New Resource Helps Public Health Partners Prepare Content for AI-Generated Responses
CDC released new guidance to help public health organizations improve how AI systems interpret, summarize, and cite digital health content.
The “Considerations for Generative Engine Optimization” resource applies established communication practices to AI-generated responses, emphasizing plain language, descriptive headings, direct answers to common questions, scannable content, and links to c…
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…
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 me…
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…
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…