Richardson MB, Chambliss JT, Austin EL
… +7 more, Brisendine AE, Fifolt M, McCormick L, Pavela G, Preskitt JK, Swatzell KE, Erwin PC
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42218773
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OBJECTIVES: This evaluation describes an innovative approach to align a master of public health (MPH) core curriculum with the Evidence-Based Public Health (EBPH) framework and the 2016 revised Council on Education for P...OBJECTIVES: This evaluation describes an innovative approach to align a master of public health (MPH) core curriculum with the Evidence-Based Public Health (EBPH) framework and the 2016 revised Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) competencies. We describe implementation of revised core courses during the COVID-19 pandemic and student evaluation of the novel curriculum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Faculty mapped competencies to the EBPH framework, developed courses, and implemented the curriculum using a cohort model. For early cohorts enrolled from fall 2020 through summer 2021, faculty evaluated the effectiveness of the core courses, student satisfaction, and self-reported competency achievement through pre- and postcourse surveys starting in fall 2020. Additional qualitative insights were gathered from 6 focus groups (n = 50 students) and 10 interviews conducted in spring 2022. RESULTS: The redesigned curriculum launched in fall 2020 and emphasized an interdisciplinary approach that incorporated vital domains: health equity, community engagement, and the essential public health services. Survey findings indicated increased student self-efficacy and achievement of CEPH competencies. High retention and positive qualitative feedback underscored this curriculum's relevance for students with diverse backgrounds, including those who were new to public health, online learning, or US graduate education. Ongoing quality improvement and iterative curriculum refinement ensure that the evolving needs of public health practice are met. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The lessons learned through developing and implementing this evidence-based curriculum across delivery modes serve as an opportunity for other institutions aiming to enhance public health education in diverse student populations and address workforce needs. Applying this framework ensures that students attain the competencies required for the 21st-century public health workforce.
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42216484
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OBJECTIVE: Tattooed individuals have reported reduced access to health care and have a higher prevalence of risky health behaviors compared with individuals without tattoos, but the overall health profile of this populat...OBJECTIVE: Tattooed individuals have reported reduced access to health care and have a higher prevalence of risky health behaviors compared with individuals without tattoos, but the overall health profile of this population is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to characterize associations between tattooing and health status in Utah. METHODS: We used data from approximately 27 000 respondents to the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Utah Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys. We used multivariable Poisson regression to calculate the prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% CIs associating ever receiving a tattoo with physical, oral, and mental health status. RESULTS: In this cross-sectional study, ever receiving a tattoo was associated with self-reported poor versus excellent overall health, particularly among women (PR = 3.08; 95% CI, 2.26-4.21). Tattooing was also associated with obesity (women: PR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.22-1.61; men: PR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04-1.40) and chronic pain (women: PR = 1.59; 95% CI, 1.43-1.77; men: PR = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.37-1.76). Tattooed individuals (vs not tattooed) were more likely to have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder (women: PR = 1.64; 95% CI, 1.53-1.75; men: PR = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.39-1.73) and to have had ≥6 teeth removed versus none removed (women: PR = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.61-2.96; men: PR = 2.88; 95% CI, 2.10-3.95). CONCLUSIONS: Public health entities may consider partnering with tattoo studios and conventions to provide information about nutrition, exercise, dental care, mental health resources, and health screenings to individuals with tattoos.
Raghu R, Smith S, Green F
… +6 more, Powell A, Leeman D, Simmons R, Desai M, Reid L, Hibbert MP
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42212860
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OBJECTIVES: The United Kingdom has committed to World Health Organization goals to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030. Peer-led services (PLS) may enhance health care engagement and treatment outcomes. We compared...OBJECTIVES: The United Kingdom has committed to World Health Organization goals to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030. Peer-led services (PLS) may enhance health care engagement and treatment outcomes. We compared progression through the HCV care cascade between those tested in a community using PLS (PLS group) with a population tested in drug services (non-PLS group) in England. METHODS: We extracted data on individuals with HCV-RNA test results from a laboratory surveillance system (2019-2023) and linked them to a national HCV treatment database. We identified individuals tested by the Hepatitis C Trust as having received PLS. We compared differences along the care cascade using the Pearson χ test. RESULTS: A total of 14 094 individuals in the PLS group (72.9% male; median age, 43 y) and 46 568 individuals in the non-PLS group (70.6% male; median age, 44 y) received a positive HCV-RNA test result. Significantly more individuals from the PLS group than the non-PLS group were linked to treatment (83% vs 51%) and initiated treatment (73% vs 33%; both < .001). Among those with a treatment outcome, 75% in the PLS group versus 80% in the non-PLS group achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR) ( < .001). Significantly more individuals achieved SVR among those receiving a positive HCV-RNA test result in the PLS group than in the non-PLS group (36% vs 11%; < .001). CONCLUSION: A key strength in peer-led models lies in linkage to treatment when compared with drug services alone. This finding highlights the importance of ongoing support for peer-led programs helping medically underserved populations living with HCV progress to treatment and achieve elimination.
Davlantes E, Clarke K, Schier J
… +2 more, Lewis B, Hinton D
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42210747
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The American Medical Association (AMA) is the nation's largest physician organization and has a prominent voice in health policy in the United States. AMA policies and priorities are set in part by its House of Delegates...The American Medical Association (AMA) is the nation's largest physician organization and has a prominent voice in health policy in the United States. AMA policies and priorities are set in part by its House of Delegates, in which the US Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps participates. The USPHS is a federal uniformed service dedicated to improving health. This article describes the impact of educational USPHS testimony during the policy deliberation process in the AMA House of Delegates. The USPHS has provided invaluable input to the AMA, providing 414 instances of technical advice or information on behalf of subject matter experts at 5 federal agencies during the past 9 years, from 2017 through 2025. The resolution of the proposed AMA policy under debate was aligned with USPHS recommendations a median of 77% of the time. USPHS involvement in the AMA has helped both the AMA and the US government work better together through early information sharing and coordination of activities. The collaboration between the USPHS and AMA is a model partnership to improve health.
Abe K, Kuroda A, Kinoshita Y
… +5 more, Kuchii T, Sato K, Ishii N, Ito N, Fukuda Y
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42157026
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Futaba-machi in Fukushima Prefecture was designated as a difficult-to-return area due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear accident of 2011. As of February 2026, approximately 24 310 people remained evacuated....Futaba-machi in Fukushima Prefecture was designated as a difficult-to-return area due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear accident of 2011. As of February 2026, approximately 24 310 people remained evacuated. This case study describes the activities of a cooking class held in collaboration between The Ajinomoto Foundation (TAF) and Futaba-machi and how it contributed to (1) revitalizing communities in the disaster-affected areas as well as places to which evacuees relocated and (2) improving the dietary habits of disaster victims. The project's activities were organized into a logic model by TAF staff and the evaluation team. Based on a logic model, residents involved in the project, Futaba-machi public health nurses, TAF, and researchers summarized how the project supported disaster victims and rebuilt the community. We used evaluation reports, records of project activities, and interview data for analysis. To deploy the project in the community, public health nurses coordinated with the neighborhood association and related organizations. To address issues such as resident isolation and health and dietary problems among older adult residents, organizers developed a concrete implementation plan with long-term outcomes in mind. The cooking classes, centered on the "cook together and eat together" theme, strengthened connections among participants. Collaboration was sought in other activities (eg, of the neighborhood association), thus deepening bonds among participants. Furthermore, sharing meals naturally created a space for conversation, encouraged participants to vocalize their feelings, and provided a place for emotional nourishment. Building on the insights gained from this project, we will continue to address community challenges and conduct similar analyses, including additional case studies, for application to other regions.
Nwangwu-Ike N, Townes A, Wu B
… +1 more, Johnson Lyons S
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42153223
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OBJECTIVES: From 2017 through 2021, the rate of HIV diagnoses among females aged ≥13 years declined by 12%. Despite efforts to reduce HIV infections, disparities persist. To understand and address differential health out...OBJECTIVES: From 2017 through 2021, the rate of HIV diagnoses among females aged ≥13 years declined by 12%. Despite efforts to reduce HIV infections, disparities persist. To understand and address differential health outcomes, the present study examined trends among non-Hispanic Black/African American and non-Black/African American females in the United States. METHODS: Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National HIV Surveillance System, we summarized HIV diagnoses and percentage distributions for linkage to HIV medical care within 1 month of diagnosis and viral suppression within 6 months of diagnosis among females aged ≥13 years in 41 US jurisdictions. We analyzed trends for non-Hispanic Black and non-Black (defined as all other races and ethnicities) females with HIV diagnosed from 2017 through 2021 (excluding 2020) by age, transmission category, region, and jurisdiction of residence using estimated annual percentage change. A trend was considered stable when the 95% CI for estimated annual percentage change included zero. RESULTS: From 2017 through 2021, 16 514 non-Hispanic Black females and 12 711 non-Black females received an HIV diagnosis. During these years, the rate of HIV diagnoses for non-Hispanic Black females decreased by 5.3%, linkage to care increased by 1.5%, and viral suppression increased by 1.6% per year, on average. For non-Black females, the rate of HIV diagnoses was stable, linkage to care increased by 0.8%, and viral suppression increased by 1.4% per year, on average. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight a decline in HIV diagnoses among non-Hispanic Black females with some improvement in HIV care outcomes. However, more efforts are needed to increase access to treatment and care services that are essential for improving health outcomes among adolescents and adult females, particularly those disproportionately affected by HIV.
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42153220
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OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between self-reported vision difficulty and receipt of an annual eye examination among US adults aged ≥45 years and assessed differences by age. METHODS: We used 2022 and 2023 Nati...OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between self-reported vision difficulty and receipt of an annual eye examination among US adults aged ≥45 years and assessed differences by age. METHODS: We used 2022 and 2023 National Health Interview Survey data for 34 350 adults aged ≥45 years. The outcome was self-reported eye examination in the past year, and the key independent variable was self-reported vision difficulty. We used multivariable logistic regression with an interaction term to assess whether associations varied by age group (45-64 vs ≥65 y). We estimated predicted probabilities from fully adjusted models. RESULTS: Adults with vision difficulty (vs adults without vision difficulty) were more likely to be female, have lower educational attainment, have lower income, and report more chronic conditions ( < .001). Among adults aged 45 to 64 years, vision difficulty was associated with a lower probability of receiving a past-year eye examination (50.3% vs 57.7%; 7.4 percentage points; < .001). Among adults aged ≥65 years, the gap was smaller (68.8% vs 70.1%; 1.3 percentage points; < .001). Gaps in a past-year eye examination were greater among midlife adults than among older adults ( < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported vision difficulty is not consistently linked to receiving routine eye examinations, especially during midlife, when structural, financial, and behavioral barriers converge. Public health strategies should address the factors underlying the age differences, reduce barriers to care, and integrate vision care into routine preventive health services to improve vision health and reduce the risk of vision loss.
Madewell ZJ, Torres Aponte J, Espinet C
… +13 more, Rodriguez DM, Lorenzi O, Perez-Padilla J, Frasqueri-Quintana VM, Rivera-Amill V, Sainz de la Peña D, Bertrán Pasarell J, Ware-Gilmore F, Santiago GA, Adams LE, Paz-Bailey G, Marzan-Rodriguez M, Sánchez-González L
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42130062
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OBJECTIVES: Puerto Rico's 2024-2025 dengue epidemic highlighted the need to understand how complementary surveillance systems capture cases and severity. We compared the Sentinel Enhanced Dengue Surveillance System (SEDS...OBJECTIVES: Puerto Rico's 2024-2025 dengue epidemic highlighted the need to understand how complementary surveillance systems capture cases and severity. We compared the Sentinel Enhanced Dengue Surveillance System (SEDSS) and the Passive Arboviral Disease Surveillance System (PADSS) in capturing characteristics of dengue cases during this epidemic and assessed their complementary roles in epidemic monitoring and public health preparedness. METHODS: We analyzed laboratory-confirmed dengue cases reported in SEDSS and PADSS from January 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025. SEDSS recruits at sentinel sites, collecting clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory data, while PADSS relies on clinician-initiated reporting across the island. We used descriptive statistics, cross-correlation analyses, and generalized additive models to compare temporal trends, demographic characteristics, clinical features, and severe dengue outcomes. RESULTS: SEDSS enrolled 373 dengue patients (7.0% of tested patients), while PADSS reported 6488 dengue patients (60.1% of tested patients). Both systems showed aligned epidemic peaks, although PADSS detected more cases overall. Compared with PADSS patients, SEDSS patients were younger (median age = 22 vs 27 y) and had higher proportions of warning signs, including mucosal bleeding (21.7% vs 6.9%), hemoconcentration (4.4% vs 0.1%), and restlessness (31.1% vs 7.5%) ( < .001 for all). Severe dengue was more common in SEDSS patients (9.1% vs 5.6%; = .02), likely due to more detailed clinical data, with the highest rates among patients aged 10 to 19 years (16.3%) and <10 years (10.5%). SEDSS captured severe plasma leakage (6.2%), which was not recorded in PADSS. PADSS provided broader geographic coverage. CONCLUSIONS: SEDSS captures detailed clinical data, whereas PADSS provides broader coverage and higher case counts. Integrating both systems strengthens epidemic response, resource allocation, and public health decision-making.
Ganzar LA, Chapman Haynes M, Roemhildt M
… +2 more, Williams R, Cruz R
Public Health Rep
· 2026 · PMID 42124554
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In response to the sharp increase in vaping among children, adolescents, and young adults, the Vermont legislature passed 3 policies in 2019 to reduce access to and availability of tobacco products. The objective of this...In response to the sharp increase in vaping among children, adolescents, and young adults, the Vermont legislature passed 3 policies in 2019 to reduce access to and availability of tobacco products. The objective of this case study was to describe the content, context, actors, processes, and evaluation of the policies: increasing the purchase age to 21 years, establishing a wholesale tax on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), and banning the mail delivery of all tobacco products. We used state-level surveillance data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the Young Adult Survey, and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to assess changes in access to and use of vaping products among children, adolescents, and young adults before and after policy implementation. We found decreases in perceived access to vaping products among middle and high school students. In 2019, 29% of middle school students and 73% of high school students reported that it was easy to access vaping products, which decreased in 2021 to 18% and 58%, respectively. Past-30-day use of vaping products decreased among both middle school and high school students from 2019 to 2021. In 2019, 8% of middle school students and 26% of high school students reported past-30-day use of vaping products, which decreased in 2021 to 5% and 16%, respectively. Vaping behavior among young adults increased in Vermont. In 2017, 6% of young adults reported current e-cigarette use, rising to 22% in 2022. Tobacco control strategies should continue to focus on evidence-based policies that curtail initiation, limit use, and expand treatment for nicotine and tobacco use among children, adolescents, and young adults.
Wright GL, Griffin SO, Taleghani N
… +1 more, Hamilton EK
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42124553
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OBJECTIVES: Financial viability can be a challenge in implementing school sealant programs (SSPs). We provided efficiency benchmarks for 2 measures-clinical labor time and labor cost per child-to help SSPs evaluate their...OBJECTIVES: Financial viability can be a challenge in implementing school sealant programs (SSPs). We provided efficiency benchmarks for 2 measures-clinical labor time and labor cost per child-to help SSPs evaluate their performance and quantify the effect of implementation practices on these efficiency measures. METHODS: We analyzed a convenience sample of data from 107 SSPs delivering sealants in 11 US states to 58 664 students during school years 2017-2018 through 2022-2023. We estimated measures of sealant service efficiency (SSE) per child sealed (SSE and SSE) and used multivariable linear regression models to identify associations between SSP practices and each SSE measure. Because of their skewed distributions, we log-transformed SSE measures. To aid interpretation, we converted resulting regression coefficients back to their original linear scales (hours and US dollars). RESULTS: The median SSE and SSE were 0.95 hours (IQR, 0.56-1.53) and $43.25 (IQR, $23.22-$74.91). The smallest SSP size (sealing 11-60 students) as compared with the largest (sealing 390-14 589 students) was associated with an increase in SSE of 0.34 hours (20 minutes; β = 0.399, SE = 0.189, = .04) and SSE of $14.45 (β = 0.431, SE = 0.200, = .03). The use of dentists as dental operators was also significantly associated with increased SSE at an increase of $3.61 (β = 0.126, SE = 0.140, = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that SSP labor efficiency could increase with program size (ie, economies of scale) and by using nondentist operators when possible.
McElfish PA, Caldwell AR, Selig JP
… +7 more, Gomez Pomar E, Hawley NL, Willis DE, Andersen JA, Manning N, Watson D, Brown CC
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42124551
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OBJECTIVES: Prenatal care starting in the first trimester is widely accepted as a best practice for improving maternal health. However, evidence is limited on the association between early prenatal care and maternal and...OBJECTIVES: Prenatal care starting in the first trimester is widely accepted as a best practice for improving maternal health. However, evidence is limited on the association between early prenatal care and maternal and infant health outcomes. This study evaluated maternal and infant health outcomes among nulliparous mothers to evaluate associations between late (≥4 months) prenatal care or no prenatal care compared with early (months 1-3) prenatal care. METHODS: We used birth record data from the National Center for Health Statistics for this analysis. The study population consisted of singleton, nulliparous live births to mothers who gave birth in the United States from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2022. RESULTS: Compared with early prenatal care, late initiation of prenatal care was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (risk ratio [RR] = 1.21; 99% CI, 1.15-1.28), insufficient gestational weight gain (RR = 1.23; 99% CI, 1.17-1.30), and no reported breastfeeding at discharge (RR = 1.09; 99% CI, 1.06-1.13). Compared with early prenatal care, no prenatal care was associated with substantially greater risk across nearly every measured outcome, including preterm birth (RR = 2.26; 99% CI, 1.82-2.80), low birth weight (RR = 2.03; 99% CI, 1.72-2.40), neonatal intensive care unit admission (RR = 1.88; 99% CI, 1.48-2.39), abnormal conditions of the newborn (RR = 1.87; 99% CI, 1.73-2.02), and no reported breastfeeding at discharge (RR = 1.90; 99% CI, 1.53-2.35). Prenatal care timing was not significantly associated with maternal morbidity. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight that although early prenatal care results in the best outcomes, late prenatal care still has important benefits relative to no prenatal care.
Sanjeevi N, Amiri S, Amram O
… +2 more, Hooker K, Monsivais P
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42112926
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OBJECTIVE: By limiting household expenditures on rent and utilities and connecting individuals to health services, federal housing assistance programs could facilitate health care access among low-income cancer survivors...OBJECTIVE: By limiting household expenditures on rent and utilities and connecting individuals to health services, federal housing assistance programs could facilitate health care access among low-income cancer survivors. We examined the association between receipt of rental assistance and health care access among low-income adult cancer survivors. METHODS: We used 2019-2023 National Health Interview Survey data on adults aged ≥20 years (1) with a history of cancer diagnosis, (2) with a family income-to-poverty ratio <2, and (3) who were renters. We used propensity score weighting to address differences in observed demographic characteristics between rental assistance recipients and nonrecipients. We used logistic regression analyses to examine the associations of rental assistance receipt with outcome variables. RESULTS: Lack of receipt of rental assistance was significantly associated with higher odds of delaying medical care due to cost (odds ratio [OR] = 1.90; 95% CI, 1.07-3.40) and experiencing medical financial hardship (OR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.21-2.80), as well as lower odds of being covered by health insurance (OR = 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01-0.18). CONCLUSION: Receipt of rental assistance may help improve health care access among low-income adult cancer survivors. Our findings are important in relation to a shortage of affordable housing in the United States and highlight the need for efforts to expand housing assistance.
Pakonen J, Jensen A, Cruz Zorrilla M
… +2 more, Gutierrez R, Bustamante G
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42105340
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OBJECTIVES: Uninsured or underinsured Hispanic women in Minnesota use the state's free cervical cancer screening program, Sage. Although the rate of screening program use is high, incidence of and mortality from cervical...OBJECTIVES: Uninsured or underinsured Hispanic women in Minnesota use the state's free cervical cancer screening program, Sage. Although the rate of screening program use is high, incidence of and mortality from cervical cancer persist in this group. We examined systemic barriers to follow-up cervical cancer care despite access to the free program. METHODS: From fall 2020 through spring 2021, we conducted virtual focus groups with 23 Hispanic women in Minnesota who previously received Sage services. We interviewed 7 key informants, including service providers, clinic administrators, and Sage team members. Three bilingual researchers independently used inductive approaches to identify themes from transcripts, refined categories, and finalized analysis through feedback sessions. We used the social-ecological model framework to reveal barriers to follow-up care after an abnormal cervical cancer screening result. RESULTS: Exploratory inductive analyses of data from focus groups and key informants identified 4 interconnected barriers: (1) reliance on community clinics and patient navigators, often causing navigator burnout; (2) scheduling and attending follow-up appointments at clinics outside of familiar community clinics, particularly in rural areas; (3) negative health care experiences and interpreter misuse that discouraged further care; and (4) confusion and anxiety from unexpected billing, despite Sage being a free program. CONCLUSIONS: To address the identified barriers, we recommend expanding and compensating patient navigator roles, strengthening interpreter use, and training hospital staff to reduce billing errors. Even with free screening available through Sage, structural failures (billing confusion, rural access gaps, navigator workload) undermined equitable care. Addressing these systemic issues is essential if programs like Sage are to realize their potential in reducing disparities in incidence of cervical cancer among Hispanic women.
Hannon B, Honeycutt Z, Kim M
… +2 more, Ludema C, Sobiech K
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42105339
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The Certified in Disease Intervention (CDI) certification aims to reinforce and expand the expertise of those working at the community level to prevent the spread of infectious disease. To support the recertification pro...The Certified in Disease Intervention (CDI) certification aims to reinforce and expand the expertise of those working at the community level to prevent the spread of infectious disease. To support the recertification process and promote continuing education of CDI competencies, a resource repository of relevant, high-quality materials is being developed. Interdisciplinary subject matter experts at Indiana University's School of Public Health-Bloomington, a Council on Education for Public Health-accredited and Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health member school, developed a systematic approach to identify and vet training resources. The result was an evidence-informed rubric for assessing multiple attributes of online training materials (including Course Overview and Introduction, Learning Objectives, Learning Assessment and Activities, Instructional Materials, Social Awareness, Scenario-Based Learning, Timeliness of Content, Course Technology, Learner Support, and Accessibility and Usability), a list of resources with evaluation outcomes, and metadata tags for populating a searchable database. The team successfully curated a robust repository of high-quality educational resources. However, the list is not exhaustive, and future work is needed to capture and evaluate more resources and update when new trainings are released for disease intervention professionals in the United States.
Primack BA, Kim H, Koneru G
… +2 more, Aslam M, Gorman JR
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42090222
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OBJECTIVES: Loneliness is strongly linked to morbidity and mortality. While social media use has been associated with increased loneliness among adolescents, little research has examined this association among adults. It...OBJECTIVES: Loneliness is strongly linked to morbidity and mortality. While social media use has been associated with increased loneliness among adolescents, little research has examined this association among adults. It is also not clear whether it is better to communicate only with close personal friends or with people one has never met in person. We examined whether real-life closeness of social media contacts was associated with loneliness among a nationally representative sample of US adults. METHODS: Participants included 1512 US adults aged 30 to 70 years who were surveyed in July and August 2023. We assessed loneliness using the National Institutes of Health Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System's 4-item scale. Participants self-reported the proportion of their social media contacts whom they had "never met in person" (NMP) and whom they considered "close personal friends" (CPFs). We used logistic regression to examine associations between NMPs/CPFs and loneliness, controlling for 7 sociodemographic covariates and including survey weights to make results nationally representative. RESULTS: In fully adjusted weighted multivariable models, participants in the highest quartile for NMPs had more than double the odds of loneliness (adjusted odds ratio = 2.33; 95% CI, 1.52-3.58) than those in the lowest quartile, and the association between NMPs and loneliness was linear ( < .001). However, we found no significant association between CPFs and loneliness ( = .93). CONCLUSION: While having more social media interactions with relative strangers was linked to increased loneliness, having more social media contacts who were CPFs was not linked to reduced loneliness. Future research should examine temporal associations and reasons for these findings. It may be useful for interventions to focus on reducing interactions with NMPs.
Willis DE, Bogulski CA, Manning N
… +5 more, Brown CC, Porter A, Li J, Selig JP, McElfish PA
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42076822
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OBJECTIVE: The use of virtual prenatal care is rising, but its effect on the content of care is largely unknown. We examined prenatal care screenings for pregnant women in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic (...OBJECTIVE: The use of virtual prenatal care is rising, but its effect on the content of care is largely unknown. We examined prenatal care screenings for pregnant women in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) and assessed differences in those screenings by mode of prenatal care (ie, any virtual prenatal care vs exclusively in-person care). METHODS: We used Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Phase 8 data. Our analytical sample included mothers who gave birth in 2020 and 2021, received prenatal care, and answered both the mode of prenatal care question and all prenatal care screening questions (N = 22 991). The analytical sample included 28 study sites across the United States. RESULTS: Mothers who used any virtual prenatal care had greater adjusted odds than mothers who used in-person care only of being screened about their knowledge of gestational weight gain (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08-1.30), cigarette use (AOR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.02-1.54), alcohol use (AOR = 1.23; 95% CI, 1.01-1.49), intimate partner violence (IPV) (AOR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.54-1.92), depression (AOR = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.46-1.86), substance use (AOR = 1.41; 95% CI, 1.26-1.59), HIV testing (AOR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.22-1.46), planned breastfeeding (AOR = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.34-1.78), and planned postpartum birth control (AOR = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.27-1.60). CONCLUSIONS: The greatest benefit of virtual prenatal care may be for screening of IPV. However, we cannot definitively attribute increased odds of screenings to virtual care. Further investigation is warranted.
Public Health Rep
· 2026 May · PMID 42076821
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OBJECTIVES: This study assessed factors associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization rates among pregnant women and evaluated the effectiveness of maternal RSV vaccination on infant hospitalization rate...OBJECTIVES: This study assessed factors associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization rates among pregnant women and evaluated the effectiveness of maternal RSV vaccination on infant hospitalization rates. METHODS: We collected data on mothers and their newborns born at a university-affiliated hospital in Dallas, Texas, during the 2023-2024 RSV season if they responded to a telephone survey and confirmed their vaccination status. We used logistic regression to assess associations between demographic factors and receipt of maternal RSV vaccination. We confirmed infant RSV hospitalization by telephone survey and calculated maternal RSV vaccination effectiveness against RSV-associated hospitalization. RESULTS: From November 1, 2023, through February 29, 2024, 179 of 656 women (27%) received the maternal RSV vaccine. Women aged <30 years were less likely to be vaccinated than older women ( ≤ .001). Non-Hispanic White women were more likely to be vaccinated (128 of 332; 39%) than Hispanic (21 of 137; 15%) and non-Hispanic Black (7 of 113; 6%; ≤ .001) women. Women with private health insurance (173 of 462; 37%) were more likely to be vaccinated than women with public (4 of 177; 2%) or no (2 of 17; 12%; ≤ .001) health insurance. Almost 3% of infants born to nonvaccinated women were later hospitalized for RSV infection, whereas none of the infants whose mothers received RSV vaccination were hospitalized due to RSV (vaccine effectiveness = 100%; 95% CI, 14%-100%; = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Demographic disparities existed among women who received maternal RSV vaccination, and RSV vaccination lowered infant RSV hospitalization rates.