April is National Minority Health Month. This annual observance builds awareness about the health disparities that persist among racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations and encourages everyone to take action to end these inequities.   This year's theme, Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Co...

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced the launch of S.A.R.A.H. (Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health) a digital health promoter prototype with enhanced empathetic response powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI).   S.A.R.A.H., also known as Sarah, can engage users 24 hours a day in 8 languages on multiple health topics, on any device. It is trained to provide inf...

Discover the essential resource for fostering trust in vaccines - AIM's Vaccine Confidence Connecting the Dots guide. Dive into an extensive toolkit crafted to empower members of the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) and their teams with effective communication strategies and tactics to combat misinformation.   From addressing concerns to amplifying the benefits of vaccination, this ...

The CDC website now features a new page dedicated to the current situation on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus (“H5N1 bird flu”) in mammals. The page includes information on the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cows in the U.S., the risk to people, a timeline of documented mammalian infections in the U.S. and globally, and a list of related links. See the page here.   ...

A recent report from the Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service highlights the widening health disparities between rural and urban Americans. Analyzing CDC data from 1999 to 2019, researchers found that rural Americans aged 25 to 54 are dying from natural causes, such as chronic diseases and cancer, at significantly higher rates compared to their urban counterparts.   Particula...

A new MMWR report from the CDC highlights progress in poliovirus (Polio) detection crucial for tracking eradication efforts, primarily through surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis cases and environmental samples. Efforts by the CDC and global partners aim to eradicate wild poliovirus by 2024 and variant poliovirus by 2025, underscoring the importance of robust surveillance for swift response...

To spot breast cancer early, there are mammograms. To find colon cancer early, there are colonoscopies. But there is no standard test to detect early cases of pancreatic cancer, before cancer cells have spread and when surgery is more likely to be helpful. Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths and finding it early could help increase a patient’s chances of survival.   ...

This opinion piece by Rick Lesaar reflects on Salvador Dali's painting "The Sacrament of the Last Supper" and its placement in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, suggesting that its intentional positioning prompts viewers to engage with it gradually, leading to a layered emotional response.   Drawing parallels to health communication, the author highlights the effectiveness of emp...

The opioid crisis is a complex issue, intertwining public health with foreign policy, border security, and racial equity concerns. A comprehensive approach, engaging all levels of government and society, is crucial to prevent further overdose deaths. Recommendations include expanding access to evidence-based harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services, addressing social determinants of hea...