LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Voices From the Field Podcast: Former NFL Stars and CDC Gear-Up Against Cancer
During the 2025 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media (NCHCMM) in Atlanta, NPHIC conducted a special series of interviews titled Voices from the Field as part of its Public Health Speaks podcast. Over the next several weeks, NPHIC will release one new episode each week in this seven-part series, featuring conversations with public health leaders, communicators, and partners who are driving change across the nation.
The first episode kicks off with a compelling discussion on the partnership between the National Football League Alumni Association (NFL Alumni) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in their “Gear Up Against Cancer” campaign. This national initiative aims to raise awareness about the impact of colorectal cancer and the importance of early detection.
According to the CDC, colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among men and women in the United States. Data show that Black and Latino men face a higher risk, with Black men 40 percent more likely to die from the disease. Through this campaign, the NFL Alumni and CDC are using trusted voices to spread a life-saving message: get screened.
In the interview, NPHIC’s Olivia Biggs speaks with campaign partners about how regular screenings, open conversations, and community engagement can shift behaviors and save lives. Former NFL wide receiver Perry Kemp shared a heartfelt message: “Hey, it happens to football players and our families too. Prevention is everything — get tested.”
The Gear Up Against Cancer campaign has already achieved impressive results — 775 million impressions in its first six months — and continues to build momentum through listening sessions and community outreach.
We encourage all of our readers to listen to this powerful first episode and stay tuned each week as NPHIC releases the remaining Voices from the Field interviews. Each episode explores a different public health topic, offering real-world insights and inspiring stories from those working on the front lines of health communication.
Listen to the podcast here and subscribe to the series to hear more Voices from the Field!
Trust in Public Health Agencies Declines
The latest Axios/Ipsos American Health Index reveals declining public trust in federal health agencies, with just over half of Americans expressing confidence in the CDC and FDA—a drop since late 2024. The findings suggest widespread confusion about whether health guidance reflects political influence or scientific expertise.
Despite this, strong public support remains for clearer food safety and vaccine information, with over 85% of respondents calling for more accessible guidance. Trust in childhood vaccination recommendations continues to exceed confidence in COVID-19 guidance, though both have softened across party lines. Overall, Americans continue to seek clarity, transparency, and credibility in public health communication. Read more here.
The Next Cancer-Fighting mRNA Vaccine May Already be Here
Early research suggests that mRNA Covid vaccines may enhance cancer immunotherapy by helping the immune system better recognize and attack tumors. Findings presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology show that cancer patients who received an mRNA Covid vaccine within 100 days before starting immunotherapy lived nearly twice as long as those who didn’t.
The vaccines appear to “superdrive” dendritic cells—immune cells that signal T cells to target cancer—potentially placing mRNA vaccines in a “Goldilocks zone” of immune activation. While results are promising, researchers emphasize the need for Phase 3 trials to confirm whether mRNA vaccines can safely and effectively boost cancer treatment outcomes. Read more from CNN 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.
