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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the new food pyramid
U.S. Health and Human Service (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hosts U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins at the HHS Headquarters for the celebration of a major announcement. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary kicked off the event. Speakers included Kelly Loeffler, United States Administrator of the Small Business Administration, Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health of the United States, Ben Carson, National Advisor for Nutrition, Health, and Housing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Jim O’Neill, United States Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, Brian Christine, Assistant Secretary for Health and Head of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and Kyle Diamantas, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (USDA photo by Christophe Paul)
Public health advisory issued over Dayton-area restaurant's cups
Lead can cause major health risks, especially for young children, pregnant individuals and those who have prolonged exposure, according to the department.
Climate Experts Link Methane Pollution to Food Insecurity and Health Risks
Climate experts and development partners have called for a unified national approach to methane reduction, warning that rising emissions are pushing the climate crisis closer to irreversible tipping points while threatening Kenya’s agriculture, economy, and public health.
Santa Clara Co. resident was aboard cruise ship affected by Andes hantavirus outbreak: officials
A Santa Clara County resident was one of two Californians aboard the cruise ship with the Andes hantavirus outbreak. The county is monitoring and evaluating the person in coordination with the California Department of Public Health and the CDC.
All passengers on hantavirus-hit ship considered high-risk contacts, EU health agency says
All passengers on the cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak are considered high-risk contacts as a precautionary measure, Europe's public health agency said ahead of the ship's expected anchoring on Sunday off the Spanish island of Tenerife.
Some RFK minions are innovating to boost public health
RFK Jr. is presiding over a host of innovative developments that should foster miracle cures for numerous hard-to-beat diseases.
Virginia public health expert urges calm response to hantavirus
As health officials in multiple countries are urgently working to track and contain a hantavirus outbreak, a Va. health expert says people should not be overly worried.
Germany’s Healthcare Reforms Herald More Pain for Big Pharma
Donald Trump’s push to bring down drug prices in the US has rattled the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. Now, they’re confronting a new menace as Germany seeks to plug a ballooning deficit in its public health-insurance funds.
Detroit's chief public health officer looks to provide services for all
Ali Abazeed, Detroit's new chief public health officer, appointed by Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, in Detroit, Michigan on April 21, 2026.
Detroit's health woes don't daunt new director: 'We can do hard things'
Mayor Mary Sheffield recruited Ali Abazeed from Dearborn where he restarted the Wayne County community's public health department.
"PrEP Belly" Is Not A Thing, According To Public Health Experts
This internet discourse on “PrEP belly” is getting out of hand very quickly. Here's what you need to know.
Cups distributed at local restaurant contained led, health officials warn
The public health warning came after Public Health inspectors tested the cups for lead following a customer complaint.
Alabama college receives $1.8 million grant to improve maternal and child health
UAB’s School of Public Health will receive $1.8 million over the next five years from the Health Resources and Services Administration as a Center of Excellence in Maternal and Health Education.
Experts worry 'we are not prepared' for pandemic under Trump, RFK Jr.
The hantavirus outbreak is not the start of a pandemic, officials say. But experts worry about the nation's preparedness for public health threats.
Austin Public Health confirms first Travis County measles case of 2026
Austin Public Health confirmed a measles case in Travis County, the first since 2025, involving an unvaccinated adult male who contracted the virus while travel
As federal government pulls back, Colorado charts independent course with vaccines
As state leaders change laws to make vaccines more accessible, a coalition of doctors, public health advocates and everyday Coloradans is trying to start a public conversation about their importance.
Public Health Nurse Awarded CMS School Nurse of the Year | Mecklenburg County News Releases
Mecklenburg County Public Health Nurse Caitlyn Mathis of Greenway Park Elementary School has been named Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Nurse of the Year for 2026. Nurse Mathis received the award at a surprise ceremony with Public Health leadership and CMS colleagues and students on May 6, National School Nurse Day.
Bangor public health director reflects on HIV outbreak
Penobscot County has now logged 41 known cases of HIV, but there are likely more.
Virginian from hantavirus cruise ship is home, under public health monitoring
Passengers who were aboard the cruise ship at the center of the deadly hantavirus outbreak are now back in the U.S., and one passenger is in Virginia. For privacy reasons, the Virginia Department of Health is not releasing many details about the passenger who was on that ship, including what part of the commonwealth that person is from. That person is…
What to know about hantavirus after cruise ship outbreak
Reports of a hantavirus cluster linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic have led to questions about travel safety. Public health experts say the risk of infection is low, but understanding the situation can help put the risk into perspective.
Public health officials warn of rise in measles, as Va. hantavirus patient under monitor
As summer travel season is a factor in disease spread, state and federal government leaders offer guidance and resources.
Public health fears over Consett steelworks homes plan
Project Genesis is seeking permission for a 71-home development previously rejected by the council.
When patient care becomes community care
Online MPH student Misty Youngbear is using public health to strengthen community health in the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.
Maryland ranked high among states for public health preparedness, but could be doing more
Maryland remains better prepared to combat public health emergencies than most other states, but federal shakeups in staffing and funding could threaten those protections, according to a new report from Trust for America’s Health.
Communication, collaboration essential to the future of US public health, leaders say
The future of U.S. public health will require stronger partnerships, clearer messaging and more public involvement. That was the consensus of leaders who shared their insights this month during a discussion on challenges facing the field.
EGLE staffers: protecting Michigan’s environment and public health
As part of Public Service Recognition Week, MI Environment is highlighting the work of the more than 1,600 staffers at EGLE.
New certificate focuses on civically engaged health equity
The Department of Biobehavioral Health in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development has launched a new undergraduate certificate in Civically Engaged Health Equity, designed to prepare students to work in and with local communities on efforts related to health equity. The certificate is ideally suited for students interested in public health, healthcare, health promotion, social epidemiology, and other community-oriented careers, but it is open to all undergraduates at Penn State University Park.
Why Public Health Data Matters: MN EHR Consortium
The consortium offers key insight into statewide health trends, allowing for more informed policy decisions.
Yerby Fellows present new research on mental health, stress, and HIV | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
The Yerby Fellowship Program provides a bridge between academic training in public health-related fields and entry-level faculty positions.
Hantavirus: WHO chief says public health risk is low
The origin of the outbreak is still unknown, with the World Health Organisation saying investigations are "still under way".
Recognizing excellence in global health: Student Research Showcase winners
The 2026 Harvard Global Health Student Research Showcase, held in partnership with the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, brought together an interdisciplinary community of students, researchers, and faculty committed to addressing some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
‘People should be talking about it’: moves to curtail vaccine information obscures important science, doctors say
Quashed studies, halted publications and canceled research threaten damage to public health, critics say
Is the FDA Really Suppressing Science? Plus. . .
It’s Thursday, May 7. This is The Front Page, your daily window into the world of The Free Press—and our take on the world at large. Today: Aaron MacLean says Trump is poised to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the Iran war. Joe Klein on the life of CNN founder Ted Turner. Jillian Lederman on why cruise ships are here to stay. And much more. But first: Is the FDA suppressing science? On Tuesday, The New York Times published a story with an alarming takeaway. “FDA Blocked Publication of Research Finding Covid and Shingles Vaccines Were Safe,” read the headline. It is the latest in a string of stories that all have the same message: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other agencies, are engaged in a cover-up—and silencing scientists trying to get the word out about the Covid vaccine. What all these stories suggest—some more subtly than others—is that the outsiders now running the public health establishment, officials such as Marty Makary at the FDA and Jay Bhattacharya at the National Institutes of Health, are on a revenge tour. That they are doing harm to the country to get back at the scientists and bureaucrats who ostracized them for deviating from the public-health consensus during the pandemic. It’s a seductive narrative. But is it true? That’s the question we address in our latest editorial. —The Editors Read [ Marty Makary's FDA Has All the Right Enemies ](https://www.thefp.com/p/marty-makary-vaccine-study-fda) [ Trump Blinks First ](https://www.thefp.com/p/iran-peace-deal-pakistan-trump-strait-of-hormuz) Aaron MacLean In return for no detectable concessions, President Trump this week gave up on forcing open the Strait of Hormuz. Now, the Trump administration looks desperate for a deal to end the war with Iran. It’s easy to understand the desire to end the war, but are they blowing the chance at victory? Aaron MacLean makes sense of the administration’s latest moves—and Iran’s response—in his column today. Read full story Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson: Live in New York City Join Aaron MacLean and Niall Ferguson on May 19 for a live recording of School of War at the iconic New York Historical. In a conversation as timely as it is wide-ranging, Aaron and Niall will explore the strategic stakes of the moment, including the Middle East, China, and the future of American leadership on the global stage. Get Tickets Now [ Ted Turner, the Optimist Who Built CNN ](https://www.thefp.com/p/ted-turner-cnn-tribute) Joe Klein The man who gave us CNN and the 24-hour news cycle, Ted Turner, died Wednesday at the age of 87. Today, political writer Joe Klein—who almost ghostwrote Turner’s autobiography—remembers his friend, the American media mogul who stood out for his idealism and lack of a filter—something that got Turner in trouble more than once. “His was not a traditional intelligence, but one of horizon: Ted saw things before other people did,” Joe writes. Read full story [ Nothing Can Sink the Cruise Ship ](https://www.thefp.com/p/cruise-ship-hantavirus) Jillian Lederman A viral outbreak on a cruise ship that left three passengers dead has left some people wondering: Are cruise ships on the way out? Not so fast, says Jillian Lederman, who has been on many a cruise herself. Read her piece on why 38 million people a year take a cruise—and aren’t about to stop. Read full story [ The Great Writers Who Were Terrible People ](https://www.thefp.com/p/the-great-writers-who-were-terrible) Shilo Brooks Throughout history, some of the greatest literary geniuses have also been immoral bigots. In the latest episode of Old School, Shilo Brooks is joined by Eli Lake for a conversation about those geniuses, from Voltaire to Norman Mailer and Roald Dahl—and why we should read their work despite their odious prejudices. Listen on MORE FROM THE FREE PRESS [ Inside the Digital Intifada ](https://www.thefp.com/p/digital-intifada-social-media-hamas-terror) Warren Kinsella Read full story [ This Week in American History: Trump’s Over-Arching Problem ](https://www.thefp.com/p/this-week-in-american-history-trumps-over-arching-problem) Jonathan Horn Read full story [ Humanity Is Still Evolving—and Fast ](https://www.thefp.com/p/humanity-is-still-evolvingand-fast) Razib Khan Read full story THE NEWS Thirteen D.C. Metropolitan Police officers have been placed on administrative leave and could face termination after an internal investigation found evidence that crime statistics were manipulated to make the city look safer. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee previously alleged that former D.C. police chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to skew data. Tennessee Republicans unveiled a redrawn U.S. House map yesterday that would split up Memphis’s black-majority Democratic district, the latest move in a nationwide push to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of the midterms. The effort follows a Supreme Court ruling last week on Louisiana’s districts, which Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said gave states the green light to redraw maps along partisan lines. Israel struck Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect last month, saying it targeted a commander of the militant group’s elite Radwan force in the city’s southern suburbs. The strikes risk destabilizing that truce at a delicate moment, as Iran and the U.S. report progress toward a deal to resolve their own standoff. The U.S. Air Force is aiming for a Fourth of July delivery of a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar, hoping to add it to the Air Force One fleet in time for the U.S.’s 250th anniversary, Reuters reported. (For more on the controversy surrounding the aircraft, read Jed Rubenfeld’s piece “It’s a Terrible Idea, but Trump Probably Can Accept a Free Jet from Qatar.”) Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified privately before Congress that he has no memory of why he and his family dined on Jeffrey Epstein’s private island in 2012, according to Reuters. The admission contradicts Lutnick’s earlier claim that he had cut ties with the convicted sex offender well before that visit. Weeks before a former JPMorgan investment banker filed a lawsuit packed with explosive allegations, the bank reportedly offered him $1 million to settle his sexual assault and harassment claims, according to The Wall Street Journal. The suit, filed by Chirayu Rana, alleges he was sexually assaulted by a female colleague, subjected to racial discrimination, and forced into a degrading dynamic at work. JPMorgan says the claims lack merit, and the female colleague’s lawyers call the accusations fabricated. A new report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research shows that, for the first time in roughly 20 years, church attendance is trending upward, with more people volunteering and clergy expressing renewed optimism. The study’s authors described the findings, based on a survey of more than 7,400 congregations, as showing signs of widespread recovery from low attendance numbers.
Ohio abortion rights advocates concerned about health access as US Supreme Court mulls mail access
As the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily holds off a ban on telehealth abortion pill care, Ohio reproductive rights advocates and clinics say the potential loss of that type of abortion access will cause uncertainty and direct impacts to public health and wellbeing.
Public Health Alert Issued for Ravioli Products Sold at Costco in 2 States
A public health alert was issued by the FSIS for 32-oz. plastic bag packages containing Giovanni Rana RANA Rustic Beef Sauce & Creamy Burrata Cheese Ravioli found at Costco locations in Maryland and New Jersey after the affected bags were found to contain shrimp ravioli in lobster sauce.
Opinion: To lower health care costs, widen the pool providing routine care | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Rethinking who is allowed to do certain health care tasks—and increasing the supply of providers at every level—could help lower health care costs in the U.S., according to an opinion piece co-authored by Harvard Chan School’s Thomas Tsai and Ashish Jha.
How an M.P.H. Opened Doors Beyond a Traditional Public Health Career
Hayley Hamilton (M.P.H. '17) found her path in public health while searching for a career that aligned with both her interests and values.
Sprawl Rankings Reveal Health Benefits and Cost Offsets in Compact, Connected U.S. County and Metro Areas | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
New report ranks over 200 metropolitan areas based on development density, street connectivity, population/employment centering, and land-use mix.
From campus to Corps: Public Health grad using community-centered training for global good
Fourteen days after graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Morgan Brooke will board a plane for South America and begin her next chapter living out a dream she has carried since childhood.
Rising housing costs in Bexar County tied to growing public health crisis
As housing costs climb across Bexar County, data from Metro Health reveals families are increasingly forced to choose between housing and healthcare — a tradeoff now being linked to worsening physical and mental health outcomes.
Cook County Public Health now offering home check-ins for new parents, their babies
Every parent knows that babies do not come with manuals. But what if new parents could get help at home from a nurse?
Ravioli sold at Costco under public health alert. See affected item
Ravioli sold at Costco is under a public health alert for undeclared shellfish. Here’s what to know and what to do if you have it.
What to know about a rare hantavirus outbreak at sea
Public health officials are racing to find out how the sometimes deadly hantavirus got aboard a cruise ship and if there has been human-to-human spread.
Global public health researcher Bhavya Joshi receives Meredith A. Minkler Award
The prize is given to a student who demonstrates exceptional commitment to community-based research, organizing, social justice, and/or advocacy.
Health alert issued for ravioli pasta that may contain shellfish
The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert for 32-oz. plastic bag packages containing “Giovanni Rana Rustic Beef Sauce & Creamy Burrata Cheese Ravioli."
How States Are Navigating the Intersection of Disasters and Public Health
As state officials seek to address the full scope of extreme weather impacts, they must look beyond physical damage metrics—washed-out roads, downed power lines, and destroyed buildings—to broader health effects that are increasingly evident in emergency rooms, public health data, and community well-being.
Brewing Better Health Episode 5: Why Data and Trust Matter in Public Health
Matt Strickland, Ph.D., and Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci, M.D., MPH, discuss how data, risk and communication shape public health decisions.
A game-changer for good health? Scientists believe ‘we are when we eat’
Decades of advice on what to eat and what not to might have been missing one key ingredient, according to new research, says Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh
Radiological protection and public health experts discuss emerging challenges and future priorities
The 84th meeting of the NEA Committee on Radiological Protection and Public Health (CRPPH) included topical sessions, discussed the 2027-2028 programme of work and marked a chair transition, with the appointment of Antony Bexon (United Kingdom) as the new Committee Chair, succeeding Thierry Schneide...
ACHI Health Policy Director Jennifer Wessel Discusses Her Path to Career in Public Health
From her interest in health and wellness to a career in health policy and analysis, ACHI Director of Health Policy Jennifer Wessel is the focus of a profile by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Leveraging PHIG to Advance Policy Infrastructure at Austin Public Health
Learn how Austin's health department used PHIG funding and assistance from ASTHO to improve their processes in this blog.
Public Health Needs Better Stories, Not Fewer Facts
In public health, we are trained to read the curve, trace the chain of transmission, and update guidance as evidence evolves.
Binghamton student finds her purpose inside and outside the classroom
Through a Binghamton University public health class and pharmaceutical internship, Camil Ventura ’26 found her calling.
‘Christofascism’ is here: inside the slow demolition of US public health
From prescribing spiritual warfare to demonizing health experts, RFK Jr’s health empire has become a dangerous vehicle for a Christian nationalist worldview
School of Public Health lays off lecturers, staff amid budget shortfall
Citing reduced federal research funding and declining international enrollment, the Public Health School laid off four lecturers and 15 staff
Grand Forks Public Health advises against using kratom products without medical oversight
Kratom is a plant, native to Southeast Asia, that is used in products that people ingest to self-treat pain, anxiety, depression and opioid withdrawal. The products are not FDA approved.
First malaria drug for babies is approved in ‘major public health milestone’
WHO prequalification of Coartem Baby means newborns can be safely treated rather than using medication for older children
Trump just replaced his surgeon general pick and it could change what you’re told about your health
After a year of delays, a new nominee is stepping in as fights over vaccines and public health intensify.
Inside the life of a 'degenerate' sports gambler
More than half of men under 50 in the U.S. have an open online sports book. Public health experts warn it's easier than ever to get addicted to gambling. Atlantic staff writer McKay Coppins spent a year exploring the world of sports betting, and why the pastime is particularly bad for young men.
Commitment to Physical Fitness Leads Alumna to College of Public Health
Jennifer Wessel J.D., MPH, works to improve health outcomes, and her love for health and wellness paved the way for her to become a public health professional. “We tackle a multitude of issues to have a broader lens on ways to improve Arkansas’ health status. Therefore, I’m learning something new…
Stop eating these popular Aldi pizzas: New salmonella health alert issued
The USDA issued a public health alert for the affected products, urging customers to discard or return them.
Commencement 2026: Graduating students ready to lead, heal, and transform the future of health and science: Center Times Plus, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Commencement Advance 2026--Spring commencement 2026 celebrates the achievements and dreams of graduating students at the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical School, and UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Commencement 2026: Graduating students ready to lead, heal, and transform the future of health and science: Center Times Plus, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Commencement Advance 2026--Spring commencement 2026 celebrates the achievements and dreams of graduating students at the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical School, and UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Public health leaders say they are ready for World Cup's global health risk
Officials say they have been planning since last year to keep people safe during and after World Cup events.
American Public Health Association CEO on Trump's latest nominee for surgeon general
The president's new pick for surgeon general has been both supportive and critical of MAHA health policy. NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Dr. Georges Benjamin, CEO of the American Public Health Association.
‘Public health time bomb’: How France allowed cadmium to poison its crops and soil
French residents are three to four times more likely to register unsafe levels of cadmium in their bodies than their European counterparts, ingesting dangerous amounts of the carcinogenic metal through…
Good Public Transit + Good Public Funding = Good Public Health
Transit agencies need to do more to remind policy makers of the connection between good public transportation and good public health, a report argues.
Graduate sees data science as tool for better public health
McKenzie Skrastins ‘26 crafted an individualized major that incorporated her interests and served as president of Binghamton University’s Student Association.
Graduate sees data science as tool for better public health
McKenzie Skrastins ‘26 crafted an individualized major that incorporated her interests and served as president of Binghamton University’s Student Association.
California Department of Public Health Issues Annual Shellfish Safety Warning
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) -- Beginning May 1st and continuing through at least October 31st, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising
Graduating Redbirds: First-gen public health student’s journey for health equity
Zenab Ahmad from the Department of Health Sciences is graduating this May.
Trump administration ends funding for fentanyl test strips, baffling public health groups: "It doesn't make sense"
Framing Health Equity Through Community Voices and Partnership
Hofstra University brought community voices to the forefront during National Public Health Week with “Framing Long Island Health Equity: A Journey Toward Strengthening Community-University Engagement,” a culminating event that highlighted a yearlong effort to better understand and address health dis
At the front lines of global health messaging: A conversation with WHO’s retired communications director | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
What does it take to craft and deliver clear, trusted public health messaging while navigating a rapidly evolving communications landscape?
Clemson Rural Health receives $7.7M Maternal Care Access Grant to Improve Care of Mothers and Babies in South Carolina
Clemson Rural Health (CRH) received $7.7 million from the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) to implement the Maternal Care Access Project
Abilene Taylor County Public Health District warns of Salmonella outbreak
ABILENE, Texas (AP) — The Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District is warning residents about a salmonella outbreak linked to live backyard poultry .
State Health Department Begins to Prepare Medicaid Patients for New Work Requirements
As Montana nears its July 1 deadline to begin implementing new community engagement requirements for Medicaid expansion enrollees, the state’s Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is hosting informational webinars to inform patients of the changes. During the first webinar Tuesday afternoon, Jessie Counts, human services executive director for the department, went […]
FAMU doctoral candidate is among record number of public health grads
Sandy Noel-Jones is one of eight public health doctoral candidates making history at FAMU, the largest cohort ever.
I’m a Public Health Expert, and I’m Urging You to Ditch Plastic in Your Kitchen for This Food-Safe Alternative
A public health expert explains why stainless steel is healthier than plastic for cooking and food storage. Shop top-rated stainless steel cookware and kitchen tools, starting at $5.
Audit finds absence of oversight in many areas at Indianapolis' Office of Public Health and Safety
Launch of Advanced Learning Academy expands lifelong educational opportunities in public health | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
People interested in exploring public health at all stages of their careers can now do so through the Advanced Learning Academy.
Report: Bob Ferguson’s Office accused of delaying Public Health alerts, controlling critical information to Washingtonians
A new report from Axios alleged Washington Governor Bob Ferguson’s office has been tightly controlling what information reaches the public and the media.
Indianapolis public health office mismanaged oversight of most contracts, audit finds
The city’s public health office, established in 2016, oversees programs focused on homelessness, violence reduction and behavioral health.
Five ways MSU is redefining public health through community power
Explore how Michigan State University is improving community health in Flint through innovation in maternal care, nutrition, and health equity.
A non-controversial public health policy? The UK’s gradual ban on smoking has been a PR success
The world will be watching to see how the ban for anyone born after 2009 works out. So far it’s been a win with smokers and non-smokers alike, says public health academic Prof Devi Sridhar
Sacramento County names Dr. Phuong Luu as new health officer
Luu has 10 years of experience in the public health field. For the past six years, she has served as the health officer for both Yuba and Sutter counties, guiding both counties through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australia becomes the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Australia for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, marking a significant milestone in the health of indigenous peoples and in global efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, no longer represents a public health problem in the country.Australia is among a growing number of countries that have successfully eliminated trachoma, contributing to global progress towards the targets set out in the WHO road map for NTDs 2021–2030.Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, and flies that carry eye and nose discharge. Repeated infections can lead to scarring of the eyelids, turning eyelashes inward, and ultimately causing blindness if untreated.“WHO congratulates Australia on this important achievement,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This success reflects sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and a focus on reaching populations most affected by health inequities. It brings us closer to a world free from the suffering caused by trachoma.”Australia’s journey to eliminationAustralia’s achievement reflects decades of targeted public health action, particularly in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, where trachoma persisted despite its earlier disappearance from the rest of the country.National efforts intensified with the establishment of the National Trachoma Management Programme in 2006, which implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy: surgery for trichiasis, antibiotics to treat infection, promotion of facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement. Regular screening of all communities classified as at-risk of trachoma by teams of qualified health workers formed an important part of the Programme. Interventions were delivered through coordinated partnerships between federal and state governments, Aboriginal community-controlled health services, and local communities.Over time, sustained screening, treatment, and prevention activities, including improvements in housing, water, sanitation and hygiene, led to a steady decline in trachoma prevalence. Australia’s approach included adaptations to reflect its context, such as targeted treatment based on community-level data rather than mass drug administration, and strong integration with environmental health programmes.“Elimination of trachoma is a win for the eye health of communities across Australia, particularly those whose lives have been impacted by a disease that is entirely preventable,” said Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Ageing, Australia. “This major milestone is thanks to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, community commitment and sustained investment over many decades.“The lessons from this work will inform how we approach other preventable health conditions in remote and regional Australia. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and local health workers have been central to this success, delivering culturally safe care and community-led solutions.”“This recognition from the World Health Organization reflects decades of work led by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, alongside local health workers in remote First Nations communities,” said Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians. “Their work has been critical to eliminating trachoma as a public health problem in Australia.”Advancing global efforts against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)Trachoma is one of 21 diseases and disease groups that are regarded by WHO as NTDs. Together, NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, primarily in underserved populations with limited access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, and health care.Australia’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem highlights the importance of sustained political commitment and cross-sectoral collaboration in addressing the underlying determinants of health. It also underscores the feasibility of eliminating trachoma even in geographically challenging settings.In addition to trachoma, Australia has several endemic NTDs, including Buruli ulcer, leprosy and scabies. Validation of elimination of trachoma as a public health problem marks the first time that WHO has confirmed the elimination of an NTD in Australia, which becomes the 63rd country globally and 16th in the Western Pacific Region to have eliminated at least one NTD.“Tackling neglected tropical diseases in the Western Pacific Region has long been a challenge for countries across the socioeconomic spectrum, given the complexities in reaching the most vulnerable communities, including in remote areas,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “As a doctor from Tonga, I’ve experienced these challenges for myself. But I also know that with strategic commitment underpinned by optimal resources and partnerships in health, success is possible as other countries in our region have also demonstrated. I commend Australia on eliminating trachoma as a public health problem and urge all involved to remain vigilant to ensure this status is maintained.”WHO continues to support countries working to eliminate trachoma and other NTDs, ensuring that progress reaches those most in need and that gains are sustained through strong surveillance, appropriately integrated into national health systems, and mainstreamed within the wider health sector and beyond.Editor’s notesNeglected tropical diseases and trachoma elimination effortsNeglected tropical diseases are associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences. Their burden is mainly felt among impoverished communities in tropical areas.Public health targets for the control, elimination and eradication of these conditions were set in the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240010352).In 1996, WHO launched the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 (GET2020), creating a network of governments, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions dedicated to the fight against trachoma. WHO continues to support endemic countries to accelerate progress towards the global target of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem worldwide; 2030 is the new target date.Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is defined as: (i) a prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) “unknown to the health system” of < 0.2% in ≥15-year-olds; and (ii) a prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) in children aged 1–9 years of < 5%, in each formerly endemic district, plus (iii) the existence of a system to identify and manage incident cases of TT.Other countries validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem are: Algeria, Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam.
Australia becomes the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Australia for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, marking a significant milestone in the health of indigenous peoples and in global efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, no longer represents a public health problem in the country.
Thorndike Library talk: Transgender health through an economic Lens - College of the Atlantic
Cody van Heerden Chair in Economics & Quantitative Social Sciences Dr. Hien Nguyen. Nguyen explores questions around transgender health through the lens of economics, a discipline that has significant influence over current public health policy and debates.
Hofstra Students Inspire Action During National Public Health Week Film Competition
In just two minutes, Hofstra students turned complex public health challenges into powerful stories and a call to action through the medium of short film. The annual Student Film Competition, held during National Public Health Week (NPHW), brought together students from Hofstra’s School of Health
The State of AI in Public Health: New Data from the 2025 ASTHO Profile
Learn how health agencies are using AI to analyze data and make admin work more efficient.
Food As Medicine Conference Highlights Power of Nutrition to Transform Community Health
Hofstra University brought together health leaders, researchers, and community partners during National Public Health Week (NPHW) to examine a simple but powerful idea that people can shape how they live, heal, and thrive through what they eat. The Food As Medicine Conference, held earlier this m
Are Local Health Departments the Linchpin for Rebuilding Trust in Public Health?
Trust in public health dropped during COVID-19, but local health departments may be the linchpin to rebuilding confidence nationwide.
Texas’ Gulf Coast has a health problem: benzene emissions are among the highest in the nation
At the worst-performing refineries, report finds operators are not tackling recurring and harmful leaks, leading to public health risk.
When getting care means going into debt
Healthcare affordability is not just an economic issue; it is a public health crisis. Connecticut lawmakers have a chance to help.
South Carolina’s measles outbreak is over after sickening nearly 1,000 people
Although measles vaccine uptake was slow at first, public health workers, doctors’ offices and pharmacies administered nearly 82,000 doses from October to March.
The Trump Administration Is Blackmailing Vulnerable Countries into Giving Us Rare Minerals
We used to help countries like Zambia with public health issues. Now, the president is dangling aid over their heads, just out of reach.