An Early Flu Season Means it Might be Time to Think About a Flu Shot
Flu activity is rising earlier than usual in the United States, with Western states seeing increases weeks before the typical start of the season. In an October 7 NPR report, epidemiologists noted that positive flu tests and flu-related emergency department visits have climbed since early September, an unusual pattern that typically begins in the South.
A newly mutated variant that may better…
Applications Open: New to Public Health Residency Program
The de Beaumont Foundation’s New to Public Health Residency Program is accepting applications for its next cohort, beginning in December. The nationally recognized workforce development program helps early-career public health professionals build the skills, confidence and connections needed to succeed in their roles and develop long-term careers in public health.
The 12-month program in…
Good news: Your Cat Probably Won't Give You Giardia
A study published October 9 in PLOS One found that cats pose a low risk of transmitting human-infective Giardia, based on analysis of fecal samples from 157,616 cats in the United States and Canada.
Although about 6% of cats tested positive for Giardia duodenalis, only 1.2% carried genetic variants A or B that can infect humans. Prevalence varied by age, reproductive status, season and region…
Upcoming Webinar: Strategies for Preparing Experts for Media Interviews
A Newswise webinar on media training will offer public information officers and communications professionals practical strategies for preparing subject matter experts for interviews.
Scheduled for October 27, 2026, the session will explore how communicators approach interview preparation, what experts should do in the days leading up to an interview, and how preparation can help organizations…
September CDC/NPHIC Call: Key Updates for Public Health Communicators
Did you miss NPHIC’s September 23 CDC/NPHIC Partner Meeting? The call featured timely updates and resources for public health communicators, including an overview of Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) training, the latest Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, and a new website providing local-level COVID-19, RSV and flu transmission estimates.
Presenters also shared…
New Resource Helps Public Health Partners Prepare Content for AI-Generated Responses
CDC released new guidance to help public health organizations improve how AI systems interpret, summarize, and cite digital health content.
The “Considerations for Generative Engine Optimization” resource applies established communication practices to AI-generated responses, emphasizing plain language, descriptive headings, direct answers to common questions, scannable content, and links to c…
New Webinar Offers Strategies for Connecting Civic Participation and Health
A recent Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) webinar highlighted practical, nonpartisan strategies for helping communities understand how civic participation can influence public health.
Connecting the Value of Public Health to Civic Participation, held ahead of the midterm elections, featured communicators and civic engagement experts who emphasized linking participation to hea…