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News by Topic: Public health

Nov 14, 2024 - Highlights an initiative to increase vaccination for influenza among Kansas farmworkers. Discusses the increased risk of co-infection with H5N1 bird flu and seasonal influenza as well as the strain seasonal illnesses can place on low-staffed rural hospitals.
Source: KCUR, NPR
Oct 17, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will hold a virtual public meeting of the Board of Scientific Counselors, Office of Readiness and Response (BSC, ORR) on November 20-21, 2024. The agenda includes an organizational update; CDC's Response Readiness Framework; a CDCReady Demonstration; healthy equity working group updates; and more. Registration to attend the meeting is required.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 16, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowing an additional 30 days for comments on an information collection request titled "CDC and ATSDR Health Message Testing System (HMTS)." HMTS enables programs across CDC and ATSDR to collect the information they require in a timely manner to ensure quality and prevent waste in the dissemination of health information by CDC to the public; refine message concepts and test draft; and guide the action of health communication officials who are responding to health emergencies, Congressionally-mandated campaigns with short timeframes, media-generated public concern, and more. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 16, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Prevention Communication Formative Research." The information collected will be used to improve communication, products, and services that support key office activities including Healthy People, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, health literacy and healthy aging, and more. Comments are due by November 15, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 11, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) updating the Water and Environmental Programs' (WEP) Technical Assistance Grants regulation. This rule updates the audit and financial statement language to align with the Office of Management and Budgets (OMB) 2024 revisions. This rule is effective October 11, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 7, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) is seeking feedback on the development of four strategic plans for the United States for 2026-2030: 1) National HIV/AIDS Strategy; 2) Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan; 3) Vaccines National Strategic Plan; and 4) Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan. The strategic plans will serve as national roadmaps for a broad range of constituents to help prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure disease; improve health outcomes; reduce health disparities and inequities; and advance research and technology. Comments are due by December 6, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 1, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking comments on 12 new objectives proposed to be added to Healthy People 2030. Objectives cover the inclusion of environmental health in health professions education programs, age-appropriate vaccinations, hypertension during pregnancy, and more. HHS is also soliciting proposals for additional new core, developmental, or research objectives or topics to be included in Healthy People 2030. Comments are due by October 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 27, 2024 - Presents an overview of a panel discussion on social connection and the public health dangers associated with loneliness at the University of Southern Maine. Notes that rural populations may face increased barriers to social connection due to physical proximity. Features a variety of initiatives working to enhance social connection across the state including marketing campaigns, online mental health resources, and school-based programs.
Source: Maine Morning Star
Sep 25, 2024 - Reports on high rates of RSV among infants and young children in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region of Alaska. Notes that RSV-related hospitalizations of local children dropped significantly after the introduction of a new vaccine in 2023. Describes current efforts by local health officials to distribute immunizations in remote villages.
Source: Alaska Public Media