LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Breast Cancer Awareness Toolkit: Resources for Public Health Communicators
October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the American Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer Awareness Employer Toolkit offers public health communicators a comprehensive set of ready-to-use resources to support awareness and prevention efforts. The toolkit includes email and newsletter messages covering breast cancer facts and the importance of screening, social media messages, guidance on sharing personal stories, videos and animations, and educational materials.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S., with about 1 in 8 women diagnosed in their lifetime. Mortality has declined thanks to screening, awareness, and improved treatments. Communicators can use these assets to share credible information and support cancer prevention efforts. Find the ACS toolkit here.
Trust in Media at New Low of 28% in U.S.
Trust in U.S. news media has reached a historic low, with only 28% of adults expressing confidence in newspapers, television, and radio to report fully, fairly, and accurately. Confidence has declined across all partisan groups, with Republicans’ trust now in single digits (8%), independents at 27%, and Democrats holding a narrow majority (51%).
Generational divides are pronounced: adults 65 and older show higher trust, while younger adults remain highly skeptical. For public health communicators, these trends underscore the challenge of effectively conveying health information in a polarized media environment and highlight the importance of building credibility and trust with diverse audiences. Read more from Gallup here.
U.S. Food Companies Move to Reduce Synthetic Ingredients Amid Health Concerns
Major U.S. food companies, including Walmart, General Mills, and Kraft Heinz, are pledging to remove synthetic dyes, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners from their products in response to growing evidence linking ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to adverse health outcomes. According to a 2025 analysis from the National Center for Health Statistics, more than half of the calories consumed by Americans come from UPFs—foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats but low in nutrients and fiber.
As research continues to associate UPFs with chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes, this shift underscores the importance of effective public health communication around nutrition and food policy. Read more from USA Today 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.
