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Youth Sports Can Turn Toxic. This District Focuses on Prevention
As sideline behavior worsens, athletic leaders focus on prevention, safety, and resetting expectations.
Devex: Where is HIV prevention drug lenacapavir in ‘America First’ health deals?
Omitting HIV prevention targets from these deals will be devastating to the affordability and scale-up of lenacapavir. African leaders can change that.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - Virginia Department of Health
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is observed on February 7 each year. It exists to raise awareness about the impact of HIV on Black and African American communities. It was first observed in 1999 and highlights the importance of decreasing stigma and increasing community involvement. Improving access to HIV education, prevention, testing, and HIV care are focuses of NBHAAD, as well. Virginia data As is the case […]
Following advocacy from Columbia affiliates, Trump reverses course on effort to ‘strangle’ science research funding
Following recent advocacy efforts by Columbia affiliates, President Donald Trump signed a spending deal Tuesday that includes billions more in funding for the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention than his 2026 budget proposal. The increase marks a major break from the president’s previous efforts to gut science agencies that fund research at Columbia and universities across the nation.
Measles outbreak at Ave Maria; Collier County health on high alert
AVE MARIA, Fla.—The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 733 measles cases nationwide, including 20 stemming from an outbreak at Ave Maria University in Collier County.
A drop in CDC health alerts leaves doctors 'flying blind'
Doctors and public health officials are concerned about the drop in health alerts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since President Trump returned for a second term.
SAMHSA Distributes Nearly $800 Million in Block Grants Nationwide for Community-Based Mental Health and Substance Abuse Programs
SAMHSA, recently distributed $794 million in block grant funding across the United States and territories for community mental health services and substance abuse treatment and prevention.
Brewing Better Health explores healthy habits and prevention
A School of Public Health Brewing Better Health conversation with Angela Heinemann, Ph.D., and Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci, M.D., MPH, on habit formation, prevention and healthy routines at any age.
National Survey Finds Heart Conditions Top Cost Driver for Employers and Health Plans, But Action to Contain Costs Lags
MENLO PARK, Calif., February 02, 2026--A new survey of healthcare benefit leaders shows heart conditions are a major concern, but prevention and cost containment efforts are falling behind.
U.S. Physical Therapy Announces Strategic Alliance with NYU Langone Health
HOUSTON, February 02, 2026--U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. ("USPH") (NYSE, NYSE Texas: USPH), a national operator of outpatient physical therapy clinics and provider of industrial injury prevention services, announced a 10-year strategic alliance between its subsidiary partner, Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy ("Metro Physical Therapy"), and NYU Langone Health, one of the nation’s top-ranked academic medical centers ("NYU Langone"). NYU Langone and Metro Physical Therapy will work together in Long
Bridging the STEM Gap: Women, Science, and Why Prevention Starts with Equity
Women’s inclusion in STEM is critical for ethical AI, equitable health systems and social justice – data shows closing the gap transforms society.
Healing Childhood Trauma: What Science Says About Breaking the Cycle
Decades after a landmark study showed the lasting health effects of such trauma, researchers are finding ways to guard against enduring harm.
Virginia health officials urge flu prevention as cases increase and more headlines
Virginia health officials urge flu prevention as cases increase
CDC Restores $5 Billion in Public Health Grants After 24-Hour Pause
By I. Edwards HealthDay ReporterMONDAY, Jan. 26, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Federal officials have lifted a short pause on more than 100 public health grants worth over $5 billion, allowing states to continue work aimed at strengthening health systems. The funding, provided through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ...
Airports launch COVID-style health checks after outbreak of deadly virus
Asian countries have implemented health alerts after Nipah virus cases were reported in India. Travel screening and prevention measures have been activated across the region.
Cone Health Puts the Keys to Better Health in One Place
Learn about prevention, wellness and value-based care in a new digital content hub.
Doctors ignore new federal vaccine recommendations to stick with science
The American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday released its updated recommendations for what vaccines children should get. It’s a routine revision, hardly different from last year’s recommendations, but it carries more significance this year: More states and doctors are relying on it instead of a controversial new schedule from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Doctors ignore new federal vaccine recommendations to stick with science
The American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday released its updated recommendations for what vaccines children should get. It’s a routine revision, hardly different from last year’s recommendations, but it carries more significance this year: More states and doctors are relying on it instead of a controversial new schedule from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Doctors ignore new federal vaccine recommendations to stick with science
The American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday released its updated recommendations for what vaccines children should get. It’s a routine revision, hardly different from last year’s recommendations, but it carries more significance this year: More states and doctors are relying on it instead of a controversial new schedule from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Confusion swells as Trump administration abruptly halts public health funding to cities and states, then reverses course
As public health departments across the country prepared for a massive winter storm this weekend, notice landed in their inboxes that pivotal grant funding from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was paused. No more money could be spent.
1Password is introducing a new phishing prevention feature
An ounce of online prevention.
MetroHealth, Ohio Department of Health Partner to Offer No Cost Diabetes Prevention Program to Employer Partners
Employers and health plans across Northeast Ohio can offer their employees and members a proven program to reduce the risk of developing diabetes at no cost, thanks to a new partnership between The MetroHealth System and the Ohio Department of Health.
'Suicide is everybody's business', says suicide prevention worker
Nisra figures confirm that 290 deaths by suicide were registered in Northern Ireland in 2024.
As winter drags on, Philly advocates are pushing to dispel myths about suicide risk
Research shows that rates of suicide are actually higher during the warmer months of the year, not during the winter holidays, a common misconception.
Take Action Against Cervical Cancer - Richmond City Health Department
In honor of Cervical Health Awareness Month, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage community members to take action against cervical cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), human papilloma virus (HPV) causes more than nine […]
A common painkiller may be quietly changing cancer risk
Ibuprofen may be doing more than easing aches and pains—it could also help reduce the risk of some cancers. Studies have linked regular use to lower rates of endometrial and bowel cancer, likely because the drug dampens inflammation that fuels tumor growth. Researchers have even found it can interfere with genes cancer cells rely on to survive. Still, experts warn that long-term use carries risks and shouldn’t replace proven prevention strategies.
These 5 health conditions cause the most deaths
Three out of four deaths worldwide are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and 80% of those deaths are caused by just five conditions. Heart disease is the biggest killer, followed by cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes. Not only do these conditions cause tens of millions of deaths a year, they also carry a staggering economic cost. The good news is they are largely avoidable. Five major risk factors significantly ramp up your chances of contracting an NCD, from air pollution to a poor diet, and 80% of NCDs could be prevented with the right interventions. A new paper from the World Economic Forum and the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR) sets out recommendations for policy-makers to help boost their NCD prevention efforts.
Veterans' mental health resource event Saturday
A free suicide prevention and mental health support event for veterans will be held on Saturday in Duncan.
Milwaukee residents' health affected by housing, income, education
The health department will focus on five priority health concerns – chronic disease, maternal and child health, mental health, substance use disorder, and violence and injury prevention – in the coming years.
Federal mental health and addiction funding for Oregonians fully restored, 24 hours after Trump cut it
The funding supports a wide variety of mental health and addiction initiatives, ranging from youth suicide prevention to drug and alcohol treatment programs.
Trump administration cuts nearly $2B in mental health services funding, impacting WA
Funding cuts will mean the abrupt end of programs for youth suicide prevention, addiction recovery services and peer support programs.
Health Feature of the Month: Cervical Health Awareness and Cervical Cancer Prevention | VA Washington DC health care
VA Women's Health offers cervical health information during January, Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, emphasizing education, prevention and detection!
Flu shot recommendation for kids dropped just as the illness rages
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dropped its advice that kids get an annual flu shot at a time when flu cases and hospitalizations are surging.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County Comprehensive Breast Center Adopts Advanced Technology to Enhance Lymphedema Prevention - NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County’s Comprehensive Breast Center has enhanced its efforts to prevent lymphedema with the adoption of the ImpediMed
KU launches new Bachelor of Science in Nutrition to meet growing demand for food and health expertise
The University of Kansas is launching a new Bachelor of Science in Nutrition in fall 2026, reflecting the increasing recognition of the essential connections among food, well-being and disease prevention.
Cassidy on RFK Jr. vaccine schedule change: ‘Let’s just take care of people and move beyond your ideology’
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) expressed further frustration Sunday with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changing the childhood vaccine schedule. The CDC, overseen by Health and Hum…
Overcoming Obstacles to HIV Prevention
By Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay ReporterSUNDAY, Jan. 11, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Though an antiretroviral medication called PrEP provides near-perfect protection against HIV, patients must often surmount hurdles to obtain it. From medical stigma to insurance denials and doctors who are unfamiliar ...
Markey, Mass. health officials sound the alarm about CDC's new vaccine guidance
Health officials are sounding the alarm after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced an overhaul of the childhood vaccine schedule. The federal government is recommending that kids get fewer shots – a total of 11, down from the previously recommended 18. State leaders are also weighing in on on what parents need to know when it comes…
HHSC Observes Human Trafficking Prevention Month | Texas Health and Human Services
HHSC is highlighting services and programs dedicated to the fight against human trafficking.
Shreveport student honored as top 300 scholar in Science Talent Search
Maya Trutschl of Caddo Parish Magnet High School was awarded for her project, ‘Automated Pressure Injury Risk Prediction and Prevention: Clinical Validation Study,’ in the Regeneron Sci…
Shreveport student honored as top 300 scholar in Science Talent Search
Maya Trutschl of Caddo Parish Magnet High School was awarded for her project, 'Automated Pressure Injury Risk Prediction and Prevention: Clinical Validation Study,' in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2026, which recognizes 300 scholars from 826 high schools across 46 states, Washington, D.C., Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and 16 countries.
N.Y. DOH says childhood vaccine recommendations unchanged despite CDC's update
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday said it would recommend that all children get vaccinated against 11 diseases.
Health officials slash the number of vaccines recommended for all kids
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reducing the number of vaccines recommended for all children. The action follows a presidential memorandum ordering a review of the U.S. schedule.
To Knock Down Health-System Hurdles Between You and HIV Prevention, Try These 6 Things
It’s been more than 10 years since the FDA first approved an HIV prevention drug. Today, people who could benefit from preexposure prophylaxis often struggle to access the lifesaving medicine or run into doctors without the education or empathy to offer affirming care. And those lapses can produce billing headaches.
Is Trump taking too much aspirin? Here's what experts say
Trump takes four times the recommended dose of aspirin for cardiac prevention. Even low-dose aspirin is no longer recommended for people over 60 who don't have heart disease.
In a tumultuous year, U.S. health policy transforms under RFK Jr.
He has also promoted controversial views on vaccines, including removing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation for COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women.
In a tumultuous year, U.S. health policy transforms under RFK Jr.
He has also promoted controversial views on vaccines, including removing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation for COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women.
Ellen Walston’s season of safety
As one of four Injury Prevention Coordinators with the Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention Program (ECIPP), Walston works with and supports local organizations.
Trump rejects doctors’ advice to take less aspirin: ‘I want nice, thin blood’
President Trump said in new interview regarding his health that he has rejected his doctors’ advice to take less aspirin for cardiac prevention because he has been taking it for more than two decad…
Assessing health and vaccine skepticism in the U.S. ahead of 2026
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood vaccination rates continued to decrease during the 2024-2025 school year, and measles cases in the U.S. in 2025 exceeded 2,000 for the first time in more than 30 years.
Eileen from Sanford Health in the Spotlight
Connect for Cancer Prevention Study participant Eileen shares her inspiration for joining Connect and why she thinks others should join the study, too.
Iowa wins $209M federal grant to expand, improve rural health care
Iowa gets $209 million to improve rural health care by expanding access, recruiting more professionals and tackling cancer prevention.
What millennials and Gen Z want from workplace health care
Younger employees are reshaping workplace health care expectations—and employers who ignore that shift risk losing talent. As Harvard Business Review writes, millennials and Gen Z workers want care that’s affordable, easy to access, and supports prevention, mental health and family planning. They also expect consumer-grade convenience, from seamless virtual options to clear, science-backed guidance—delivered with […]
Army Public Health: Fort Drum’s Front Line of Preventative Health
At Fort Drum, the agency at the forefront of preventative health is Army Public Health Nursing, a multi-disciplined clinic dedicated to sustaining military readiness through health promotion and disease prevention activities.
WHO updated recommendations on HIV clinical management: recommendations for a public health approach
This document provides an overview of the updated World Health Organization recommendations for HIV clinical management, which focus on optimizing antiretroviral therapy, preventing vertical transmission, and enhancing tuberculosis prevention among individuals with HIV. These updates are intended to support global initiatives aimed at ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Key changes include the introduction of new antiretroviral drugs and regimens, revised postnatal prophylaxis and breastfeeding guidelines for managing infants at risk of vertical transmission, and the endorsement of shorter tuberculosis preventive treatments to improve efficacy and adherence. The recommendations are designed to simplify and advance HIV care, promote equity, and contribute to improved health outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with HIV. The updated guidance will be incorporated into the forthcoming revision of the antiretroviral therapy chapter within the Consolidated Guidelines on HIV Prevention, Testing, Treatment, Service Delivery, and Monitoring: Recommendations for a Public Health Approach.
Nine mental-health tips for a happier 2026
Regardless of any resolutions you may have for 2026, one thing is for sure: Everyone wants to have a happy new year.While losing weight or saving money may be great goals, the most straightforward path to happiness is caring for your mental and emotional health. A robust body of research shows that simple cognitive and behavioral strategies can reliably boost happiness and reduce stress – and they’re generally free and accessible to all.These strategies don’t have to be super time-consuming, but they do require intention: They only work if you do them.Here, psychologist Valentina Ogaryan, PhD, clinical director of the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, shares her top tips for cultivating more calm, centeredness and happiness in the new year (or anytime):Make time for playPlay isn’t just for kids, and it’s far from frivolous. The National Institute for Play says engaging in silliness, fun and just-for-pleasure activities reduces stress and increases optimism and resilience. A recent review also found that play improves mental health.“Adults can benefit from play as much as children,” Dr. Ogaryan says, “not just as a reward, but something that helps regulate.”So go ahead and dance with your dog, build something with Legos, tell a joke, sing karaoke or do anything else that feels like fun. Don’t worry about being productive, just enjoy yourself. And, if you can, opt for more analog play, Dr. Ogaryan suggests, as a respite from our ever-more-digital world. Move your bodyWhether you dance, ski, do yoga, play pickleball, ride a bike, roller-skate, hike or lift weights, physical movement benefits overall happiness and well-being. A 2018 review study of more than 1.2 million adults in the U.S. found that doing any kind of exercise was “significantly and meaningfully associated” with better self-reported mental health.The sweet spot was 45 minutes of movement three to five times a week, but even short bursts of physical activity can boost brain health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“Movement helps support mood and regulate the nervous system,” Dr. Ogaryan says.Plus: exercise can improve sleep quality, and sleep is essential for mental health.Prioritize sleep“Sleep plays a major role in managing stress,” Dr. Ogaryan says. Research shows that lack of sufficient sleep increases the risk of various diseases, including depression.While stress can interfere with sleep, practicing good sleep hygiene can make logging ZZ’s easier. That means maintaining a consistent bedtime; keeping the bedroom cool, dark and quiet; and avoiding social media, news and stimulating shows before bed.Consume lessWe live in a consumer culture, inundated by endless streams of content and advertising everywhere we go, which makes it easy to get overstimulated.“Something really helpful for stress reduction is to simply consume less,” Dr. Ogaryan says – less news, less social media, less information, less noise, less screen time. “It’s about reducing the input,” she says.Consider setting a maximum number of news articles per day, for example, or a time limit on scrolling. Maybe even go device free for an afternoon or a whole day.Practice present-moment awarenessWith so much coming at us all the time, focusing on the here and now can make life feel more manageable, Dr. Ogaryan says: “When everything feels super overwhelming, when everything feels larger than life, let’s make our world a little bit smaller for that moment in time.”She suggests taking things one day, or even one hour, at a time. Ask yourself: What’s my next right action? Release the need to know how everything turns out and liberate yourself from having to handle everything right now. Let the future take care of itself and just focus on the current moment. Then the next one. Have a daily anchorFrom work to the daily commute to family and life responsibilities, our days can feel jam-packed. Dr. Ogaryan recommends creating a centering daily anchor that can fit into even the busiest day.Maybe it’s a 10-minute walk during your lunch break or mindfully enjoying your coffee in the morning. Let your anchor adapt to your needs each day, she says, but be intentional about using that time to ground yourself and calm your nervous system. You might even say to yourself, “I choose this walk to help me become centered,” or “My day already feels stressful, so I’m going to take the next 10 minutes to enjoy this cup of coffee, feel the warm mug in my hand and just be present.” Having an anchor won’t erase the busy-ness from your day, but it will allow you to approach it more calmly.Be kind to yourselfMost of us have a harsh inner critic in our heads who works overtime. But that critical voice only increases our stress, triggering the same fight-or-flight response as caustic words from another person.To feel happier, we need to replace that inner critic with a kinder, more compassionate voice, Dr. Ogaryan says. Studies show that self-compassion is a source of eudaimonic happiness – the kind of happiness associated with purpose and meaning in life.While our knee-jerk reaction may be to self-criticize – “How could you let it get to this point? You didn’t manage your time well and now the project is going to be late. You’re so inept.” – we fare better mentally by treating ourselves with kindness, like we would a friend. That might sound like, “You’ve got a lot on your plate, but you are capable and you’ll get it done. I believe in you.”We may think that speaking kindly to ourselves means letting ourselves off the hook, so we end up becoming lazy do-nothings. But research shows the opposite: People who are self-compassionate are more likely to try harder in the face of failure and ultimately reach their goals.You can thank your inner critic for its good intentions, but resolve to talk to yourself in a kind, compassionate voice.Connect with othersHumans are social animals built for connection. Stress can be isolating and cause us to withdraw, but connecting with others is a salve for the psyche, Dr. Ogaryan says.“We know that not all relationships are always easy, but if we can think about intentional, nourishing connection – even in really small doses – it could really help center us,” she says.Take a moment to laugh with your colleagues, hug your pet, have a conversation with a friend or smile at the barista making your coffee. A study found that even tiny interactions with casual acquaintances and strangers decreases loneliness and improves happiness and well-being.Seek supportIf you try these practices and happiness remains elusive, or if you can’t access the wherewithal to follow these tips, seek support from your physician or a therapist. Mental health conditions are among the most common health issues in the U.S. and around the world – more prevalent than diabetes or heart disease. One in five people in the U.S. experiences a mental illness each year, with depression and anxiety the most common, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.“We can all think about these tips,” Dr. Ogaryan says. “But it’s important to recognize if you’ve done everything you can and you’re still really struggling, it’s really important to seek help.”
Five big global health wins in 2025 that will save millions of lives
From HIV to TB, scientists and doctors made breakthroughs in treatment and prevention of some of the world’s deadliest diseases
Some patients face hurdles getting HIV prevention drugs. Here's what to know
A daily preventive pill can be invaluable for people at risk for HIV. But some doctors don't know much about prescribing them. And billing headaches are common. Here's how to overcome those hurdles.
Veterinarian and Animal Science Graduate James F. Dougherty Named to Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni
The Class of 2026 inductees into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni have excelled in a varied range of fields—obstetrics and gynecology, addiction prevention and treatment, veterinary medicine, football and entrepreneurship, and government and insurance industry leadership—but they all share a uniquely Scarlet bond: A significant, unwavering devotion to supporting the university where they began […]
World leaders adopt a historic global declaration on noncommunicable diseases and mental health
Leaders from across the world at the Eightieth United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) have adopted the political declaration to combat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health challenges through a fully integrated approach. This is the outcome of the intergovernmental negotiations in advance of and considered by the fourth high-level meeting of the UNGA on the prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion of mental health and well-being, held on 25 September 2025.
Newsom taps former CDC leaders critical of Trump-era health policies for new initiative
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced a new California-led public health initiative, tapping former U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials who publicly clashed with the Trump administration.
Franklin County's 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment prioritizes food security
The 2025 Baystate Franklin Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment identified food security, maternal and infant health, behavioral health and substance use disorders as priority health concerns in Franklin County and the North Quabbin region, with the assessment highlighting the need for increased attention to and resources for food insecurity, mental health and substance use prevention.
How Political Alignment Between Cities and Governors Shapes Municipal Borrowing Costs
In new research, Ramona Dagostino and Anya Nakhmurina discuss how political misalignment between state governors and city leadership can affect how cities access financing, particularly in municipal bond pricing and crisis prevention investment.
Hidden Cost: The impact of sports betting on young adults mental health
New data from Partners in Prevention shows 23% of college students in the Show Me State report participating in sports betting. The national average is 75%.
The New WHO Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance: Incorporating Common but Differentiated Responsibilities into PABS - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, an international treaty designed to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The product of three years of arduous negotiations, the treaty marks a new era of global cooperation in public health. However, core aspects of the agreement remain unresolved—notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System, which is intended to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related materials and benefits. To support the successful implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Introduction For the first time, an international treaty has enshrined the principle of “One Health,” the compelling idea that the health of animals, humans, and the environment all contribute to pandemic risks. SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009–10), Ebola (2014–16), and COVID-19 all emerged through zoonotic spillover from animal hosts—respectively, civets, hogs, and bats. Together, they underscore the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach. The Pandemic Agreement responds to this call, requiring state parties to acknowledge the ecological interplay and commit to a comprehensive “One Health” strategy. Specifically, Article 5 charges governments to address “the drivers of pandemics and the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease at the human-animal-environment interface,” including wild animal markets, deforestation, and antibiotic overuse. Yet the effectiveness of this “One Health” vision depends equally on the free flow of scientific information and data among countries and institutions. Just as environmental and animal health factors have been neglected in past global frameworks, so too has data sharing been marginalized, despite its centrality to timely detection and response. The Pandemic Agreement takes an important step by requiring governments to enhance data collection and cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these provisions will remain aspirational without a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex. The PABS system will determine whether countries and researchers can rapidly exchange pathogen samples and genetic data while ensuring equitable access to resulting research and development, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Without such mechanisms, the treaty’s promise to operationalize “One Health” and strengthen global preparedness will risk becoming largely symbolic, echoing earlier failures to translate shared principles into coordinated action. Equity Concerns When the 2025 Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, it left the difficult question of access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits to be addressed in a separate agreement. Negotiations on this separate agreement, PABS, are now underway in Geneva. Yet governments remain divided over fundamental questions of equity between the countries that primarily contribute to the system and those that primarily draw from it—and consequently benefit. For example, wildlife in countries bordering the equator is likely to produce PABS materials, but companies in Europe are likely to use them to develop lucrative products. The most likely contributor countries are likely to be those biodiverse countries around the equator, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, where the number of human-mammalian viral host interactions is large. Conversely, countries most likely to benefit from this material are those with the technology, investors, and infrastructure to capitalize on genomic data, such as the United States, EU member states, and Japan. This imbalance reflects a broader pattern seen in prior international frameworks. Now, as in the past, the wealthiest countries in the world (a useful heuristic is membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) disproportionately benefit from systems in which pathogens and genomic sequencing data are contributed to a common source. Under the International Agreement on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Plant Treaty” or “Seed Treaty”) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, companies from Europe and North America disproportionately withdraw biological samples and data for development into lucrative medical products. Their governments and companies have both statutory and contractual claims to the products that those companies correspondingly produce. PABS appears poised to follow the same pattern. The text calls for strong language on access to pathogens and associated data, but the corresponding benefits that should flow to poorer countries are couched in equivocal or non-binding language. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities To address these inequities, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Common but differentiated responsibilities are often a feature of climate change negotiations. The basic principle is that, even though all countries should reduce carbon emissions, governments that became rich and powerful through massive carbon emissions (e.g., France, the United Kingdom, the United States) should have a greater obligation to address the resulting crises. Applied to PABS, it would require that governments hosting and supporting companies developing lucrative products carry greater obligations toward the cost of running the PABS system; share benefits or final medical products; and transfer technology to help countries worldwide develop their own capacities to innovate and manufacture vaccines during an emergency. For example, an annex could mandate that any company based in an OECD country that withdraws PABS material would be obligated to donate the resulting diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines to the WHO during a public health emergency or pandemic. Questions remain about how robust those donations would be, but the principle is that they should deliver highly significant lifesaving benefits to be equitably shared. Theoretically, this approach mirrors the PIP Framework, in which companies withdrawing influenza samples are required to pay half of the operating costs. In practice, however, the framework has fallen short. The PIP Framework Secretariat has struggled to secure payments from companies, with companies often disagreeing over how much is owed. Additionally, without another pandemic influenza to test the strength of the agreement during a public health emergency, corporate compliance with sharing mechanisms remains unknown. Even if these limitations did not characterize the PIP Framework, partially paying for operating expenses does not address the inequity in access to genetic data and pathogen samples that left less developed countries last in line for COVID-19 vaccines (and, before them, H1N1). Common but differentiated responsibilities would go further, addressing governments’ legitimate grievances regarding information sharing. It would make withdrawals of PABS material and resulting products more transparent, building trust across the board. Enforcement and Enduring Success A key implication of this approach is that the governing mechanism of the PABS must have real enforcement authority. The WHO Pandemic Agreement delegates its core governance responsibilities to a Conference of the Parties (COP)—a governing body composed of one representative from each participating government, similar to those established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement COP is charged with oversight functions but ultimately possesses no real authority to compel a government to take any action it does not wish to take. The text does not give the COP the ability to, for example, sanction a party that does not comply with either textual obligations or PABS provisions. In other words, there are no effective mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. Perhaps just as significant, establishing a meaningful enforcement mechanism within the PABS system would strengthen the WHO’s credibility and its ability to ensure compliance across global health governance. By setting a precedent for accountability, such a mechanism could enhance the organization’s authority not only within the Pandemic Agreement but also in enforcing the revised International Health Regulations and other frameworks for public health emergencies. Conclusion The PABS annex can—and should—be different. It should establish clear responsibilities for funding as well as for sharing the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that result from contributions to the system. The system, in turn, must include a dedicated body empowered to hold governments and the corporations they sponsor accountable for their responsibilities before, during, and after pandemics. Doing so would restore trust in the broader agreement, which was eroded as commitments were repeatedly diluted while parties scrambled to meet their own self-imposed deadlines during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. A robust PABS Annex would cement a grand social bargain. Wealthier countries and their corporations would gain unimpeded access to scientific information essential for developing and manufacturing lifesaving medical products. As such, they would stand to gain considerable economic benefit. Yet that privilege must be matched with responsibility. The grand bargain must include not only the right to innovate, but also the duty to ensure that innovation serves all. As medical products are developed and produced through collective contributions, every person must have equal access. All human beings deserve an equitable chance to survive—to save their own life, the lives of their families, and the well-being of their communities. … Sam Halabi, JD, MPhil, is the Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Health and the Director of the Center for Transformational Health Law at Georgetown Law. He serves as the co-lead for the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Consideration on AI and Health’s training workstream. He earned his JD from Harvard, his MPhil from Oxford, and undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University. Lawrence Gostin, LLD (Hon.), JD, BA, is University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He is the author of Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021); Global Health Law (Harvard University Press, 2014); Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2016); Public Health Law and Ethics: A Reader (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2018); Law and the Health System (Foundation Press, 2014); Principles of Mental Health Law & Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010). He also directs the WHO Collaborating Center at Georgetown University. Image Credit: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
NH health officials urge continued vaccination of newborns for hepatitis B despite CDC committee vote
New Hampshire health officials are urging parents to continue the standard hepatitis B vaccination regimen for newborns despite a vote from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention committee to remove the recommendation.
Insurance coverage of hepatitis B vaccine won’t change, industry and officials say
Parents will still be able to get the hepatitis B vaccine for their children at no cost even though the US Centers for Disease and Control Prevention’s vaccine advisers recommended a major change to the immunization practice.
The Lancet HIV & The Lancet Global Health joint Series on Sustainable HIV Prevention in Africa
African experts and global partners launch the joint Series on Sustainable HIV Prevention in Africa, calling for a new era in HIV response.
The new normal: Fighting misinformation now consumes 90% of Mass.’ top health official’s time
As the Trump administration questions vaccine science, Dr. Robbie Goldstein says combating disinformation rivals disease prevention as his primary responsibility.
Health officials worried about the CDC changing vaccine recommendations
Public health officials across the country are worried about a possible change in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine recommendations. Health insurance providers could stop covering the cost of immunizations if that happens, and the change could lower vaccination rates and access.
The future of Veteran health: Dr. Jason Vassy on genomic medicine
A look at how VA is using genomics to guide smarter screening, treatment and prevention for Veterans, featuring Dr. Jason Vassy.
Live updates: CDC vaccine advisors meeting to discuss childhood vaccine schedule
Vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are meeting today, and they could vote on possible changes to the childhood vaccination schedule. Follow here for live updates from the meeting.
CDC's vaccine advisers meet to question long-used vaccines
Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention will scrutinize the childhood vaccine schedule and may start to upend it.
Kennedy’s handpicked CDC advisers to weigh major change to childhood vaccine schedule
Vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may vote this week to make a major change to the childhood vaccine schedule, potentially delaying a dose of the hepatitis B vaccine given to newborns by weeks or even years.
Cervical cancer
WHO fact sheet on cervical cancer, including key facts, causes, prevention and WHO response.
Prevention Pioneers recognized for excellence in HIV prevention
Official website of the City of Philadelphia, includes information on municipal services, permits, licenses, and records for citizens and businesses.
Monday Morning Politics; NJ's Congressional Race & Jersey City Mayoral Election; Holiday Travel, Then and Now; HIV Prevention Drugs | The Brian Lehrer Show
Monday Morning Politics; New Jersey's Congressional Race & Jersey City Mayoral Election; Holiday Travel, Then and Now; HIV Prevention Drugs
New prevention tools and investment in services essential in the fight against AIDS
On World AIDS Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls on governments and partners to rapidly expand access to new WHO-approved tools including lenacapavir (LEN) to drive down infections and counter disruption to essential health services caused by cuts to foreign aid.
The Glass Wall: Google’s Enterprise Protocols Are Erasing the Line Between Personal Texts and Corporate Oversight
Google’s latest Workspace updates grant employers new powers to archive and audit text messages on managed Android devices. This shift, driven by SEC compliance and data loss prevention needs, challenges the BYOD model and raises significant privacy concerns, forcing a reevaluation of the boundary between personal privacy and corporate security.
The Sunshine Hormone’s Second Act: Why Science is Rethinking Vitamin D
New research reclassifies Vitamin D from a bone-health nutrient to a systemic steroid hormone, challenging public health guidelines. This deep dive explores the conflict between clinical trials and molecular biology, the potential for cancer and autoimmune prevention, and the future of personalized supplementation based on genetic metabolism.