LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
CDC Reports Highest Flu Hospitalization Rate in Over a Decade
The 2024–25 influenza season was the most severe in over a decade, with the highest recorded flu hospitalization rate in the U.S., according to CDC’s Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network. Preliminary data show that 89% of hospitalized patients had underlying conditions, 17% required ICU admission, and 3% died—figures consistent with past seasons.
Vaccination and timely antiviral treatment remain critical: only 32.4% of hospitalized patients had received a flu vaccine, while 84.8% received antivirals, though uptake was lowest among ages 5–17. CDC urges annual vaccination for everyone six months and older and prompt antiviral use to reduce complications. Read more from the CDC here.
AI in Action: Strengthening Public Health Communications with Care & Clarity
The Public Health Communication Collaborative (PHCC) is hosting a webinar, AI in Action: Strengthening Public Health Communications with Care & Clarity, on September 30, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET. The session explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping public health communication—offering both new opportunities and challenges.
Expert panelists will share practical ways to integrate AI tools into daily work, highlight potential risks such as misinformation and loss of trust, and outline best practices to ensure AI-assisted strategies remain community-centered and aligned with organizational values. The webinar is designed for communicators at every level of AI experience. Register here.
From Mpox Back to Monkeypox: Experts Warn of Confusion and Stigma
In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) renamed “monkeypox” to “mpox” to reduce stigma and reflect scientific accuracy, since the virus originates from rodents, not monkeys. The change followed concerns from patients, health workers, and public health leaders about racist and homophobic associations with the old name.
The U.S., however, has recently reverted to using “monkeypox” without public explanation, raising questions among infectious disease experts and communicators about the risks of confusion and renewed stigma. Public health professionals emphasize that consistent, inclusive language is essential for trust, clarity, and effective disease communication. Read more from NPR here.
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FDA Says IV Saline Shortage is Over
The FDA announced that the longstanding shortage of sodium chloride 0.9% intravenous (IV) saline, ongoing since 2018, has now been resolved. The shortage worsened after Hurricane Helene flooded a key Baxter manufacturing plant, responsible for 60% of the nation’s supply, forcing hospitals to ration IV fluids and delay elective procedures.
This situation exposed vulnerabilities in the U.S. medical supply chain, which relies heavily on a few manufacturers due to stringent sterility standards and low market incentives. The FDA continues to collaborate with producers and monitor other IV fluid shortages to support healthcare system resilience and patient care. Read more from The Hill here.
Ultra-Processed Food Consumption is Down a Bit, But Still More Than 50% of U.S. Diet
New CDC data show that while U.S. consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has declined slightly, they still account for more than half of Americans’ daily calories — and nearly 62% for children. UPFs, which are typically high in added sugars, fats, and preservatives, are linked to increased risk for chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
The findings highlight the continued challenge of shifting nutrition habits, particularly among youth. For public health communicators, the data underscore the importance of clear, evidence-based messaging that helps communities make healthier food choices and supports efforts to improve dietary patterns nationwide. Read more from NPR here.
Messaging Matters: Communication Strategies to Combat Mis- and Disinformation for Reproductive Well-Being
A recent session from the Contraceptive Access Initiative underscored the growing threat mis- and disinformation poses to one of the most widely supported public health issues: access to contraception and fertility care. Despite broad, nonpartisan agreement, misleading narratives about contraception, IVF, and pregnancy have fueled public confusion and policy polarization.
To support accurate, science-based communication, experts highlighted challenges journalists and public health communicators face—including limited access to credible sources and pressure from politicized narratives. The session introduced a new resource guide grounded in ACOG and U.S. Surgeon General recommendations, offering tools, definitions, and messaging strategies to combat disinformation and protect reproductive well-being. Find the resource from Contraceptive Access Institute here.
Rabies on the Rise in U.S.: What to Know
Public health officials report a rising threat of rabies in the U.S., with recent outbreaks in wild animals such as raccoons and bats, including new cases in areas like Long Island and Michigan. Rabies, nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear, spreads mainly through bites or scratches from infected animals.
Because bat bites may go unnoticed, public health authorities advise contacting officials if exposure is suspected. Prevention focuses on keeping pets and livestock vaccinated, avoiding contact with unknown animals, and promptly seeking post-exposure vaccination when necessary. Awareness and timely action remain critical to protecting communities from this deadly virus. Read more from The Hill here.
