Blogs - This Week In Public Health

Epi

SVI vs. ADI: What Public Health Practitioners Need to Know Since the CDC Removed SVI

TLDR; SVI and ADI overlap but measure different concepts: vulnerability vs deprivation Public health professionals often rely on composite indices to identify disadvantaged communities and guide interventions. Two prominent tools in this space are the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and the Area Deprivation Index (ADI). Both indices measure socioeconomic and demographic disadvantage, but they were […]

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Communication

Beyond “Trust the Science”: How Public Health Must Relearn How to Engage Communities

Public health is facing a paradox. On the one hand, never before has scientific evidence played such a visible role in public life. During COVID-19, epidemiological models shaped national policy. Scientists became household names. Research moved at historic speed. On the other hand, trust fractured. Scientists were harassed. Communities disengaged. Evidence was reframed as ideology. […]

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Why Fear-Based Messaging Is Losing Its Effectiveness in Public Health Campaigns

Mental health

Beyond Fear: Why Public Health Messaging Must Evolve Today

Public health communication has always aimed to educate communities, promote safer behaviors, and improve overall well-being. For years, fear-based campaigns were considered powerful tools for driving immediate action. However, professionals across the field now recognize that Why Fear-Based Messaging Is Losing Its Effectiveness in Public Health Campaigns is an increasingly important conversation. Platforms like This […]

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Health equity

Rethinking Depression Treatment: Where Psychedelic Therapy Fits In Today

Depression remains one of the most common mental health challenges worldwide, yet many individuals continue to struggle even after trying medication and psychotherapy. As researchers search for better options, a new conversation is gaining momentum: Rethinking Depression Treatment: Where Psychedelic Therapy Fits In. This emerging approach does not aim to replace existing treatments but rather […]

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Rethinking Depression Treatment Where Psychedelic Therapy Fits In

Mental health

Beyond Insurance: Building Real Health Equity in Modern Public Health

Health insurance has long been viewed as the primary gateway to better care. While insurance coverage certainly improves access to medical services, many public health experts now agree that access alone does not guarantee equitable health outcomes. This reality explains why Beyond Access: Why Health Equity Requires More Than Insurance Coverage has become a central […]

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Health tips

The Future of Preventive Care: Are Public Health Systems Prepared

Preventive care has always been the backbone of public health. Vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance systems, maternal health initiatives, and early screening programs have saved millions of lives worldwide. However, as global health challenges evolve, one critical question continues to surface: The Future of Preventive Care: Are Public Health Systems Prepared ? Today’s health landscape looks […]

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Nutrition

The Surprising Costs of Carbonated Soft Drinks

It’s a bustling day at the local community health center, and Maria, a nutritionist, listens attentively as another concerned parent explains their child’s skyrocketing sugar intake. Despite efforts to maintain a balanced diet, the child remains lured by the fizzy sweetness of carbonated soft drinks (CSDs), a common fixture in many households. This scene is […]

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Mental health

The Debate Surrounding Magic Mushrooms for Depression

The burgeoning interest in psychedelic research, especially the use of magic mushrooms for treating depression, has gained significant traction in the public health sector. The UK is at the forefront of this emerging treatment paradigm, especially as numerous clinical trials examining the efficacy of psychedelics are yielding surprising results. The conversation around psychedelics opens up […]

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Research

The Impact of Weight-Loss Jabs on Public Health: Opportunities and Challenges

Weight-loss medications, particularly those administered via injection such as semaglutide, have gained traction as promising solutions for combating obesity. While these drugs hold potential for individual health benefits, they also pose significant implications for public health policy and practice. The Science Behind Weight-Loss Jabs Weight-loss injections, such as those containing GLP-1 receptor agonists, are designed […]

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Epi

The Rise of Mpox and Its Implications for Global Health

Amidst the evolving landscape of public health challenges, a new recombinant strain of the mpox virus has been detected in the UK and India, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This development underscores the critical need for continued genomic surveillance as the global public health risk assessment remains unchanged. Understanding Mpox Mpox, historically known […]

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Health tips

Intermittent Fasting Weight Loss: What Science Shows

On a Tuesday morning in a community health clinic, a nurse practitioner scrolls through a patient’s chart. The patient has tried everything—low-carb diets, calorie counting, even commercial meal programs. Now, they want to try intermittent fasting. They’ve read about it online. Their friends swear by it. Social media is full of dramatic before-and-after photos. The […]

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