CDC preliminary data indicate that in 2025, 8.3% of Americans—about 28 million people—were uninsured, essentially flat compared with 8.2% in 2024. Uninsurance was highest among adults aged 18–64 at 11.6%, compared with 5.6% of children and 0.7% of seniors, with no significant year-over-year changes across age groups.   Longer-term trends show declines, including a drop among adults from 13…

PFAS are widespread in drinking water, food, and consumer products, with nearly all U.S. residents showing measurable blood levels. About half of U.S. tap water contains detectable PFAS, making drinking water a key exposure pathway. Evidence suggests that reducing exposure can lower body concentrations over time. Recommended actions include checking local or private well water testing results…

The American Cancer Society has added the FDA-approved Shield blood test to its colorectal cancer screening recommendations, aiming to increase screening uptake among the roughly one-third of Americans who are not current with screening guidelines. The test, which detects tumor DNA fragments in blood, was shown to identify 83% of colorectal cancers but is less effective at detecting early-sta…

UnitedHealthcare announced it will eliminate approximately two-thirds of prior authorization requirements for members under age 18 by the end of 2026, removing preapproval requirements for many diagnostic services, routine surgical procedures, and specialty care across pediatric fields including cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, and orthopedics. The insurer said authorization will still be…

Senior U.S. administration officials said Americans exposed to Ebola in Africa will be quarantined in Kenya and, if they test positive, transferred to treatment facilities in Europe rather than returning directly to the United States. Officials said the approach is intended to expedite access to care while CDC and the State Department identify appropriate high-level treatment sites. A 50-bed…

FDA advisory panel recommended updating fall and winter Covid-19 vaccines to target XFG (“stratus”), a rapidly growing omicron hybrid with mutations linked to partial antibody evasion. As of May 8, XFG caused over half of U.S. infections; XFG.1.1 about one in four. Wastewater showed medium activity, and CDC reported lower hospitalizations than prior years, highest in infants under six months…

A growing number of mental health providers are adopting AI-powered tools to record sessions, generate transcripts and draft clinical notes, with proponents citing substantial reductions in administrative workload and documentation time. However, surveys highlighted persistent public concerns about AI in healthcare: only 11% of Americans reported openness to using AI for mental health care, 8…

Former CDC Director Robert Redfield warned the Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda could become the second-largest recorded outbreak, noting it is already the third largest. WHO reported 134 confirmed cases and 18 deaths, plus 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths, mostly in the Congo with cases in Uganda. He referenced the 2…

The National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) and CDC have relaunched a recurring monthly communication call series to strengthen coordination between CDC communication staff, regional press officers, and public health communicators nationwide. Held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, the calls are designed to provide timely updates and opportunities for direct engagement on eme…