Public Health Reports[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Rocky Mountain West COVID-19 Modeling: A Descriptive Assessment of Public Health Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic to Endemic Transition in Summer 2022.
Quandelacy TM, Kasarskis I, Whitney K … +2 more , Wu EJ, Carlton EJ
Public Health Rep · 2025 Jul · PMID 40635444 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Although federal funding for COVID-19 pandemic response measures has ended, opportunities remain to understand the needs of public health departments and the potential use of infectious disease models in the...
OBJECTIVES: Although federal funding for COVID-19 pandemic response measures has ended, opportunities remain to understand the needs of public health departments and the potential use of infectious disease models in the postacute pandemic response. We conducted semistructured interviews with public health representatives representing state, local, and regional/tribal public health departments in the Rocky Mountain West in summer 2022 to understand their COVID-19 priorities, decision-making needs, and data resources. METHODS: We interviewed representatives from 6 organizations representing 3 state, local, and regional/tribal public health departments in the Rocky Mountain West. RESULTS: From interviews, priorities included having timely information on vaccines, being able to anticipate COVID-19 demands on hospitals, understanding the potential effects of emerging variants, and communicating immunity concepts to the public. Decisions focused on making public health recommendations as opposed to mandates. Multiple interviewees reported limited access to timely COVID-19 data, challenges tracking COVID-19 hospitalizations, and a desire for communication tools on vaccinations and immunity. CONCLUSION: Although COVID-19 models can provide forecasts on hospital demand and project the effects of vaccines and variants in the endemic period, major gaps in data continue to challenge the public health response. Continued investments are needed in data and surveillance resources to respond to COVID-19 and to prepare for future pandemics.
Evaluation of the Rubella Surveillance System, California, 2018-2022.
Zhu S, Abe K, Hoover C … +2 more , Murray EL, Stockman LJ
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40626638 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Rubella prevalence in the United States is low, and many positive immunoglobulin M (IgM) test results are likely false positive. We evaluated case classification and follow-up time spent on rubella-positive I...
OBJECTIVES: Rubella prevalence in the United States is low, and many positive immunoglobulin M (IgM) test results are likely false positive. We evaluated case classification and follow-up time spent on rubella-positive IgM test results from routine surveillance by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). METHODS: We identified and abstracted data from rubella reports submitted to CDPH during January 1, 2018-December 31, 2022. CDPH uses a modified version of the 2013 Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) rubella case definition to determine cases. The percentage of confirmed cases was the proportion of cases determined via CDPH's modification over reports adhering to the CSTE rubella case definition, calculated by test type and reason. We surveyed local public health staff to estimate person-time spent on report follow-up. RESULTS: We identified 801 suspected rubella reports. After investigation, CDPH confirmed 4 as cases and 797 as not cases; 467 (58.3%) were erroneously tested on the basis of test reason (immunity screening or ordered in error). Overall, 745 (93.0%) reports had IgM test results, 33 (4.1%) had an unknown test type, and 23 (2.9%) had a polymerase chain reaction test. Most erroneous reports (93.4%, 436/467) included only an IgM-positive test result. Mean time spent to investigate a suspected rubella report was 3.2 hours (range, <1-14.5 h). CONCLUSIONS: Most erroneous rubella reports submitted to CDPH during 2018-2022 included a positive IgM test result, highlighting limitations of using IgM test results to classify rubella cases. The CSTE rubella case definition should be revised to ensure consistent interpretation and classification of confirmed rubella cases.
Causal Inference in Public Health: A Call to Stop Causal Fishing Expeditions.
Al-Kassab-Córdova A, Soto-Becerra P
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40626386 · Full text
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Establishing a Maternal Health Task Force: Lessons Learned From Illinois, North Carolina, and Ohio, 2019-2024.
Holicky A, Stevens A, Severin R … +5 more , Ghanem R, Kerr H, Mehta U, Stevens L, Handler A
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40626384 · Full text
In 2019, the Health Resources and Services Administration provided funding to 9 states to implement a State Maternal Health Innovation Program, which required development of a state-level Maternal Health Task Force (MHTF...
In 2019, the Health Resources and Services Administration provided funding to 9 states to implement a State Maternal Health Innovation Program, which required development of a state-level Maternal Health Task Force (MHTF) and an associated Maternal Health Strategic Plan (MHSP) in each recipient state. This case study presents perspectives of the development and implementation of MHTFs in 3 funded states: Illinois, North Carolina, and Ohio. Each state used a different approach for MHTF administration: public university staff (Illinois), contracted staff (North Carolina), and state public health department staff (Ohio). To create the MHTFs, all states leveraged existing partnerships and sought new connections to ensure a multidiscplinary membership. To construct its MHSP, each state used data and recommendations from its Maternal Mortality Review Committee, existing state-level maternal health action plans and data, other maternal health initiatives, and knowledge from MHTF members. Topics addressed by all 3 MHSPs included public education on maternal health issues, training for health care providers, expansion of the perinatal workforce, and expansion and restructuring of mental health and substance use services. Common challenges for MHTFs and MHSPs that emerged across the states included engaging membership, determining the scope of activities, and demonstrating effectiveness of the MHTF. Despite the launch of MHTFs during the COVID-19 pandemic, all 3 states successfully created MHSPs, retained mostly volunteer members, and have continued to demonstrate progress on activities identified in their MHSPs. Funding is vital for success; merging MHTFs with other state-level efforts may be prudent to reduce the time burden on members, create synergy, and ensure sustainability.
Collaborative Selection of Implementation Strategies for Improving Smoking Cessation Treatment and Lung Cancer Screening in Federally Qualified Health Centers: A Pilot Study.
Kruse GR, Bertolini A, Gilliam B … +10 more , Girard H, Huebner-Tores C, Vaillancourt T, Rigotti NA, Aschbrenner KA, Studts JL, Martinez S, Yoguez N, Gundersen D, Baggett T
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40626383 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are key sites to address smoking and lung cancer screening (LCS) in the United States. We assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of a method for...
OBJECTIVE: Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are key sites to address smoking and lung cancer screening (LCS) in the United States. We assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of a method for selecting implementation strategies to address smoking cessation treatment (SCT) and LCS delivery in FQHCs. METHODS: Two Massachusetts FQHCs partnered with an external implementation team of clinical content experts and community health research staff to pilot test a roadmap method to improve SCT and LCS from December 2022 through May 2023. During a 3-month period, the internal and external team (1) identified, anticipated, and experienced barriers to implementation; (2) mapped workflows; (3) selected implementation strategies to address barriers, including data and population health infrastructure, health care provider knowledge, and patient travel; and (4) pilot tested selected strategies. Qualitative group interviews at the end of the 3-month pilot with internal teams of 9 FQHC staff identified key implementation determinants guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. We surveyed FQHC staff on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher values reflecting favorable outcomes, about the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the strategy selection process; we calculated summary (median [IQR]) scores. RESULTS: Teams selected 6 strategies to address key barriers; 5 strategies were implemented partially or fully during the pilot. Qualitative interviews highlighted implementation determinants in the inner setting and outer context domains. Internal implementation teams rated the roadmap as feasible (median [IQR] = 4.0 [3.3-5.0]), acceptable (median [IQR] = 4.0 [4.0-5.0]), and appropriate (median [IQR] = 4.0 [4.0-5.0]). CONCLUSIONS: The roadmaps process was feasible in FQHCs and produced implementable strategies aimed at barriers to LCS and SCT delivery in FQHCs. This process warrants further testing in a larger trial of LCS and SCT implementation strategies.
Cervical Cancer Screening Collaborations Between National Cancer Institute Cancer Centers and Safety-Net Settings of Care, 2022.
Chollette VY, Altman BH, McGee-Avila JK … +3 more , Grenen EM, Jacobsen PB, Kobrin S
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40626366 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Supporting medically underserved and socially disadvantaged populations, particularly in relation to cervical cancer, requires identifying coordination gaps. However, approaches to address the cervical cancer...
OBJECTIVES: Supporting medically underserved and socially disadvantaged populations, particularly in relation to cervical cancer, requires identifying coordination gaps. However, approaches to address the cervical cancer screening process between cancer centers and safety-net settings of care (hereinafter, safety-net settings) are poorly understood. We describe interactions and identify opportunities to guide cancer centers that aim to strengthen cervical cancer prevention, screening, and treatment for patients referred to them from safety-net settings. METHODS: We administered a 15-item online survey from January 12 through February 9, 2022, to National Cancer Institute (NCI) cancer centers; the intended audience was associate directors of community outreach and engagement and/or associate directors of population sciences. Of 64 eligible cancer centers, 47 (73.4%) completed the survey; however, 7 cancer centers were excluded from analysis because they reported not having a formal arrangement with safety-net settings. We developed survey items in consultation with subject matter experts and conducted pilot testing before administration to sites. RESULTS: The most common forms of partnership between NCI cancer centers and safety-net settings were referrals and consultations (34 of 40; 85.0%). We identified multilevel barriers affecting coordination and follow-up of abnormal cervical cancer screening test results. Communication between safety-net settings and cancer center staff was the most reported systems-level challenge to care coordination (35 of 40; 87.2%). Collection and synthesis of patient data presented the primary systems-level challenge to following up to abnormal cancer screening (34 of 40; 85.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Collaborations between cancer centers and safety-net settings are common but limited by challenges in care delivery and coordination. Our findings underscore the importance of identifying intervention points to optimize the management of cervical cancer care for patients in safety-net settings.
Cross-Jurisdictional Data Sharing: Use of the ATra Black Box for Deduplicating Cases in the National HIV Surveillance System.
Rhodes AG, Jarris DK, Kassaye S … +9 more , Hamp AD, Hensel AM, Collman J, Carrier J, Takeuchi YW, Withers L, Kang A, Smith M, Smart JC
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40625232 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: In 2018, Georgetown University was awarded a 5-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PS18-1805, to deduplicate people across HIV surveillance jurisdictions using the ATra Black Box,...
OBJECTIVES: In 2018, Georgetown University was awarded a 5-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PS18-1805, to deduplicate people across HIV surveillance jurisdictions using the ATra Black Box, an electronic privacy-ensuring system developed by Georgetown University that allows for the secure and streamlined exchange of data between public health jurisdictions. We outline the processes that Georgetown University undertook to engage public health jurisdictions, and we provide results of the Black Box matching sessions from November 2018 through May 2024. METHODS: Georgetown University recruited jurisdictions for participation in the project from 2018 to 2024 and developed communication plans and documentation to assist jurisdictions with participating in quarterly matching sessions of the Black Box. Georgetown University surveyed jurisdictions to determine technical assistance needs and satisfaction with the project and held virtual and in-person meetings. Georgetown University conducted quarterly runs of the Black Box from 2018 to 2024 and analyzed the results using SAS and Excel. RESULTS: As of May 2024, Georgetown University had enrolled 40 public health jurisdictions into the CDC Black Box project with signed data-sharing agreements, and 75% of people living with diagnosed HIV in the United States resided in these jurisdictions. From November 2018 through May 2024, Georgetown University conducted 21 quarterly matching sessions of the Black Box, processing >2.1 million records in the November 2023 session. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the Black Box for sharing HIV surveillance data across jurisdictions has decreased the staff time needed to update information on people with HIV. This project has improved the quality of HIV surveillance data that are needed to measure progress on key HIV indicators at the local and national levels.
Trends in Rates of Heat-Related Deaths Across Population Groups in the United States, 2000-2023.
Hong YR, Dalisay FS, Xie Z
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40616408 · Full text
Heat-related mortality is a growing public health concern as global temperatures continue to rise, yet little is known about how trends differ across various population groups in the United States. Using data from the Ce...
Heat-related mortality is a growing public health concern as global temperatures continue to rise, yet little is known about how trends differ across various population groups in the United States. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research from 2000 to 2023 and joinpoint regression models, we examined heat-related mortality trends across major demographic population groups. Our analysis revealed increasing mortality rates across all groups, with steep rises since 2018. American Indian/Alaska Native populations had the most pronounced increase: the average annual percentage change (AAPC) was 8.7% from 2011 to 2023, accelerating to 27.8% during 2018-2023. Heat-related mortality rates per 100 000 population increased during 2019-2023 among populations that were Hispanic (AAPC = 28.7%) and non-Hispanic Black (AAPC = 28.6%), and the AAPCs were significantly higher than among non-Hispanic White people (AAPC = 5.8% overall and 23.9% during 2019-2023). Asian American/Pacific Islander people had the least pronounced overall increases in heat-related mortality rates but had significant increases recently (AAPC = 25.2% during 2020-2023). These findings suggest the importance of considering differential patterns in heat-related mortality across population groups.
Nonoccupational Physical Activity During Pregnancy, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2023.
Nakayama JY, Whitfield GP, Bombard JM … +1 more , Evenson KR
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40616407 · Full text
Physical activity during pregnancy has numerous health benefits. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of nonoccupational physical activity among pregnant women aged 18 to 49 years in the United States. Usin...
Physical activity during pregnancy has numerous health benefits. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of nonoccupational physical activity among pregnant women aged 18 to 49 years in the United States. Using 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, we estimated the prevalence of meeting the aerobic guideline (≥150 minutes/week of moderate intensity-equivalent aerobic activity) and muscle-strengthening activity (≥2 episodes/week) among 2104 pregnant women aged 18 to 49 years in the United States and explored sociodemographic differences with adjusted logistic regression modeling. Overall, 49.0% (44.5%-53.4%) and 28.6% (24.9%-32.2%) of women met the aerobic activity guideline and participated in ≥2 episodes per week of muscle-strengthening activity, respectively. In adjusted analyses, we found sociodemographic differences for meeting the aerobic activity guideline (by age, race and ethnicity, and general health) and for participating in ≥2 episodes per week of muscle-strengthening activity (by general health). Opportunities exist to increase physical activity among pregnant women of diverse backgrounds through comprehensive, multilevel approaches so that more people can experience its health benefits.
County Influenza Vaccination Rates and Antibiotic Prescribing Rates in US Nursing Homes.
Vo QT, Noubary F, Dionne B … +2 more , Doron S, Briesacher BA
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40616402 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Studies have found an inverse relationship between community influenza vaccination rates and antibiotic use. This study examined the relationship between community-level influenza vaccination rates and facili...
OBJECTIVES: Studies have found an inverse relationship between community influenza vaccination rates and antibiotic use. This study examined the relationship between community-level influenza vaccination rates and facility-level antibiotic use in US nursing homes. We hypothesized that nursing homes in counties with high influenza vaccination rates would have low antibiotic prescribing rates. METHODS: We linked data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for adults aged ≥65 years in US nursing homes in 2019 at individual, facility, and county levels. We used linear mixed models to examine the association between county-level influenza vaccination rates and facility-level antibiotic prescribing rates. We generated maps to illustrate the overlap of facilities by quartiles of antibiotic prescribing and county-level influenza vaccination rates across the United States. RESULTS: A 1% increase in county influenza vaccination rates was associated with a 0.03% decrease in the nursing home antibiotic prescribing rate after controlling for other factors (ß = -0.03; 95% CI, -0.03 to -0.02). As compared with other regions, the Midwest had a larger concentration of nursing homes in the upper quartile for antibiotic prescribing rates. When compared with nursing homes in the Midwest, nursing homes in the Northeast (ß = -0.98; 95% CI, -1.12 to -0.83), South (ß = -1.84; 95% CI, -1.95 to -1.73), and West (ß = -4.60; 95% CI, -4.79 to -4.41) showed a decrease in antibiotic prescribing rates. CONCLUSIONS: Modest improvements in community-level influenza vaccination rates can lead to decreased antibiotic prescribing rates in nursing homes.
Effect of Heat on Outdoor Recess in Arizona Elementary Schools, July-September 2023.
Poulos A, Wilson K
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40616399 · Full text
School recess is an important setting to support children's health; however, inclement weather, including extreme heat, affects the provision of recess. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the number of day...
School recess is an important setting to support children's health; however, inclement weather, including extreme heat, affects the provision of recess. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the number of days that recess in elementary schools was disrupted because of heat in the first quarter of the 2023-2024 school year. We obtained data by conducting a survey among teachers representing 61 elementary schools in Maricopa County, Arizona. Daily high temperatures during this time ranged from 90°F (32.2°C) to 119°F (48.3°C). Almost all schools (93%) modified traditional outdoor recess because of heat. Across schools, recess disruption averaged 3.5 weeks. Almost half of the schools (49%) reported 4 to 6 weeks of disrupted recess, comprising 44% to 67% of the first quarter of the school year or up to 16% of the entire school year. Although state policies mandating daily school recess exist, they generally do not address the provision of recess during inclement weather, including heat. Given the health benefits of recess for children, minimizing heat exposure in schoolyards and supporting indoor recess during times of extreme heat should be prioritized.
Maternal Age at Birth and Gastroschisis Prevalence in the United States and Puerto Rico, 2000-2020.
Petersen JM, Schraw JM, Yazdy MM … +1 more , Werler MM
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40616395 · Full text
Gastroschisis-a congenital anomaly where there is an opening at the connection of the embryonic ectoderm and the amnion at the pars flaccida, resulting in the intestines protruding outside the body-is serious and require...
Gastroschisis-a congenital anomaly where there is an opening at the connection of the embryonic ectoderm and the amnion at the pars flaccida, resulting in the intestines protruding outside the body-is serious and requires surgical repair. The strongest risk factor is young maternal age. This study describes gastroschisis prevalence in the United States and Puerto Rico during 2000-2020 and indirectly examines whether prevalence patterns may be explained by maternal age trends. Using data from state and territorial surveillance systems (n = 46 total; n = 18 for all years), we expressed gastroschisis prevalence as 5-year averages, with moving averages every 2 years. We calculated the expected prevalence of gastroschisis by applying previously published maternal age-based estimates to all US live births during 2000-2020. Gastroschisis prevalence has increased since 2000-2004, peaked during 2008-2012 (based on active surveillance systems: 5.44 cases per 10 000 live births), and then declined until 2016-2020 (4.47 cases per 10 000 live births). Expected prevalence patterns were nearly identical. Gastroschisis prevalence patterns during the study period largely reflect the decline in US births among women aged <25 years rather than a substantial change in risk among younger women.
Barriers to COVID-19 Testing Among American Indian and Alaska Native People: Comparing Perspectives of Patients and Providers.
Henderson A, Schaefer K, Maclehose R … +2 more , Manson SM, Buchwald D
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40616394 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 testing is an important strategy to limit the spread of COVID-19 and improve health outcomes. Although health care providers (hereinafter, providers) decide which strategies to implement to improve a...
OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 testing is an important strategy to limit the spread of COVID-19 and improve health outcomes. Although health care providers (hereinafter, providers) decide which strategies to implement to improve access to testing, they may not have fully accurate impressions of the barriers faced by patients. We examined patient and provider perspectives on barriers to COVID-19 testing. METHODS: We surveyed 788 patients and 77 providers working at 5 health care organizations in the United States that served urban American Indian and Alaska Native people from January through May 2021. We asked patients and providers about barriers to COVID-19 testing and possible strategies that could improve access to testing. We compared patient and provider perspectives by using descriptive statistics and logistic regression; percentages were weighted. RESULTS: Overall, we observed a high level of congruence among patients and providers regarding perceived efficacy of strategies to increase testing. Difficulty finding transportation to the clinic was the least commonly reported barrier by patients (14%) but was the most frequently cited barrier by providers (73%). The most commonly reported barrier by patients was concern for contracting COVID-19 during an in-person appointment (43%). Two strategies, providing mobile testing units (76%) and offering monetary incentives (57%), were not commonly used but were endorsed by most patients and providers. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, patient and provider perspectives were highly congruent on perceived barriers to and strategies to facilitate COVID-19 testing. Research on barriers to testing for communicable diseases such as COVID-19 should systematically examine perspectives of both patients and providers to identify potentially effective interventions.
Performance Metrics for Measles Response Optimization in the United States: Considerations for Public Health Research, Policy, and Practice.
Ravi SJ, Farrie H, Toner ES … +2 more , Gillani S, Rivers CM
Public Health Rep · 2025 Jul · PMID 40616393 · Full text
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Probabilistic Record Linkage of 2 Gun Violence Datasets.
Horng I, Yin Q, Chan W … +2 more , Murray J, Small DS
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40613453 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Gun violence is a serious public health problem in the United States. The Gun Violence Archive (GVA) provides detailed geographic information, while the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) offers d...
OBJECTIVE: Gun violence is a serious public health problem in the United States. The Gun Violence Archive (GVA) provides detailed geographic information, while the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) offers demographic, socioeconomic, and narrative data on gun homicides. We developed and tested a method for merging datasets to inform analysis and strategies to reduce gun violence rates in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After preprocessing the data, we used a probabilistic record linkage program to link records from the GVA (n = 36 245) with records from the NVDRS (n = 30 592). We evaluated sensitivity (the false-match rate) by using a manual approach. RESULTS: The linkage returned 27 420 matches of gun violence incidents from the GVA and NVDRS datasets. Because of restricted details accessible from GVA online records, only 942 of these matched records could be manually evaluated. Our framework achieved a 90.1% (849 of 942) accuracy rate in linking GVA incidents with corresponding NVDRS records. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Electronic linkage of gun violence data from 2 sources is feasible and can be used to increase the utility of the datasets.
Metabarcoding Study of Fecal Bacterial and Eukaryotic Pathogens in Stray and Pet Cats in Seoul, South Korea, 2022.
Ayala MGO, Oh S, Choi JH … +7 more , Yi MH, Kim M, Kang D, Kim SL, Odua F, Liyanagama I, Kim JY
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40613344 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Zoonotic diseases pose substantial public health risks because of their potential transmission from animals to humans. As pets, cats can harbor these pathogens. The objective of this study was to describe bac...
OBJECTIVES: Zoonotic diseases pose substantial public health risks because of their potential transmission from animals to humans. As pets, cats can harbor these pathogens. The objective of this study was to describe bacterial and eukaryotic pathogens in the feces of stray and pet cats in Seoul, South Korea, using next-generation sequencing techniques. METHODS: We collected 26 fresh fecal samples (17 from pet cats and 9 from stray cats) in Seoul's Mapo-gu District in April and May 2022. Amplicon sequencing targeted the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene for bacterial pathogens and the V9 region of the 18S rRNA gene for eukaryotic pathogens. We used QIIME 2 to conduct bioinformatic analysis, assessing alpha diversity with the Shannon Diversity Index and beta diversity with principal coordinates analysis and permutational multivariate analysis of variance. We used ALDEx2 and an analysis of the composition of microbiomes to analyze differential abundance and χ tests to assess pathogen prevalence. RESULTS: Across all 26 samples, spp (77%; n = 20) and spp (69%; n = 18) were the most prevalent bacterial pathogens. spp were more common in stray cats (56% [5 of 9]) than in pet cats (12% [2 of 17]) as were spp (stray cats, 44% [4 of 9]; pet cats, 0%). Of eukaryotic pathogens, spp (19% [5 of 26]) were most prevalent across both groups, with spp significantly more common in stray cats (22% [2 of 9]) than in pet cats (0%). CONCLUSIONS: This study found distinct fecal microbial communities in stray versus pet cats, with a higher prevalence of potential pathogens in stray cats. These findings emphasize the need for public health planning and effective measures for controlling stray cats.
Public Health Response to COVID-19 Among Travelers Disembarked From the Cruise Ship, March 2020.
Chew Ng RA, Fonseca-Ford M, Friedman CR … +34 more , Tardivel K, White S, Murphy R, Petersen LR, Attfield K, Bower WA, Murray EL, Jain S, Marlow M, Wheeler W, Stockman LJ, Mead P, Pesik NT, Rose D, Weidle PJ, Readhead A, Wadford DA, Treffiletti A, Bartlett JR, Eckes-Roper J, Redd JT, Regan JJ, Rotz L, Rueda J, Dee D, Dominguez D, Hennessy-Burt T, Jacobsen A, Cetron MS, Brown C, Moriarty L, Casillas SM, Armstrong PA, Novak RT
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40522022 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Cruise ship settings can facilitate transmission of respiratory infections. In March 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak occurred on the cruise ship. We describe the public health response, including a large-scale US...
OBJECTIVES: Cruise ship settings can facilitate transmission of respiratory infections. In March 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak occurred on the cruise ship. We describe the public health response, including a large-scale US federal quarantine intended to limit spread to communities not yet affected by COVID-19. METHODS: All US residents and symptomatic people requiring hospitalization disembarked beginning on March 9 and were transported to designated US military bases for federal quarantine or to hospitals or alternate care sites for medical care. Foreign nationals remained on board (crew) or were repatriated (passengers). People under federal quarantine were monitored daily for symptoms and tested voluntarily for SARS-CoV-2 upon arrival, as tests became available, and if symptoms developed. RESULTS: Of 3582 travelers (passengers and crew) on board, 2013 (56%) went to military bases, 59 (2%) went to hospitals or alternate care sites, 419 (12%) were repatriated, and the remainder (crew) quarantined on board. Overall, 1144 travelers (32%) were tested for SARS-CoV-2; of those, 155 (14%) had a positive test result. Among 2013 US residents quarantined, 1054 (52%) were tested. Of those, 115 (11%) had a positive test result, 37 (32%) of whom were symptomatic at testing. Proportions tested across bases ranged from 28% to 89%; test positivity ranged from 10% to 16%. Of 31 travelers hospitalized, the median (IQR) stay was 4 (4-9) nights, and 9 (29%) travelers died of SARS-CoV-2 complications. CONCLUSIONS: The outbreak was the first confirmed COVID-19 outbreak on a cruise ship in US waters. Multiagency public health responses allowed for isolation and quarantine, potentially helping to slow transmission into US communities. Ensuring that cruise ships have plans for communicable disease control and mitigation helps protect passenger and crew well-being.
Hepatitis C Testing Protocols Across Massachusetts Jails, 2022-2023: An Opportunity for Intervention.
Farrell CM, Pino EC
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40521989 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis C virus (HCV), the most common blood-borne infection in the United States and a leading cause of liver disease, disproportionately affects populations who are incarcerated. Despite the prevalence of...
OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis C virus (HCV), the most common blood-borne infection in the United States and a leading cause of liver disease, disproportionately affects populations who are incarcerated. Despite the prevalence of HCV infection among people involved in the criminal legal system, HCV testing and treatment policies are not yet standardized. Our study sought to examine the differences in HCV testing and treatment protocols across Massachusetts county jails. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we examined the HCV testing and treatment protocols of the 14 county jails in Massachusetts from November 2022 through February 2023. RESULTS: Of the 12 jails that responded to requests for information, 10 jails used opt-in testing, 1 jail used opt-out testing, and 1 jail had no testing protocol. All 12 jails explicitly inquired about HCV history at intake, but only 3 jails inquired about current HCV treatment. For the 5 jails that had treatment initiation policies, all had barriers to treatment, including mandatory length-of-stay or sobriety requirements. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study underscore the need for policy changes that require adoption of universal opt-out HCV testing across county jails and standardized HCV treatment protocols, with a focus on linkage to outpatient care and treatment of substance use disorder. This approach can address HCV in populations who are incarcerated and can help mitigate health disparities between incarcerated people and the general public.
Predictors of Individual-Level Preparedness for Natural Disasters and Trust in Disaster Assistance in the United States, 2024.
Blackburn CC, Boyce MR, Rico M … +4 more , Niekamp K, Moats J, Radcliff T, Thomas E
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40492361 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: Preparation for disasters at an individual level is one of the most fundamental and least expensive methods to prepare for disasters. We investigated predictors for individual-level natural disaster preparedn...
OBJECTIVES: Preparation for disasters at an individual level is one of the most fundamental and least expensive methods to prepare for disasters. We investigated predictors for individual-level natural disaster preparedness and trust in disaster assistance among adults aged ≥18 years in the United States. METHODS: To examine individual-level preparedness for natural disasters in the United States, we conducted an online survey grounded in the theory of planned behavior from April 24 through June 3, 2024. We used logistic regression models to analyze relationships between individual-level preparedness outcomes and demographic and socioeconomic characteristics ( < .05 indicated significance). RESULTS: A total of 2898 individuals completed the survey. Individual-level preparedness for natural disasters and trust in disaster assistance were significantly higher among respondents previously affected by a natural disaster, who were 233% and 134% more likely to have an evacuation plan and an emergency kit, respectively, than respondents with no disaster experience. Female respondents were 21% and 19% less likely to have an evacuation plan and an emergency kit, respectively, than male respondents, and unemployed respondents were 41% and 47% less likely to have an evacuation plan and an emergency kit, respectively, than employed respondents. Age, annual household income, and political affiliation were also significant predictors for selected aspects of individual-level preparedness. For example, respondents aged ≥65 years were 63% more likely to state confidence in knowing where to get disaster information than respondents aged 18 to 34 years. CONCLUSIONS: With a likelihood of more frequent and severe disasters in the future, public health officials should recognize differences among predictors of individual-level preparedness for disasters and develop strategies to address gaps in preparedness across demographic groups and subpopulations.
Psychological Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and eHealth Literacy Among Nursing Students in the United States and Türkiye, 2022.
Ayaz-Alkaya S, Belay H
Public Health Rep · 2025 · PMID 40488438 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: In health emergencies such as pandemics, nurses are on the front lines, thus increasing their risk of psychological distress. The mental health of nursing students may also deteriorate as a result of changes...
OBJECTIVES: In health emergencies such as pandemics, nurses are on the front lines, thus increasing their risk of psychological distress. The mental health of nursing students may also deteriorate as a result of changes in learning and clinical practice environments. We measured the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and electronic health (eHealth) literacy among nursing students and identified associated factors. METHODS: We used a cross-sectional design to analyze students studying at 2 nursing schools in the United States and Türkiye (N = 887 nursing students). We used the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (range, 7-35) and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (range, 5-20) to measure fear and anxiety of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we used the Electronic Health Literacy Scale (range, 8-40) to measure eHealth literacy among students from April through June 2022. We conducted 1-way multivariate analysis of variance (F) to examine the relationships among variables, with ≤ .05 considered as significant. RESULTS: Students had mean scores of 30.7 for eHealth literacy, 14.1 for Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and 6.2 for Coronavirus Anxiety Scale. Scores for eHealth literacy varied according to the students' school, academic level, and employment but were generally high. Sex (Wilks λ = 0.952; = 14.787; < .001) and the frequency of following news related to COVID-19 (Wilks λ = 0.927; = 11.424; < .001) influenced COVID-19-related fear and anxiety. eHealth literacy and fear of COVID-19 differed significantly by students' vaccine dose (λ = 0.983; = 5.081; = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the level of eHealth literacy can contribute to reducing the psychological effects of health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, among nursing students.
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