Pfizer and Valneva report that their Lyme disease vaccine achieved approximately 70% effectiveness in a phase 3 trial, marking a potential first human vaccine for the disease if approved. Lyme disease, transmitted by blacklegged ticks, can lead to severe arthritis, neurological, and cardiac complications. While initial analyses did not meet pre-specified statistical criteria due to fewer-than…

In response to a national measles outbreak, Mexico is conducting an extensive vaccination campaign aiming to immunize 2.5 million people weekly. Health workers operate door-to-door, at pop-up sites, and through digital outreach, but interest is uneven, and coverage remains challenging. Outbreaks disproportionately affect under-vaccinated communities, highlighting inequalities in access, healt…

Published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, new data show kratom-related exposures reported to U.S. poison centers increased approximately 1,200% from 2015 to 2025, reaching a record high. The findings highlight a shift toward higher-potency products and expanding use across demographic groups. Although many cases involved kratom alone, co-use with substances such as alcohol, op…

A new KFF poll highlights growing affordability challenges among Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace enrollees, with 55% reporting they are cutting back on food and other basic needs to manage rising health care costs. Premium increases—averaging more than 20% in 2026 following the expiration of enhanced subsidies—are driving financial strain, with many also taking on additional work. Beyon…

A recent study published in Science Advances suggests the early U.S. COVID-19 death toll was significantly undercounted, estimating more than 155,000 additional deaths between March 2020 and December 2021—an increase of 15.6% over official figures. Researchers point to gaps in out-of-hospital death reporting and a fragmented, under-resourced mortality surveillance system as key contributors…

A newly released webinar from the Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) introduces Overcoming Challenges & Leveraging Strengths: An Action Guide for Communicators at Public Health Agencies. Built from 50 in-depth interviews with governmental public health communicators, the guide offers practical strategies to navigate challenges and enhance effectiveness. Webinar speakers Sha…

Rising health care costs are prompting some middle-aged adults to delay preventive and diagnostic care until they become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Following the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, many adults ages 50–64 are facing steep premium increases and high out-of-pocket costs, leading some to forgo screenings or drop coverage altogether. Public health experts w…

The Trump administration has narrowed its search for a new CDC director to a half dozen candidates, including former Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher and Johns Hopkins cardiologist Joseph Marine. With acting director Jay Bhattacharya’s term expiring under the Vacancies Reform Act, a permanent appointment could draw Senate scrutiny of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine policies and bro…

Awareness of alcohol’s link to cancer appears to be rising among the public, with new survey data from the Annenberg Public Policy Center showing that more than half of Americans now recognize the connection—up significantly from 2024. This shift follows heightened attention after Vivek Murthy called for updated warning labels highlighting alcohol’s role in multiple cancers. Despite this prog…