LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Former CDC Leaders Outline a Plan to Rebuild Public Health
At the APHA 2025 session “Discussion with Former CDC Leaders: The Way Forward,” three former CDC leaders explored strategies to strengthen public health amid ongoing federal challenges. Panelists emphasized the critical role of state and local health departments as the frontline of community protection, especially as federal support faces uncertainty. They highlighted the need to create public value, embrace digital literacy, and adopt innovative communication strategies to engage communities.
Despite staffing reductions and funding pressures, leaders encouraged public health professionals to remain committed, noting that demand for services remains vital. Strategic local investment and effective outreach are essential to sustaining nationwide public health impact. Read more from APHA here.
KFF’s ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credit Calculator
A new analysis from KFF highlights the potential public health impact if enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits expire at the end of 2025. These credits currently reduce out-of-pocket premiums for over 24 million Marketplace enrollees, many with middle- and lower-income households.
Without the enhanced credits, average annual premiums could more than double, increasing from $888 to $1,904, with some middle- and higher-income families facing drastic cost hikes. Rising premiums risk reducing access to essential health coverage, potentially worsening health disparities. KFF’s ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credit Calculator, updated for 2026, allows users to see how much more individuals would pay without the enhanced credits.
The Epidemiologists Are Running for Office
A growing number of epidemiologists, physicians, and scientists are entering political races across the country, signaling a shift in how public health professionals engage with policymaking. These candidates, including former CDC leaders and state health officials, are bringing evidence-based perspectives and public health experience to the political arena.
Their participation reflects a broader recognition that science and health policy are deeply interconnected — and that trusted voices in public health can help shape informed, effective decision-making. For communicators, this trend underscores the importance of maintaining public trust while conveying the value of science-driven leadership in government. Read more from The Atlantic here.
FEATURED TOPICS
WHO Warns of Widespread Resistance to Common Antibiotics Worldwide
A new WHO report warns that antibiotic resistance is rising globally, with one in six bacterial infections in 2023 resistant to treatment. Drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli and K. pneumoniae, are increasingly linked to severe bloodstream infections, with resistance exceeding 70% in some regions. Between 2018 and 2023, resistance rose in over 40% of monitored pathogen-antibiotic combinations.
While participation in the WHO GLASS surveillance system has grown, nearly half of countries still lack reliable data, particularly where health systems are weakest. WHO urges countries to strengthen laboratory capacity, report high-quality data, and implement coordinated interventions to preserve antibiotic effectiveness and guide public health policies. Read more from WHO 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.
2024–25 Flu Season Sees Record Pediatric Deaths: CDC Urges Vaccination
The 2024–25 influenza season saw the highest number of flu-associated pediatric deaths during a regular, non-pandemic season since national reporting began in 2004. As of September 13, 2025, 280 pediatric deaths were reported, with a median age of 7 years; over half had underlying medical conditions. Among those eligible and with known vaccination status, 89% were not fully vaccinated.
CDC emphasizes that children under 5, especially under 2, and those with chronic conditions are at higher risk of severe flu complications. Annual flu vaccination for all individuals six months and older remains the most effective strategy to reduce serious illness and death. Read the MMWR from the CDC here.
PHCC Offers New Graphics and Messaging for the 2025-26 Respiratory Illness Season
Public Health Communication Collaborative (PHCC) offers new social media graphics and messaging for public health communicators to support community preparation for the 2025–26 respiratory virus season, running November through April. Available in English and Spanish, these resources help explain respiratory virus prevention, updated vaccine eligibility, and the importance of COVID-19 and other vaccinations for both children and adults.
Step-by-step guides make it easy to encourage community members to find, schedule, and attend vaccine appointments. Early, clear communication can help reduce severe illness, increase vaccination coverage, and strengthen community resilience throughout the upcoming respiratory virus season. Find PHCC’s resources here.
