NPHIC and CDC Reinstate Monthly Communications Calls for Public Health Communicators
The National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) and CDC have relaunched a recurring monthly communication call series to strengthen coordination between CDC communication staff, regional press officers, and public health communicators nationwide.
Held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, the calls are designed to provide timely updates and opportunities for direct engagement on eme…
CDC Updates Guidance for Investigating Locally Acquired Malaria in the United States
CDC updated its operational guidance for investigating suspected locally acquired mosquito-transmitted malaria in the United States following 10 autochthonous cases reported across four states in 2023 after two decades without documented local transmission.
The guidance emphasizes that, although malaria was eliminated in the 1950s, widespread presence of Anopheles mosquitoes and increasing im…
Prevalence and Context of Sunburn Among U.S. Adults
The 2024 National Health Interview Survey found that 35.1% of U.S. adults (approximately 88.1 million) experienced at least one sunburn in the previous year, including 7.5% (18.8 million) with four or more sunburns.
Among adults reporting sunburn, the most common context for the most recent event was spending time in, on, or near water (60.6%), followed by exercising (24.7%), drinking alcohol…
VectorED Network Launches Webinar Series on Vector-Borne Disease Communication and Preparedness
The VectorED Network, a CDC-funded Training and Evaluation Center serving the Ohio River Valley region through Penn State, is offering a free professional development webinar series focused on strengthening education and communication related to vector-borne diseases.
Sessions will address the history of Lyme disease, best practices for risk communication during emergent threats, and vector b…
New Toolkit: Engaging Business Leaders in Public Health Partnerships
The de Beaumont Foundation’s new toolkit on engaging business leaders in public health partnerships highlights research-driven strategies to strengthen collaboration between public health agencies and the private sector.
Drawing on interviews and focus groups with business leaders, the resource identifies key barriers to engagement, including perceptions that public health is overly regulator…
Arclet Access Fund: One Year Access
A recent study published in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice found that nearly half of government public health workers contribute to communications activities, while only 11% identify communications as their primary role, underscoring persistent workforce and capacity gaps in public health messaging.
In response, Arclet has opened applications for the second cohort of i…
Hantavirus Response Raises Readiness Concerns
Public health experts say the federal response to the hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship exposed gaps in outbreak readiness, particularly in communication and coordination. Former CDC officials and local health leaders cited delays in public briefings, provider alerts, and direct communication with states after potentially exposed passengers returned to U.S. communities.
The fir…