The de Beaumont Foundation’s New to Public Health Residency Program is accepting applications for its next cohort, beginning in December. The nationally recognized workforce development program helps early-career public health professionals build the skills, confidence and connections needed to succeed in their roles and develop long-term careers in public health.   The 12-month program in…

A study published October 9 in PLOS One found that cats pose a low risk of transmitting human-infective Giardia, based on analysis of fecal samples from 157,616 cats in the United States and Canada. Although about 6% of cats tested positive for Giardia duodenalis, only 1.2% carried genetic variants A or B that can infect humans. Prevalence varied by age, reproductive status, season and region…

A Newswise webinar on media training will offer public information officers and communications professionals practical strategies for preparing subject matter experts for interviews. Scheduled for October 27, 2026, the session will explore how communicators approach interview preparation, what experts should do in the days leading up to an interview, and how preparation can help organizations…

Did you miss NPHIC’s September 23 CDC/NPHIC Partner Meeting? The call featured timely updates and resources for public health communicators, including an overview of Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) training, the latest Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, and a new website providing local-level COVID-19, RSV and flu transmission estimates. Presenters also shared…

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…

A recent Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) webinar highlighted practical, nonpartisan strategies for helping communities understand how civic participation can influence public health. Connecting the Value of Public Health to Civic Participation, held ahead of the midterm elections, featured communicators and civic engagement experts who emphasized linking participation to hea…

A new CDC report published finds that more than 72,000 violent deaths occurred across the 50 states and District of Columbia in 2023, with suicides accounting for 62.4% and homicides for 28.5%. Data from the National Violent Death Reporting System showed substantial disparities: American Indian or Alaska Native people had the highest suicide rate, while Black males had the highest homicide ra…

New 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey data show that 5.2% of U.S. middle and high school students currently use e-cigarettes, while 1.7% use nicotine pouches. The analysis, published October 5 in Public Health Alerts, estimates 1.4 million youth currently vape and 3.7 million have ever used e-cigarettes. Use was higher among high school students, with 7.1% currently vaping. Among current use…

A new KFF Health News report highlights the risks of medication overload among older adults, with experts urging regular reviews to determine whether prescriptions remain necessary. Geriatrician K. Eric De Jonge says people taking six or seven prescription medications face a nearly 100% chance of experiencing some type of side effect or intolerance. The report notes that medications can accum…