Data Centers' Potential Health Harms and Ebola's Expansion
October 30, 2026
Editors' Note
With the U.S. midterm elections occurring next week, Think Global Health examines the possible health effects of a controversial issue: data centers. Journalist Carrie Arnold spoke to a community activist in Pennsylvania, who worries about toxic air coming from a proposed artificial intelligence (AI) data center slated to be built next to houses and athletic fields in her community. Arnold also interviewed experts about steps that people can take to protect themselves.
In another piece examining the health effects of AI, Elaine Nsoesie, associate professor of global health at Boston University, and Nuredin Ali, a doctoral student in computer science at the University of Minnesota, argue that African content moderators—the people who are working to remove harmful images from AI and social media—need better workplace safeguards to prevent severe mental distress.
Next, turning to Ebola, Daniel Singer, who previously served as the director for countering biological threats on the U.S. National Security Council, explains how fast responses and collaboration in Kenya and Nigeria helped address the Bundibugyo strain's arrival, illustrating how many African countries have the capacity to contain dangerous diseases. Still, Singer predicts that secondary epidemics will continue to arise, necessitating additional resources from a global health system already in disarray.
In conclusion, Kathy Crosby, CEO of the Truth Initiative, discusses how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved flavored e-cigarette products, which play a major role in addicting youth to nicotine. Crosby urges the FDA to closely monitor marketing tactics and use of these products, and reverse course if needed.
Until next week!—Katherine Leach-Kemon, Senior Contributing Editor, and Alejandra Martinez, Research Associate
Former National Security Council Director for Countering Biological Threats warns that the outbreak is likely to persist and will require help from a global health system already in turmoil
Better workplace conditions, preparation, and support are needed for the African content moderators who are scrubbing harmful content from AI and social media
The agency's decision to change how e-cigarettes are evaluated has brought renewed debate on the need to protect the public from the harms of nicotine products
