LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Featured NCHCMM Plenary: Leveraging the Arts in Public Health Communication
At this year’s National Conference for Health Communication, Marketing, and Media (NCHCMM) in Atlanta, the plenary session “From Aesthetics to Action: Leveraging the Arts in Public Health Communication” will feature Dr. Jill Sonke, Director of Research Initiatives at the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine, as keynote speaker and panel moderator.
Attendees will explore how creative media and aesthetic experiences can drive public engagement, promote well-being, and serve as a social determinant of health. The session will showcase arts-based campaigns, entertainment education, arts prescribing, and key data from the Arts for EveryBody initiative, offering fresh, ethical approaches to public health communication. Learn more and register at www.NCHCMM.org.
Building Your Public Health Comms Toolkit: Communications Planning on a Budget
Public health communicators face shrinking budgets and expanding roles, yet must rapidly deliver timely, science-backed information to their communities. The upcoming webinar from the Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC), Building Your Public Health Comms Toolkit: Communications Planning on a Budget, offers practical strategies for creating impactful campaigns with limited or no funding.
Experts will share tools for low-cost content planning, innovative partnership approaches to amplify messaging, and free communication channels that enhance clarity and community engagement. This session empowers communicators to overcome resource constraints while advancing public health goals effectively. Register with PHCC here.
HHS Reinstates More Than 450 CDC Employees Fired in April Reorganization
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reinstated more than 450 CDC employees who were dismissed in a large April reorganization, including the entire Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention team. This action restores key public health capacity at a time when support is critical for addressing issues like lead exposure in schools nationwide.
Nearly 20% of CDC staff impacted by the Reduction in Force have been rehired, reflecting a focus on maintaining essential public health functions. Public health experts have welcomed the reinstatements but emphasize the importance of careful planning to avoid disruptions that can affect vulnerable populations. Read the full article from CNN here.
FEATURED TOPICS
Like Measles, Misinformation is Spreading, Poll Finds
As measles cases surge past 800 nationwide—most in Texas—a new KFF poll reveals a troubling rise in public exposure to vaccine misinformation. While most Americans still trust the measles vaccine’s safety, many report uncertainty when encountering false claims, such as the vaccine causing autism or vitamin A preventing infection.
Notably, 19% of adults believe the vaccine may be more dangerous than the disease. A clear political divide also emerged, with Republicans more likely to believe misinformation. Most concerning: parents who believe such falsehoods are more than twice as likely to delay or skip their children’s vaccines—highlighting an urgent public health communication challenge. Read the full article from NPR here.
FDA Making Plans to End its Routine Food Safety Inspections
The FDA is reportedly exploring plans to shift most routine food safety inspections to state and local agencies—a move that could free up federal resources but raises concerns about oversight and consistency. While the FDA says inspections will continue during a reorganization period, internal sources and layoffs suggest significant changes are underway.
States already handle about one-third of routine inspections, often at lower costs, and supporters argue they meet federal standards. However, critics warn the transition could undermine national food safety, especially in states without inspection contracts. Public health leaders are watching closely, as this shift could reshape federal-state responsibilities in protecting the U.S. food supply. Read more from CBS here.
Deadliest Phase of Fentanyl Crisis Eases, As All States See Recovery
New research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reveals a dramatic and sustained decline in fentanyl-related overdose deaths, marking a potential turning point in the opioid crisis. According to CDC data, drug deaths have dropped by nearly 25%, with fentanyl-related fatalities decreasing by over 30% in just one year.
Experts, including Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta, suggest this trend may be long-term, with overdose deaths in some states falling to pre-pandemic levels. While the reasons remain unclear, improved access to Narcan and shifts in drug use behavior may be contributing factors. If sustained, the U.S. could return to pre-2016 overdose levels, signaling a major public health victory. Read the full story from NPR here.
New Ethical AI Guidelines: A Must-Read for Public Health Communicators
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping public health communication, and NPHIC has proudly contributed to a groundbreaking new resource: the Guidelines for the Ethical Use of AI in Public Health Communications. Developed by a diverse working group of public health and technology leaders, this initiative ensures AI is used responsibly while upholding accuracy, transparency, and equity.
Executive Director Robert Jennings and NPHIC supported this effort to provide communicators with practical, adaptable principles for integrating AI ethically. Access the short guide or full working paper here and read more about the guide here and be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI in public health!
