LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Now Live: The Public Health AI & Tech Exchange (PHATE): Advancing Public Health Through Shared Solutions
Big Cities Health Coalition (BCHC) has launched the Public Health AI & Tech Exchange, a searchable catalog of AI, data, and technology tools built by local health departments.
Each use case covers what was built, what it took, and what other departments can reuse, so proven solutions can spread from city to city. Developed with BCHC's Data Modernization Workgroup and designed by Chris Collins of Austin Public Health, the Exchange grows with every contribution.
Have a tool, dashboard, or AI application that’s made a difference? This is brand new platform, so be among the first health departments to submit your use case!
Customizable Social Media Graphics Help Public Health Organizations Connect Voting and Community Health
The Public Health Communications Collaborative released customizable “Get Out The Vote” social media graphics to help public health organizations connect civic participation with community health ahead of the midterm elections.
The resources include English- and Spanish-language graphics, editable Canva templates, and suggested social media captions addressing voter registration, early voting, and Election Day preparation. The materials highlight how education, housing, the environment, and economic conditions influence health and are shaped by policy decisions.
Public health communicators can adapt the graphics with local data and resources to support voter education and community engagement.
Study Links Childhood Antibiotic Use to Higher Odds of IBS by Age 24
A new Swedish study presented at the United European Gastroenterology conference on found that children and adolescents who received antibiotics had 1.5-times-higher odds of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by age 24 than those who had not.
The analysis of 2,853 participants found that 10% developed IBS, with odds increasing alongside the number of antibiotic prescriptions, reaching 1.7 times higher among those with six or more prescriptions. Tetracyclines and cephalosporins were also associated with higher odds.
Researchers emphasize that further studies are needed to determine whether antibiotic exposure contributes to IBS risk. Read the article from CIDRAP here.
FEATURED TOPICS
Just One Small Serving of Ultra-Processed Food a Day Linked to Higher Disease Risk, Major Study Finds
Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular events, cancer, metabolic syndrome or diabetes, and death.
An analysis of nearly 8.8 million adults across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania found that each additional 100 grams of UPFs consumed daily was associated with a 14% higher risk of cardiovascular events, 4% higher cancer risk, 3% higher risk of death and 2% higher risk of metabolic syndrome or diabetes.
Participants with the highest UPF intake also had greater risks of digestive diseases, depression or anxiety, and obesity. Researchers noted that reducing UPFs may support chronic disease prevention. Read more from the NY Post here.
Public Health Visual Commons Launches to Strengthen Public Health Storytelling
The Public Health Visual Commons is live! Finding the right image shouldn’t be one of the hardest parts of public health communication. The Visual Commons, from Health Resources in Action, is a free library of public health images designed to help health communicators move beyond generic stock photos and tell the story of public health more effectively.
The library offers images for social media, presentations, annual reports and other communications that reflect the communities public health organizations serve. Public health communicators can also contribute photos to expand the collection.
A November 19 webinar will showcase the Visual Commons, its features and contribution opportunities. Register here.
CDC Launches New Tool to Track U.S. Overdose Trends
Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. are declining, while CDC’s new Overdose Prevention Data Channel provides a centralized view of fatal and nonfatal overdose trends.
From April 2025 through March 2026, the predicted provisional number of drug overdose deaths was 67,798—a 12.3% decrease from the previous year. The channel integrates data from the National Vital Statistics System, Nonfatal Drug Overdose Surveillance and Epidemiology System, and State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System.
It allows users to examine national and state-level trends, identify prevention strategies, and see how CDC-funded programs are supporting communities, strengthening access to timely overdose data for public health response.
Is Mpox Here to Stay? CDC Study Says Virus is Likely Becoming Endemic
Mpox is continuing to spread at low levels in the United States, suggesting the virus may be transitioning toward endemic circulation rather than remaining linked primarily to travel.
In 2024 and 2025, 76% of U.S. mpox cases occurred among unvaccinated people, who were nearly 10 times more likely to be hospitalized than those who received both Jynneos vaccine doses. Mpox remains most common among men who have sex with men, while transmission can occur through close contact, including within households.
The findings highlight the importance of vaccination for people at increased risk and ongoing monitoring of transmission. Read more from CIDRAP here.
