As the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declaration winds down this spring, states across the United States are taking different approaches to vaccine mandates. Some states, like Massachusetts, have decided to end their vaccine mandate coinciding with the end of the federal PHE on May 11. Officials in other states have taken the tack of preventing vaccine mandates from occurring in the future. These COVID vaccine bans may persist the next time a pandemic situation (or otherwise) arises.  Public health communicators and members of the general public alike stand to benefit from knowing...

Until recently, federal government employees and many state and municipal workers have been required to receive the COVID vaccine as a condition of their continued employment. Such mandates received support in the U.S. and abroad, with public health experts and educators touting the importance of immunization against COVID-related hospitalization and death.  Progress toward understanding the threat of COVID-19, how to protect against infection, and ways to treat people who get sick have been made. The availability of vaccines, the lower numbers of COVID cases, and the forthcoming end to the...

As the Easter holiday approaches this spring, many families are looking forward to coming together to share a meal. However, after three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are out of practice when it comes to hosting and preparing food for large groups. For those who are in need, read on for a little refresher about how to keep everyone safe this Easter and ensure that none of your Easter guests go home with food poisoning.  Think of Your Kitchen as a Commercial Kitchen  When preparing food for a group, think of your kitchen space as more of a professional kitchen than a home kitchen....

Having access to affordable healthcare is critical for staying on top of preventive care measures and addressing unexpected health problems as they arise. However, tens of millions of Americans remain uninsured for healthcare, leaving them vulnerable to expensive medical events. To address this reality, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), introduced in 2010, aimed to expand Medicaid coverage. Unfortunately, this coverage has only gradually rolled out to various states, and many states have refused to embrace Medicaid expansion through the ACA.  Public health professionals and organizations that...

Having a sexually transmitted illness (STI) is extremely common. In fact, more than half of Americans will experience a STI in their lifetime. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that, at any given time, one in five adults in the United States has an STI. However, despite their ubiquity, there is still a stigma surrounding STIs and the critical discussions about sexual health that can lead to a reduction in STIs. Public health communicators have an imperative to communicate critical sexual health information, and everyone in the general public stands to benefit...