What’s Next in Public Health? June 20, 2025

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Here’s what we have next week!

How the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ impacts health care

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is a significant legislative proposal impacting U.S. healthcare by eliminating automatic enrollment to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), cutting premium assistance, and introducing work requirements for Medicaid. These changes aim to save significant federal funds but could result in millions losing coverage, raising concerns about increased healthcare costs being indirectly shouldered by taxpayers via higher premiums for private insurance, as uninsured individuals continue to seek emergency care. As the Senate reviews the bill, political debates focus on balancing cost-saving measures with maintaining adequate healthcare access, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Supreme Court upholds ban on transgender care for minors

The newly FDA-approved HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir, marketed as Yeztugo, is a significant advancement in HIV/AIDS prevention efforts. This biannual injectable medication improves adherence due to its long-lasting effectiveness, offering a major improvement over previous PrEP treatments that required daily or bi-monthly dosing. Advocates argue that widespread insurance coverage is crucial to enhance accessibility, while concerns arise over potential impacts on vaccine research due to the drug’s high efficacy in preventing HIV.

Greenspace will not always disproportionately benefit disadvantaged urban residents

The article examines the health benefits of living near green spaces, particularly for disadvantaged communities, and urges a critical look at existing studies due to varying definitions of disadvantage and methodological issues. It identifies several challenges, including the complex dynamics between socioeconomic factors and access to greenspace, potential adverse effects of expanding greenspaces, and the limited benefits for highly disadvantaged communities. This discussion matters as it provides guidance for future research that aims to equitably integrate the health benefits of green spaces into public health strategies for marginalized groups.