Breastfeeding Causes a Surge in Immune Cells that Could Prevent Cancer
A new study offers insight into how breastfeeding may help protect against breast cancer by activating specialized immune cells that remain in breast tissue for decades. Researchers found that women who had breastfed had higher levels of CD8+ T cells—immune “guards” that may attack abnormal or cancerous cells—potentially reducing the risk of aggressive breast cancers. These findings deepen unde…
Bird flu's Comeback Raises Fears About Readiness
A resurgence of bird flu in U.S. poultry and mammals is renewing concerns about national preparedness and interagency coordination, particularly amid the government shutdown. Influenza outbreaks have been detected in 62 flocks across 17 states, affecting 6.6 million birds, and spreading to cows, cats, and other mammals.
Experts warn that evolving strains could heighten the risk of human trans…
A New Study Proposes ‘Cost-Neutral’ Food Taxes
A new study published in Ecological Economics suggests a “cost-neutral” approach to promoting healthier, more sustainable diets—by taxing foods that harm both human health and the climate while removing taxes on healthier options. Using Swedish data, researchers modeled taxes on sugary drinks, beef, lamb, pork, and processed meats, offset by tax cuts on fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole gr…
Reversing Peanut Advice Prevented Tens of Thousands of Allergy Cases, Researchers Say
A decade after pediatric guidelines reversed course on peanut allergy prevention—recommending early exposure instead of avoidance—a new study published in Pediatrics shows promising results. Researchers analyzing data from more than 120,000 U.S. children found a 43% reduction in peanut allergy prevalence since the 2015 guidance change.
This milestone highlights how evidence-based communicatio…
Voices From the Field Podcast: Former NFL Stars and CDC Gear-Up Against Cancer
During the 2025 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media (NCHCMM) in Atlanta, NPHIC conducted a special series of interviews titled Voices from the Field as part of its Public Health Speaks podcast. Over the next several weeks, NPHIC will release one new episode each week in this seven-part series, featuring conversations with public health leaders, communicators, and p…
Trust in Public Health Agencies Declines
The latest Axios/Ipsos American Health Index reveals declining public trust in federal health agencies, with just over half of Americans expressing confidence in the CDC and FDA—a drop since late 2024. The findings suggest widespread confusion about whether health guidance reflects political influence or scientific expertise.
Despite this, strong public support remains for clearer food safety…
The Next Cancer-Fighting mRNA Vaccine May Already be Here
Early research suggests that mRNA Covid vaccines may enhance cancer immunotherapy by helping the immune system better recognize and attack tumors. Findings presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology show that cancer patients who received an mRNA Covid vaccine within 100 days before starting immunotherapy lived nearly twice as long as those who didn’t.
The vaccines appear to “super…