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Louisiana's Department of Health has implemented a policy prohibiting public health workers from promoting COVID-19, flu, and mpox vaccines. Staff were instructed to stop advertising vaccines, hosting events, or sharing information about them, even within clinics. The policy, not put in writing, contradicts the core mission of public health: preventing illness and saving lives through evidence-based interventions.

Experts warn this decision could erode trust in public health and increase preventable illnesses and deaths. With Louisiana already experiencing high flu rates and significant COVID-19 fatalities, this shift highlights the critical importance of advocacy and clear communication in protecting public health outcomes. Read more from NPR here.

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U.S. life expectancy rose to 78.4 years in 2023, the highest since the pandemic, with nearly a full year of recovery from 2022. However, it remains below pre-pandemic levels. Men’s life expectancy increased to 76, while women’s rose to just over 81. Death rates also dropped, with 189,000 fewer deaths in 2023 compared to the previous year.

The top causes of death—heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, stroke, and chronic respiratory diseases—saw reduced mortality rates, with significant decreases among Hispanic and Native American populations. COVID-19 deaths fell dramatically, dropping from the fourth leading cause in 2022 to the tenth in 2023. Read more from The Hill here.
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Individual and systemic racism affects virtually every aspect of public life. It is especially pervasive in medicine and public health. Being Black, indigenous, or a person of color (BIPOC) can be harmful to your health. 

The U.S. Congress and several local and state governments have declared racism a public health crisis. While these declarations are not legally binding, they convey that racial and cultural justice is necessary to safeguard all citizens’ health. Racism at individual and societal levels negatively impacts vulnerable populations’ mental and physical health. It also prevents members of marginalized groups from receiving equitable and adequate healthcare. 

Understanding why racism is a public health emergency can shed light on the health-related harms of racism and bigotry. It also stimulates efforts to remedy the injustices and improve the general health of all Americans. 

Why Is Racism a Public Health Emergency? 

A public health emergency occurs when the effects or consequences of a public health threat are pervasive enough to overwhelm the organizations and facilities responsible for responding to it. In most cases, policymakers and community leaders cannot legally enforce emergency declarations. Nevertheless, they serve as a call to action to review and revise current policies and practices that allow the emergency to permeate. 

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