Public Health Matters Blog Posts

How We Decide What to Say in Emergencies

Illustration of Salmonella bacteria.

A few years ago, there was an outbreak of Salmonella infections among people who ate peanut butter and products containing peanut paste, like crackers and cookies. People were scared. They needed to know which products were affected. Were they in their grocery store, or worse, already in their kitchen? They also needed facts about Salmonella Read More >

Posted on by Christine Prue, MSPH, Ph.D., Associate Director for Behavioral Science, National Center for Emerging & Zoonotic Infectious Diseases6 CommentsTags , , , ,

After Matthew: The Hidden Dangers of Hurricanes

Fallen trees and damaged electrical power lines blocking a road; hazards after a natural disaster wind storm

The thrashing winds have died down. Relentless rain has ceased. The clouds have cleared and the sun is shining. But this is no time to let your guard down. Last week, Hurricane Matthew pounded its way through the Caribbean before bearing down on the eastern U.S. coastline from Florida to North Carolina. Many lives and Read More >

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Five Things You Might Not Know About Washing Your Hands

Kid washing hands with mother.

Keeping your hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to the people around you. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not cleaning your hands properly. Here are five important things you might not know about washing your hands and why it matters. Read More >

Posted on by Blog Administrator5 CommentsTags , ,

A Safe Community Starts With You

Region II Hosts Preparedness Workshop

  The minutes, hours, and days immediately following a disaster are the most critical for saving lives. In times of crisis, local communities are first to respond. It’s up to each of us to make sure our communities are resilient and can bounce back from disaster. We do this by being prepared to help ourselves Read More >

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Protect Your Child this Flu Season: Get a Flu Shot!

As fall approaches, cold weather isn’t the only thing you and your family need to prepare for. Flu season is on its way, and it will be here before you know it. Now is the time to make sure that you and your family are protected from flu by getting your flu vaccine by the Read More >

Posted on by Blog Administrator4 CommentsTags , , ,

Ready Now!

Cars driving on a highway are stuck in traffic because of a snow storm.

A rare winter storm in 2008 buried Portland, Oregon under more than a foot of snow, leaving the city gridlocked. Like many others around the city, Nickole Cheron was stuck in her home for eight days. But for Nickole—who was born with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease that weakens the body’s muscles over time—the Read More >

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