This Week in Public Health

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This Week in Public Health

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11/02/2026

The next ACA Marketplace question isn’t just how many people enroll. It’s how many insurers offer plans—and what those plans cost when people need care.

KFF reports that the average number of insurers per state fell from 9.6 in 2025 to 9.0 in 2026. It also found that the average Marketplace deductible rose by about $1,000 per person as more enrollees shifted toward higher-deductible plans following the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits.

The 2027 Open Enrollment Period runs November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027, according to CMS. When comparing plans, look beyond the monthly premium: check the deductible, provider network and expected out-of-pocket costs, too.

11/02/2026

Imagine searching through millions of puzzle pieces, hoping to find the one that could help treat a disease.

That's a little like what scientists do when looking for new medicines.

Now, AI may help them search faster.

Researchers built a computer system that designs possible drug molecules and tests how they might work.

Some of its calculations took 80% to 90% less time.

These are not medicines ready for patients. They still need a lot of testing.

But imagine what scientists could discover with more time to explore new ideas. 💊

🔬 Read the study: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aei5257

11/02/2026

Could small changes in medical costs paid out of pocket affect infant deaths? A global study of 241 countries from 2000 to 2022 examined 13 expansions of universal health coverage and four large health surveys. It found that when the share of health costs paid out of pocket rose by 1 percentage point, infant deaths increased by 0.16 per 1,000 births. Expanding coverage reduced this share by about 3.3 to 5.9 points on average, though results differed by country. The study found an association, not proof of cause and effect, and some uncertainty remains. How coverage is designed—and who still has to pay—matters for families and communities.

Read more:https://gh.bmj.com/content/11/10/e025028.full.pdf

What should local leaders prioritize to make coverage work for families?

10/30/2026

Vaccines work. So why hasn’t routine vaccination fully rebounded for everyone?

The WHO estimates that immunization prevents 3.5 million to 5 million deaths worldwide each year. Yet the CDC reports that vaccination rates for some groups of U.S. children and teens fell during the pandemic and have not fully recovered.

Closing those gaps takes more than repeating the facts. It means understanding what people need to get vaccinated, making routine care easier to access, and answering questions without judgment. Research suggests clear, evidence-based communication can help, though which approaches increase vaccination in the real world is still being studied.

What would make it easier for families in your community to stay up to date?"

10/29/2026

Peptides are everywhere right now—but “peptide” is not a safety seal. FDA-approved peptide medicines have been evaluated for specific uses. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, and the FDA has warned that some unapproved peptide products may pose safety risks. Before considering a product marketed as “peptide therapy,” check exactly what it contains and whether that specific product is approved. FDA safety information:

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks

10/29/2026

A new world beyond Pluto? The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has identified 2026 ED138, a large trans-Neptunian object and promising dwarf-planet candidate. Early estimates put it at roughly 600–1,500 km across—but that wide range depends on how reflective its surface is. Infrared follow-up could narrow down its size and help determine whether it qualifies as a dwarf planet. For now, it’s a candidate, not a confirmed dwarf planet. What would you want to learn about it first?

10/28/2026

What Can Zombies Teach Us About Public Health?

Quite a lot, actually. Behind the ridiculous premise is a simulation of real public health challenges. You’ll learn why early detection matters, how infections can spread exponentially, how public trust shapes emergency response, and how health inequalities shape an outbreak's course.

You’ll also confront a frustrating reality of public health leadership: even good decisions involve tradeoffs, and the consequences aren’t always immediately obvious.

The game uses a simplified epidemiological model with fictional disease parameters. It is designed for education and entertainment, not to predict real-world outbreaks.

The zombies are fictional. The public health lessons aren’t.
https://thisweekinpublichealth.com/zombie-outbreak-simulator-can-you-save-brainsboro/

10/24/2026

A Coastal Flood Warning is more than a forecast of a high tide. The National Weather Service issues one when moderate to major coastal flooding is occurring or imminent, with serious risks to people and property.

Rising seas are making high-tide flooding more frequent in many U.S. coastal areas, according to NOAA. But the impact of any warning depends on local conditions, including wind, drainage and elevation.

If a warning is issued for your area, check local National Weather Service updates, follow evacuation instructions, move away from flood-prone areas and never drive through floodwater.

10/23/2026

A hurricane season can look ordinary on paper and still carry extraordinary risks. NOAA counted 13 named storms in the 2025 Atlantic season, close to the long-term average. But storm totals alone cannot tell us how much rain fell, where storms traveled, or what happened when flooding and power outages struck the same communities.

Research indicates that a warming climate increases tropical-cyclone rainfall and the intensity of the strongest storms. Changes in storm numbers and tracks are less clear-cut and vary by region; natural ocean variability also plays a major role.

The takeaway: don’t judge coastal risk by the storm count alone. Prepare for hazards that can compound—even after the wind dies down. What risks does your community plan for together?

10/23/2026

Could the hot dogs or bacon in your fridge be part of a recall?

Kayem Foods recalled about 1.58 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products after a cooling problem at a warehouse. Not every Kayem package is affected: check the USDA establishment number, product code and lot information against the official recall list. If your package matches, don’t eat it.

FSIS classified this as a high-risk Class I recall, though it reported no confirmed illnesses at the time of its notice. Check the product details: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFSIS/bulletins/42f8d37

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