Latest Insights & Analysis

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

Featured Story

The Casino in Your Pocket: Why Gambling Is Becoming a Public Health Crisis

September 11, 2026 · 5 min read

Football season is upon us, and with it, non-stop ads for sportsbooks. For much of modern history, gambling required friction. You had to go somewhere. A casino. A racetrack. A convenience store. A bingo hall. Maybe a bookmaker. Even when gambling was legal, it was often bounded by geography, opening hours, social context, and the […]

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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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Policy

Abortion Bans Lead to a Rise in Infant Mortality

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned the landscape of reproductive health in the United States has shifted dramatically. Abortion bans, once hypothetical are a the reality in many states. While these laws are often framed as protective measures, emerging research suggests they carry unintended and life-threatening consequences—particularly for the most vulnerable among us: infants. A […]

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Policy

Why Civil Disobedience Belongs in the Psychology

Note: I know we have many psychologists in our audience and that many psychologists work in public health. The study I blog about today was recommended on a Reddit thread. A psychologist refuses to comply with a law that discriminates against non-documented immigrants seeking mental health care. Instead of turning them away, they continue to […]

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Policy

The “Make America Healthy Again” Initiative: A Trojan Horse for an Anti-Equity Agenda

The recent executive order establishing the “Make America Healthy Again Commission” presents itself as a bold effort to address America’s chronic health crisis. With alarming statistics about rising disease rates, declining life expectancy, and the economic burden of poor health, the initiative appears to focus on improving national well-being. However, when examined in the broader […]

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Commentary

Data Integrity in a Divided World: The Smart Case for Inclusivity

The current socio-political climate has made it dangerous to engage in equity work. The federal government’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have created an environment where organizations must rethink how they communicate about equity without compromising core values. While the language of fairness and justice is under siege, the principles behind equity—ensuring […]

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Workforce

Next Week in Public Health, February 14, 2025

Well, plenty of people are going to be losing their jobs in the next few days under the banner of efficiency. Of course, this is just a smokescreen to obfuscate the consolidation of power. We’ve been blogging a lot about this, and will continue to do so in a way that supplements the work we […]

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Policy

The Hidden Players in Public Health Policy (according to research)

Public health policies don’t implement themselves. Behind every law, regulation, or guideline, there’s a network of decision-makers—policy developers, implementers, disseminators, influencers, and enforcers. But who exactly are these people? And how can researchers engage them effectively to ensure policies actually improve health outcomes? A recent study introduces a structured, five-step methodology for identifying and engaging […]

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Policy

RFK’s promises

The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), marking a significant shift in the leadership of the nation’s largest health agency. Amid opposition from both sides of the aisle and deep concerns from the public health community, Kennedy secured his confirmation through key assurances made to […]

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