LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: Tylenol-Autism Link and Vaccine Policies
A recent KFF poll highlights widespread public uncertainty around health claims and trust in public health institutions. Following a federal warning linking acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism—despite inconclusive evidence—most adults are unsure whether the claim is true, with perceptions heavily split along partisan lines.
Trust in the CDC has declined to its lowest point since the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among independents and Democrats, while professional associations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Medical Association retain higher confidence for vaccine guidance. The findings underscore the critical role of clear, evidence-based communication in maintaining public trust in health guidance. Read more from KFF Health News here.
Potential Policy Shift: What RFK Jr.’s New Dietary Guidelines Could Mean for Public Health
The upcoming U.S. dietary guidelines, expected to be released under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., could mark a sharp shift in federal nutrition policy. Historically grounded in decades of evidence-based recommendations, the guidelines inform major public health programs including school lunches and food aid.
Kennedy has signaled a more condensed and simplified version focused on “whole, healthy, and local foods,”
Kennedy has signaled a more condensed and simplified version focused on “whole, healthy, and local foods,”
potentially revising long-standing advice to limit saturated fats and low-fat dairy. Nutrition experts caution against reversing established recommendations, and alcohol policy advocates are concerned about omitting recent evidence on drinking risks—raising important implications for public health communication and education. Read more from NPR here.
Nevada’s Launching One of the First Public Health Insurance Options
Nevada has launched one of the nation’s first public health insurance options—the Battle Born State Plans—designed to make coverage more affordable and expand access to care. Offered through Nevada Health Link, the plans build on the Affordable Care Act by requiring premium reductions of up to 15% within four years while maintaining essential health benefits and protections for pre-existing conditions.
A new reinsurance program, starting in 2026, will help stabilize premiums and support market sustainability. Together, the initiatives are projected to generate more than $290 million in federal savings by 2029, potentially strengthening Nevada’s health system and improving coverage options for residents statewide. Read more in the Nevada Independent here.
FEATURED TOPICS
CDC’s Flu Vaccination Recommendations Published
CDC has released its 2025–26 flu vaccination recommendations, urging everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated, ideally by the end of October, though efforts should continue while flu viruses circulate. Updates include FDA approval of FluMist for self- or caregiver administration and expanded use of Flublok for ages 9 and up.
ACIP advises single-dose, thimerosal-free formulations for children, pregnant women, and adults. Three vaccines remain preferentially recommended for adults 65+: Fluzone High-Dose, Flublok, and Fluad. Annual flu vaccination is critical to reducing illness, hospitalization, and death, with health care providers playing a key role in patient education. Read more from CDC here.
Mississippi Declares Public Health Emergency Over Rising Infant Mortality Rate
The Mississippi Department of Health has declared a public health emergency in response to alarming infant mortality rates, with 9.7 deaths per 1,000 births in 2024—the state’s highest rate in over a decade and more than 60% above the national average. Since 2014, more than 3,500 Mississippi infants have died before their first birthday.
State health officials outlined strategies including expanding prenatal and postpartum care, addressing maternity care deserts, increasing access to community health worker programs and home visits, and promoting safe sleep education. Public health leaders stress that improving maternal health and protecting access to care are essential to reducing infant deaths. Read more from CNN here.
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.
