Public Health News and Research

RSS

Physical activity protects heart health regardless of weight loss

With obesity now affecting more than 40% of U.S. adults and fueling rising rates of heart disease, a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association calls for a comprehensive treatment approach that puts physical activity front and center.

1 Jun 2026

Weight loss drugs could widen health inequalities without nutritional support

Drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are transforming obesity treatment, but without affordable, healthy food and appropriate support, they could widen health inequalities in the UK, according to researchers at UCL and the University of Cambridge.

1 Jun 2026

Health workers face hidden exposure to cancer-linked hazards

A study reveals high exposure to cancer risk factors among health and social care workers in Europe, underscoring the need for enhanced protective measures.

1 Jun 2026

The right seafood choices can help diets meet health and climate goals

Fish can support healthy and sustainable diets, especially when it replaces red and processed meat rather than adding to overall animal-food intake. However, its environmental value depends on species, production system, supply chain, local dietary patterns, and the scale of greenhouse gas reductions required.

1 Jun 2026

Violence exposure linked to increased tobacco use among teens

One way to lower smoking rates among teens may be to address their exposure to violence, as an analysis from public health researchers at Brown University shows that the two are strongly linked.

29 May 2026

Researchers uncover new clues about the origin of Alzheimer's tau tangles

Researchers at Columbia University have uncovered new clues about the earliest molecular events that may trigger Alzheimer's disease, shedding light on how toxic tau filaments begin to form in the brain.

29 May 2026

Gene test helps many breast cancer patients avoid chemotherapy

Many people with breast cancer can safely avoid chemotherapy with the use of a gene test, potentially sparing them unnecessary side effects without increasing the risk of the cancer returning, a large international clinical trial led by UCL has found.

29 May 2026

Grant supports evaluation of interventions for intimate partner violence

Casey Taft, PhD, professor of psychiatry at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, has been awarded a $298,139 grant from Arnold Ventures to fund his 4-year project, "Evaluating Interventions for Intimate Partner Violence Use in Washington State."

29 May 2026

Researchers develop open source framework for health AI research

A research team led by Columbia University has developed an open-source framework designed to streamline and accelerate artificial intelligence research using health data, addressing longstanding challenges in data standardization, reproducibility, and collaboration across institutions.

29 May 2026

Survey reveals critical knowledge gaps in maternal health recommendations

Most Americans know that how well a mother takes care of herself before and during pregnancy affects the health of a baby, but many people remain unclear about some specific maternal health recommendations, including when to start avoiding alcohol, according to a new nationally representative survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania.

29 May 2026

Unhealthy snacks drive disruptive behavior in young children

Researchers at the University of Agder (UiA) have already identified clear links between what children eat and their mental health as early as the age of four.

29 May 2026

Gut microbes may reveal who is at risk of type 2 diabetes years before diagnosis

A large Swedish prospective cohort study found that specific gut microbial species and metabolic pathways measured years before diagnosis were associated with future type 2 diabetes risk. The findings suggest that gut microbiome composition and functional potential may help explain T2D development, but replication is needed before clinical use.

28 May 2026

Menstrual pain relief purchases reveal stark income-related healthcare disparities

More than a quarter of women buying menstrual products also purchase pain relief at the same time-and those in lower-income areas are significantly less likely to do so-according to a new study published this week in the open-access journal PLOS Digital Health by Dr. Victoria Sivill of the University of Bristol, UK, and colleagues, which used supermarket loyalty card data to map menstrual pain disparities across England.

28 May 2026

Mount Sinai study links long COVID symptoms to autoimmunity

A Mount Sinai-led research team has demonstrated that autoimmunity, where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues, is responsible for the often-debilitating and confounding symptoms of long COVID in a subset of people.

28 May 2026

Grant funds research on unique challenges facing young cancer survivors

Weill Cornell Medicine received a five-year, $5 million grant from the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, to develop innovative support strategies for an understudied group of cancer patients: adolescents and young adults (AYAs).

28 May 2026

Low-cost training for frontline health workers can reduce medical supply shortages

A recent study from The University of Texas at San Antonio reveals that low-cost training for frontline health workers can significantly reduce medical supply shortages, potentially saving thousands of lives in developing nations.

28 May 2026

How common spices may improve gut, brain, and metabolic health

The health effects of spices are explored, revealing their potential to influence blood sugar, inflammation, and brain function through various mechanisms.

28 May 2026

How do everyday spices help protect the heart?

A Nutrition Reviews supplement article reviewed controlled studies showing that culinary spice and herb blends may improve selected cardiometabolic risk markers, including post-meal triglycerides, insulin responses, inflammation, endothelial function, and 24-hour blood pressure. The review also highlighted exploratory evidence that spices and herbs may influence immune-cell activity, circulating phytochemical metabolites, and gut bacterial composition, while emphasizing the need for longer and more diverse studies.

27 May 2026

Tobacco price cap could raise billions and improve public health

The UK could raise up to £4.9 billion over five years and significantly improve public health by capping tobacco prices and increasing taxes.

27 May 2026

Early pregnancy interventions improve healthy gestational weight gain outcomes

Both too little and too much weight gain during pregnancy are associated with serious maternal and child health outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, death, preeclampsia, and unplanned cesarean delivery.

27 May 2026