This Week in Public Health

01/29/2026

Wage theft is widespread, but city laws can make it easier for workers to get the pay they’ve earned. Cold weather isn’t just unpleasant; it’s linked to more heart attacks, highlighting the need for weather-based early warnings. And people with chronic diseases often face hurdles during humanitarian crises, with research showing that better coordination, funding, and culturally sensitive care could save lives. We highlight these studies and more. - https://mailchi.mp/pubtrawlr.com/wage-theft-cold-weather-risks-and-crisis-care

01/29/2026

We're living in times where safety and community trust are more important than ever. Political violence, like the tragic events we've seen from Utah to Minnesota, doesn't just harm individuals but threatens entire communities by sowing fear and distrust. Addressing it as a public health crisis could offer new ways to prevent and heal these harms.

What changes would you welcome to make your community feel safer and more united? Follow for clear, evidence-based public health science updates.

Thinking of political violence solely as a safety issue is not enough to address the harm that follows. “The patient is the community.”

01/29/2026

Imagine being told a pill could save your life, but a widely publicized claim convinces you otherwise. That's what happened when discredited scientist Peter Duesberg's denial of AIDS's viral cause led to thousands of preventable deaths. Today, echoes of these false claims persist, influencing public health views and policies.

How do we ensure truth in science prevails to protect our families' health? Share your thoughts and follow us for clear, evidence-based updates on public health science.

Peter Duesberg squandered his scientific reputation by advancing a debunked theory about AIDS, but his influence on anti-vaccine activists lives on.

01/29/2026

Many people are rethinking their health choices, such as Krisdee Clark, who uses Botox but is skeptical of vaccines. This scenario underscores a wider movement that values personal choice but raises questions about consistency and safety. With evolving opinions and scientific insights, what guides your health and wellness decisions?

Are beauty and health hard to balance, or can they coexist? Let's talk about this balancing act. Share your views and follow for clear, evidence-based updates on public health science.

For some members of the movement who have otherwise overhauled their lives to be largely free of needles and “toxins,” botulinum gets a pass.

01/29/2026

Worried about travel delays or missed paychecks? Yet another partial government shutdown looms on January 31. This could disrupt key services from national security to education, impacting about 45% of federal workers, with some working without pay and others furloughed. The ripple effects could touch everything from your commuting plans to obtaining loans for small business ventures.

How do you feel about the trade-offs associated with government shutdowns? What would help us find better solutions? Follow for clear, evidence-based public health science updates.

Federal funding for many — but not all — government agencies is set to run out after Jan. 30, which would force them to shut down if lawmakers don’t reach an agreement.

01/29/2026

Here's some of the trends we are monitoring this week

01/28/2026

Imagine delaying essential medical care because you're afraid your personal information could be sold or used against you? A new report from the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) reveals just that—a growing health privacy crisis in the U.S., driven by insufficient privacy laws and rampant digital surveillance. Unchecked, private companies and government agencies can track, analyze, and even misuse our health data.

Health privacy experts warn: it’s not just unethical; it’s a public health risk. We're seeing cities nationwide adopt stronger protections, but more is needed. Together, let's champion a healthcare system that respects privacy and equity.

Be part of a community advancing health equity—subscribe today.

A new EPIC report says data brokers, ad-tech surveillance, and ICE enforcement are among the factors leading to a “health privacy crisis” that is eroding trust and deterring people from seeking care.

01/28/2026

Hopeful for an efficient future in anesthesia services? Experts say it's not just a staffing shortage but a call for transformation. With over 117,000 professionals, the potential is there! We need smarter care models and systemic redesigns. In states like Washington, nurse anesthetists are proving just how effective change can be, practicing independently with excellent safety outcomes.

If we modernize our approach, we can tackle inefficiencies and improve care access nationwide. 🌟 Let's stay informed and engaged with these pressing issues—join This Week in Public Health for insights that'll keep you ahead of the curve!

Anesthesia workforce challenges are often framed as a simple staffing shortage, but leaders across the field say that narrative often misses the mark. From inefficient care models and misaligned incentives to burnout and growing clinical complexity, the real issue is how anesthesia services are stru...

01/28/2026

The heartbreaking story of Dr. Janell Green Smith, a talented nurse-midwife who succumbed to complications after childbirth, shines a grim light on the dire state of maternal health in the U.S., especially for Black women. With maternal mortality rates staggeringly high, the American healthcare system faces a moral crisis.

Dr. Smith's death signals a broader societal failure, where black women's pain is too often ignored. It's time to take action.

The CDC warns, many of these deaths are preventable. Let's prioritize life. Join our mission for change—subscribe to This Week in Public Health.

The recent death in childbirth of Dr. Janell Green Smith casts a grim light on the deplorable state of mortality among black mothers in America.

01/28/2026

As Medicare flexibilities endure through January 2026, providers must navigate a landscape rich with possibilities—and complexities. While Congress works to solidify these lifelines, federal agencies intensify scrutiny of healthcare fraud. From the enduring promise of telehealth access to the reality of legal and compliance challenges, the journey is ongoing.

Epstein Becker Green’s Telemental Health Laws app remains an essential guide for staying informed. Join us in shaping the future—subscribe to This Week in Public Health for the latest insights. 📲

This year’s Telemental Health Laws app update highlights a pivotal transition, as narrowed Medicare coverage, delayed U.S. Drug Enforcement...

01/28/2026

Hope is on the horizon for Montana's rural communities as a monumental $233 million federal investment sets the stage for transformative health care. 🏥 The Rural Health Transformation Program aims to bring innovative care, sustainable workforce strategies, and community health improvements to the state's underserved areas.

DPHHS and local leaders are gearing up to implement changes that promise a future where quality health care is not a privilege, but a shared reality. We’re all in this together. Be part of a community advancing health equity—subscribe today.

Montana health leaders are racing to roll out a sweeping overhaul of rural health care, backed by a historic $233 million federal investment, after more than 60

01/28/2026

The new HHS policy changes access to healthcare services, aiming to restrict certain federally funded benefits for non-citizens deemed "not qualified aliens." As legal battles brew and clinics face confusion over eligibility checks, communities fear increased healthcare disparities. With ongoing litigation, the interpretation remains in flux, making it clear that we must stand united to face these changes.

The CDC and health leaders urge careful adaptation to uphold community health and equity.💡 Dive deeper into public health transformations—join This Week in Public Health.

In July 2025, multiple federal agencies announced a reinterpretation of provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation...