A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that replacing butter with plant-based oils, such as olive, canola, and soybean oil, could reduce the risk of mortality by 16%, with a 17% decrease in cancer-related deaths.   The research, which analyzed 33 years of dietary data from over 221,000 participants, revealed that even modest changes in daily fat consumption, such as sw…

The CDC has launched a new webpage listing conflicts of interest reported by members of its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), providing transparency about potential biases among experts advising on vaccines. The page includes conflicts declared by both current and former ACIP members since 2000, with nearly 200 items disclosed.   While some, like Yvonne Maldonado, cla…

The 2023–2024 flu season has been the worst in more than a decade, with hospitalization and outpatient visit rates at a 15-year high. This surge is partly due to the late start of the season, which, combined with post-holiday gatherings and school re-openings, led to a second peak. Flu strains like H3N2 and H1N1 are causing more severe illness, and lower vaccination rates have compounded the im…

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping public health communication, and NPHIC has proudly contributed to a groundbreaking new resource: the Guidelines for the Ethical Use of AI in Public Health Communications. Developed by a diverse working group of public health and technology leaders, this initiative ensures AI is used responsibly while upholding accuracy, transparency, and equity. Executive…

Amid a deadly measles outbreak in Texas, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has urged parents to consider the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) to protect their children and the community. In an opinion piece, he emphasized that vaccination not only protects individuals but also contributes to community immunity, safeguarding those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.   The outbreak has…

New CDC data shows a nearly 24% decline in U.S. drug overdose deaths, with approximately 87,000 fatalities from October 2023 to September 2024—the lowest in any 12-month period since June 2020. This progress reflects the impact of public health investments, improved data systems, and expanded naloxone access. The Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program plays a key role, funding state and local…

The CDC continues to monitor the multistate outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1), emphasizing a One Health approach in collaboration with federal and state partners. While the risk to the general public remains low, individuals with direct exposure to infected dairy cows or poultry are at greater risk. Recent cases in Nevada, Ohio, and Wyoming highlight the potential for severe illness, reinfo…

New data from the CDC shows a significant decline in cervical precancer rates among young women, attributed to the HPV vaccine. From 2008 to 2022, the incidence of precancerous lesions in women aged 20-24 dropped by about 80%, with similar reductions seen in women aged 25-29. The HPV vaccine, introduced in 2006, has played a key role in this trend, alongside improved screening efforts. The CD…

A mysterious illness outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is now believed to stem from multiple causes, including infectious diseases and possible toxic exposure, according to WHO’s health emergencies chief, Mike Ryan. The outbreak in Equateur province, which has seen past Ebola outbreaks, has led to 943 cases and 52 deaths in the Basankusu health zone this month. While Ebol…