to schedule checkups more frequently than the standard once a year. Cena’s openness has turned what could have been a private scare into a public reminder that sunscreen isn’t cosmetic, it’s preventive medicine.

Celebrity disclosures spark wider conversation on addiction and mental health
Hollywood has been unusually candid about mental health this summer, and the public response has been overwhelming. At an Ozark reunion a cast member spoke openly about addiction recovery, joining a wave of stars breaking stigma around treatment. In the past week Noah Cyrus’s interview drew attention as she described her recovery from Xanax addiction and the role therapy played in her progress. Around the same time Carly Pearce spoke about living with anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder and how treatment has helped her manage both conditions. Studies suggest that when celebrities share recovery stories, help seeking rises by as much as 25 percent, especially among young adults. Tennis player Amanda Anisimova also credited therapy with helping her climb back up the rankings at the US Open, showing that mental health care is tied to performance as much as recovery. Social media reactions often number in the tens of thousands, with fans thanking stars for being open. Doctors say these moments can be used in clinic visits to normalize therapy and medications, especially when patients are hesitant. Some practices are experimenting with group visits or peer support sessions, which many patients find less intimidating than one on one therapy. Clinics using collaborative care models where screening starts before the physician enters the room report better engagement. Adding hotline numbers or text lines to after visit summaries provides an immediate next step for anyone who feels ready to reach out. These high profile stories make mental health care part of everyday conversation, and that shift can translate into better outcomes in real clinics.