Latest Insights & Research

Stay informed with the latest public health research, insights, and evidence-based analysis from our team of experts.

Commentary

Reflections on the Next Week in Public Health

Every day is like some horrible day of roulette. Some outcomes are a loss. Some are neutral. Some seems okay, until you realized that you’re already in the hole and are just trying to get back to neutral. It gets fatiguing. We want to plug the data rescue project, who are doing yeoman’s work trying […]

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Communication

How Belief in COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Spread Faster Than the Pandemic

In August 2021, as the world was grappling with the Delta variant of COVID-19, another crisis was unfolding—this time, in the realm of information. A survey of over 10,000 Americans revealed a troubling truth: a significant portion of the population believed in alternative theories about the origins and purpose of the pandemic. These ranged from […]

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Communication

Better Communication Training Can Revolutionize Epidemiology

A single statistic, taken out of context, can shift healthcare decisions for millions. In the early 2000s, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for postmenopausal women was thrust under a glaring spotlight. A major trial found small but significant health risks, yet those numbers were presented in ways that seemed alarming without clear explanations of absolute risk. […]

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Wellbeing

Could a Walk in the Park Be the Medicine We Need?

Picture this: You’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed by the demands of daily life. Instead of reaching for a screen or a sugary snack, you step outside into a park. Within minutes, your heart rate slows, your muscles relax, and your mind clears. Science backs this up—greenspaces don’t just beautify our cities, they transform our health. A […]

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Global

A Silent Crisis in Iraq’s Public Health

For years, Iraq has grappled with the devastating effects of war, economic instability, and shifting societal norms. While these challenges dominate headlines, another crisis has quietly escalated—one that kills just as indiscriminately but lacks the visibility of conflict or disaster. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become a major public health threat in Iraq, accounting for more […]

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Workforce

Why Resilience Matters in the Workplace

Stress and burnout are on the rise, particularly in high-pressure jobs like healthcare and public service. With increasing workloads, tight deadlines, and demanding expectations, employees often struggle to maintain their well-being. Many organizations have turned to resilience-based interventions to help workers cope with stress, enhance productivity, and improve job satisfaction. But do these interventions actually […]

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News

Next week in Public Health, February 28, 2025

As I write this, it’s 7 in the morning, East Coast time. It’s also a Friday and the last day of the month. Some of the Reddit chatter indicates more federal job cuts today, but nothing is in the news yet. If you go to our front page, you will see a link to all […]

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Policy

Are We Breaking or Reinforcing Colonial Legacies?

Warning: This blog contains the words “racism” and “equity.” Please check with your federal supervisor to make sure you are protected again such dangerous ideas! For decades, global health (GH) programs in the United States have sent medical trainees abroad, equipping them with clinical skills and cultural humility training. But there’s a glaring issue: much […]

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Policy

How Mexico’s Drug War Fuels Deaths of Despair

When Mexico’s government launched a military offensive against drug cartels in 2006, the goal was to curb drug-related violence. Instead, the war fractured powerful cartels, triggering violent power struggles that sent homicide rates soaring. Today, more than 360,000 homicides later, the scars of this violence extend far beyond the direct victims. A new study reveals […]

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Policy

Public Health Policy Evaluation with Machine Learning

How do we know if public health policies are truly effective? Whether it’s a campaign to reduce smoking, an initiative to improve maternal health, or a program to curb the spread of infectious diseases, measuring the success of these policies is crucial. Traditionally, policymakers have relied on well-established statistical methods to assess impact, but these […]

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Health equity

Gaza is not your resort

Recent US federal policy toward the Palestinian people is — ridiculous. Yet, let’s not forget the bottom line. Between October 2023 and April 2024, more than 30,000 Palestinians were killed, and nearly two million displaced. The health care system in Gaza has collapsed, while access to essential services is continuously obstructed. Yet, the narrative often […]

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Funding

The Future of Public Health Funding: Why Flexibility Matters More Than Ever

Public health crises are unpredictable. And right now, public health governance is unpredictable. A flu outbreak can suddenly overwhelm a community, opioid overdoses can spike in unexpected places, and emerging health threats—like Avian flu—can demand an immediate response. Yet, despite the dynamic nature of public health, funding models remain rigid. Traditional government grants often come […]

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