Blogs - This Week In Public Health

Commentary

Why “Barriers and Facilitators” Is Not Enough in Public Health

In public health, we love to ask a very, very familiar question: What are the barriers and facilitators? It is a useful question. It helps us listen. It helps us organize what people are experiencing. It gives researchers, evaluators, and program leaders a way to summarize messy real-world conditions. When a new program struggles, we […]

Read more →

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 […]

Read more →

Epi

Death Data Discrepancies Can Compromise Health Insights

Picture This: A public health worker finds herself questioning the accuracy of a critical database as she prepares a report that could shape local health interventions. Her frustration grows when she realizes that the foundational data she relies on to track mortality rates—often considered simple—conceals hidden complexities. But she isn’t alone. Across institutions, similar discrepancies […]

Read more →

Epi

Psychiatric Drugs: Help, Harm, and Honesty

Psychiatric medications sit at one of the most difficult intersections in public health: suffering, science, identity, autonomy, evidence, and trust. For many people, these medications are helpful, stabilizing, and even lifesaving. For others, the experience is more complicated, involving side effects, emotional blunting, withdrawal, stigma, or the feeling that their pain was too quickly reduced […]

Read more →

Global

Mexico’s Leap into Pharmacogenomics

In a bustling hospital ward in Mexico City, Dr. Laura Hernández wrestles with a critical yet common issue—adverse drug reactions (ADRs). These medical events are the hidden adversary of international healthcare systems, responsible for approximately 7% of hospital admissions globally. But what if there was a way to anticipate these reactions before they occur? Enter […]

Read more →

Global

Why Maternal Death Rates Are Increasing in Conflict Zones

The ongoing struggles in public health extend well beyond traditional challenges, into areas deeply intertwined with geopolitical complexities. Recent reports highlight escalating trends in maternal mortality in regions marked by conflict, underscoring an urgent public health crisis. This blog explores why maternal deaths are alarmingly on the rise in conflict zones, their broader implications, and […]

Read more →

Global

Cannabinoid Syndrome Hospitalization Trends Surge in Canada

Imagine you’re a healthcare worker in an emergency department in Ontario. It’s a particularly busy night, and as you navigate the demand, a young adult in severe distress presents with nausea and uncontrollable vomiting. After several tests, it becomes evident: you’re seeing yet another case of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is […]

Read more →

Funding

Philadelphia’s New Approach: The Philly Joy Bank

In the heart of Philadelphia, public health officials and community leaders face a sobering reality: racial disparities in birth outcomes continue to plague Black communities. Yet, amid these challenges, an innovative program known as the Philly Joy Bank (PJB) is gaining attention, serving as a beacon of hope for improving perinatal equity. The Challenge: Overcoming […]

Read more →

Epi

Beyond the Horizon: Public Health’s Bold Leap Toward Equity, Innovation, and Preparedness

This week in public health, the story isn’t just about managing illness but pioneering transformative systems that reshape who has access to care, how care is delivered, and how preparedness is entrenched in our communities. From sweeping federal regulations to innovative payment models and the persistent vigilance against rare yet deadly viruses, a tapestry of […]

Read more →

News

Unraveling Misdiagnosis, Miscarriage Leave, and Maternal Health

As the public health landscape continues to evolve, recent reports have highlighted critical issues that demand immediate attention. From genetic predispositions affecting medicine efficacy to the introduction of progressive healthcare policies and the persistent challenges of maternal health, these concerns are at the forefront of global health discussions. Genetic Variations and Medical Treatments Recent research […]

Read more →

Wellbeing

Weight-Loss Drugs: A Game Changer in Preventing Heart Attacks?

The health landscape is ever-evolving, with recent developments particularly highlighting the role of pharmaceutical advancements in public health. One such advancement making waves recently is the broader adoption of weight-loss drugs, being offered as a measure to avert heart attacks in those at risk. The introduction of weight-loss injections for cardiovascular health marks a pivotal […]

Read more →