LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
CPSC Shares Fireworks Safety Tips as America Turns 250
A new U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) report highlights fireworks as a persistent and largely preventable source of injury each Independence Day, with thousands of emergency department visits and multiple deaths reported annually. It notes sparklers can burn above 2,000°F, contributing to burn injuries, and that people ages 15–24 remain among the highest-risk groups for fireworks-related harm, especially to hands, fingers, and the head.
The agency urges prevention measures including avoiding alcohol while handling fireworks, never relighting “dud” fireworks, keeping water nearby, and prioritizing professional displays, reinforcing the goal of reducing preventable holiday injuries. Read the full article here.
The Health Risks of Extreme Heat
Extreme heat is driving escalating public health risk across Europe, Asia, and parts of the United States, according to a Reuters report. Heatstroke—when core body temperature exceeds 105°F—can rapidly become fatal, contributing to organ failure and death.
Globally, excess heat is linked to nearly 500,000 deaths each year, with a European analysis attributing 68% of 2025 heat-related deaths to climate change–driven warming.
Older adults, infants, people with chronic disease, and outdoor workers remain most vulnerable, underscoring the growing need for targeted alerts and prevention efforts. Read the full article from Reuters here.
PHCC Opens Applications for Ambassador and Academy Programs
The Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) is expanding opportunities for public health communicators to build skills, connect with peers, and strengthen communication practice.
Applications for the next PHCC Ambassador cohort open July 6, followed by applications for the Academy's live course, Strengthening Health Communications through Community Engagement, on July 13.
On July 29, PHCC will launch a new Academy course, AI with Intention: Tools and Judgment for Public Health Communicators, focused on using artificial intelligence thoughtfully and effectively in public health communications. All programs are free and designed to support professional growth across the field. Learn more about PHCC opportunities here.
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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.
Fake References in Medical Papers are Skyrocketing
A reference-integrity audit of 2.5 million biomedical papers and 125.6 million references in PubMed Central identified 4,046 fabricated references across 2,810 papers after multi-database verification and filtering.
Fabrication rates rose markedly, from 1 in 2,828 papers in 2023 to 1 in 458 in 2025, a more than 12-fold increase overall. Most affected papers contained one or two fabricated references, and review articles showed higher fabrication rates than other article types.
Notably, 98.4% of affected papers had received no publisher action at the time of the audit, highlighting gaps in oversight. Read the study in Lancet here.
The Condition PCOS is Now Called PMOS
Researchers and clinicians have renamed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) to better reflect the condition’s broader hormonal and metabolic impacts and improve patient care.
Affecting an estimated 1 in 8 women worldwide, the condition is associated with irregular menstrual cycles, elevated androgen levels, infertility, and increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Experts say the previous name contributed to confusion, missed diagnoses, and limited understanding of the disorder beyond ovarian symptoms.
The updated terminology follows 14 years of collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and patients and is intended to support more comprehensive diagnosis and treatment approaches. Learn more from AP here.
Fruit-Flavored E-cigarettes for Adults OK'd By FDA
The FDA authorized its first fruit-flavored e-cigarettes for adult smokers, marking a significant shift in federal vaping policy amid declining youth vaping rates, which are now at a 10-year low. The newly authorized products include mango and blueberry flavors and incorporate smartphone-based age verification and Bluetooth access controls intended to reduce youth access.
FDA officials emphasized that authorization is not an endorsement and stated the agency will monitor youth uptake and marketing practices closely.
The decision follows years of FDA denials for flavored products and ongoing concerns that fruit and candy flavors remain widely used in unauthorized products popular among U.S. teens. Read more from CBS News here.
