Blogs - Page 17 of 81 - This Week In Public Health

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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News

Project 2025 is Unraveling Decades of Public Health Progress

The early days of President Donald Trump’s administration have seen rapid implementation of policies rooted in Project 2025, a comprehensive conservative playbook developed by the Heritage Foundation. While Trump has publicly denied knowledge of the 922-page “Mandate for Leadership,” his administration’s actions tell a different story—one with profound implications for public health, biomedical research, and […]

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News

Next Week in Public Health, February 21, 2025

We know it is really tough. The work is devalued. People are losing their jobs. And that meets huge competition for the current available NGO jobs. I myself had a few depressing hours last night where I was tempted to throw in the towel and keep my head down. But there are really people out […]

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Mental health

How Discrimination and Neighborhood Disarray Fuel Loneliness in Older Adults

Have you ever felt alone in a crowded room? Imagine that feeling persisting, day in and day out, exacerbated not just by a lack of companionship but also by the very environment you live in. For many older adults in the United States, loneliness isn’t just a temporary condition but a persistent reality influenced by […]

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News

The Initial Impact of RFK

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has wasted no time in pursuing his agenda, announcing plans to investigate childhood vaccine schedules and anti-depressant medications as potential drivers of chronic diseases. In a speech to HHS staff, Kennedy urged them to keep an “open mind.” Yet, his past statements and actions raise concerns about the potential erosion of […]

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Policy

Does Recreational Marijuana Reduce Opioid Deaths?

Imagine living in a world where one policy change could potentially save thousands from the grip of opioid addiction—a real modern-day dilemma facing public health officials today. As states across the U.S. grapple with the devastating opioid crisis, some are turning to an unconventional ally: recreational marijuana. But does it help, or is it just […]

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Policy

RFK and SSRIs: Trouble Ahead.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sparked widespread debate, particularly regarding his views on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Long known for his skepticism toward vaccines and pharmaceutical interventions, Kennedy has now turned his attention to antidepressants, calling for a federal review of their prescription rates […]

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Communication

The Misinformation Dilemma: Separating Fact from Fear

Misinformation is often blamed for many of today’s most pressing social and political issues. From election interference to vaccine hesitancy, alarmist narratives claim that false information is flooding the internet, shaping public opinion, and altering behaviors. But is misinformation really as rampant and influential as we’ve been led to believe? According to a growing body […]

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