LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Cost Concerns and Coverage Changes: A Follow-Up Survey of ACA Marketplace Enrollees
A new KFF poll highlights growing affordability challenges among Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace enrollees, with 55% reporting they are cutting back on food and other basic needs to manage rising health care costs. Premium increases—averaging more than 20% in 2026 following the expiration of enhanced subsidies—are driving financial strain, with many also taking on additional work.
Beyond economic impacts, the findings reveal heightened emotional stress, with most enrollees reporting worry, confusion or frustration, underscoring the broader public health implications of cost-related access barriers. Read more from The Hill here.
Death Toll at Start of COVID-19 Pandemic Likely Higher Than US Count
A recent study published in Science Advances suggests the early U.S. COVID-19 death toll was significantly undercounted, estimating more than 155,000 additional deaths between March 2020 and December 2021—an increase of 15.6% over official figures.
Researchers point to gaps in out-of-hospital death reporting and a fragmented, under-resourced mortality surveillance system as key contributors. The findings also highlight persistent geographic and sociodemographic inequities, with undercounted deaths more likely in rural areas and among populations with lower socioeconomic status.
For public health communicators, the study underscores the importance of strengthening data systems, improving death reporting accuracy, and addressing disparities in health outcomes. Read more from The Guardian here.
New Webinar Introduces Action Guide to Strengthen Public Health Communications
A newly released webinar from the Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) introduces Overcoming Challenges & Leveraging Strengths: An Action Guide for Communicators at Public Health Agencies. Built from 50 in-depth interviews with governmental public health communicators, the guide offers practical strategies to navigate challenges and enhance effectiveness.
Webinar speakers Sharon Bogan (Public Health – Seattle & King County) and Heather Strickland (North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services), both NPHIC members, share real-world examples of applying the guide and its worksheets.
Participants leave with actionable steps to strengthen communications work immediately, making this resource a valuable supplement for public health professionals nationwide. Watch PHCC’s webinar 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.
