LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
CDC Reconnects with NPHIC Members to Strengthen Public Health Communication
The National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) recently shared an update as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) begins re-engaging with NPHIC members.
CDC regional press officers are connecting directly with our state voting members to strengthen regional relationships and support broader coordination and information sharing across states.
Separately, CDC has approved an initial CDC/NPHIC communication call, open to all NPHIC government members, as a first step in reconnecting with the potential for additional engagement over time. Additional details will be shared as they are confirmed. For more information, contact Laura Espino.
Share your Story: A Path Forward for Public Health Through Community Voices
Health Affairs is inviting community members and organizations to contribute to a January 2027 special issue focused on the future of public health. The initiative emphasizes lived experiences and community-driven responses to shifts in public health funding, policy, and infrastructure.
Submissions may include essays, interviews, poetry, or visual art, highlighting both challenges and innovative local solutions. The effort reflects a growing priority in public health to center community voices and equity in shaping future strategies.
The deadline for submissions is May 11, with optional support available to help participants develop their contributions. Learn more here.
Effort to Classify COVID Vax Injuries Gains Momentum
Federal health officials are exploring a proposal to create a distinct ICD-10 code for COVID-19 vaccine-related injuries, aiming to improve documentation, research, and patient care. Supporters note that a specific code could help clinicians identify, track, and study adverse effects, while also providing data for statistical analysis and health system planning.
Some experts caution that post-vaccination syndromes remain incompletely understood, emphasizing the need for further research before formal classification. Public comments are open through mid-May, and if finalized, the new code could take effect in fall 2027, enhancing data collection on vaccine safety. Read more from Axios here.
FEATURED TOPICS
What’s Ahead for NPHIC in 2026
As we move further into 2026, NPHIC wants to thank our members for your continued leadership and dedication to public health communication. In a rapidly evolving information landscape, we remain deeply committed to supporting your work through practical tools, professional development, and opportunities for connection.
This year, we are exploring a potential strategic partnership with the Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) aimed at strengthening capacity and expanding timely, actionable resources for communicators. To ensure transparency as we plan ahead, we have paused 2026 membership renewal invoices. We also look forward to engaging with you through upcoming opportunities, including a Member Needs Survey that will help guide our priorities and programming. Learn more in our FAQ section on our website here.
Medical Misinformation More Likely to Fool AI if Source Appears Legitimate, Study Shows
A recent study highlights that artificial intelligence (AI) tools are more likely to share incorrect medical information when it appears to come from authoritative sources, such as doctors’ notes, compared with social media content. Researchers tested multiple AI models using clinical scenarios, hospital discharge summaries with inserted errors, and common health myths.
Findings show AI “believed” nearly half of fabricated recommendations in realistic medical notes, while only 9% of social media misinformation was propagated. The study underscores the need for built-in safeguards in AI systems to verify medical claims, especially as AI becomes increasingly integrated into patient care and clinical workflows. Read more from Reuters here.
New Voices from the Field – Public Health Speaks Podcast: Empathy, Autonomy, and the Future of Health Communication
Recorded at the 2025 NCHCMM in Atlanta, NPHIC’s Public Health Speaks podcast continues its Voices from the Field series with a timely conversation on health autonomy, motivation, and artificial intelligence in communication. Amelia Burke-Garcia, PhD, Director of the Center for Health Communication Science at NORC, shares insights from her recent opinion piece and explores how Self-Determination Theory can strengthen practice.
She discusses designing empathetic, relevant messaging that supports autonomy while advancing population health goals, and how AI tools can help scale tailored, evidence-based communication. Tune in for practical insights for health communicators navigating today’s complex information landscape. Listen to the episode here.
New Voices From the Field Podcast: Sharing to Survive: Building Resilient Health Communication Research Networks through AI-Powered Collaboration
Recorded during the 2025 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media (NCHCMM) in Atlanta, NPHIC’s Public Health Speaks podcast continues its Voices from the Field series with a new episode, Sharing to Survive: Building Resilient Health Communication Research Networks through AI-Powered Collaboration.
In this conversation, Dr. Kristen Swain, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Journalism at the University of Mississippi, examines how emerging AI tools can help health communication researchers share smarter, break down silos, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration. The episode explores how AI-powered collaboration can accelerate knowledge sharing, improve research translation, and build more resilient systems to address complex public health challenges—offering timely insights for communicators, researchers, and AI-curious professionals alike. Listen to the episode here.
