New research reveals that climate disasters like floods and wildfires have hidden, long-term public health consequences beyond physical destruction. A study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found a strong link between severe climate events and the closure of hospitals and outpatient care facilities across more than 3,000 U.S. counties from 2000 to 2014…

Recent changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are raising alarms among public health experts. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to remove COVID vaccines from the CDC’s list for pregnant women and children bypassed the CDC’s advisory committee and lacked public explanation or supporting data. Experts, including Dr. Richard Besser, stress that vaccination…

A new CDC report highlights the public health risks of improper nasal irrigation, following the tragic death of a 71-year-old woman from a rare brain infection after using tap water in a neti pot. The woman contracted primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a typically fatal infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, after using an RV water system at a Texas campground. The FDA and CDC str…

Join the Public Health Communication Collaborative (PHCC) for their upcoming webinar, “Media Relations Today: How to Build Trust in Public Health Guidance,” scheduled for June 10, 2025, at 1:30 PM, as it offers public health communicators valuable insights on enhancing media relations. Participants will learn how to develop a strong media infrastructure to respond quickly, increase visibility…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted the first-ever global pandemic treaty, marking a historic step toward better preventing, preparing for, and responding to future pandemics. The treaty emphasizes early surveillance, especially of animal reservoirs, improved access to protective equipment for healthcare workers, and coordinated regulatory frameworks to expand treatments. While ha…

A new study released ahead of the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology conference reveals that alcohol-related cancer deaths in the U.S. have doubled from 1990 to 2021, rising from 11,896 to 23,207. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease database, researchers found that alcohol remains a major — and preventable — contributor to cancer mortality, especially among men and those over 5…

The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global strategy in 2020 to eliminate cervical cancer, setting ambitious 2030 targets for HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment. This landmark initiative recognizes cervical cancer as one of the few cancers that can be eliminated through proven public health tools. Despite progress, barriers persist—especially for underserved populations. Now…

A multistate salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers has sickened at least 26 people and prompted a nationwide recall. The FDA traced the contaminated produce to Bedner Growers in Florida, with distribution by Fresh Start Produce Sales. Illnesses have been reported in 15 states, including Ohio, California, and New York, with nine hospitalizations. The FDA and CDC urge consumers to discard cuc…

Get ready for NCHCMM 2025—where public health communicators gather to tackle today’s most urgent challenges. Held July 28–30 in Atlanta, the conference will spotlight bold, solutions-focused conversations on misinformation, climate justice, mental health, youth engagement, and more. Attendees can expect sessions on countering health misinformation, culturally tailored messaging, vaccine communi…