3 Issues to Watch in Public Health in 2026

Public health communicators are heading into 2026 amid mounting uncertainty and high-stakes challenges. Confidence in long-standing public health institutions is being tested as leadership changes, staffing losses, and political influence reshape how guidance and data are produced and received. At the same time, shifts in U.S. vaccine policy risk fueling skepticism at home and abroad, with potential consequences for routine immunization and measles control globally.

Compounding these concerns, investments in pandemic preparedness and international disease surveillance are shrinking just as the world moves further from — and closer to — the next pandemic. Together, these trends raise urgent questions about trust, prevention, and readiness in the year ahead. Read the full article from STAT News here.