Health threats and technology are changing—and public health reporting must evolve too. Hawaii is strengthening its public health reporting by improving access to timely data to respond to emerging health threats. Here's how: https://pewtrsts.org/4hcHzXg

👶🏻 Reduced fertility 🦠 Weakened immunity 🎗️ Some cancers PFAS are linked to these serious health concerns and more. These “forever chemicals” can enter our air, water, and ultimately our bodies when everyday products, like non-stick pans, are made, used, or discarded. https://pewtrsts.org/4fPwskD

PFAS Pose a Serious Threat to Human Health

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals that were created in the mid20th century and quickly became popular for their water-, grease-, and stain-resistant properties. A growing body of research has linked certain PFAS to various health issues.

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An investigation from @statnews.com reports that alcohol contributes to roughly 178,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, outnumbering opioid-related deaths more than four to one. Alcohol remains the country’s deadliest (and most normalized) substances.

Forbes@forbes.com · last wk.

No new medication has been approved for alcohol use disorder since 2006.

It kills about 500 Americans every day. But excessive alcohol use is usually left out of the substance use disorder conversation.   States and providers can use universal screenings and evidence-based treatments to support those struggling with unhealthy alcohol use.

STAT@statnews.com · 3mo ago

The Deadliest Drug: STAT's new multipart series on the United States’ drinking problem, and a nation in denial. www.statnews.com/alcohol-epid...

Did you miss your 8 hours last night? Feeling groggy? You might be especially interested in Pew scholar Laura Lewis's research.  Her lab has found that waves of "cleansing" fluid in the brain are halted by sleep loss, leading to attention deficits—and possibly unhealthy aging. 

What Science Tells Us About the Secrets Behind Sleep

You don’t have to be a scientist to know that sleep is essential to human health. But scientists will remind you that a good night’s sleep boosts everything from memory and energy to immune system function and even how successfully we age. And on the flip side, a growing body of evidence links poor sleep quality to a slew of health concerns—from cardiovascular disease to dementia.

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Public health relies on timely data to detect and manage diseases, and more. Utah is now one of the first states to require acute care hospitals to use automated, real-time electronic case reporting, helping public health agencies respond more quickly while reducing manual reporting.

🎉 36 early-career scientists just joined Pew's biomedical research community, and the challenges they're tackling range from brain aging to memory issues to cancer. Here's what the new Pew scholars and fellows are working on—and why it matters 👇

Between 2016—2022, trends in hospitalizations associated with substance use showed: • Alcohol remains the leading cause of substance-related hospital stays • Stimulant-related stays are rising • Hospitals are critical in connecting patients with treatment details: https://pewtrsts.org/4524w7Z

Every month, we round up key #HealthPolicy news and research. Coming up: • Over 99% of Americans have detectable levels of PFAS in their bodies. • Half of U.S. adults under 50 say they get health and wellness information from influencers or podcasts. Sign up 👉 pewtrsts.org/3Nb5Vnb

Arizona's drug death rate is now nearly 2x the national average as its opioid supply shifts from pills to far more volatile powdered fentanyl. The crisis is evolving—so should the response. 🧵

The Upshot@upshot.nytimes.com · 3w ago

Overdose deaths are falling across America. But not in Arizona. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

As wildfires burn and extreme heat grips communities, impacts go beyond damaged homes + roads. Heat waves are driving hospitalizations while wildfire smoke worsens respiratory illness. States are rethinking resilience strategies to protect public health in a changing climate. pewtrsts.org/49eml6y

How States Are Navigating the Intersection of Disasters and Public Health

As state officials seek to address the full scope of extreme weather impacts, they must look beyond physical damage metrics—washed-out roads, downed power lines, and destroyed buildings—to broader hea...

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The New York Times@nytimes.com · 3w ago

Wildfire smoke can be seen via satellites from the Upper Midwest and Canada, across the Great Lakes and down to New York City. A heat dome is pushing temperatures close to 100 degrees across much of eastern Canada and has prompted alerts about poor air quality. nyti.ms/3RHmZnk

Available 24/7 by call, text, or chat, 988—the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—connects people with trained counselors through a national network of more than 200 local crisis centers: https://pewtrsts.org/4ptklOI

In 2015, Anne Arundel County police officer Shawn Kauffman was administering naloxone to people experiencing an overdose five to six times a day. He’s saved many lives, but he’s also used these experiences to help people see there’s help and hope on the other side. #PublicHealth

This is why fundamental biomedical research matters (and why we've supported researchers tackling challenges like this since 1985). The "greasy ball" KRAS protein was considered "undruggable" for decades—now molecular glues are offering a breakthrough for pancreatic cancer. #PublicHealth

The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Vid…@nyt.com.web.brid.gy · 3mo ago

Drinking is deeply embedded in American culture—but its health effects are often overlooked. A recent investigation from STAT reports that alcohol contributes to roughly 178,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, outnumbering opioid-related deaths more than four to one. #publichealth

What prevents access to medication treatment for #opioid use disorder? A recent @pennldi.bsky.social of Philadelphia-based providers found that obstacles include: • Lack of insurance coverage and reimbursement • Administrative hurdles and policies • Licensure and regulatory requirements

PennLDI@pennldi.bsky.social · last mo.

What policy barriers limit access to buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD)? In collaboration with @pew.org, LDI Fellows found that providers cited low reimbursement, administrative hurdles, & regulatory requirements as major barriers to timely OUD treatment. Read more: https://bit.ly/4alXDSj

When fatal drug overdoses increased 82% from 2006 to 2014 in Alabama, something had to be done. Together, a coalition of state officials and public health professionals created a central data repository and sharing practices that helped save lives. Here are 4 steps they found to work:

From tools that flag suicide risk to chatbots offering emotional support, AI is quickly becoming part of mental healthcare. It offers potential, but also raises questions: How well do these tools work? Who is responsible? We look at the positives, and the challenges: https://pewtrsts.org/3SRqyaO

Science doesn’t stop at borders—and neither does its impact. Pew Latin American Fellow Daiana Capdevila studies how proteins work and is developing biosensors to test drinking water quality and detect mosquito-borne diseases – work that can help protect her fellow citizens in Argentina and beyond.

This is an important conversation. AI has the potential to expand access to mental healthcare—but questions about safety, effectiveness, accountability, and privacy need to be part of the discussion.

The Wall Street Journal@wsj.com · last mo.

The growing use of AI chatbots for mental-health support is sparking tension with traditional therapists and raising regulatory concerns. on.wsj.com/4oXI6hz

~40% of Americans—137 million people—live in an area with a shortage of mental health providers.   3 things states can do:  - Use data to understand the gaps  - Offer financial incentives to attract providers  - Establish career pipelines to grow the workforce  See specific examples here: 

State Policies Can Help Address the Mental Health Care Workforce Shortages

Hospitals and health systems are a critical point of intervention for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In just five years, the share of emergency department visits because of suicide attempts or intentional self-harm more than tripled—climbing from 0.6% in 2015 to over 2% in 2020.

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Hi, Bluesky 👋 We're The Pew Charitable Trusts' health team—we dig into the data behind public health, behavioral health, and more to inform real-world policy and practices. We can’t wait to share insights and recommendations, and to hear yours. What do you want to hear from us? Tell us below.