Public Health Matters Blog

Responding to Emergencies One Behavior at a Time

A group of Ebola response volunteers in Nigeria.

To improve the health and safety of people in the United States and around the world, we have to influence and change behaviors. It can be difficult to try new things, or stop old things as behaviors range from simple to complex, but one way to consider behavior change is to think of any change Read More >

February 26, 2018 by Dr. Stephen Redd, Director, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response9 Comments

Communication Research and Evaluation Series, preparedness, prevention, public health, response

behavior, behavior change, behavioral science, ebola, epidemiology, polio, social norms, Zika

After the Storm: Helping Kids Cope

A boy and his mother wait to cross the street on their way to school.

Changing schools is hard for any kid. Imagine picking up without any notice and moving to a new school in a brand new place with a different climate, culture, and maybe even a different primary language. Harder still is the thought of moving because your home and community have been devastated by a major hurricane. Read More >

February 12, 2018 by Caitlyn Lutfy, Health Communication Specialist, Emergency Risk Communications Branch1 Comment

natural disasters, public health, response

after the storm, bullying, children, flood, Hurricane, mental health, mold, school

6 Things You Need to Know About This Flu Season

Sick boy lying in bed having his temperature taken with a thermometer.

Seasonal flu activity has been intense this season. As of February 16, 2018 most of the United States continues to experience intense and widespread flu activity, with record-breaking levels of influenza-like-illness and hospitalization rates recorded. While H3N2 viruses are still most common, there is an increasing number of influenza B viruses being detected. It’s not uncommon for second Read More >

February 5, 2018 by Blog Administrator29 Comments

Flu, prevention, public health

antivirals, children, flu, flu shot, H3N2, influenza, vaccination

Four Health and Safety Tips for Mass Gatherings

A crowd of people at Mauerpark in Berlin, Germany.

There is strength in numbers – both in public health and in public safety. The more people who take action to protect themselves, the better prepared a community is for an emergency. Communities take different forms. At a mass gathering like the Super Bowl, the Olympics, or in a public place like the airport, the Read More >

January 30, 2018 by Ethan Riley, Health Communications Specialist, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Taylor Price, Campaign Manager, "If You See Something, Say Something®" Campaign, U.S. Department of Homeland Security4 Comments

preparedness

Emergency kit, flu, handwashing, mass gatherings, Norovirus, olympics, See Something Say Something, Super Bowl, suspicious activity, travel, traveler's health

Educating Children After Hurricane Maria

In September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria roared through the Caribbean just 12 days apart. The schools on St. Croix and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) did not re-open until October 24. Teachers talked about how many of the books and materials in their classrooms were moldy and how teachers and staff Read More >

January 17, 2018 by Malaika Washington, Lead Health Education Specialist, Division of Adolescent and School Health3 Comments

Environmental Health, natural disasters, public health, response

children, Flooding, Hurricane, Hurricane Maria, mold, Ready Wrigley, US Virgin Islands, USVI

In Case You Missed It: Top 10 Posts From 2017

In honor of the New Year, we are rounding up the blogs that were most viewed by you, our readers, in 2017. America’s Hidden Health Crisis: Hope for Those Who Suffer from ME/CFS Public Health Matters recognized the 25th anniversary of International Awareness Day for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia. Between 825,000 Read More >

January 8, 2018 by Blog Administrator2 Comments

Flu, Foodborne, Injury, natural disasters, preparedness, prevention, public health, Waterborne

chronic disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, college, contact lens, COPEWELL, diarrhea, disease detective, drug overdose, epidemiology, flu, healthy and safe swimming week, Heart disease, John Snow, kit, Norovirus, opioid, pets, preparedness, swimming

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