As fall approaches, public health officials emphasize the importance of timely vaccinations for influenza, Covid-19, and RSV. Experts recommend getting flu and Covid-19 shots together if convenience is a priority, and RSV shots if eligible. The timing of these vaccines is complex due to varying virus behaviors and the waning of vaccine immunity over time.   For optimal protection, cons...

The U.S. is preparing for the potential arrival of a more severe strain of mpox, clade 1, which has caused over 24,800 cases and 600 deaths in Africa this year. This strain, more deadly than the clade 2 version seen in 2022, has recently spread to Sweden and Thailand. U.S. officials have expanded mpox surveillance, particularly through wastewater analysis, and are educating healthcare provide...

A Missouri resident has tested positive for H5 bird flu despite no reported contact with animals, marking the first case of its kind in the ongoing outbreak. This individual had underlying health issues and was hospitalized but has since recovered. The CDC is analyzing the virus but has not found evidence suggesting increased human transmissibility.   Experts urge caution, noting that ...

A recent study presented at the European Society of Cardiology suggests that catching up on sleep during the weekend may reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 20%. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 91,000 adults and found that those who were sleep-deprived and compensated with weekend sleep had a 19% lower risk of developing heart disease over 14 years.   The study highlights t...

The 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey reveals a positive trend in public health: e-cigarette use among U.S. middle and high school students dropped from 7.7% to 5.9% over the past year. However, nicotine pouch use remained stable at around 1.8%.   Despite the decline in e-cigarette use, comprehensive tobacco control strategies and vigilant enforcement are essential. Nicotine products,...

Expanding methadone access could significantly reduce fentanyl overdose deaths, according to Biden administration officials and bipartisan lawmakers. Methadone, effective in treating opioid use disorder, is currently dispensed under strict supervision at clinics, which limits access, especially in rural areas.   Advocates propose allowing physicians to prescribe methadone outside of cl...

Despite recent claims circulating on social media, there is no evidence linking COVID-19 vaccines to an increased risk of cardiac arrest, strokes, cancer, or sudden death. According to the CDC, vaccine safety data continue to show that COVID-19 vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent serious illness.   Federal agencies, including the CDC and FDA, are closely monitoring va...

In today’s fast-evolving media landscape, public health communicators must rethink earned media strategies to remain valuable to journalists. One effective approach is "newsjacking," where communicators align their messages with breaking news to gain media attention. This strategy helps create real-time, mutually beneficial relationships by providing journalists with credible, timely commenta...

A new health study in Health Affairs explores how direct democracy through state ballot initiatives has played a significant role in shaping population health policies across the U.S. Between 2014 and 2023, 63.5% of successful state ballot initiatives were health-related, covering critical areas like health care, public health, and social determinants of health. Common topics included Medicai...