Latest Insights & Research

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

Category: policy

All Workforce News Health equity Commentary Research Policy Society Mental health
Policy

The “Make America Healthy Again” Initiative: A Trojan Horse for an Anti-Equity Agenda

The recent executive order establishing the “Make America Healthy Again Commission” presents itself as a bold effort to address America’s chronic health crisis. With alarming statistics about rising disease rates, declining life expectancy, and the economic burden of poor health, the initiative appears to focus on improving national well-being. However, when examined in the broader […]

Read more →
Commentary

Data Integrity in a Divided World: The Smart Case for Inclusivity

The current socio-political climate has made it dangerous to engage in equity work. The federal government’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have created an environment where organizations must rethink how they communicate about equity without compromising core values. While the language of fairness and justice is under siege, the principles behind equity—ensuring […]

Read more →
Policy

The Hidden Players in Public Health Policy (according to research)

Public health policies don’t implement themselves. Behind every law, regulation, or guideline, there’s a network of decision-makers—policy developers, implementers, disseminators, influencers, and enforcers. But who exactly are these people? And how can researchers engage them effectively to ensure policies actually improve health outcomes? A recent study introduces a structured, five-step methodology for identifying and engaging […]

Read more →
Policy

RFK’s promises

The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), marking a significant shift in the leadership of the nation’s largest health agency. Amid opposition from both sides of the aisle and deep concerns from the public health community, Kennedy secured his confirmation through key assurances made to […]

Read more →
Policy

A New Framework for Evidence-Informed Policies

Imagine a world where every public health decision is backed by clear evidence, free of undue influence, and responsive to the needs of diverse communities. Now imagine this transparency fostering trust, ensuring fairness, and leading to better health outcomes for all. A new integrated framework for evidence-informed policymaking promises to turn this vision into reality. […]

Read more →
Policy

Preserving the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently removed access to its Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) data, raising concerns among public health experts, researchers, and policymakers. The SVI is a critical tool for understanding which communities are most at risk during public health emergencies, natural disasters, and economic downturns. Without it, addressing health inequities […]

Read more →
Policy

What if “free” preventive care wasn’t really free for everyone?

For many Americans, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) promised cost-free preventive services, from cancer screenings to routine check-ups. Yet, a groundbreaking study reveals that 40% of these encounters still result in out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for patients, often in unexpected and inequitable ways. This issue is more than an inconvenience—it has profound implications for public health […]

Read more →
Commentary

How Federal Employees Can Speak Out Against Misconduct

Recent reports of systemic misuse of power and unethical practices within agencies like the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have sparked concern among public servants. If you’re a federal employee witnessing questionable actions, there are secure, anonymous ways to report these issues. Organizations like ProPublica, Reuters, and The Guardian provide platforms for whistleblowers to share […]

Read more →
Policy

Federal Funding Freeze Threatens Public Health Programs: What It Means for Public, Private, and Non-Profit Sectors

Update: 1/30/24. The White House rescinded its directive to freeze federal grants and loans after legal challenges and widespread confusion. Still, the underlying effort to eliminate funding for “woke” ideologies remains in place. States and nonprofits, many of which temporarily lost access to critical funds, warned of the potential for deeper, more lasting cuts. The […]

Read more →
Policy

Next Week in Public Health, January 24, 2025

We’ve been monitoring all of the federal policy orders that have been coming out since Trump’s inauguration. Next week, RFK, Jr. faces his first confirmation hearing to be secretary of HHS. To catch up, here’s an article from our colleague, Mandy Morgan, on what this potentially means for public health professionals. Here’s what we have […]

Read more →

Get the public-health insights you need—
every Thursday morning.

We scan 70+ journals so you don't have to.
One email. Zero jargon. Unsubscribe anytime.

🔒 No spam. 1-click opt-out. Privacy-first.