New research from the University of Pennsylvania highlights the public health implications of repeat COVID-19 infections. In the largest study of young people to date, those infected twice were twice as likely to develop Long COVID, with symptoms affecting major organs, fatigue, and changes in taste and smell. The study of over 460,000 children and young adults found this increased risk regar…

Researchers have formally recognized a previously neglected form of diabetes, now called Type 5 diabetes, which primarily affects individuals with lifelong malnutrition. Unlike Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, people with Type 5 can produce some insulin but not enough to regulate blood sugar safely. Standard insulin treatment can be dangerous for these patients if food access is limited, highlighting…

Upcoming Webinar: Youth Tobacco Prevention & CessationJoin public health communicators on Wednesday, October 22 at 2 PM EST for a free webinar highlighting key insights from the National Conference on Tobacco or Health (NCTOH). This session explores how social media shapes teen attitudes toward nicotine and shares evidence-based strategies to prevent youth tobacco use and support cessation…

The Public Health Communication Collaborative (PHCC) has released a new resource to support communicators responding to confusion about acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy. Recent reports suggesting a link to autism have raised public concern, yet leading medical organizations, including ACOG and SMFM, continue to recommend acetaminophen as the safest option for pain and fever relief d…

The 2024–25 influenza season saw the highest number of flu-associated pediatric deaths during a regular, non-pandemic season since national reporting began in 2004. As of September 13, 2025, 280 pediatric deaths were reported, with a median age of 7 years; over half had underlying medical conditions. Among those eligible and with known vaccination status, 89% were not fully vaccinated. CDC em…

Pedestrian and cyclist safety is a growing public health concern, with an estimated 7,100 pedestrian and over 1,000 cyclist deaths annually in the U.S. Practicing “defensive walking and biking” can help prevent these tragedies. Experts emphasize awareness of surroundings, predictability, and visibility, particularly at night or in areas without sidewalks.   Key strategies include walkin…

The federal government will pilot an artificial intelligence program in Medicare to expand prior authorization, a process requiring insurance approval before certain procedures. Starting January 2026 in six states, the WISeR program aims to reduce low-value services and curb waste, targeting procedures like knee arthroscopy and nerve stimulators. While AI may streamline approvals, experts cau…

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced a recall of roughly 58 million pounds of corn dogs and sausage-on-a-stick products due to potential contamination with wooden fragments, with five reported injuries so far. The recall affects select “State Fair Corn Dogs on a Stick” and “Jimmy Dean Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick” produced by Hillshire Brands (Tyson Foods) in Haltom…

Two decades after Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana continues to face challenges in safely evacuating residents during rapidly intensifying storms. Aging infrastructure, limited highway capacity, and underfunded transportation systems complicate evacuation, particularly for older adults, those with chronic conditions, and residents of medical facilities.   While strategies like contraflow an…