Public Health Matters Blog | Blogs

The 1918 Flu Pandemic: Why It Matters 100 Years Later

100 years ago, an influenza (flu) pandemic swept the globe, infecting an estimated one-third of the world’s population and killing at least 50 million people. The pandemic’s death toll was greater than the total number of military and civilian deaths from World War I, which was happening simultaneously. At the time, scientists had not yet Read More >

May 14, 2018 by Blog Administrator63 Comments

Disease Outbreak, Flu, prevention

1918, 1918 flu, flu, H1N1, influenza, non-pharmaceutical interventions, NPIs, pandemic, public health, vaccination, vaccine

4 Tips to Stay Healthy Around Your Pet

Father Reading Book With Son And Daughter And Pet Dog At Home

Pets, whether covered in fur, feathers, or scales, are an important part of our lives—most American households own at least one pet. Many people see their pet as a member of the family that brings joy and amusement to their life. But did you know that having a pet can even help improve your health? Read More >

May 7, 2018 by Casey Barton Behravesh, MS, DVM, DrPH, DACVPM, Director, One Health Office, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases12 Comments

General, prevention, Vectorborne

animals, handwashing, healthy pets, national pet week, pet week, pets, public health, zoonotic

Raising Awareness to Prevent Prescription Opioid Overdoses

In 2016, 115 Americans died every day from an opioid overdose – that is more than 42,000 drug overdose deaths that involved an opioid including prescription opioids, heroin, and/or illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Prescription opioids (like hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine) are prescribed by doctors to treat moderate to severe pain, but have serious risks and side Read More >

April 30, 2018 by Blog Administrator14 Comments

Injury, prevention

communication campaign, drug overdose, opioid, opioid epidemic, opioid overdose, overdose, prescription opioids, public health, RxAwareness, unintentional injury

Moving the Dial on Preparedness: CDC’s 2018 National Snapshot

Photo of a flooded apartment complex and office building during Hurricane Harvey.

Every year, CDC’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response publishes the Public Health Preparedness and Response National Snapshot, an annual report that highlights the work of CDC and our partners. No matter the type, size, or cause of a public health emergency, we must work together to respond to the best of our ability. Read More >

April 16, 2018 by Blog AdministratorLeave a comment

preparedness, response

Federal Select Agents Program, Hurricane, Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria, medical countermeasures, National Snapshot, opioid epidemic, opioid overdose, opioids, PHEP, public health, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, recovery, select agents and toxins, State and Local Readiness

Responding to Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease Threats in 2017

Montage of photos. From left: a photo of different raw foods, including salmon, fruits and vegetables. A photo of a boy taking an oral vaccine. A photo of bacteria growing in petri dish.

The fungal superbug Candida auris causes serious and often fatal infections. It can strike people in the places where they seek care—hospitals and other healthcare facilities. In early 2016, we knew about outbreaks of C. auris infections on multiple continents, but we were not sure whether C. auris was in the United States. Fast forward Read More >

April 9, 2018 by Rima F. Khabbaz, MD, Director, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases3 Comments

Disease Investigation, Disease Outbreak, Vectorborne

advanced molecular detection, anthrax, antibiotic resistance, candida auris, disease detectives, e. coli, Foodborne, Guillain-Barré syndrome, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, public health, salmonella, Seoul virus, yellow fever, Zika

Evaluating Communication Campaigns

Black man holding belly of his pregnant wife making heart. Pregnant woman and loving husband hugging tummy at home. Heart of hands by multiethnic couple on pregnant belly.

Health communication and marketing campaigns that promote positive behavior change are a cornerstone of public health and behavioral science. Designing and implementing quality campaigns on a tight budget and in an urgent timeframe is a challenge that most health communication professionals share. Research and evaluation are critical for a successful campaign. CDC is using leading research and Read More >

April 2, 2018 by Fred Fridinger, DrPH, Senior Health Communications Specialist, Office of the Associate Director for Communication11 Comments

Communication Research and Evaluation Series, prevention

communication, communication campaigns, Domestic Zika Campaign, evaluation, formative research, health communication, health marketing, message testing, monitoring, public health, research, Zika

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