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Category: policy

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Policy

The Reality of Defensive Gun Use

Gun violence and firearm policy remain pressing issues in the United States, with heated debates often centering on the role of guns in self-defense. A newly published study in the American Journal of Public Health offers a crucial perspective by examining 35 years of data on defensive firearm use. The findings? Despite frequent claims that […]

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Policy

Imagine this: You’ve just endured a medical emergency, and as you’re recovering, a staggering bill lands in your mailbox. Until recently, this scenario was far too common for Americans seeking emergency care. Enter the No Surprises Act (NSA)—a law enacted to protect patients from unexpected, out-of-network medical bills and introduce a new system for resolving […]

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Policy

The Fragile Balance of Trust

Imagine scrolling through your newsfeed and encountering a headline about a miraculous new COVID-19 cure. The article looks legitimate, but how do you decide whether to believe it? This decision hinges on an intricate psychological mechanism called epistemic trust—our ability to assess the credibility of knowledge and determine if it’s relevant, accurate, and worth adopting. […]

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Policy

Did Philadelphia’s Soda Tax Help Kids Lose Weight?

When Philadelphia implemented its soda tax in 2017, many hoped it would be a game-changer in the fight against childhood obesity. The logic seemed simple: tax sugary drinks, reduce consumption, and improve health outcomes for kids. But did it work? A new study provides some surprising answers, challenging assumptions and sparking questions about the most […]

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Policy

Measles Vaccination Efforts at Risk of Stalling

In “honor” of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the recent nominee to HHS, let’s take a look at this recent MMWR report. Measles, a disease once a harbinger of widespread illness and death, has met its match in vaccination programs, saving an astounding 60 million lives between 2000 and 2023. Put that number in your head. […]

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Policy

Upgrading Lab Safety for Emergency Response

In the fast-paced world of modern healthcare, staying prepared for public health emergencies is more important than ever. As the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated, our ability to swiftly and effectively respond to biological threats can make the difference between containing an outbreak and facing widespread consequences. This is particularly true for laboratories, which are often on […]

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Policy

How Addressing Food and Housing Insecurity Can Transform Public Health

When we think about healthcare, most of us picture doctors, hospitals, and medications. But what if I told you that some of the most powerful health interventions have nothing to do with medicine? Across the country, communities and health organizations are exploring a new frontier in public health, one that focuses on the social conditions […]

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Policy

How Evaluation Criteria Shape(s) Public Policy

When we talk about evaluating public policies, it’s easy to get caught up in the details—measuring success, gathering data, and checking boxes. But how do we actually decide what makes a policy “successful”? That’s where evaluation criteria come in. Evaluation criteria are the standards used to judge the effectiveness, efficiency, and overall value of policies. […]

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Policy

Building Resilience: The Key to Health Systems Preparedness

In a world increasingly threatened by natural disasters, pandemics, and other crises, health systems face unprecedented challenges. But with every challenge comes an opportunity—an opportunity to build resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic put health systems to the test, revealing gaps in preparedness and response across the globe. Now more than ever, the focus is on resilience: […]

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Policy

Governments Have the Power to Nudge Us Toward Healthier Food Choices

Governments worldwide have been using taxes and subsidies as tools to change what we eat. By imposing taxes on sugary drinks and unhealthy foods while offering subsidies for healthier options, policymakers aim to encourage healthier diets and reduce the burden of obesity and related diseases. But how effective are these fiscal policies, really? A recent […]

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Policy

The Impact of Elections on Public Health: What the Data Reveal

Political decisions shape the health of our communities. It’s not just the policies we vote for that influence public health, but also the elected officials and their broader political ideologies. A recent working papter, “Politicians, Power, and the People’s Health: US Elections and State Health Outcomes, 2012-2024,” shines a light on how political conservatism or […]

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