LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Record U.S. Cyclosporiasis Outbreak is Over, CDC Says
The largest U.S. outbreak of cyclosporiasis has ended after sickening 12,833 people across 21 states, marking the biggest cluster of the foodborne illness on record.
Overall, the 2026 season reached 19,595 cases and included two deaths, both in Michigan, the outbreak’s epicenter. Health officials linked the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms in Mexico, which was recalled in July.
The parasite’s weeks-long incubation period complicated efforts to identify the source before implicated produce spoiled. The outbreak highlights challenges in tracing foodborne illness and the importance of timely food-safety investigations and coordinated response. Read more from CNBC here.
Trust for America's Health Public Health Releases New Funding Report
Trust For America’s Health (TFAH) released its new report, Underfunded and Under Strain: The State of America’s Public Health System, finding that chronic underinvestment, workforce reductions and funding disruptions have weakened the nation’s capacity to protect communities from preventable disease and injury.
In 2024, only about 3% of the nation’s $5.3 trillion in health expenditures supported governmental public health activities. Meanwhile, the CDC workforce fell by approximately 3,600 employees, or 28%, from the end of FY 2024 to May 2026.
Grant interruptions, funding delays and reduced technical capacity have further constrained operations, underscoring the need for sustained investment and stronger public health infrastructure. Read TFAH’s report here.
CDC Finds Unsafe Sleep Factors in Nearly Three-Fourths of SUID Cases
Unsafe sleep factors were identified in nearly three-fourths of sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDs) examined in a new CDC MMWR analysis, Characteristics of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths, underscoring persistent prevention opportunities.
Among 4,861 SUIDs recorded from 2020–2024, 73% were classified in categories where unsafe sleep factors were identified. The deaths most often involved infants aged 0–3 months (66%), males (57%), and infants born full-term (74%); 38% were Black and 37% were White, while 69% were insured by Medicaid.
Common factors included soft bedding (78%), noncrib sleep surfaces (75%), and shared sleep surfaces (59%). The findings support continued safe-sleep prevention and improved death investigations. Read the MMWR report from CDC here.
FEATURED TOPICS
More Than One Third of U.S. Counties Are Maternity Care Deserts
Maternity care access remains limited across much of the U.S., with 34.6% of counties classified as maternity care deserts and more than half lacking a hospital with labor and delivery services.
The March of Dimes found little change since 2016, while 57.9% of rural counties lack a practicing obstetric clinician. Financial pressures, low rural birth volumes, inadequate Medicaid reimbursement, hospital staffing shortages, and potential Medicaid cuts could further reduce access, particularly in rural communities.
By 2035, all but six states are projected to have an inadequate supply of obstetric clinicians. Longer travel distances can contribute to missed prenatal and postpartum care and delayed treatment of pregnancy complications. Read more from Time here.
Complaining About Bad Coverage Is the Surest Way to Amplify It
Public health communicators facing unfavorable media coverage should consider that public complaints can substantially amplify the original story and its negative framing.
A company executive’s social media response to a July 9 Wired article generated 437,000 views on the first day and 2.3 million within several days, compared with fewer than 15,000 views for Wired’s promotional post. The response shifted attention from the article’s reporting to the company’s dispute over its framing, while potentially overshadowing more favorable coverage.
The episode highlights the importance of weighing engagement gains against the longer-term communications risks of publicly amplifying unfavorable coverage. Read the article from PR News here.
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.
