Florida researchers say discovery could pave the way for universal cancer vaccine
University of Florida researchers have stumbled upon a discovery they say could lead to development of a universal vaccine that can jumpstart the immune system to fight cancer. A study, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, showed that an experimental mRNA vaccine boosted resistance to tumors when paired with common anticancer drugs in mice. If the same effect occurs in humans, it could provide an alternative to surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida's COVID-19 deaths top 1,100 in 2025. It's a far lower pace than the previous five years
More than 1,100 Florida deaths have been linked to COVID-19 this year, as the number continues to gradually increase. The pace of deaths this year is far lower than during the past five years. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the state in early 2020, with a reported 23,351 deaths that year. The deaths totaled 39,876 in 2021; 21,317 in 2022; 8,448 in 2023; and 6,025 in 2024, according to the Department of Health. [Source: WUSF]
A health care tax credit that powers Florida’s small businesses is going away
When the Affordable Care Act passed, premium tax credits were only available to people earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level. This year, 400% of the federal poverty level is about $60,000 for a single earner. But in 2021, Congress expanded the credits and removed the income cap, allowing more middle-income families to qualify. Small businesses and self-employed workers disproportionately benefited from this expansion and saw record coverage gains over the last four years. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida HIV preventative care in jeopardy after 'inefficient' cuts, a clinical expert says
HIV preventative care in Florida is in jeopardy after millions of dollars in federal funding were cut, according to a pharmaceutical and research expert in the virus at Nova Southeastern University. Miami-Dade County represents the highest rate of new HIV diagnoses in the United States. While Florida overall ranks third with the most newly reported cases. [Source: WLRN]
Four people have died from flesh-eating bacteria in Florida. Who's at risk?
Four people in Florida have died this year from bacterial infections that can cause “flesh-eating” wounds, the state’s health department reported this month. The culprit, the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus, thrives in warm seawater. The deadly cases were seen in counties spread around Florida’s extensive coastline, from Bay County in the Panhandle and Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located, on the Gulf Coast, to Broward County in southeastern Florida and St. Johns County just south of Jacksonville. [Source: NBC News]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Inside hear.com’s quiet revolution in hearing care
Most startups pivot at some point. Paul Crusius never did. The Miami-based, German-born CEO launched hear.com over a decade ago with a simple idea: hearing loss is common, solutions exist, but far too few people use them. “The technology is there,” Crusius told Refresh Miami. “But only about 20% of people with hearing loss actually use hearing aids.” His insight? The real barrier wasn’t technical, it was stigma, cost, and inconvenience.
› Jacksonville-based Ascension St. Vincent's Foundation gets new executive director
Darren White has been named executive director of Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation, the charity arm of the Jacksonville-area health care system. He joined the philanthropy in 2023 as director of donor relations and stewardship. During White's donor relations tenure, the foundation funded medical technology and equipment and secured support for Ascension programs that serve thousands.
› Orlando Health, PSTA partner for free employee bus access
For more than 2,000 employees and contractors of Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, there’s a new way to get to work – or anywhere else, for that matter. Effective immediately, workers at all Bayfront Hospital locations will have unlimited access to ride all Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) bus routes free of charge, both for work and personal use.
› Health company sues CEO over ‘greed.’ How the sale of Miami hospitals is involved
A health company that gave up its five South Florida hospitals to thin debt while in Chapter 11 bankruptcy is now suing its founder and former CEO and other executives. Steward Health Care System is accusing former CEO Dr. Ralph de La Torre and other Steward executives and directors of making business deals that personally benefited them but hurt the company, its hospitals and its patients.