Smoking rates among U.S. adults are at an all-time low. While this is good news, smoking and tobacco use still have significant health and economic implications for the global population.  On May 31, the World Health Organization (WHO) observes World No Tobacco Day. This day is a powerful reminder of the tobacco epidemic that persists worldwide. Individuals and communities can take action against tobacco use. Also, World No Tobacco Day can empower people wanting to quit smoking for good.  Adult Smoking Rates Have Dropped  Last year, U.S. smoking rates dropped to one in nine adults or about...

Firefighters sign up for the job knowing they will put their lives on the line to serve and protect the public from fires. Unfortunately, burgeoning data shows that these critical first responder communities across the country might also be facing threats to their health over the long term due to their heroic occupation. While much more information is still needed about the link between cancer and firefighting, it has been compelling enough for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to create a National Firefighter Registry for Cancer. This registry is the nation’s...

If you’ve ever needed a menstrual hygiene product but didn’t have one at your disposal, then you know the agony and discomfort associated with not having access to menstrual supplies. Unfortunately, for many menstruating students across the country, lacking access to menstrual products is not an uncommon occurrence. In fact, estimates show that period poverty, defined as a “lack of access to menstrual products, menstrual health education, hygiene management, waste facilities or any combination of these barriers,” affects nearly a quarter of teens in the state of Connecticut alone.  Whether...

Now that the COVID-19 public health emergency has been lifted, another type of public health crisis—known as loneliness—has come to the forefront of national attention. At the beginning of May, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, called for action regarding the ongoing epidemic of loneliness and isolation. In his general advisory issued on May 3, 2023, he reported that even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, “approximately half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness.” This loneliness can lead to an increased risk of mental health challenges, and...

Narcan is a life-saving nasal spray that can prevent an accidental opioid overdose. As the opioid epidemic maintains its hold on the U.S., public health agencies have advocated for the increased availability of Narcan to individuals and families.  Last March, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Narcan as an over the counter (OTC) treatment, making it easier for the general public to treat opioid overdoses. The FDA approval represents a milestone in the country’s efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. This article reviews the use of Narcan, details of the FDA’s decision, and...