Public Health
First-of-its-kind assessment maps states’ public health data-sharing policies
Timely, accurate, and complete information is vital to detecting, preventing disease.
AI could be key to quicker disease detection and treatment, expert says
A new partnership between the University of Pittsburgh and Leidos aims to advance public health disease monitoring by developing artificial intelligence-enabled detection tools.
Building modern paid family and medical leave programs
COMMENTARY | How agile development, human-centered design and an API-first strategy drive success to ensure software always aligns with user needs.
Louisiana will turn to AI to detect Medicaid fraud, health officials say
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is developing an artificial intelligence and data analysis tool the Louisiana Department of Health will use to fight “fraud, waste and abuse,” state officials said.
State and local governments continue fight drug epidemic with tech
From at-home devices to federal lab testing, state and local officials are finding new ways to leverage tech to curb drug overdoses in their communities.
Public health risks of urban wildfire smoke prompt push for more monitoring
In February, nearly a dozen lawmakers from California called on the EPA to create a task force of local and federal authorities to better monitor what’s in the air and inform the public.
Cuts to federal health agency raise concerns about state and local impacts
The staff and budget cuts at the federal level will hamper state and local health departments’ capacity to juggle public health needs like disease surveillance and data modernization, experts say.
As measles outbreaks loom, Montana lawmakers work to regain data on immunizations
A bipartisan group is pushing to roll back a 2021 law that stopped the state from collecting local school data about immunization rates.
A new Texas bill is coming after online abortion pills
The 43-page measure, introduced Friday, may be the most meaningful attempt this year to block the ordering and mailing of medication abortion.
New sensor detects airborne bird flu in minutes
The researchers' work is crucially timed as the avian virus has taken a dangerous turn over the past year to being transmitted via airborne particles to mammals, including humans.
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As bird flu spreads, feds might undercut states by firing scientists, removing data
The avian influenza virus has killed millions of wild birds and led to emergency culling of commercial flocks.
AI air pollution takes deadly health toll
COMMENTARY | Air pollution from AI is expected to result in as many as 1,300 premature deaths a year by 2030 in the United States, researchers say.
Governor urges Rhode Islanders to take precautions to protect personal data
Gov. Dan McKee called the deadline given by hackers who installed malicious malware on the RIBridges system and demanded a ransom a “moving target” at a press conference late Saturday afternoon.
Can you improve indoor air quality? These Utahns let sensors track their every move
Reaching for Air: Four Utahns installed sensors built by Columbia University’s Brown Institute in their homes. Here’s what they found.
Report: Electronic case reporting helped states during the pandemic — they need to use it more
A new report from The Pew Charitable Trusts highlights an emerging method for improving the sharing and use of public health data.
Public health tech must be agile in post-COVID world, Virginia official says
Agencies had to quickly stand up new systems to track cases and vaccines, among other things. With federal help reduced, they need to be sustainable with their tech investments.
Florida’s Deloitte-run computer system cut off new moms entitled to Medicaid
Florida discovered a glitch in its Deloitte-run Medicaid eligibility system. The problem, alleged in court testimony, led to new mothers wrongly losing their insurance coverage.
Public health surveillance, from social media to sewage, spots disease outbreaks early to stop them fast
COMMENTARY | Rather than winging it when an unusual health event crops up, health officials take a systematic approach. The goal is to quickly figure out what’s going on and squash any outbreak before it spreads.
What voters had to say about abortion rights in 2024
The majority of ballot measures to protect abortion rights passed, but concerns about women’s health outcomes remain.
Inside mobile health clinic efforts to reach more residents, address gaps in care
To increase the accessibility and affordability of reproductive health care, local health departments are giving the green light to mobile solutions.
