Next Week in Public Health, August 15, 2025

I know we didn’t pay enough attention to the shooting at the CDC last week. I could blame the firehouse of insanity, the bizarre lack of media coverage of this event, the general shrugs that accompany mass shootings, or the fact that I was in a daze working on a project.

I don’t know. So much of this current situation just doesn’t make sense to me…

Here’s some other news worth catching up on

General framework of nonlinear factor interactions using bayesian networks for risk analysis applied to road safety and public health

A recent study highlights a novel approach for risk analysis using Bayesian Networks (BNs) to better capture the nonlinear interactions among risk factors, crucial for accurate risk prediction and management. Traditional linear models fail to consider these complex interdependencies, often leading to underestimations of risk in scenarios like road safety and healthcare. By formalizing and applying this BN-based framework to case studies, the research demonstrates more precise risk representations and opens new pathways for improved intervention strategies across multiple fields, including environmental and healthcare risk analysis.

Invivyd Aligns with U.S. FDA on Rapid Pathway to Full Approval (BLA) of Vaccine Alternative Monoclonal Antibody VYD2311 to Protect American Adults and Adolescents from COVID-19

Invivyd, Inc. announced alignment with the FDA on a streamlined pathway for potential Biologics License Application (BLA) approval of their monoclonal antibody candidate, VYD2311, for preventing COVID-19. The FDA has advised that a single Phase 2/3 trial with modest symptomatic COVID-19 events could support BLA submission, aiming to provide an alternative to vaccines, particularly for those who are vaccine-hesitant or immunocompromised. This development is significant as it represents a potential shift in preventative options for COVID-19, addressing both public vaccine skepticism and the need for diverse prophylactic solutions.

Anti-vaccine myths surged on social media ahead of the CDC shooting

The August 8 shooting at the CDC headquarters has brought attention to the proliferation of vaccine misinformation on social media platforms, which have recently relaxed their moderation policies. This environment has allowed unfounded claims linking Covid vaccines to mental health issues, such as depression, to spread widely, influencing public perception despite a lack of scientific evidence. The incident underscores the potential dangers of misinformation, highlighting an ongoing challenge for public health communication and efforts to rebuild trust in vaccines.

Proposed Medicare Payment Policies for Hospital Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Center Services

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed changes for Medicare payments under the Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgery Centers for CY 2026, which might allow more complex surgical procedures to be performed at lower-cost outpatient facilities, potentially improving beneficiary access and alleviating hospital capacity limitations. These proposals include phasing out the “Inpatient Only” list and expanding the Covered Procedures List for ASCs, alongside other measures to encourage transparency and value in care delivery. CMS is also addressing hospital drug acquisition costs, proposing reduced payments for non-drug services to balance previous financial remedies related to the 340B program, with a broader aim to enhance accountability and efficiency across Medicare payment systems.