Public Health Resources

#CiteNLM Wikipedia Edit-a-thon   - May 6, 2019. During the all-day online event, we invite you to add citations and content to Wikipedia articles using trusted National Library of Medicine (NLM) resources like MedlinePlus, PubMed, and Genetics Home Reference. Participants can follow the hashtag #CiteNLM on Twitter throughout the day to ask questions, post photos, and share personal experiences. (National Library of Medicine (NLM), NIH)

+ Series   - Series designed for any organization committed to fighting HIV stigma and HIV, regardless of where they are located in the United States. Visitors can download materials that show their commitment to ending HIV stigma and HIV, using them to educate and raise public awareness about stopping HIV transmission.

2020 County Health Rankings Key Findings Report   - Since the first release in 2010, the County Health Rankings have helped the nation understand that where you live matters for your health. Fair access to jobs, quality education, safe, affordable housing, proximity to greenspace, and transportation shape day-to-day life and long-term opportunities for good health. This year, with the 10th anniversary of the Rankings, we highlight signs of improvement and recognize the challenges that remain to create a fair and just opportunity for everyone to be as healthy as possible. (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF))

A Framework for Assessing Models of the COVID-19 Pandemic to Inform Policymaking in Virginia   - Models have been widely used to inform policymakers about the implications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the effects of policy responses to it. The authors of this report reviewed available models and the relevant literature to produce a framework for assessing a model's suitability for policymakers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. (RAND Corporation)

Airport Roles in Reducing Transmission of Communicable Diseases (2019)   - Report summarizes an event held from March 6-7, 2018 in Washington, D.C. that discussed the roles of airports in reducing transmission of communicable diseases. Speakers represented the federal government, domestic and foreign airports, local public health agencies, an international aviation organization, and academia. The proceedings focused largely on strategies, best practices, and suggestions that pertain specifically to airports, as identified by the invited speakers. (National Academies Press)

American Indian and Alaska Native Health Portal and Arctic Health to Retire on December 16, 2019   - The American Indian and Alaska Native Health portal (https://americanindianhealth.nlm.nih.gov) will be retired on December 16, 2019. Please visit the MedlinePlus American Indian and Alaska Native Health page for information about this topic. The Arctic Health portal moved to a new home on September 28, 2018. The University of Alaska Anchorage will continue to host and maintain the publications database at https://arctichealth.org/. Content from NLM-hosted Arctic Health has been moved to the new site and the search engine has been enhanced. Please bookmark https://arctichealth.org for Arctic Health. The current NLM site (https://arctichealth.nlm.nih.gov/) will no longer be available after December 16, 2019. (National Library of Medicine (NLM), NIH)

Analysis: How A COVID-19 Vaccine Could Cost Americans Dearly   - The United States is the only developed nation unable to balance cost, efficacy and social good in setting prices. (Kaiser Health News (KHN))

Association of Work Requirements With Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation by Race/Ethnicity and Disability Status, 2013-2017   - Study looks at the associations between work requirements and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation for the overall target population and subpopulations. (American Medical Association (AMA))

Beyond COVID-19: A Whole of Health Look at Impacts During the Pandemic Response   - This paper provides an overview of the lessons learned from previous outbreaks and economic crises in relation to indirect health effects as well as a framework for adopting a whole of health approach to the COVID response. This framework articulates indirect health impacts around four distinct but interrelated sets of impacts: economic, environmental, health systems, and social/behavioural. (Center for Global Development)

CDC Grand Rounds: New Frontiers in Workplace Health   - Article provides an overview of current workplace health promotion programs and evidence and best practice for programs, and introduces the CDC Workplace Health Resource Center. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR))

CDC Media Statement: Measles cases in the U.S. are highest since measles was eliminated in 2000   - As of 3 p.m. on April 24, 2019, CDC is reporting 695 cases of measles from 22 states. This is the greatest number of cases reported in the United States since measles was eliminated from this country in 2000. The high number of cases in 2019 is primarily the result of a few large outbreaks – one in Washington State and two large outbreaks in New York that started in late 2018. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS)

CDC Takes Action to Prepare Against “G4” Swine Flu Viruses in China with Pandemic Potential   - Page describes CDC actions to monitor and prepare against this emerging public health threat. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS)

CDC Twitter Q&A on #COVID19   - March 13, 2020. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS)

CDC’s Diagnostic Multiplex Assay for Flu and COVID-19 and Supplies   - The CDC Influenza SARS-CoV-2 (Flu SC2) Multiplex Assay is a real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test that detects and differentiates RNA from SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus, and influenza B virus in upper or lower respiratory specimens. The assay provides a sensitive, nucleic-acid-based diagnostic tool for evaluation of specimens from patients in the acute phase of infection. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS)

CMS Issues New Wave of Infection Control Guidance Based on CDC Guidelines to Protect Patients and Healthcare Workers from COVID-19   - CMS has issued a series of updated guidance documents focused on infection control to prevent the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in a variety of inpatient and outpatient care settings. (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS)

COVID-19 Pandemic and Tobacco Sales in the United States   - Recognizing the damaging health effects smoking or vaping has on respiratory systems, public health advocates maintain that now is the time for states to more rigorously limit access to or ban tobacco and vape products, even at essential businesses. (Network for Public Health Law)

COVID-19 in Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan Counties   - Data on COVID-19 cases and deaths in metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties. (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF))

COVID-19, Nonpharmaceutical Interventions, Asthma, & Lab PPE Trainings   - Expand your public health knowledge this summer with these trainings from CDC Learning Connection. (Public Health Foundation (PHF))

COVID-Tracking Apps Proliferate, But Will They Really Help?   - App developers, and the public health experts who are watching closely, worry that if they do not engage enough people, the apps will fail to catch a significant number of infections and people at risk of infection. Their success relies on levels of compliance and public health competence that have been sorely lacking in the U.S. during the COVID crisis. (Kaiser Health News (KHN))

Call for Papers: COVID-19: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Opportunities for Public Health Practice   - Public Health Reports (PHR) is calling for papers focused on the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Submission acceptance will be on a rolling basis and accepted manuscripts will be fast-tracked for publication. (Public Health Reports)

Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label   - On May 20, 2016, the FDA announced the new Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods to reflect new scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease. The new label will make it easier for consumers to make better informed food choices. FDA published the final rules in the Federal Register on May 27, 2016. (U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HHS)

Characteristics of Adult Outpatients and Inpatients with COVID-19 — 11 Academic Medical Centers, United States, March–May 2020   - In a multistate telephone survey of 350 adult inpatients and outpatients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, only 46% reported recent contact with a COVID-19 patient. Most participants’ contacts were a family member (45%) or a work colleague (34%). Two thirds of participants were employed; only 17% were able to telework. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR))

Comment on Draft Recommendation Statement, Draft Evidence Review, and Draft Modeling Study: Screening for Lung Cancer   - The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force seeks comments on a draft recommendation statement, draft evidence review, and draft modeling study on screening for lung cancer. The draft recommendation statement, draft evidence review, and draft modeling study are available for review and public comment from July 7, 2020 to August 3, 2020. (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF))

Comorbid Depression and Obesity: Correlates and Synergistic Association With Noncommunicable Diseases Among Australian Men   - The objective of our study was to examine the correlates and synergistic association of comorbid depression and obesity with other noncommunicable diseases in a large sample of Australian men. (Preventing Chronic Disease, CDC)

Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins CSSE   - An interactive web-based dashboard hosted by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University, to visualize and track reported cases of 2019-nCoV in real-time. The dashboard reports cases at the province level in China, city level in the US, Australia and Canada, and at the country level otherwise. (Johns Hopkins University)

Coronavirus Tracker   - This tracker provides the number of cases and deaths from novel coronavirus by country, the trend in case and death counts by country, and a global map showing which countries have cases and deaths. The data are drawn directly from official coronavirus situation reports released regularly by the WHO. (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF))

Cost-Effectiveness Of A Workplace Ban On Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Sales: A Microsimulation Model   - Study estimated the impact on employee health and health care spending of banning SSB sales in California-based health care organizations. (Health Affairs)

Declaration Under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act for Medical Countermeasures Against COVID-19   - The Secretary is issuing this Declaration pursuant to section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service Act to provide liability immunity for activities related to medical countermeasures against COVID-19. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS))

Dialogue About the Workforce for Population Health Improvement: Proceedings of a Workshop (2019)   - Proceedings from a March 2019 workshop to explore the broad and multidisciplinary nature of the population health workforce. (National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM))

Discrimination and Hypertension Risk Among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study   - Study examined whether everyday discrimination, lifetime discrimination, and stress from discrimination were associated with incident hypertension and whether these associations differed by gender, age, discrimination attribution, and coping responses to discrimination among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study. (American Heart Association)

Disparities In Outcomes Among COVID-19 Patients In A Large Health Care System In California   - A retrospective cohort analysis of COVID-19 patients at Sutter Health, a large integrated health system in northern California, to measure potential disparities. (Health Affairs)

Donor Government Funding for HIV in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in 2019   - Report tracks funding levels of the donor governments that collectively provide the bulk of international assistance for AIDS through bilateral programs and contributions to multilateral organizations. (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF))

Exposures Before Issuance of Stay-at-Home Orders Among Persons with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 — Colorado, March 2020   - To inform public health messaging and measures that could be used after reopening, persons with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 during March 9–26 from nine Colorado counties comprising approximately 80% of the state’s population were asked about possible exposures to SARS-CoV-2 before implementation of stay-at-home orders. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR))

Fighting Together: National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day 2019   - National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) highlights the disproportionate impact of HIV on Hispanic and Latinx communities. The Latino Commission on AIDS—the lead organizer for this October 15 observance—notes, “the NLAAD 2019 campaign want[s] to address that people of either HIV status have a say on ending HIV, in stopping new diagnoses. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS))

Final Research Plan for Illicit and Nonmedical Drug Use in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: Preventive Interventions   - The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force posted today a final research plan on interventions to prevent illicit and nonmedical drug use in children, adolescents, and young adults. (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF))

Five Key Questions State Health Officials Can Ask Right Now to Advance Health Equity During COVID-19 Response Efforts   - While structural inequities cannot be fixed overnight, states can begin to foster a more equitable and just COVID-19 response, relief, and recovery effort by employing a few key guidelines. Asking a series of core questions and immediately responding with appropriate action can strengthen initial responses and lay the foundation for broader reforms to advance health equity. (State Health & Value Strategies)

Four Decades of HIV/AIDS — Much Accomplished, Much to Do   - Looking ahead, and considering the spectacular scientific advances that have been made over nearly four decades, it is conceivable that with optimal implementation of available prevention strategies and treatments, the end of HIV/AIDS as a global pandemic will be attainable. (New England Journal of Medicine)

Guidance on the provision of support for medically and socially vulnerable populations in EU/EEA countries and the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic   - The objective of this document is to provide guidance for civil society and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as for national and regional authorities in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) and the United Kingdom (UK), who are providing support for people who have medical and social vulnerabilities during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC))

HHS Extends COVID-19 Testing Public-Private Partnership   - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will extend its partnership with national pharmacy and grocery retail chains CVS, Rite-Aid, Walgreens, Quest (through services at Walmart) and eTrueNorth (through services at Kroger, Health Mart, and Walmart) so they may continue to seamlessly provide Americans convenient access to COVID-19 testing. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS))

HHS Initiatives to Address the Disparate Impact of COVID-19 on African Americans and Other Racial and Ethnic Minorities   - This fact sheet is focused on the immediate steps the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has taken to address the disparate impact of COVID-19 on African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS))

HHS Launches ‘Surge’ COVID-19 Testing in Hotspot Jurisdictions in Florida, Louisiana and Texas   - Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing free COVID-19 testing in Jacksonville, Florida; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Edinburg, Texas. Surge testing efforts will temporarily increase federal support to communities where there has been a recent and intense level of new cases and hospitalizations related to the ongoing outbreak. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS))

HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis Sentinel Network   - The HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis Sentinel Network (Sentinel Network) was formed to increase NACCHO’s understanding of local health department efforts, needs, challenges, and successes. The Network is comprised of more than 100 LHDs from over 40 states and the District of Columbia who complete brief surveys on an approximately quarterly basis. The Sentinel Network is open to all local health departments and NACCHO aims to expand Sentinel Network membership to include at least two local health departments from each state and ensure a spectrum of jurisdiction sizes and geographic locations and settings are represented. (National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO))

Hollowed-Out Public Health System Faces More Cuts Amid Virus   - The U.S. public health system has been starved for decades and lacks the resources necessary to confront the worst health crisis in a century. (Kaiser Health News (KHN))

Hospital Burden of Opioid-Related Inpatient Stays: Metropolitan and Rural Hospitals, 2016   - The Statistical Brief presents hospital statistics on opioid-related inpatient stays using the 2016 State Inpatient Databases (SID) from 46 States and the District of Columbia. (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS)

Housing for Health: Creating a Permanent Supportive Housing Program to Help People with Comlex Conditions Experiencing Homelessness   - The Los Angeles Department of Health's Housing for Health (HFH) division reflects the national movement for “housing first,” an approach that prioritizes providing individuals experiencing homelessness with housing, regardless of whether they are in treatment for their substance use, mental health, or physical health conditions (and, unlike most other housing programs outside this model, does not require sobriety as a condition of entry.) That view sees housing as necessary for the health of people experiencing homelessness. Additionally, HFH also embraces the philosophies of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and, ultimately, “whatever it takes” to help individuals who are homeless. (Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS))

How COVID-19 in Jails and Prisons Threatens Nearby Communities   - COVID-19 has raged throughout U.S. jails and prisons, where people live together in close quarters and there is little opportunity for social distancing, a lack of basic sanitary supplies and high rates of chronic disease. While inmates mostly stay behind concrete walls and barbed wire, those barriers can’t contain an infectious disease like COVID-19. Not only can the virus be brought into jails and prisons, but it also can leave those facilities and spread widely into surrounding communities and beyond. (Pew Charitable Trusts)

How COVID-19 is changing the world: a statistical perspective (2020)   - This report presents a snapshot of some of the latest information available on how COVID-19 is affecting the world today. The quantitative knowledge presented in this report covers different aspects of public and private life from economic and environmental fluctuations to changes that affect individuals in terms of income, education, employment and violence and changes affecting public services such as civil aviation and postal services. The report also puts a spotlight on the affects for some sub-population groups like women and children as well as geographical regions. (United Nations (UN))

How to Talk About Mental Health: Addressing Misunderstandings about Mental Health in the Media (September 2019)   - This tip sheet was developed as a collaboration between the Massachusetts Statewide Youth Advisory Council (SYAC) and the Learning and Working Center at the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research (TACR) to clear up some common misunderstandings about mental health conditions and to share strategies to talk about mental health in a more accurate and more helpful way. (University of Massachusetts Medical School)

How will COVID-19 reshape future of US public health? Field expected to evolve post-pandemic   - Public health has an invisibility crisis, according to APHA member Umair Shah, MD, MPH, executive director of the Harris County Public Health Department in Houston. For too long, he said, public health has been like the offensive line in American football: No one pays attention to the linemen unless the quarterback is sacked or something else goes wrong. But public health now has an opportunity to raise its visibility. By doing so, people will understand the value of public health, which will lead to validation and pro-health policies and more funding, Shah said. (American Public Health Association (APHA))

Impact Of The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act On Obesity Trends   - The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 strengthened nutrition standards for meals and beverages provided through the National School Lunch, Breakfast, and Smart Snacks Programs, affecting fifty million children daily at 99,000 schools. Study tested whether the legislation was associated with reductions in child obesity risk over time using an interrupted time series design for 2003–18 among 173,013 youth in the National Survey of Children’s Health. (Health Affairs)

Improving Chronic Illness Management in Harlem: Leveraging Community Health Coaches to Address the Challenge of Medication Management   - Since 2012, City Health Works in Harlem, New York, has hired clinically supervised, neighborhood-based health coaches to support low-income patients manage chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension. Study presents the major reasons for medication issues, including those that required “escalations” to clinical supervisors, discusses the unique ways that community-based coaching can help address medication management challenges that emerge in patients’ daily lives, and recommends several action items for medical training and practice, aimed at improving the delivery of patient-centered care. (Urban Institute)

Indian Health Service Announces National Expansion of the Community Health Aide Program   - The Indian Health Service is announcing the national expansion of the Community Health Aide Program. The program provides education and training of tribal community health providers to increase access to quality health care, health promotion and disease prevention services. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS))

Infection Prevention & Control Project Firstline Survey   - The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are collaborating on an infection prevention and control (IPC) training initiative for frontline Tribal healthcare facility personnel. In order for this initiative to be as responsive to the needs of Tribal healthcare workers and the Tribal health system as possible, we are asking you to complete this survey on infection prevention and control training interests, needs, and preferences. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS)

Infographic: Tracking MIS-C: Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in U.S. Children   - By leveraging a national influenza surveillance network of pediatric ICUs[i], CDC and partners conducted targeted surveillance for MIS-C from March 15 through May 20, 2020, identifying 186 MIS-C cases in 26 states. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS)

Initial and Repeated Point Prevalence Surveys to Inform SARS-CoV-2 Infection Prevention in 26 Skilled Nursing Facilities — Detroit, Michigan, March–May 2020   - Repeated point prevalence surveys at 26 Detroit SNFs identified an attack rate of 44%; within 21 days of diagnosis, 37% of infected patients were hospitalized and 24% died. Among 12 facilities participating in a second survey and receiving on-site infection prevention and control (IPC) support, the percentage of newly identified cases decreased from 35% to 18%. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR))

Interim Considerations for Health Departments for SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Homeless Shelters and Encampments   - These interim considerations are based on what is currently known about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 as of the date of posting, July 1, 2020. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update these considerations as needed and as additional information becomes available. Please check the following CDC website periodically for updated interim guidance. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS)

Interim Considerations for K-12 School Administrators for SARS-CoV-2 Testing   - These interim considerations are based on what is currently known about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 as of the date of posting, June 30, 2020. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS)

Investigating and responding to COVID-19 cases in non-healthcare work settings   - Workplaces can present unique challenges for COVID-19 investigation and public health action. Because many workplaces can be crowded settings, and many jobs involve a high level of interaction with the public, these settings could allow virus to be spread easily among workers. The tools below can be used for responding to individual cases and outbreaks in non-healthcare work settings. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS)

Investing in and building longer-term health emergency preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic   - This document is to help Member States build on actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic to improve national medium- to long-term preparedness for future threats. It maps COVID-19 preparedness and response actions to the building of sustainable International Health Regulations (2005) core capacities; locates relevant supporting WHO resources that are not specific to the pandemic; and advocates for the conscious and effective allocation of COVID-19 funds to also meet countries’ longer-term needs. (World Health Organization (WHO))

Leading Health Indicators 2030: Advancing Health, Equity, and Well-Being (January 2020)   - Report identifies 34 LHIs that will serve as options for the Healthy People Federal Interagency Workgroup to consider as they develop the final criteria and set of LHIs for Healthy People 2030. (National Academies Press)

Leveraging Laws and Policies to Help Achieve Healthy People 2020 Objectives   - The Healthy People 2020 Law and Health Policy project is developing resources that will provide practical information to a broad audience about the impact that laws and policies can have on health outcomes. (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), HHS)

Leveraging Partnerships: An Evaluation of the NACCHO Vector Control Collaborative Mentorship Program (May 2020)   - An evaluation of the Vector Control Collaborative Mentorship Program, a program for local vector control organizations that provides funding for capacity-building in one or more of the capabilities. (National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO))

LitCovid   - LitCovid is a curated literature hub for tracking up-to-date scientific information about the 2019 novel Coronavirus. It is the most comprehensive resource on the subject, providing a central access to 4379 (and growing) research articles in PubMed. The articles are updated daily and are further categorized by different research topics and geographic locations for improved access. (National Library of Medicine (NLM), NIH)

Long-acting injectable form of HIV prevention outperforms daily pill in NIH study   - A pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimen containing an investigational long-acting form of the HIV drug cabotegravir injected once every 8 weeks was more effective than daily oral Truvada at preventing HIV acquisition among cisgender men who have sex with men and transgender women who have sex with men in a clinical trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. (National Institutes of Health (NIH), HHS)

Medical Expenditures Attributed to Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Workers — United States, 2011–2015   - During 2011–2015, total annualized medical expenditures among U.S. workers were $7 billion ($901 per person) for asthma and $5 billion ($681 per person) for COPD. Inpatient visits were associated with the highest average per-person expenditures for both conditions. Insured workers incurred higher expenditures than did uninsured workers. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR))

Mortality, Admissions, and Patient Census at SNFs in 3 US Cities During the COVID-19 Pandemic   - Study examined outcomes at skilled nursing facilities in 3 metropolitan areas from March-May 2020. (American Medical Association (AMA))

NACo Brief: Nursing Homes and COVID-19   - This brief provides an overview of the COVID-19 Crisis in Nursing Homes, and highlights federal guidance released to date that helps nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities mitigate the spread of COVID-19. It also contains data on cases in nursing homes, an overview of relevant federal legislation, and a best practice example. (National Association of Counties)

Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Service-Ready Tools for Identification, Prevention, and Treatment of Individuals at Risk for Suicide (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)   - The NIMH intends to promote a new initiative by publishing a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to solicit applications for research on service-ready tools and technologies that can be used to advance training, quality monitoring, and quality improvement efforts and ultimately improve the availability of evidence-based suicide prevention services. The FOA is expected to be published in Autumn 2020 with an expected application due date in Winter 2021. (National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), NIH)

Novel Coronavirus Information Center   - Elsevier’s free health and medical research on novel coronavirus (COVID-19). (Elsevier)

Persistent Social and Racial Disparities Are Hindering the Fight to End HIV   - Higher rates of HIV can be seen within specific communities, particularly minority communities, along with a systematic bias taking place in policy and medical settings, noted Greg Millet, vice president at the Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR) and director of amFAR’s Public Policy Office, on day 2 of AIDS 2020. (American Journal of Managed Care)

Preparing for Hurricanes During the COVID-19 Pandemic   - Public health and emergency response professionals have advice to help you safely prepare, evacuate, and shelter for severe storms while protecting yourself and others from COVID-19. Here are some tips to help you and your family stay safe during hurricane season this year. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS)

Preventing the next pandemic - Zoonotic diseases and how to break the chain of transmission   - This report takes a step back and considers the root causes of the emergence and spread of the novel coronavirus and other ‘zoonoses’—diseases that are transmitted between animals and humans. The report also offers a set of practical recommendations that can help policymakers prevent and respond to future disease outbreaks. (United Nations (UN))

Prevention of Hepatitis A Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2020   - This report supplants and summarizes previously published recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the prevention of HAV infection in the United States. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR))

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication — Pakistan, January 2017–September 2018   - A report on polio immunization activities in Pakistan.

Promoting Equity and Value in Maternity Care   - Report describes why equity must be treated as a central value, on par with other key values such as quality and cost, in any value-based models for maternity care. To inform this work, the Task Force convened a cross-sector group of maternity care experts to identify strategies to accelerate the dissemination of effective value-based payment and delivery system models that improve maternity health outcomes, eliminate disparities, and advance health equity. (Health Care Transformation Task Force)

Public Comment on Draft Recommendation Statement and Draft Evidence Review: Screening for Hypertension in Adults   - The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force seeks comments on a draft recommendation statement and draft evidence review on screening for hypertension in adults. The Task Force recommends that clinicians screen all adults for high blood pressure. The draft recommendation statement and draft evidence review are available for review and public comment from June 23, 2020 to July 20, 2020. (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF))

Reaching the Hispanic Community About COVID-19 Through Existing Chronic Disease Prevention Programs   - Study discusses why Hispanic communities are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 and how adaptations were made to existing infrastructure for Penn State Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) and Better Together REACH (a community–academic coalition using grant funds from Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) to address these needs. It also describe programming to support COVID-19 efforts for Hispanic communities by using chronic disease prevention programs and opportunities for replication across the country. (Preventing Chronic Disease, CDC)

Reflections on COVID-19, Racism, and the Rise of Data Science in Health Policy Research   - In this episode of On the Evidence, Chris Trenholm, the managing director of health at Mathematica, discusses the impacts of COVID-19 on public health, what the pandemic reveals about the social determinants of health and racial disparities in health care, and how Mathematica’s partners in government, philanthropy, and the private sector are developing new tools and strategies in response to of the pandemic. (Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.)

Reopening America: Creating a more equitable healthcare system   - COVID-19 showed starkly that our health system is riddled with inequities that literally killed people in the last few months. It laid bare the fact that chronic disease and health vulnerability track closely with race, zip code, low-paid service sector employment, substandard housing conditions, and other social determinants of health. As we rebuild, we must focus on creating a new normal and building a more equitable public health. (Brookings Institution)

Research Brief: COVID-19-related Trafficking of Medical Products as a Threat to Public Health   - This report covers the COVID-19-related trafficking of substandard and falsified medical products, including personal protective equipment intended for medical purposes, as a threat to public health. (United Nations (UN))

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars   - Clinical Scholars fellows include pharmacists, physical therapists, veterinarians, dentists, social workers, nurses, physicians, and many others working in clinical or academic settings. Through mentoring, networking, and an intensive curriculum centered on equity, they deepen their influence and impact as leaders with the power to transform their workplaces and communities. Working in teams of two to five representing diverse disciplines, they design an innovative project to address a complex health problem in their area. Teams receive annual grant funding up to $525,000 so members can participate in the three-year program at no cost to themselves or their organizations. Clinical Scholars is one of several programs created by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to develop a network of strong, interdisciplinary leaders from every sector working to create a nation where everyone can reach their best possible health and well-being. Clinical Scholars, a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a national leadership development program for experienced health practitioners. Applications open each January and are in March.

Role of an Implementation Economics Analysis in Providing the Evidence Base for Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening   - The objective of this study was to describe how findings from economic evaluation approaches of a subset of these awardees and their implementation sites (n = 9) can drive decision making and improve program implementation and diffusion. (Preventing Chronic Disease, CDC)

Rural health care and COVID-19: A research roundup   - This research roundup focuses on the state of rural health care and its capacity to respond to a pandemic. (Harvard University)

SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Serologic Responses from a Sample of U.S. Navy Service Members — USS Theodore Roosevelt, April 2020   - Among a convenience sample of 382 young adult U.S. service members aboard an aircraft carrier experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, 60% had reactive antibodies, and 59% of those also had neutralizing antibodies at the time of specimen collection. One fifth of infected participants reported no symptoms. Preventive measures, such as using face coverings and observing social distancing, reduced risk for infection. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR))

Screening for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Within a Psychiatric Hospital and Considerations for Limiting Transmission Within Residential Psychiatric Facilities — Wyoming, 2020   - After admitting two patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, a psychiatric facility responded by implementing modified and expanded IPC procedures. A point prevalence survey found no evidence of further SARS-CoV-2 transmission within the facility. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR))

Serial Laboratory Testing for SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Incarcerated and Detained Persons in a Correctional and Detention Facility — Louisiana, April–May 2020   - Testing among quarantined contacts of patients with COVID-19 in a correctional and detention facility identified a high proportion of asymptomatic and presymptomatic cases that were not identified through symptom screening alone. Approximately one fourth of cases were found through serial testing during quarantine. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR))

Social Determinants of Health and County Population Rates of Opioid-Related Inpatient Stays and Emergency Department Visits, 2016   - Brief presents characteristics of U.S. counties based on population rates of opioid-related inpatient stays and treat-and-release ED visits for patients aged 15 years and older using comprehensive information from the 2016 State Inpatient Databases (SID) and State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) from 35 States and the District of Columbia. (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS)

Sodium Reduction Learning Collaborative   - The National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is pleased to invite you to a Sodium Reduction Learning Collaborative (SRLC) to help us work together to reduce the burden of excess sodium intake in our communities! (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS)

Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., on advancing new policies aimed at preventing youth access to, and appeal of, flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and cigars   - FDA is proposing to end current compliance policy as it applies to flavored electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products such as electronic cigarettes (other than tobacco-, mint-, and menthol-flavored products), and prioritize enforcement of such products offered for sale in ways that pose a greater risk for minors to access these tobacco products. In addition, FDA expects manufacturers of all flavored ENDS products (other than tobacco-, mint-, and menthol-flavored) that remain on the market under these new conditions to submit premarket applications to the agency by Aug. 8, 2021. (U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HHS)

Stories from the Field: Essentials for Childhood Framework   - Post shares five stories of health departments engaged in projects based on the Essentials for Childhood Framework. The framework calls for creating safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for all children, with the aim to prevent child abuse and neglect and to assure that all children reach their full potential. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS)

Sugary Drink Facts 2020   - This report assesses nutrition content and 2018 advertising spending, TV advertising exposure, and targeted advertising for sugary drinks, excluding children’s drinks that were previously reported in Children’s Drink FACTS. (University of Connecticut, Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity)

Summary of School Re-Opening Models and Implementation Approaches During the COVID 19 Pandemic (July 2020)   - This document is a brief summary of the models and implementation approaches to re-opening schools that focuses on the approaches used in 15 countries for which we were able to identify data. This is not a comprehensive survey of the models used in all countries that have re-opened schools. (University of Washington)

The Association Of A Sweetened Beverage Tax With Changes In Beverage Prices And Purchases At Independent Stores   - In January 2017 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, implemented an excise tax of 1.5 cents per ounce on beverages sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners. Study compared changes in beverage prices and purchases before and twelve months after tax implementation at small independent stores in Philadelphia and an untaxed control city, Baltimore, Maryland. (Health Affairs)

The Health Effects Of Expanding The Earned Income Tax Credit: Results From New York City   - Study examined the health effects of the New York City Paycheck Plus randomized controlled trial. Paycheck Plus tests the impact of a potential fourfold increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income Americans without dependent children. (Health Affairs)

The New Frontier of Digital Proximity Tracing   - Google and Apple collaborated to create an application programming interface (API) platform for public health agencies interested in a new type of “proximity tracing” or “exposure notification.” The platforms are expected to assist in the creation of apps between software developers and public health jurisdictions. (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO))

The State of States: How Governors Plan to Address Health-Related Social and Economic Factors in 2019   - Blog post examines the social and economic issues raised in the recent governors' state of the state and inaugural addresses – such as poverty, violence, housing, education, and addiction — that heavily impact the health and well-being of Americans. (National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP))

The U.S. Government Engagement in Global Health: A Primer   - This primer provides basic information about global health and U.S. government’s response in low- and middle-income countries. (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF))

The effect of food taxes and subsidies on population health and health costs: a modelling study   - Study estimated the health and cost impacts of various food taxes and subsidies in one high-income country, New Zealand. (The Lancet)

The unequal toll of COVID-19 mortality by age in the United States: Quantifying racial/ethnic disparities (June 2020)   - Working paper examines variation in age-specific mortality rates by racial/ethnicity and calculate its impact using Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL). (Harvard University, T.H. Chan School of Public Health)

To mask or not to mask: Modeling the potential for face mask use by the general public to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic   - A compartmental model for assessing the community-wide impact of mask use by the general, asymptomatic public, a portion of which may be asymptomatically infectious. (Elsevier)

Tobacco Use and Secondhand Smoke Exposure: Internet-based Cessation Interventions   - The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends internet-based interventions to increase tobacco use cessation. Evidence shows interventions increase cessation among adults interested in quitting when measured six or more months following intervention. (Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF))

Update: COVID-19 Among Workers in Meat and Poultry Processing Facilities ― United States, April–May 2020   - Among 23 states reporting COVID-19 outbreaks in meat and poultry processing facilities, 16,233 cases in 239 facilities occurred, including 86 (0.5%) COVID-19–related deaths. Among cases with race/ethnicity reported, 87% occurred among racial or ethnic minorities. Commonly implemented interventions included worker screening, source control measures (universal face coverings), engineering controls (physical barriers), and infection prevention measures (additional hand hygiene stations). (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR))

Use of Molecular Epidemiology to Inform Response to a Hepatitis A Outbreak — Los Angeles County, California, October 2018–April 2019   - After identification of a case of hepatitis A in a person experiencing homelessness, Los Angeles County implemented enhanced surveillance and near real-time molecular testing, which identified two additional cases in homeless persons and four cases in a senior living campus; genotyping results linked the two clusters and informed the outbreak response. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR))

Vital Signs: Zika-Associated Birth Defects and Neurodevelopmental Abnormalities Possibly Associated With Congenital Zika Virus Infection — US Territories and Freely Associated States, 2018   - CDC’s MMWR and Medscape are proud to introduce a new FREE continuing education (CE) activity. Clinicians will become aware of the frequency and type of birth defects and neurodevelopmental abnormalities seen among children born to mothers with laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS)

What Would it Take to Reduce Inequities in Healthy Life Expectancy?   - Brief identifies five strategies for the health care sector to help people address their health-related social needs and in turn narrow inequities in health and healthy life expectancy. (Urban Institute)

What’s in Our Water? New Research on Forever Chemicals in Drinking Water and Their Public Health Implications   - On this week's episode of On the Evidence, we speak with Cindy Hu, a data scientist at Mathematica, who studies how humans are exposed to and affected by this class of emerging contaminants in drinking water. We discuss the prevalence of these chemicals in our drinking water, as well as their health implications and ways to address them through public policy. (Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.)

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: Additional DOL Actions Needed to Help States and Employers Address Substance Use Disorder   - This report examines (1) how workforce agencies in selected states are using WIOA funding to address employment and training needs, (2) challenges agencies face in addressing employment and training needs, and (3) how DOL is supporting communities affected by SUD. (U.S. Government Accountability Office)