LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
New CDC Data Dashboard Shows Emerging Fentanyl and Polysubstance Use Trends
CDC's Division of Overdose Prevention has launched the Clinical Drug Test Dashboard, a new interactive tool tracking trends in fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and polysubstance use among adults diagnosed with substance use disorders.
Powered by clinical urine drug test data from Millennium Health — representing more than 650,000 specimens collected between October 2023 and December 2025 — the dashboard offers national and regional visualizations updated quarterly. While the data reflect patients in treatment rather than the general population, the volume allows for faster detection of emerging drug use patterns than many traditional surveillance sources.
The tool is designed to support targeted, timely overdose prevention strategies at federal, state, and local levels. Learn more from Millenium Health here.
CDC Data Show Weekly ER Visits for Tick Bites Higher than Usual
CDC's Tick Bite Data Tracker shows weekly emergency department visits for tick bites are currently above historical norms in most U.S. regions, with rates in all areas except the South Central U.S. at their highest for this time of year since 2017.
CDC is urging preventive measures ahead of Lyme Disease Awareness Month in May, citing risks of Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and alpha-gal syndrome. Recommended actions include EPA-registered repellents, permethrin-treated clothing, and routine tick checks. Prompt tick removal — within 24 hours — is identified as a key intervention for reducing Lyme disease transmission. Read more from the CDC here.
Largest Catch-Up Initiative Delivers Over 100 Million Childhood Vaccinations
The Big Catch-Up (BCU), a multi-year initiative launched in 2023 by Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF, delivered over 100 million vaccine doses to an estimated 18.3 million children aged 1–5 across 36 countries, with 12.3 million of those children classified as zero-dose.
Notably, 15 million had never received a measles vaccine, and 23 million doses of inactivated polio vaccine were administered. Twelve countries exceeded 60% coverage of previously unvaccinated children under five.
Despite this progress, 14.3 million infants globally still missed routine vaccination in 2024, and measles cases reached approximately 11 million that year — underscoring that catch-up campaigns must be paired with sustained investment in routine immunization infrastructure. Read more from WHO here.
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MMWR: Kratom-Related Poison Center Reports Surge 1,200%
Published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, new data show kratom-related exposures reported to U.S. poison centers increased approximately 1,200% from 2015 to 2025, reaching a record high.
The findings highlight a shift toward higher-potency products and expanding use across demographic groups. Although many cases involved kratom alone, co-use with substances such as alcohol, opioids, and antidepressants was linked to more severe outcomes, including hospitalizations and deaths.
The report underscores the importance of continued surveillance, targeted public health education, and clinical awareness, particularly around polysubstance use. Read the MMWR here.
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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.
