When the presidential administration announced at the end of January that the COVID-19 public health emergency would be ending on May 11, 2023, the gut reaction of many was a sigh of relief. This pronouncement indicated forward progress in the fight against COVID-19. As such, the end of the emergency status declaration that has been in place for more than three years signaled a new “post-COVID” era of sorts.  However, with the end of the public health emergency declaration comes the end of many unique measures that were initially put into place to help mitigate the pandemic and its waves of...

The fight against cancer never stops, with an estimate of more than 600,000 Americans dying of cancer in the past year. However, there is good news about the impact of preventative health screenings and early cancer detection initiatives on cancer rates. In January of 2023, the American Cancer Society released a report with encouraging data for public health champions and Americans at large: Cancer death rates appear to be falling.  Here’s what you need to know about the January 2023 report’s optimistic findings and areas that need improvement.  Highlights of the American Cancer Society’s...

Opioid overdose is the leading cause of injury-related death in the U.S. Synthetic opioid abuse has devastated individuals and families in virtually every community nationwide.  Nitazenes, aka “Frankenstein opioids,” are increasing in numbers and intensifying an already dangerous public health crisis. Up to 40 times as strong as fentanyl, nitazenes can be deadly. An understanding of the origins and effects of nitazenes can help public health experts address and increase awareness of this growing problem.  What Is Nitazene, and What Does It Look Like?  Nitazene is a highly potent type of synthetic...

A society’s strength and vitality depend largely on its citizens’ health. Public health measures can influence individuals’ personal health decisions, hopefully for the better. When personal health decisions become pervasive, they can motivate public health initiatives on a broader scale.  Personal and public health go hand-in-hand in preserving everyone’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. Personal and public health intersect and significantly affect health outcomes.  What Do Personal Health and Public Health Involve?  Personal health involves the steps you take to preserve your...

When was the last time you thanked your heart for a job well done? Your heart is a majestic muscle, continuously operating to keep your organs supplied with oxygen-rich blood and helping your kidneys and lungs filter out waste. However, it’s easy to take your heart’s amazing efforts for granted.  Every February, however, the heart and its remarkable contributions get officially recognized during American Heart Month. This annual observance helps draw attention to the importance of heart health, the devastating toll of heart disease, and how to help people reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular...