Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled new U.S. dietary guidelines emphasizing whole foods, proteins, and healthy fats, while reducing added sugars and highly processed foods. The updated food pyramid places red meat, cheese, vegetables, and fruits at the top, marking a significant shift from previous recommendations that limited saturated fat. Experts highlight the potential public…

President Trump indicated he may veto legislation to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, creating uncertainty for millions of Americans relying on these federal health insurance tax credits. Without the extension, premiums could rise significantly after subsidies expired at the end of 2025. The House recently passed a Democratic-backed bill restoring the subsidies, with some Republica…

A new CDC MMWR reports a Zika virus outbreak in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from September–December 2024, with 10 locally acquired cases detected in patients with no travel history. Most cases were initially suspected to be dengue or chikungunya and were identified through multiplex RT-PCR testing. No patients were pregnant or hospitalized, and all recovered. Entomological testing confirmed Zika virus…

A recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Health highlights the impact of California’s school-based Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program. Analyzing 2019–2020 survey data from over 160,000 students, researchers found that students at TUPE-funded schools had lower rates of tobacco use (6.5% vs. 8.1%) and vaping (5.4% vs. 7%) compared to peers at non-TUPE schools. While exposure to…

New CDC data show the U.S. flu season is off to an unusually fast and severe start, with hospitalizations rising sharply and millions already infected. The surge is being driven largely by a new influenza A(H3N2) subclade with lower population immunity, allowing the virus to spread quickly across multiple regions. While the current flu vaccine may not be a perfect match, early data suggest it…

U.S. measles cases surpassed 2,000 in 2025, marking the most significant spread of the disease in decades and signaling a growing public health concern. As of late December 2025, more than 2,000 cases were reported nationwide, a sharp increase from fewer than 300 cases the year before. Most cases were domestically acquired, with large outbreaks concentrated in Texas, including communities with…

Major national health policy changes set in motion last year are expected to significantly affect public health in 2026, with implications for coverage, affordability, workforce, and immunization policy. Expiring ACA premium subsidies could increase costs or lead to coverage losses for millions, while incentives for new state Medicaid expansions are ending. New rules remove caps on ACA tax cr…

A record share of Americans view the U.S. healthcare system as deeply troubled, with 23% describing it as “in a state of crisis” and nearly half citing major problems, according to new West Health–Gallup polling. Rising healthcare costs emerged as the most urgent concern, closely tied to worsening access and affordability. Experts note that unpredictable expenses, an aging population, and inf…

A new study published in JAMA Network Open highlights a critical early indicator of childhood vaccination gaps: infants who miss or delay recommended vaccines in the first four months of life are significantly less likely to receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine on schedule. Analyzing records from more than 321,000 children with consistent access to care, researchers found dec…