U.S. measles cases reached 4,410 in 2026 as of Oct. 16, nearly double the 2,289 cases reported in all of 2025, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) update. Six probable measles deaths have also been confirmed this year. Declining childhood vaccination coverage remains a concern, with only 92.4% of kindergarteners receiving the measles, mumps and rubella (MM…

A new public-private cancer vaccine initiative led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is expected to launch in December, aiming to accelerate development of personalized cancer treatments. Reported by The New York Times, the effort will bring together researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, advocacy groups, nonprofits, and patients. The partnership follows a model sim…

President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a Women’s Health Division at the National Institutes of Health and a White House Women’s Health Task Force to strengthen research into women’s health across the lifespan. The initiative targets understudied conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility, maternal health and menopaus…

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…

A suspected case of pneumonic plague in Russia that resulted in a laboratory worker’s death is prompting international public health monitoring, although the cause of death remains unconfirmed. The World Health Organization sought laboratory test results and additional information from Russian health officials following reports published in early October 2026. Nearly 200 contacts were placed…

The American Academy of Pediatrics renewed its call for a nationwide ban on raw milk sales and distribution in an updated policy statement published in October 2026, citing recent outbreaks and serious health risks, particularly for children. More than 10 million Americans consume unpasteurized milk, which carries over 100 times the risk of foodborne illness compared with pasteurized milk. Ni…

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…

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…

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…