National Public Health Information Coalition

03/25/2025

Not all health advice on social media is created equal! 🚨

A recent study found that many health-related posts on Instagram and TikTok come from influencers with financial interests, often leaving out critical risks.

💬 How do you determine whether a health tip online is credible? Let’s discuss!

In the corners of social media dominated by wellness content, influencers recommend an assortment of treatments and products to support weight loss, fight exhaustion or promote other desired health outcomes.

03/23/2025

✨ Registration is OPEN for NCHCMM 2025! ✨

Join public health communicators July 28-30 in Atlanta for three days of networking, expert insights & cutting-edge strategies! 🎤

🔥 Keynote Speaker: Dr. Garth Graham – Cardiologist, researcher & Head of YouTube Health!

▪️ Early-bird discounts available through May 30
▪️ Submit your abstract by April 18
▪️ Book your hotel by July 18 for a special rate
▪️ Don’t miss out—register now! 🔗www.NCHCMM.org

03/20/2025

Tuberculosis has been curable since the 1950s—so why is it still the deadliest infectious disease today? 🌍

In Everything Is Tuberculosis, John Green exposes the systemic failures that keep life-saving treatments out of reach for millions. His journey started with a young TB patient in Sierra Leone, and now he’s calling for urgent action on global health equity.

Novelist John Green talks about his new nonfiction book, Everything is Tuberculosis, and the inequities in treatment for the highly infectious disease.

03/19/2025

Showcase your brand at the 2025 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media (NCHCMM), July 28-30 in Atlanta through our sponsor and exhibitor opportunities:

📍Sponsorships include:
🔹Platinum: Sponsor a Plenary Session
🔹Gold: Host a Spotlight Session
🔹Silver: Moderate a Special Session

📍 Exhibitor options:
🔹Standard & Premium exhibit spaces available
🔹Full conference registration included
🔹Discounts for non-profits

Secure your spot today to connect with public health professionals, industry leaders, and decision-makers.: www.nchcmm.org

03/18/2025

🚨 Big news from the FDA! A new proposal could bring front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labels to most packaged foods, making it easier for consumers to spot high levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars at a glance.

With diet-related diseases on the rise, could this simple label help shift eating habits and improve public health?

💬 Would clearer labels influence your food choices? Share your thoughts!

FDA has been conducting consumer research to explore the development of a front-of-package nutrition labeling scheme and meeting with a variety of stakeholders to hear their feedback and experiences with front-of-package labeling.

03/17/2025

🚨 Abstract Submissions Now Open! 🚨

The National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media (NCHCMM) is accepting thematic panel proposals & poster abstracts for the 2025 conference, happening July 28-30 in Atlanta!

🔹 Health communication strategies
🔹 Social marketing & media initiatives
🔹 Public health policy communication
🔹 Emerging trends & innovations

📅 Deadline: April 18, 2025
🔗 Submit now: NCHCMM.org
📩 Questions? [email protected]



https://jdcevents.swoogo.com/nchcmm2025

03/14/2025

📢 A new poll shows nearly 7 in 10 Americans are worried about the growing measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, where hundreds of cases have been confirmed—many among unvaccinated children.

One child has tragically died, and another death is under investigation. Meanwhile, support for school vaccine requirements has dropped significantly over the past decade.

🔹 Should schools continue allowing vaccine exemptions, or does public health take priority?

More than two-thirds of respondents in a new poll say they are concerned about the measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. In a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday, 69 percent of respond…

03/08/2025

🚨 Measles Outbreak Expanding in Texas & New Mexico 🚨

The CDC reports 208 confirmed measles cases in Texas and New Mexico, with two deaths linked to the outbreak.

As spring and summer travel season approaches, public health professionals play a critical role in preventing further spread through vaccination and early detection. With measles being highly contagious, ensuring MMR vaccination is up to date—especially before international travel—is more important than ever.

❓ How can we better address vaccine hesitancy to prevent outbreaks like this from spreading further?



https://www.cdc.gov/han/2025/han00522.html

03/07/2025

Measles was nearly eliminated in the U.S., but now it's making a comeback—164 cases in nine states and counting.

The good news? We know how to stop it. A 95% vaccination rate can prevent outbreaks, yet rates are slipping nationwide.

💬 What do you think is the biggest barrier to increasing vaccination rates—misinformation, access, or something else?

In the US, widespread vaccination halted the ongoing spread of measles more than 20 years ago, but recent outbreaks have flared in several US states, leading to hospitalizations and one death. Meas...

03/04/2025

🚨 New Ethical AI Guidelines for Public Health Communicators! 🚨

AI is transforming public health communication, and ensuring its ethical use is more important than ever.

NPHIC contributed to the development of the Guidelines for the Ethical Use of AI in Public Health Communications, a vital resource created by public health and technology leaders. These guidelines provide practical, adaptable principles to help communicators integrate AI responsibly—while prioritizing accuracy, transparency, and equity.

📖 Download the short guide or full working paper here: https://www.discourselabs.org/ai-ethics-public-health

Join the conversation and help shape the future of AI in public health!

03/03/2025

NCHCMM Conference Attendees:

We are excited to be planning the 2025 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing & Media, scheduled for July 28–30, 2025, in Atlanta, GA! As always, our goal is to bring public health communicators together to exchange ideas, share resources, and strengthen our field.

We recognize that there is some uncertainty right now, especially regarding federal agency participation and travel budgets. To help us move forward with planning, we’d love to hear from you!

👉 Please take a few minutes to complete this brief, confidential survey by Tuesday, March 11th to let us know if you are planning to attend.

We’re excited to share that the Call for Abstracts will be opening soon. We invite you to start considering presentation ideas and ways you might contribute to this year’s program!

We appreciate your time and support as we navigate these changes and will keep you updated as more details come into focus. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. You can also check for updates on our website at www.nchcmm.org.

Thank you for being a part of NCHCMM, we look forward to coming together in 2025!

NCHCMM 2025 Planning Committee

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M2F9CV3

02/26/2025

Encouraging news: U.S. drug overdose deaths have dropped by 24%, the lowest in four years.

Fentanyl remains the leading cause, but this decline signals progress.

What strategies do you think have contributed most to this shift?

Nearly 87,000 Americans died from drug overdose in the United States in the 12-month period ending September 2024, a decline of about 24% from the previous year, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released on Tuesday.

02/24/2025

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), which has helped predict and prevent food crises for over 40 years, is currently unavailable due to federal funding cuts.

Its shutdown leaves a significant gap in global famine forecasting, making it harder to target aid to those in need.



https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/02/21/nx-s1-5301043/famine-usaid-warning-ethiopia?utm_source=npr_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20250222&utm_term=9999690&utm_campaign=goats-and-soda&utm_id=46053916&orgid=95&utm_att1=

02/21/2025

🚨 Newly Discovered Bat Coronavirus Sparks Concern 🚨

Scientists in China have identified HKU5-CoV-2, a bat coronavirus with the potential to infect humans, similar to SARS-CoV-2 and MERS.

This discovery raises urgent questions about spillover risks and pandemic preparedness.

The virus binds to humans in a similar way to the virus that causes COVID-19.

02/20/2025

💉 Do You Need a Measles Booster?

If you were vaccinated between 1963 and 1968, you may not be fully protected against measles.

With measles cases on the rise in 2025, now is a good time to check your immunity!

Measles cases are popping up across the country, especially in areas with lower vaccination rates.

02/17/2025

In the late 1800s, editorial cartoons exposed shocking public health dangers—like toxic additives in candy—using satire to spark outrage.

These visuals helped drive food safety reforms, leading to the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act.

How can we use storytelling today to advance public health?

Early cartoons often lampooned public health problems using caricature and humor to stoke outrage in readers—and change.

02/12/2025

A trusted snack just turned dangerous. Lay’s Classic Potato Chips have been recalled due to undeclared milk, a life-threatening allergen for millions. The FDA has now escalated the recall to Class I—the highest risk level.

For people with food allergies, labels are a lifeline. What more can be done to prevent these dangerous mistakes?

🔗 https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephaniegravalese/2025/01/28/why-lays-potato-chip-recall-was-elevated-to-fdas-deadliest-category/

The Lay’s potato chips recall for undeclared milk was upgraded to the FDA’s highest risk level. Find out what this means for consumers and food safety in 2025.

02/10/2025

Health clinics in the U.S. are struggling with federal funding disruptions, leading to staff layoffs and the closure of vital services.

Advocacy groups are calling for urgent clarity on federal policies that are blocking access to essential grants.

Some had to close or lay off staff. Others lost grants for HIV prevention.