LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
September is National Preparedness Month | Toolkits
September is National Preparedness Month, a reminder to ensure your family and community are ready for emergencies. Preparedness varies based on individual needs, so consider potential local disasters and the specific needs of your household.
FEMA offers toolkits to spark conversations about preparedness, making it easier to discuss emergency plans. Building community resilience is key—get to know your neighbors and find ways to support each other during crises. Consider joining the Medical Reserve Corps or FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to assist in disaster preparedness and response. Simple actions today can strengthen collective readiness for the future.
New Episode of Listen Up! Podcast – The Science of Communicating Clearly
CDC’s Office of Communications is excited to announce the latest episode of the Listen Up! podcast, designed for health communication professionals. In this episode, "The Science of Communicating Clearly," experts discuss the critical need for clear, effective communication in public health.
With insights from Dr. Michelle Hutchinson, Lynn Sokler, and Dr. Eric Pevzner, listeners will learn proven strategies to ensure their messages are easily understood and trusted. In a fast-paced, crowded information landscape, clear communication is essential for building trust and saving lives. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Pandora, and subscribe to catch all episodes.
Suicide Risk Tied to Local Economic and Social Conditions
The latest CDC Vital Signs report highlights how community-level factors, such as health insurance, broadband access, and income, are linked to lower suicide rates. Counties with the highest health insurance coverage saw suicide rates 26% lower than those with the least coverage.
Additionally, areas with widespread internet access had 44% lower rates of suicide, and for American Indian/Alaska Native populations, suicide rates were cut in half in counties with the highest incomes. The report encourages communities to focus on increasing access to these resources to reduce suicide risks. For full insights, visit the Vital Signs web page and access the report.
FEATURED TOPICS
CDC’s Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities: Lessons Learned
The American Journal of Public Health has released a significant new collection titled "CDC’s Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities: Lessons Learned." This collection features a range of promising practices from state, local, and territorial organizations that were funded through the COVID-19 Health Disparities Grant.
The grant aimed to address health disparities exacerbated by the pandemic, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups and people in rural areas. By providing a crucial funding boost to 108 health departments, the grant enhanced their capacity to tackle systemic inequities and build lasting infrastructure. As the fall respiratory virus season approaches, these lessons offer valuable guidance for future public health efforts. Read more from AJPH here.
NPHIC’s Robert Jennings Featured on ASTHO’s Podcast, Public Health Review: Morning Edition
In the latest ASTHO Public Health Review Morning Podcast, Dr. Marcus Plescia provides an update on current COVID-19 rates across the U.S., highlighting ongoing trends and concerns. Robert Jennings from the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) discusses the promising role of AI in enhancing public health communication, offering insights into how technology can improve outreach and effectiveness.
Additionally, an upcoming ASTHO webinar will delve into strategies for public outreach, focusing on increasing awareness of PPC services and engaging communities more effectively. This episode underscores the dynamic interplay between evolving health data, innovative technologies, and strategic communication efforts. Listen here.
Extreme Heat Emerging as a ‘Public Health Crisis’
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra recently highlighted the growing public health crisis caused by extreme heat, particularly during his visit to Phoenix, Arizona, where temperatures have soared into triple digits. Becerra emphasized that climate change is driving this crisis, with rising heat levels now posing a greater threat than traditional cold-weather emergencies.
He pointed out that extreme heat is responsible for numerous fatalities, with approximately 1,220 heat-related deaths occurring annually in the U.S. The Biden administration is responding by proposing new standards to protect workers from heat exposure, including mandatory rest breaks and access to shade and water. Read more from The Hill here.
MMWR: The U.S. Death Rate Decreased by 6% in 2023
Provisional data for 2023 shows over 3 million deaths in the U.S., with a 6.1% decrease in the age-adjusted death rate compared to 2022. Notably, COVID-19 deaths dropped by 68.9% from 2022. The highest death rates were among non-Hispanic Black individuals, while the lowest were among multiracial individuals.
Leading causes of death included heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injury, with COVID-19 falling to the tenth leading cause. These findings underscore the importance of timely data in shaping public health policies, particularly for high-mortality populations. Monitoring these trends is essential for targeted interventions to reduce mortality rates further. Read more from the CDC here.
