OSFs represent a historic opportunity to strengthen our public health response to overdose.

NY/NJ Clinicians- join D4DPR’s Physicians for Opioid Settlement Equity (POSE) here: www.d4dpr.org/post/help-ne...
#NYHealth #publichealthpolicy #opioidsettlement #evidencebasedcare #harmreduction #MOUD

State Board of Health declines multiple fluoride-related petitions, cites scope limits The Board declined nine petitions asking for new rules on fluoride and other drinking-water additives (WAC 246-290), finding most requests outside the Board's authority or not meeting the definition of a rule; motions to decline were approved unanimously and staff will notify petitioners.

The State Board of Health just rejected multiple petitions on fluoride regulation, raising questions about authority and public health standards in Washington.

Get the details!

#WA #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #PublicHealthPolicy

Life B.Braun Lecture: Science, Public Health and Democracy The spring edition of the LIFE B. Braun Lecture at the University of Lucerne addresses the relationship between science, public health, and democratic governance. Professor Lawrence O. Gostin discusse...

As part of the LIFE B. Braun lecture series, Lawrence O. Gostin, a leading expert in global #healthlaw and #publichealthpolicy, spoke at the University of Lucerne about the relationship between #science, #publichealth and #democracy.

www.unilu.ch/en/news/life...

@georgetownlaw.bsky.social

State Infrastructure Can Strengthen Suicide Prevention in Health Systems State governments that establish suicide prevention infrastructure foster the advancement of sustainable, evidence-based practices within their states’ hospitals and health systems. Recent examples of effective infrastructure include the authorization of comprehensive prevention policies and programs, dedicated funding streams, coordinated leadership, and robust data systems with suicide statistics.

Pew highlights how strong state infrastructure within health systems can boost suicide prevention efforts and save lives.
https://ow.ly/buhh50YquC2

#SuicidePrevention #MentalHealth #PublicHealthPolicy

Nebraska senators adopt committee amendment to raise cigarette, vaping taxes amid debate over regressivity and cash‑fund protections After hours of floor debate over equity and oversight, the Nebraska Legislature adopted Revenue Committee amendment AM 22‑53 to LB 11‑24, adding $1 to the cigarette pack tax and a 30% wholesale tax on vaping products while creating a Medicaid expense offset cash fund; the amendment was adopted 29–9.

Nebraska just passed a significant tax hike on cigarettes and vaping products to tackle Medicaid costs, but the debate over its fairness is heating up!

Read the full story

#NE #TobaccoTaxation #MedicaidFunding #CitizenPortal #PublicHealthPolicy

Evidence syntheses indicate nicotine e cigarettes can improve cessation outcomes compared with nicotine replacement therapy for adults who smoke. Policy should reward quitting and switching, not marketing and hype. #QuitSmoking #PublicHealthPolicy #RiskReduction caphraorg.net/wp-content/p...

Senate backs bill to preserve vaccine access and give public health officer standing-order authority Senate Bill 1598 passed after debate over public-health authority; the bill preserves insurance coverage for recommended vaccines and gives Oregon's public health officer standing-order authority to maintain timely access in emergencies, while sponsors emphasized it does not mandate vaccination.

Oregon's Senate just passed a pivotal bill to ensure timely vaccine access without mandating vaccinations, sparking a heated debate on public health authority!

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#OR #VaccineAccess #CommunityCare #PublicHealthPolicy

Pitkin County moves to ban flavored tobacco sales after student and public testimony Pitkin County commissioners voted Feb. 25 to amend the county tobacco-retail license to prohibit sale of flavored tobacco products after presentations from public health staff, school officials and students who said flavors are driving youth nicotine use.

Pitkin County is taking a bold step to combat youth vaping by moving to ban flavored tobacco products, responding to alarming testimonies from students and public health officials.

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#PitkinCounty #CO #CitizenPortal #YouthVaping #PublicHealthPolicy

Jay Bhattacharya Tapped For Second Role Leading US Centers For Disease Control - Health Policy Watch Dr Jay Bhattacharya, the director of the National Institutes of Health, will take on an additional role in the Administration of US President Donald Trump as

#NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya will now also serve as acting #CDC director — consolidating leadership over the two most powerful US health agencies at a time of vaccine rollbacks, measles resurgence, and institutional upheaval.

📖⬇️ & 🔁🙏
#PublicHealthPolicy #VaccinePolicy #HealthGovernance

Jess Robbins Lepra UK Advocacy Manager writes a new blog post: What can we achieve together that we can’t achieve alone? https://ow.ly/XSfe50YcKwv

#HousesOfParliament #IDSky #MedSky #NTDs #HealthPolicy #Health #India #Bangladesh #Advocacy #GlobalHealth #NTDPrevention #PublicHealthPolicy

Blanket bans don’t eliminate risk. They displace it.
When nicotine products are prohibited, use shifts underground, illicit markets grow, and regulators lose visibility. That weakens public health governance, not strengthens it.
#PublicHealthPolicy #RegulationNotProhibition #HarmReduction

Colorado Senate passes bill to promote immunization access, 20-12 On third reading the Colorado Senate passed Senate Bill 32, sponsored by Senator Dorian Mullica, directing state policy to support immunization access, including enabling pharmacists to continue providing vaccines; the vote was 20 ayes, 12 no, 3 excused.

The Colorado Senate has passed a groundbreaking bill aimed at protecting public health and ensuring continued access to vaccines, amid rising concerns over federal changes.

Learn more here

#CO #CitizenPortal #ScienceBasedDecisionMaking #VaccineAccess #PublicHealthPolicy

Senate expands who may petition for extreme risk protection orders, passes SB4 after heated debate The Colorado Senate on Feb. 2 passed Senate Bill 4, expanding who may petition a court for an extreme risk protection order (ERPO). Supporters called it a life-saving public-health tool; opponents warned of due-process and fiscal harms. Vote: 20–13.

The Colorado Senate just passed a controversial bill expanding who can petition for extreme risk protection orders, igniting a fierce debate over gun rights and public safety.

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#CO #GunViolencePrevention #DueProcessRights #CitizenPortal #PublicHealthPolicy

Senator proposes pilot waivers to test flexible childcare regulation in rural Nebraska (LB808) LB808 would let the director of public health approve time‑limited pilot waivers of non‑safety licensing rules so communities can test alternate childcare models. Supporters said pilots could address capacity in rural areas; neutral testimonies urged clear evaluation, reporting and guardrails to protect child safety.

A new proposal in Nebraska aims to revolutionize childcare by allowing pilot programs to test flexible regulations, but will it truly safeguard our children's future?

Learn more here

#NE #PublicHealthPolicy #ChildcareInnovation #RuralCommunitySupport #CitizenPortal

Senate advances bill limiting disciplinary action for doctors’ public medical opinions LB202, intended to protect licensed physicians’ public expression of differing medical opinions under the Medicine and Surgery Practice Act, moved forward after the Health and Human Services committee amendment (AM57) was adopted to clarify the scope.

Nebraska senators are paving the way for a new bill that protects doctors' rights to voice dissenting medical opinions without fear of losing their licenses—find out what this means for healthcare professionals!

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#NE #PublicHealthPolicy #ProfessionalExpression #CitizenPortal

Economic policies aren’t just numbers—they shape who lives, who thrives, and who is left behind. Excited to see WHO’s draft strategy tackling health through this lens. #HealthForAll #PublicHealthPolicy

Virginia Senate Health Professions Subcommittee advances dental workforce, newborn screening and clinical‑access bills The Senate Health Professions Subcommittee in Richmond advanced multiple health‑care bills on workforce and clinical access, reporting measures on dental workforce pathways, psilocybin therapy contingent on FDA action, Gaucher newborn screening, pharmacy therapeutic interchange, and nursing‑home insurance reforms to the full committee after public testimony and roll‑call votes.

Virginia's Senate Health Professions Subcommittee just advanced groundbreaking healthcare bills, including new pathways for dental professionals and access to psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant conditions.

Learn more here!

#VA #WorkforceDevelopment #PublicHealthPolicy #HealthcareAccess

Mendocino County supervisors approve multiple HR classification changes, create crisis response roles The Mendocino County panel unanimously approved a package of human-resources classification updates — renaming an animal-services coordinator role, creating crisis intervention specialist positions to meet a state 24/7 mobile-crisis mandate, and establishing new payroll analyst classifications; incumbents were offered reclassification where applicable.

Mendocino County is making strides in public health by creating new crisis intervention roles and modernizing job classifications to better serve the community's needs.

Learn more here

#MendocinoCounty #CA #PublicHealthPolicy #MentalHealthResponse #CrisisIntervention #CitizenPortal

How did New Zealand reduce smoking without bans?
By making lower-risk alternatives regulated, accessible, and credible for adults who smoke.
Behaviour change follows reality, not slogans.
#PeopleFirst #PublicHealthPolicy www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO26...

That’s a wrap! The Global Antibiotic Policy Initiative (GAPi) has officially been launched in Thailand. Supported by the Wellcome Trust, GAPi aims to strengthen local priority setting and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) policy action by applying a health economics approach to one of the most pressing global health challenges. The initiative brings together a strong research collaboration between the Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program Foundation (HITAP), City St. George’s University of London, University of Oxford, One Health Trust and the Center for Global Development! Excited to follow how GAPi’s work will translate into meaningful impact, not only in Thailand and UK but beyond.

That’s a wrap! The Global Antibiotic Policy Initiative (GAPi) has officially been launched in Thailand. Supported by the Wellcome Trust, GAPi aims to strengthen local priority setting and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) policy action by applying a health economics approach to one of the most pressing global health challenges. The initiative brings together a strong research collaboration between the Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program Foundation (HITAP), City St. George’s University of London, University of Oxford, One Health Trust and the Center for Global Development! Excited to follow how GAPi’s work will translate into meaningful impact, not only in Thailand and UK but beyond.

by applying a health economics approach to one of the most pressing global health challenges.

#GAPi #AMR #researchcollaboration #publichealthpolicy #globalhealth

Committee backs changes to Progressive Treatment Program fund, raises cap to $3,500 The Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously in a work session to advance LD 1989 with amendments that replace the term 'renewal' with 'extension,' clarify who may be reimbursed from the PTP fund, and increase the maximum reimbursement from $800 to $3,500, subject to available funds.

Maine's Health and Human Services Committee just took a major step forward by raising the reimbursement cap for the Progressive Treatment Program from $800 to $3,500, paving the way for better mental health support.

Learn more here!

#ME #PublicHealthPolicy #LegalAccessibility #MaineHealthCare

Pitkin County Board of Health recommends countywide ban on flavored tobacco products After presentations from public health staff, school staff and students, the Pitkin County Board of Health voted unanimously to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners consider a comprehensive ban on all flavored tobacco products, including flavored pouches and vapes.

The Pitkin County Board of Health just took a powerful stand against flavored tobacco products, urging a comprehensive ban to protect youth from addiction and health risks.

Learn more here

#PitkinCounty #CO #FlavorBanInitiative #PublicHealthPolicy #CitizenPortal

Neonatal Herpes Reporting in the United States: Review of Current Policies by State - PubMed Despite its devastating impact, neonatal herpes is not a nationally notifiable condition. As of 2023 it is only reportable in 6 states. A consistently applied case definition with designation as a nationally notifiable condition would optimize surveillance and preventative efforts.

Strengthening surveillance is critical to protecting infants and guiding prevention efforts nationwide.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38606511/
#NeonatalHealth #HerpesAwareness #PublicHealthPolicy #HCAImpact

Agency of Human Services outlines midyear Medicaid budget adjustments, highlights MMIS, HealthConnect and Planned Parenthood funding shifts Agency of Human Services told the Senate Appropriations committee it plans contract amendments to the MMIS fiscal agent (just under $2 million gross), will pick up a one‑year state cost for Planned Parenthood services (~$1.13M) due to a federal moratorium, and seeks one‑time funding for a HealthConnect cloud migration (~$2.7M).

Vermont's Agency of Human Services is making significant midyear Medicaid budget adjustments, including a nearly $2 million amendment and covering Planned Parenthood funding entirely with state dollars for the upcoming year.

Learn more here

#VT #PublicHealthPolicy #VermontMedicaid

Local health advocates and lawmakers push to extend syringe-exchange authorizations (SB91) Sen. Yoder and Rep. Pierce described Senate Bill 91, which would extend the sunset on county-level syringe‑exchange programs for 10 years; local callers warned that banning or curtailing exchange programs would raise infections and undermine harm‑reduction surveillance.

Local health advocates are sounding the alarm: restricting syringe-exchange programs could trigger a public health crisis, increasing the risks of hepatitis and HIV infections.

Learn more here

#MonroeCounty #IN #PublicHealthPolicy #HarmReduction #DiseasePrevention #MonroeCountyPublicHealth

Why does Denmark recommend so few childhood vaccines? A Danish scientist explains The U.S. plans to follow the Scandinavian country’s minimalist schedule. That may be a mistake, Jens Lundgren says

The U.S. plans to follow the Scandinavian country’s minimalist schedule. That may be a mistake, Jens Lundgren says
#Vaccines #ChildhoodImmunization #VaccineDebate #PublicHealthPolicy #ScienceExplained #AAAS #HealthEducation

www.science.org/content/arti...

New Hampshire House fails to override multiple gubernatorial vetoes; most attempts fall short of two-thirds The New Hampshire House considered a series of roll-call votes on governor's vetoes across education, budgeting, and public-health measures on Dec. 3, 2025; most override attempts failed to reach the two‑thirds threshold required by the state constitution.

The New Hampshire House faced a critical moment as it struggled to override multiple gubernatorial vetoes, falling short of the required two-thirds majority in a heated session.

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#NH #EducationReform #PublicHealthPolicy #NewHampshireHouse #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

State health advisers back birth-dose hepatitis B policy as pediatricians report rising hesitancy At an advisory committee debrief on recent ACIP actions, Connecticut public health officials reiterated support for the hepatitis B birth dose and described declining birth-dose uptake and growing parental hesitancy; clinicians requested clearer state resources and legal guidance.

Connecticut's health officials stand firm on the hepatitis B birth dose policy, but concerns grow as parental hesitancy and vaccination rates decline.

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#CT #PublicHealthPolicy #VaccineAccess #ParentalInformedConsent #CitizenPortal

#UltraProcessedFoods are displacing traditional foods and meals globally, degrading diet quality, and contributing to the rise of diet-related chronic diseases.

library.fabresearch.org/viewItem.php...

#FoodIndustry #PublicHealthPolicy #ChronicDisease #FoodSystems

Proposal takes aim at risk posed by ‘chemical cocktails’ Mixture allocation factor would weigh toxicity of chemicals as a whole

Proposal takes aim at risk posed by ‘chemical cocktails’ #Science #Chemistry #EnvironmentalChemistry #ChemicalSafety #EnvironmentalHealth #PublicHealthPolicy