The U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has issued a new advisory highlighting parental stress as a significant public health concern. The advisory notes that parents face increasing demands from work, caregiving, and societal pressures, leaving them exhausted and burned out.   Stress among parents has severe impacts on both their well-being and that of their children. The advisory c...

The CDC has unveiled expanded PLACES (Population Level Analysis and Community Estimates) data, offering enhanced, model-based health metrics across the U.S. This update includes estimates from the 2022 BRFSS, 2020 Census, and 2018-2022 American Community Survey, now featuring seven new nonmedical health factors like social isolation and food insecurity.   These measures, available for ...

The Big Cities Health Coalition recently released a pivotal messaging playbook which offers effective communication strategies for addressing drug overdose and homelessness. The research, involving over 2,700 residents from 35 major U.S. cities, reveals that nearly 71% of city dwellers support public health approaches over law enforcement for drug issues, and 81% prefer such strategies for ho...

Highlight the power of recovery with SAMHSA's Recovery Month Toolkit, designed to support and spread awareness about recovery from mental and substance use disorders. This comprehensive resource offers social media content, educational materials, and promotional tools to engage and inform your audience.   By sharing these customizable and downloadable materials, you can amplify the hop...

The FDA has granted emergency use authorization for an updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, which targets variants currently circulating in the U.S. This new version aims to better protect against serious outcomes such as hospitalization and death.   Approved for individuals aged 12 and older, it is particularly focused on the JN.1 strain. Dr. Peter Marks from the FDA emphasized that COVI...

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that incorporating additional biomarkers into routine blood tests can significantly enhance the prediction of long-term heart disease risk.   Analyzing these markers together, rather than focusing solely on LDL cholesterol, helps identify hidden risks, especially in women, who may be underdiagnosed. Early testing for ...

The American Journal of Public Health has released a significant new collection titled "CDC’s Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities: Lessons Learned." This collection features a range of promising practices from state, local, and territorial organizations that were funded through the COVID-19 Health Disparities Grant.   The grant aimed to address health disparities exacerba...

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has updated its recommendations for the 2024–25 influenza season. Annual vaccination is advised for everyone aged 6 months and older, with various vaccine options including trivalent inactivated, recombinant, and live attenuated vaccines.   This season’s vaccines will not contain the influenza B/Yamagata component, focusing instea...

Nine people have died in connection to a listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head deli meat products, with 57 confirmed cases across 18 states, according to the CDC. All infected individuals have been hospitalized, and the number of affected individuals may be higher due to delayed reporting.   Public health communicators should emphasize proper food handling, discarding recalled produc...