LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
FDA Approves New COVID-19 Shots
COVID-19 infections are increasing or likely increasing in 47 states, as updated vaccines become available for people at higher risk.
The FDA approved new formulations from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, along with a non-mRNA vaccine from Sanofi, designed to better target currently circulating strains. The shots are approved for adults 65 and older and younger people with at least one underlying health condition, with age eligibility varying by vaccine.
Although overall virus spread remains low, questions about vaccine access and affordability persist because the CDC advisory panel is in legal limbo and insurers are not required to provide coverage absent its recommendations. Read more from The Hill here.
Shingles Vaccine Linked to Lower Risk of Heart Disease for 7 Years
Shingles vaccination with the recombinant vaccine was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than the discontinued live attenuated vaccine among adults older than 60, with differences persisting for seven years.
Among 72,920 vaccinated adults, recombinant vaccine recipients had 10% lower risk of ischemic heart disease, 12% lower risk of heart failure and 7% lower risk of atrial fibrillation; men also had a 12% lower risk of ischemic stroke.
Researchers used electronic health records to compare similarly sized groups receiving each vaccine. The findings suggest potential cardiovascular benefits of Shingrix, though mechanisms and effects require confirmation in clinical trials. Read more from CIDRAP here.
Children’s Environmental Health Day Highlights Healthy Environments for Children
Children’s Environmental Health Day is Thursday, October 8, highlighting the importance of healthy, safe environments for children and communities. Observed annually on the second Thursday of October, the awareness day focuses on increasing visibility of children’s environmental health issues and encouraging action to protect children from preventable health risks.
Children’s environmental health encompasses the physical, biological and chemical environments where children live, learn and play, including schools, parks, air, water, food and potential chemical exposures such as PFAS.
More than 175 partners participate each year, offering resources, events and opportunities to advance children’s environmental health and equity. Learn more about CEHD from Children’s Environmental Health Day here.
FEATURED TOPICS
NPHIC and CDC Monthly Communication Call Highlights Accessibility Practices for Public Health Communicators
NPHIC and CDC’s July 29 Monthly Communication Call highlighted practical strategies public health communicators can use to improve accessibility and expand access to health information. The session featured CDC’s Jessica Handley, who shared guidance on accessible digital content, including the use of descriptive links, alt text, plain language, proper headings, and mobile-friendly design.
The presentation also reviewed upcoming accessibility requirements for state and local governments, including WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards for digital content. Find the full presentation here.
Members are invited to join the next call on Wednesday, August 26, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET; participants can contact Laura Espino at lespino@nphic.org to receive the Microsoft Teams invitation.
Medicaid's Work Requirement Crunch Arrives
Medicaid beneficiaries in states implementing new work requirements are beginning to face coverage losses as eligibility rules take effect, increasing the risk of insurance disruptions for eligible enrollees.
Nebraska, the first state to enforce the requirements ahead of the Jan. 1 national deadline, expects about 200 people to lose coverage this week, while projections estimate up to 7 million people nationwide could lose Medicaid coverage by 2028.
Patients with serious illnesses, including cancer, and clinicians report concerns about reporting requirements, exemption processes, and administrative burden. The rollout highlights implementation challenges that could affect access to care and continuity of coverage as states adopt the new rules. Read more in Axios here.
New CDC Data Shows Decline in Healthcare-Associated Infections
According to new CDC data, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in U.S. hospitals declined between 2015 and 2023, signaling progress in patient safety while highlighting ongoing risks. In 2023, about 1 in 38 hospitalized patients had at least one HAI, compared with 1 in 31 patients in 2015, though an estimated 518,000 HAIs still occurred nationwide.
Reductions were seen in central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and Clostridioides difficile infections, while pneumonia and surgical site infections showed limited change.
The new findings underscore the continued need for prevention strategies and infection control efforts to reduce avoidable harm in healthcare settings. See the data from the CDC here.
US Death Rate at Record Low: CDC Data
The U.S. death rate fell to a record low in 2025, reaching 689.2 deaths per 100,000 people, a 4.6% decline from 2024. Heart disease and cancer remained the leading causes of death, followed by unintentional injuries, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.
Death rates were highest among males, older adults, and Black people, with no declines among American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and Asian populations.
Provisional CDC data from the National Vital Statistics System covering 99 percent of deaths informs public health policy and prevention efforts. Read more from The Hill here.
