Blogs - Page 45 of 100 - This Week In Public Health

Policy

Preserving the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently removed access to its Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) data, raising concerns among public health experts, researchers, and policymakers. The SVI is a critical tool for understanding which communities are most at risk during public health emergencies, natural disasters, and economic downturns. Without it, addressing health inequities […]

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Health equity

Preventive Care, Hidden Costs: Unearthing Disparities

Imagine this scenario: you go for a routine health screening, assured by your health plan that it’s covered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Then, weeks later, a bill arrives—unexpected and unwelcome. For many Americans, this isn’t just a frustrating surprise; it’s a barrier that keeps them from seeking future care. New research reveals how […]

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Health tips

Does Hand Washing Make a Difference?

Yes. And here’s why. Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) are among the most frequent and severe complications in medical settings. Globally, the prevalence of patients contracting at least one HAI hovers around 7%, with some regions reporting rates as high as 13.8%. These infections not only endanger lives but also strain healthcare systems with additional costs and […]

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Workforce

Concerns Over Scrubbing of Government Data: A Growing Issue for Public Health Research

Recently, users on Reddit raised alarms about a significant decrease in datasets available on Data.gov, the U.S. government’s open data portal. In just a few weeks, over 2,000 datasets were removed, prompting concerns about transparency and access to crucial public health data. The drop in datasets was particularly noticeable between January 21 and 25, with […]

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Policy

What if “free” preventive care wasn’t really free for everyone?

For many Americans, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) promised cost-free preventive services, from cancer screenings to routine check-ups. Yet, a groundbreaking study reveals that 40% of these encounters still result in out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for patients, often in unexpected and inequitable ways. This issue is more than an inconvenience—it has profound implications for public health […]

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Health equity

How Structural Stigma Shapes Public Health Outcomes

Imagine a community where laws quietly deny certain groups equal opportunities. Now picture institutions whose practices make accessing healthcare an uphill battle for some. These aren’t fictional dystopias—they’re the lived realities for many facing structural stigma. But what exactly is structural stigma, and how does it shape health outcomes? A recent scoping review sheds light […]

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Policy

KFF Tracking Poll: Declining Trust in U.S. Health Agencies Amid Shifting Vaccine Attitudes

Public trust in health agencies is on the decline, according to the latest KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust. This ongoing trend, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, shows a marked decrease in confidence in key government institutions like the CDC and FDA. Trust in the CDC has dropped from 66% in 2023 […]

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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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