LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
AIRA Offers National Immunization Awareness Month Toolkit with Ready-to-Use Resources
The American Immunization Registry Association (AIRA) has released an updated National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) Toolkit, providing public health organizations with ready-to-use resources to support August immunization outreach.
The toolkit includes downloadable graphics, sample social media posts, and messaging that highlights the role of immunization information systems (IIS) in improving vaccine access and recordkeeping.
Organizations are encouraged to customize or share the materials to promote immunization awareness and the value of IIS. The resources offer communicators timely, consistent messaging for NIAM campaigns and community engagement. Find the toolkit here.
New Introductory Guide to the CDC Radiation Hazard Scale Available
CDC has released an introductory guide to its new Radiation Hazard Scale, a five-category, color-coded tool designed to communicate radiation hazards without relying on technical terminology or complex measurements. Effective communication during radiation emergencies depends on helping the public quickly understand their level of risk.
The guide explains how the scale was developed, outlines each hazard category, provides recommendations for assigning hazard levels, and demonstrates its use during improvised nuclear device, radiological dispersal device, and nuclear power plant incidents.
The resource supports emergency preparedness by promoting consistent, clear risk communication that can improve public understanding during radiation emergencies. Find the new guide from the CDC here, for the radiation hazard scale.
Many Black US Patients with Long COVID Being Missed, Analysis Reveals
Long COVID may be underdiagnosed among Black patients despite similar symptom burdens, highlighting a potential gap in equitable diagnosis and care.
Analysis of electronic health records from approximately 2.4 million U.S. patients found Black patients were 6% less likely than White patients to receive a long COVID diagnosis despite comparable symptom profiles,
while no significant differences were observed for other racial and ethnic groups. Fewer than 1% of patients receive a documented long COVID diagnosis, although prior research suggests more than 10% may develop the condition.
The findings suggest a need for more equitable diagnostic practices, provider education, and improved diagnostic criteria to reduce disparities in identification and treatment. Read the full article from CIDRAP here.
FEATURED TOPICS
US Death Rate at Record Low: CDC Data
The U.S. death rate fell to a record low in 2025, reaching 689.2 deaths per 100,000 people, a 4.6% decline from 2024. Heart disease and cancer remained the leading causes of death, followed by unintentional injuries, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.
Death rates were highest among males, older adults, and Black people, with no declines among American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and Asian populations.
Provisional CDC data from the National Vital Statistics System covering 99 percent of deaths informs public health policy and prevention efforts. Read more from The Hill here.
COVID-19 Vaccine Linked with Lower Risk of Heart Attack
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that COVID-19 vaccination was associated with substantially lower risks of several serious cardiovascular outcomes among more than 1 million U.S. veterans.
Researchers reported nearly a 60% reduction in cardiovascular deaths linked to COVID-19, a roughly 40% lower risk of heart attack and heart failure hospitalization, and more than a 30% reduction in stroke risk. Benefits were greatest among adults age 75 and older and those with preexisting health conditions.
The study also found modest reductions in overall cardiovascular disease, deaths and hospitalizations, highlighting potential cardiovascular protection as an important consideration in COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Read more from The Hill here.
CDC releases 2026 Annual US Cancer Statistics Release
CDC’s latest United States Cancer Statistics release expands access to one of the nation’s most comprehensive cancer datasets, now including complete county-level cancer incidence data for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
The new data reveal that rural communities experienced higher cancer incidence rates than urban areas from 2019–2023, with approximately 467 versus 451 new cases per 100,000 people. In 2023, nearly 1.94 million new cancer cases were reported nationwide, and cancer remained the second leading cause of death in 2024, accounting for 619,871 deaths.
The addition of county-level and rural–urban data can help public health professionals better identify disparities, target interventions, and inform cancer control planning and resource allocation. See the full report from the CDC here.
Survey Highlights Persistent Uncertainty on STI Vaccines
A nationally representative Annenberg Public Policy Center survey found that while most U.S. adults understand core STI transmission routes, knowledge gaps persist around less common pathways and vaccine availability.
Majorities correctly identified gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, HPV, and genital herpes as sexually transmitted, but far fewer recognized mpox (35%) or Zika (13%) as sexually transmitted infections.
Misconceptions included 20% believing STI transmission can occur via toilet seats and only 33% identifying breastfeeding as a possible HIV transmission route. While 68% recognized an HPV vaccine, only 42% were aware of an mpox vaccine, and most respondents were uncertain about vaccine availability for other STIs. Read the survey here.
