Public Health Matters Blog

5 Communication Lessons Learned from Hurricane Maria

CDC staff members distribute health communication materials at a community event in Cataño, Puerto Rico.

When Category 4 Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, CDC assembled a team of experienced communicators who were flexible, bilingual, and culturally sensitive communicators. This group of experts prepared to deploy to Puerto Rico on short notice to support the communication needs of the Puerto Rico Health Department. I was asked to lead content Read More >

June 4, 2018 by Ashley Andujar, MHSA, Health Communication Specialist, Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases1 Comment

Foodborne, natural disasters, preparedness, public health, response, Waterborne

communication, emergency risk communication, Hurricane, Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico

The Right Accessories for Your #SunSafeSelfie

HEADER PHOTO_SunSafeSelfie_Public Health Matters

CDC is encouraging everyone to show off their favorite ways to stay sun-safe. Snap a photo of yourself, your friends, and your family using sun protection while outdoors and share on social media. Be sure to tag the photo with #SunSafeSelfie and check out other photos with the hashtag. Most importantly, practice what you post Read More >

May 21, 2018 by Blog AdministratorLeave a comment

prevention, public health

#SunSafeSelfie, Skin Cancer, Sunscreen

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 Administrator17 Comments

Disease Outbreak, Flu, prevention, public health

1918, 1918 flu, flu, H1N1, influenza, non-pharmaceutical interventions, NPIs, pandemic, 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 Diseases2 Comments

General, prevention, public health, Vectorborne

animals, handwashing, healthy pets, national pet week, pet week, pets, 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 Administrator9 Comments

Injury, prevention, public health

communication campaign, drug overdose, opioid, opioid epidemic, opioid overdose, overdose, prescription opioids, 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, public health, response

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

Public Health Matters Blog Posts