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Health News and Alerts
10/2/25 Making Sense of the Latest Health Recommendations
With so much health advice available online, on social media, and even from friends and family, it can be difficult to know what is accurate and trustworthy. Here are key strategies to help you recognize reliable health information:
1. Check the Source-Reliable sources can include government health agencies, but also include reputable medical institutions (e.g., American Medical Association, American Public Health Association), peer-reviewed medical journals, and your own healthcare provider. Be cautious of websites that sell products or promote miracle cures. If the main goal seems to be selling rather than informing, the information may be biased or misleading. If an entity is promoting a miraculous cure or solution but many other reputable experts say otherwise, it's likely the experts are correct.
2. Look for Scientific Evidence-Trust recommendations backed by scientific studies rather than personal stories or testimonials. Make sure the information cites peer-reviewed research, clinical trials, or expert consensus rather than vague claims or outdated research. A good example is the claim by the Health and Human Services Secretary that taking Tylenol during pregnancy can cause autism. The overwhelming body of scientific research has not shown that using Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions in children. Claims to the contrary are simply not supported by high-quality evidence.
In fact, Tylenol (also knows as acetaminophen) is one of the safest and most commonly used medicines to relieve pain and reduce fever in pregnancy. Treating these symptoms is important, as leaving fever or significant pain untreated can be far more dangerous to a developing fetus than taking acetaminophen as directed.
Pregnant individuals should always follow the advice of their obstetrician, family practice physician, or nurse midwife before taking any medicine. Acetaminophen remains a safe and important option for managing headaches, muscle aches, or fever during pregnancy.
3. Check the Author’s Credentials-Health information should be written or reviewed by qualified professionals, such as doctors, registered dietitians, or public health experts. Avoid advice from influencers or bloggers without medical training, especially if they make bold claims or suggest avoiding standard medical care.
4. Watch for Red Flags-Be skeptical of:
- Too-good-to-be-true claims, like “cure-all” remedies or quick fixes.
- Pseudoscientific terms (like “detoxing toxins” without specifying what those toxins are).
- Fear-based language or conspiracy theories (e.g., claims that doctors or pharmaceutical companies are hiding the “truth”).
5. Check the Date-Health recommendations can change based on new research. Look for information that has been updated recently—ideally within the last 1–2 years and sooner with things that can change often, like annual vaccines .
6. Compare with Multiple Sources-Don’t rely on just one source. Cross-check information with other trusted websites or professionals. If most reputable sources agree, the information is more likely to be accurate.
7. Ask a Professional-If in doubt, consult with a healthcare provider. They can help you interpret information in the context of your personal health needs.
Staying informed is crucial for your health, but critical thinking is just as important as the information itself. By learning to spot trustworthy sources and question misleading claims, you empower yourself to make safer, smarter health choices.
10/1/25 Updated Covid and Other Vaccination News
Massachusetts has joined the Northeast Public Health Collaborative (NPHC) to determine vaccination guidelines based on best practices and recommendations from leading physician professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
- The NPHC has released guidelines for Covid. More vaccine recommendations are likely forthcoming.
- Most insurers have committed to continue to cover vaccines, including MassHealth. However, you should check with your insurer for confirmation.
- If you have questions or concerns about vaccines, talk to your health care provider
As of now, all new federal recommendations for the MMR and Pediatric Hepatitis B vaccines are still waiting to be confirmed. This means nothing has changed as of today (9/25/25). Click here for the CURRENT CDC pediatric vaccine schedule. Note this may change if the CDC confirms the new recommendations. Check back here for more updates.
Learn more about vaccines and vaccine safety.
5/21 New Recommendations for Covid-19 Vaccination
The US Food and Drug Administration announced today that it will only recommend COVID-19 vaccines for adults 65 and older and people at risk for severe illness. From PBS News: "Adults over age 65 and anyone over 6 months with one or more chronic or underlying health conditions, such as asthma, cancer, diabetes or pregnancy, are still recommended to get an updated shot. To gain approval for COVID vaccines for other groups in the future, pharmaceutical companies would need to conduct new randomized clinical trials for younger healthy populations, according to FDA Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary and Dr. Vinayak Prasad, who directs the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research." Visit the PBS News link to learn more.
5/22 FDA Clears Blood Test for Alzheimer's
The Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio is for the early detection of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease in adult patients, aged 55 years and older, exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disease. Learn more...
4/2 HEALTH DEPARTMENT TEMPORARILY MOVING
From May 1-November 2025, the Warren Building will be under renovation and all Health Department staff and services will be located at 888 Worcester St., Suite 140 (east side of Rte. 9).
All regular Health Department services and programs will still be available.
Please note: The Health Department will be closed from April 30th-May 9th to accommodate the move to 888 Worcester Street.
Questions? Give us a call at 781-235-0135.
1/24/25
Fish Advisory for Morses Pond for Large Mouth Bass
The Wellesley Health Department has received notification from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health of a new fish consumption advisory (FCA) for Morses Pond. Mercury concentrations in fish most recently sampled by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection were above the DPH action level of 0.5 parts per million (mg/kg). This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Fish Advisories are a common occurrence in the Commonwealth as seen here on the Massachusetts Fish Advisory Map.
Wellesley residents should not be alarmed but should take recommended precautions.
Additionally, please note that the drinking water supply for Wellesley is safe to consume and is not affected by this Advisory.
Visit this website for more information on fish advisories. For questions, please call the Health Department at 781-235-0135.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: One Year Later
Formally launched in July, 2022, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is receiving almost 400,000 calls each day. Since then, workers with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline have responded to roughly 5 million calls, chats and texts, which is up by more than 2 million from 2021 when the previous 7-digit number was in use. Another major improvement? Lifeline callers now only wait about half a minute to connect with someone at more than 200 state and local call centers.
In addition, new services have been added. The lifeline launched a Spanish text and chat service, and a call, chat and text service for LGBTQ+ people. As for the future, the Lifeline plans to develop a direct 988 Lifeline video-phone option for deaf or hard-of-hearing American Sign Language users and a national awareness campaign to familiarize the public with what the lifeline is, what to expect when they reach out and when to use it.
Help is available if you or your loved ones are facing a crisis. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Spanish speakers can connect directly to Spanish-speaking crisis counselors by calling 988 and pressing option 2, texting AYUDA to 988, or chatting online at 988lineadevida.org or 988Lifeline.org.
Ticks and Mosquitoes Increase in Spring and Summer
Warmer weather brings an increase in tick and mosquito activity. Both insects can be carriers of potentially serious diseases, but strong protection can reduce the potential for exposure and keep you and your family protected.
One of the most common tick-borne diseases in the U.S. is Lyme disease. Ticks are found in wooded areas, high grass, or leaf litter. They are most active during the spring, summer and fall, but in warmer areas may be active all year round. Due to the mild winter, tick activity has already begun, and residents should take precautions when outdoors. Click here to learn more about avoiding ticks and what to do if you find a tick on your body. Don't forget to check animals for ticks after being outside! Below are three common ticks found in Massachusetts. Only the black-legged tick (also known as a Deer Tick) carries Lyme.
One of the most common diseases carried by mosquitoes in the U.S. is West Nile virus infection. Mosquitoes may be found near standing water, or in weedy or wooded areas. They are usually most active during dawn and dusk in the warmer months. Click here to learn about protecting yourself from mosquitoes.
Sun Safety is The Key to Preventing Skin Cancer
In 2020, there were an estimated 1,413,976 people living with melanoma of the skin in the United States, and 8,214 people died of this cancer (primarily Melanoma). Yet, only 12.3% of men and 29.0% of women aged over18 years always used sunscreen when outside on a sunny day for longer than an hour.
- At least one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.3
- More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined.
- Skin cancer CAN be preventable and treatable when caught early.
What can YOU do to enjoy being outside safely? As we head into the warmer weather, our exposure to UV (Ultraviolet) rays increases. Since UV rays are the main cause of skin cancers, reducing exposure is key to preventing skin cancer year-round, but in summer becomes even more important. Limiting sun exposure to the morning and afternoon hours, using sunscreen every day (even cloudy days) with at least an SPF30, and keeping your skin covered when outside are the main ways to avoid harsh UV rays.
Sources: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. U.S. Cancer Statistics Data Visualizations Tool, based on 2022 submission data (1999-2020): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Cancer Institute; https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dataviz, released in June 2023.National National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm.
"THE LAST OF US"-FACT OR FICTION? 
The answer? 100% Fiction. Many of you probably watched the HBO series "The Last of Us", about a fungus that blooms when global temperatures drop and infect and takeover humans. And why not? Fungi are alive all around us. The truth is, fungi CAN cause illness in humans, but not to the extent in the show. Check out this short video from PBS featuring our newest Board of Health member Dr. Shira Doron to learn more!
CPR: Why you should get certified.
CPR. We've seen it on TV or in the movies, and most of us have some idea of what CPR looks like. But until recently, most people have never seen CPR used in real life. On January 2, 2023, millions of Americans watched Buffalo Bills football player Damar Hamlin collapse mid-game after suffering a cardiac arrest. Thankfully, he had a quick thinking coach and a nearby AED, but CPR was also key to his survival that day.
Each year, 350,000 people experience cardiac arrest OUTSIDE the hospital and when that happens, when delivered immediately, CPR can double, or even triple, someone’s chances of survival. Although 65% of people in the United States say they’ve received CPR training at some point in their lives, only 18% of people are up to date on their training. And CPR has changed a LOT over the past few years. So why don’t more Americans learn how to do it?
Most people say access, time and cost are the main barriers but if you can get certified, it’s worth it. You may never need it, but if you do, you’ll be glad you devoted just two hours of your time to learning. We’ve listed ways to access classes and how to find free or reduced cost classes below.
WHAT IS CPR?
CPR stands for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. When someone goes into cardiac arrest, they experience a sudden loss of heart activity due to an irregular heart rhythm. Breathing stops and oxygen is not reaching the brain. Cardiac arrest is an “ELECTRICAL” problem. Only an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) can fix this by delivering an electrical shock to the heart, but CPR is the placeholder that helps blood circulate to the brain until an AED can be used. Cardiac arrest is NOT a heart attack. When someone is in cardiac arrest, they are unconscious and not breathing.
CPR can be delivered two ways: either WITH or WITHOUT rescue breathing. Bystander CPR is delivered WITHOUT rescue breathing and is very easy to learn. Most people can get certified in under two hours! And, most bystander CPR classes include AED training. Using an AED is very easy and even children can learn how. Chances are, you have an AED located somewhere in your workplace or at a venue where your child plays sports. When CPR and an AED are used on someone in cardiac arrest before emergency help arrives, it greatly increases the chance for survival.
WHERE TO GET CERTIFIED
Getting CPR certified is easier than ever, and can even be done virtually!
Red Cross (Includes online only option)