LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
New Cholesterol Guidelines Highlight Early Prevention and Genetic Risk Testing
New cholesterol management guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology emphasize earlier, more comprehensive prevention of cardiovascular disease—the leading cause of death in the U.S.
A key recommendation is a one-time lipoprotein(a) blood test for all adults, identifying genetic risk for heart attacks and strokes. The guidelines also promote coronary calcium scoring, lifetime risk assessment with tools like PREVENT, and timely use of statins when indicated.
Combined with lifestyle strategies—physical activity, healthy diet, and sleep—these updates aim to reduce cardiovascular events and support proactive population health efforts. Read more from NPR here.
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Interim CDC Data Shows Flu Vaccine Continues to Offer Protection in 2025–26 Season
New interim findings from the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) show that the 2025–26 seasonal influenza vaccine continues to provide meaningful protection against serious illness, even in a challenging season with antigenically drifted virus strains.
Vaccine effectiveness ranged from 38%–41% against influenza-related outpatient visits and 41% against hospitalization among children and adolescents, while adults saw 22%–34% protection against outpatient visits and 30% against hospitalization.
With an estimated 26 million illnesses and 340,000 hospitalizations so far this season, the findings reinforce the ongoing public health importance of influenza vaccination for everyone aged six months and older. Find CDC’s full MMWR report here.
FEATURED TOPICS
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.
Journalism, Media, and Technology Trends and Predictions for 2026
For public health communicators, the ways audiences access and trust information are shifting faster than ever, driven by generative AI and the rise of personality-led news. A 2026 global survey of media leaders highlights declining engagement with traditional journalism, especially among younger audiences who prefer platforms, influencers, and AI-powered “answer engines.”
Publishers anticipate major drops in search and social referral traffic and are pivoting toward original reporting, human-centered stories, and video and audio formats. While AI offers efficiencies in newsgathering and distribution, it also risks commoditizing general news. These trends emphasize the importance of credible voices, adaptable content, and meeting audiences where they increasingly seek information. Read more from Reuters here.
Exercise is as Effective as Medication in Treating Depression, Study Finds
A new Cochrane review of 73 randomized controlled trials involving 5,000 people finds that exercise—ranging from light walking to moderate activity—can be as effective as medication or therapy in reducing depressive symptoms. Exercise boosts neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, and supports brain neuroplasticity through increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), enhancing the brain’s ability to adapt.
Combining aerobic and resistance training may offer additional benefit. Experts note that exercise is low-cost, accessible, and generally safe, yet remains underutilized, underscoring its potential as a foundational, first-line public health strategy for mental wellness. Read more from NPR here.
OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Health in a Push to Become a Hub for Personal Health Data
OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Health, a dedicated platform allowing users to securely connect medical records and wellness apps to personalize health conversations. Designed to enhance patient engagement and decision-making, the tool flags potential medication risks by integrating user data without training its AI on personal medical information.
Early examples highlight its potential to help patients navigate complex care systems. While initially available to a limited group, OpenAI plans broader rollout on web and iOS. ChatGPT Health incorporates layered protections, multi-factor authentication, and record management features, signaling a growing intersection of AI and public health communication. Read more from Fortune here.
