Public Health News and Research

RSS

Researchers find 25 ways to rate meals and diets for both health and environmental impact

This systematic review identified 25 food-based indices, termed NECIs, that combine nutritional value and environmental impact to classify or rank meals and diets. It found wide methodological variation across 27 approaches, suggesting a need for more harmonized tools to support healthier and more sustainable food choices.

2 Apr 2026

Flu vaccine halves heart attack risk after breakthrough infection

Influenza vaccination could significantly reduce the risk of influenza-associated heart attack and stroke even among people who get infected after getting the vaccine, according to research just published in Eurosurveillance.

2 Apr 2026

Rising climate pollution may double air quality alerts in the US

Research reveals climate-driven pollution will surge, increasing air quality alerts and highlighting the need for protective actions, especially for seniors.

2 Apr 2026

US scientists sequence 1,000 genomes from measles, a disease long eliminated with vaccines

This week, the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention posted online its first large tranche of advanced genetic data from measles viruses spreading last year.

2 Apr 2026

State-run insurance plans for foster kids leave some of them without doctors

Ollie Super has moved in and out of cancer treatment since she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma as a toddler in foster care. Now 8, the second grader is dealing with it again. Her cancer came back late last year.

2 Apr 2026

Do your genes dictate how your lifestyle choices impact aging?

Lifestyle-behavioral factors and socioeconomic status play an important role in shaping healthy aging, but their effects may differ depending on your DNA, according to a new international study led by Adelaide University researchers.

2 Apr 2026

PCV schedule shift associated with increased vaccination inequalities in England

Vaccine uptake data has been examined to assess the impact of moving from a '2+1' to a '1+1' Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) dose schedule on vaccine coverage and health inequalities among infants in England.

1 Apr 2026

Shisha smoking overlooked despite growing public health concerns in the UK

Shisha smoking continues to be overlooked as a public health issue in the UK, argue experts in The BMJ today.

1 Apr 2026

Lack of dental care linked to higher heart and dementia risk

Being unable to afford dental care may increase a person's risk of developing cardiovascular disease or dementia, according to a new study led by researchers at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH).

1 Apr 2026

Extreme heat linked to higher risk of low birth weight babies

Exposure to extreme heat conditions is resulting in more babies being born with low birth weight, according to a new study involving Adelaide University researchers.

1 Apr 2026

High-dose flu vaccine linked to lower Alzheimer’s disease risk

A UTHealth Houston physician's visit to a local public health building sparked community awareness and inspired a new research idea.

1 Apr 2026

Cholera-causing bacteria and viruses locked in evolutionary arms race

Cholera-causing bacteria are locked in an evolutionary arms race with a viral nemesis, according to a new genomic study.

1 Apr 2026

Airborne antimicrobial resistance poses overlooked global public health threat

The air we breathe serves as a silent vector of antimicrobial resistance, calling for the need to integrate air monitoring into global public health strategies, according to a review by an international team of researchers.

1 Apr 2026

Pesticide exposure linked to higher cancer risk in new study

A new scientific study, published in Nature Health, reveals a strong link between exposure to agricultural pesticides in the environment and the risk of developing cancer.

1 Apr 2026

Highly potent opioid shows potential as therapy for pain and opioid use disorder

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have identified a novel, highly potent opioid that shows potential as a therapy for both pain and opioid use disorder.

1 Apr 2026

Antibiotic use before and during pregnancy linked to psychological distress

Perinatal depression, which occurs during pregnancy or in the period after childbirth, is one of the most common mental health conditions experienced by women.

1 Apr 2026

Boosting retail sales and nutrition through entrance-level produce displays

Placing fruit and vegetable sections near supermarket entrances increases the amount purchased and may improve the quality of women's diets, according to a new study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

1 Apr 2026

Sleep duration and genetics interact to affect functional health

1 Apr 2026

Blood test may detect cognitive decline years before symptoms

A blood test could help identify people at higher risk of cognitive decline years before a traditional diagnosis is possible – according to University of East Anglia research.

31 Mar 2026

Common antibacterial soaps and wipes may worsen antibiotic resistance crisis

An international team of scientists is warning that everyday antibacterial soaps, wipes, sprays, and other "germ‑killing" products are quietly contributing to the global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) while providing no added health benefit for most consumer uses.

31 Mar 2026