CDC Reports Emergence of Extensively Drug-Resistant Shigella
CDC analysis published in MMWR reports a marked rise in extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella infections in the United States. Among 16,788 isolates collected from 2011–2023, 3% were XDR, increasing from 0% in 2011–2015 to 8.5% in 2023.
Most cases occurred in adult men, with limited travel history, suggesting domestic transmission. XDR strains are resistant to five key antibiotics, and no…
CDC Delays COVID-19 Vaccine Study, Prompting Questions on Methodology and Transparency
A delayed CDC study highlights ongoing tensions around scientific processes and communication in public health. The report, intended for the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), found the 2025–26 COVID-19 vaccine reduced severe illness risk by 50% in adults.
Its postponement, tied to methodological concerns about a commonly used evaluation approach, has raised questions among current…
The White House Wants to Cut WIC Fruit and Vegetable Benefits by 75%—Here’s What Dietitians Warn
The White House’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal includes significant reductions to the WIC program’s fruit and vegetable benefits, lowering monthly allowances from $52 to $13 for breastfeeding mothers and from $27 to $10 for families with young children.
Public health and nutrition experts emphasize that WIC is strongly associated with improved child diet quality and health outcomes, large…
Respiratory Viruses Lingering Longer Than Usual This Year
Respiratory viruses are persisting later than typical this season, with the CDC reporting a delayed onset of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) across much of the United States. The CDC notes RSV activity may extend into April, with emergency department visits and hospitalizations highest among infants and children under four years. An atypical influenza season included an early flu A peak follo…
New White House Budget Plan Would Reduce HHS Funding by Billions
A proposed 2027 White House budget outlines significant reductions to federal public health infrastructure, including a more than 12% cut to HHS funding—roughly $15.8 billion below current levels.
The plan would reduce support for biomedical research, including a $5 billion cut to NIH, and eliminate or consolidate key programs serving low-income and refugee populations. While some targeted in…
Healthcare Reclaims Top Spot Among U.S. Domestic Worries
A recent Gallup poll finds healthcare has reemerged as Americans’ top domestic concern, with 61% reporting significant worry about access and affordability—outpacing economic issues such as inflation and federal spending.
While overall concern across major national issues has modestly declined since 2025, healthcare anxiety remains steady, underscoring its persistent importance for public hea…
EPA Flags Microplastics, Pharmaceuticals as Contaminants in Drinking Water
The EPA has added microplastics and pharmaceuticals to its draft Contaminant Candidate List for drinking water, highlighting potential public health concerns alongside PFAS and other chemicals. This update, part of the Safe Drinking Water Act’s regular review, allows local regulators to evaluate risks and encourages further research, though it does not mandate regulatory action.
Complementing…