Latest Insights & Analysis

Stay updated with the latest public health research, commentary, and field notes from our editorial team.

Featured Story

Why Are American Kids Getting Sicker?

May 23, 2025 · 5 min read

Edit: June 2, 2025. And now we learn that many of the citations in this report are fabricated. That is, they don’t exist. Of course. Why RFK is a Broken Clock. More than 40% of kids in the U.S. now have at least one chronic illness. That’s not a typo. According to the “Make Our […]

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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 […]

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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 The White House rescinded its directive to freeze federal grants and loans after legal challenges and widespread confusion.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 […]

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Funding

Why Do Patients Demand Low-Value Care?

Emma, a 42-year-old teacher, feels a twinge in her back after a weekend hike. Concerned, she requests an MRI from her doctor. Despite reassurance that rest and physical therapy are sufficient, Emma insists. Why? She believes “more is better,” a common mindset in healthcare. This scenario isn’t unique—it’s part of a global challenge called low-value […]

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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 […]

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Quality

Why Patients Demand Unnecessary Treatments

Healthcare systems worldwide grapple with the costly and detrimental phenomenon of low-value care—medical interventions that provide little to no benefit, may cause harm, and contribute to the inefficiency of healthcare systems. Alarmingly, low-value care accounts for an estimated 20% of healthcare spending in the U.S. and a similar proportion in other high-income countries. Examples include […]

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Climate

Building Smarter Cities with AI and Low-Carbon Materials: A Blueprint for Public Health and Sustainability

Imagine walking through a city where the buildings breathe cleaner air, energy flows efficiently, and healthcare feels tailored just for you. This isn’t a sci-fi dream—it’s a vision rooted in emerging technologies that combine artificial intelligence (AI), low-carbon building materials, and smart city design. Recent research reveals that these innovations can revolutionize how we live, […]

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Commentary

How Do We Move Ahead?

Recent executive changes in federal policy have reshaped the landscape for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, prompting public health organizations to reconsider how best to uphold these principles within the bounds of new directives. Executive orders now emphasize ending “illegal discrimination” and promoting a “merit-based” framework. For public health professionals, this raises the question: […]

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