A new ecoAmerica poll reveals that extreme heat is intensifying public concern about climate change and health. An overwhelming 86% of Americans say rising temperatures have increased their climate concerns, and 89% see extreme heat as a serious health risk. Notably, belief in climate change as the driver of extreme weather now spans political lines, with a 17-point rise among Republicans since…

Public health officials report a rising threat of rabies in the U.S., with recent outbreaks in wild animals such as raccoons and bats, including new cases in areas like Long Island and Michigan. Rabies, nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear, spreads mainly through bites or scratches from infected animals. Because bat bites may go unnoticed, public health authorities advise contacting officia…

Global emergency vaccine stockpiles have proven to be a critical tool in outbreak response, significantly reducing cases and deaths worldwide. A recent study found that vaccines from stockpiles—such as those for cholera, Ebola, meningitis, and yellow fever—averted approximately 6 million cases and 300,000 deaths over two decades, demonstrating a 60% reduction in outbreak impact. The research al…

The CDC’s Free Mind campaign takes a creative, youth-focused approach to address the critical link between mental health and substance use. Launched July 21, the campaign offers a range of engaging tools—fact sheets, social media graphics, video PSAs, an interactive graphic novel, and a forthcoming card game—to help youth and their caregivers understand how mental health challenges can increase…

The CDC reports a summer surge of COVID-19 cases growing in at least 26 states, including Arkansas, Ohio, and Texas, with emergency room visits for young children reaching their highest levels since March. While new variants Nimbus and Stratus are no more severe than previous strains, vigilance remains essential—especially for vulnerable groups like young children, the elderly, and immunocompro…

A recent study published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities analyzed data from 100,000 young adults and found that owning a smartphone before age 13 is linked to poorer mental health outcomes, including suicidal thoughts, aggression, dissociation, and hallucinations. This research, part of the Global Mind Project with over 2 million participants worldwide, highlights complex…

The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988), launched three years ago, has become a critical resource in U.S. public health, with an estimated 1.6% of the population using it from July 2022 to December 2024. The lifeline connects callers, texters, and chat users to local crisis centers staffed by trained counselors, providing timely mental health support beyond traditional 911 services. De…

The FDA has reversed its 2022 ban on Juul e-cigarettes, allowing the company to sell its original devices and tobacco- and menthol-flavored cartridges for adults 21 and older after an extensive scientific review. The agency found the benefits for adult smokers switching from combustible cigarettes outweigh risks to non-smokers, citing Juul’s claim that 2 million adults have quit smoking using t…

Think bug spray is your only defense? Think again. Entomologists Dr. Sammy Ramsey and Dr. Brian Byrd teamed up with NPR’s Life Kit to share lesser-known, science-backed strategies to prevent mosquito bites. The interactive quiz reveals surprising facts—like how your clothing color or personal scent might make you a mosquito magnet. Public health professionals can use this engaging tool to pro…