On May 20, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration announced a new stance on who should receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The agency said it would approve new versions of the…
Tag: Public health
Teens of any age who drink alcohol with their parents’ permission drink more as young adults, new research shows
Children and teenagers of any age who sip or taste alcohol with their parents’ permission are more likely to engage in risky drinking in young adulthood. That was the finding…
Calorie counts on menus and food labels may not help consumers choose healthier foods, new research shows
Knowing the calorie content of foods does not help people understand which foods are healthier, according to a study I recently co-authored in the Journal of Retailing. When study participants…
Contaminated milk from one plant in Illinois sickened thousands with Salmonella in 1985 − as outbreaks rise in the US, lessons from this one remain true
In 1985, contaminated milk in Illinois led to a Salmonella outbreak that infected hundreds of thousands of people across the United States and caused at least 12 deaths. At the…
Measles could again become widespread as cases surge worldwide
Globally, measles is on the rise across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America and parts of Europe. In 2025, North and South America saw 11 times more cases than during…
The Women’s Health Initiative has shaped women’s health for over 30 years, but its future is uncertain
Women make up more than 50% of the population, yet before the 1990s they were largely excluded from health and medical research studies. To try to help correct this imbalance,…
Whooping cough is making a comeback, but the vaccine provides powerful protection
Whooping cough, a bacterial infection that can be especially dangerous for babies and young children, is on the rise. Already in 2025 the U.S. has recorded 8,485 cases. That’s compared…
The sudden dismissal of public records staff at health agencies threatens government accountability
Mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services are continuing as the agency makes good on its intention, announced on March 27, 2025, to shrink its workforce by…
How the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service protects public health at home and abroad
When the Trump administration announced in February 2025 that it was cutting 10% of staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it seemed that a small but storied…
Susan Monarez, Trump’s nominee for CDC director, faces an unprecedented and tumultuous era at the agency
The job of director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention carries immense responsibility for shaping health policies, responding to crises and maintaining trust in public health institutions. Since…
