South Dakota Public Health Association

09/03/2026

Another reason for public health to create healthy communities!

NIH-funded researchers found that people with no vascular risk factors in midlife lived on average 13 years longer without dementia than those who had three risk factors.

The results suggest people can take an active role in delaying dementia by quitting smoking and managing their risks for diabetes and high blood pressure.

Learn more about the study: https://bit.ly/4ctFcMp

09/03/2026

mRNA flu shot approval will give many older Americans another option this fall—and data shows it outperforms traditional shots.

09/03/2026

📣CALL FOR PAPERS on “Microplastics, Community Health, and Public Health Actions”

The American Journal of Public Health seeks papers on how we can strengthen the evidentiary base on microplastics measurement, exposure, health effects, and successful intervention or policy solutions to advance public health and health equity.

⏰ Submissions due by 12/15/2026

🔗 See comment below ⬇️

09/03/2026

The South Dakota Department of Health (SD-DOH) has announced that a highly pathogenic influenza A strain (bird flu) has been detected in poultry flocks in Edmunds and Hamlin Counties.

09/02/2026

Fall 2026 Injury Insights Newsletter!

The Fall Issue of the Injury Insights newsletter is available. View the newsletter here: https://ow.ly/Wzn750ZHLPU

09/02/2026

NEWS: NIH researchers have discovered rare antibodies that could aid the development of an intervention for alpha-gal syndrome, an emerging tick-bite-associated condition that can cause allergic reactions to red meat and other animal products.

These antibodies acted as a biological shield, successfully blocking human allergic antibodies from binding to red meat allergens.

Approximately 110,000 suspected cases of alpha-gal syndrome have been identified in the U.S. since 2010. Symptoms can vary in severity, ranging from gastrointestinal problems to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Read the full story▶️ https://bit.ly/4cnX4Z5

09/02/2026

Public Health Nurse Kristi King recently joined the Open House at Rapid City North Middle School to help families prepare for the school year.

Kristi reviewed more than 30 immunization records, updated parents on their teens’ vaccination status, and scheduled six appointments for students who needed vaccines at the Rapid City Public Health Nursing Services office.

Thank you, Kristi, for helping families access trusted information and making it easier for students to access healthcare.

08/30/2026

Secondary intervention with screening win!

Falls Community Health found a creative way to make colorectal cancer screening a team priority during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Through the “Moove That Poo” campaign, staff used weekly progress tracking, provider engagement, and friendly competition to identify eligible patients and encourage completion of recommended screenings.

From March 1 through May 31, 2026, 102 patients completed colorectal cancer screening, and the clinic’s screening rate increased from 35% to 42%.

This success shows how teamwork, creativity, and consistent follow-up can make a measurable difference in preventive care.

Read more: https://ow.ly/R61S50ZB44A

08/30/2026

Rural health perspectives!

Rural issues don’t exist in silos. Healthcare, education, housing, transportation, economic opportunity, food access, and public policy are deeply connected—and understanding those connections matters.

That’s why The Rural Impact brings together problem solvers, advocates, storytellers, thought leaders, and policy experts for conversations that dig deeper into the issues shaping rural communities.

🎧 Listen. Learn. Then help us keep the conversation going.

If an episode makes you think differently, challenges what you thought you knew, or gives you information worth sharing, like it and share it with someone who needs to hear the conversation.

theruralimpact.com

08/30/2026

Join the 10 week challange by ecoAmerica !

Nearly 3 in 4 Americans care about climate. We are the climate majority and this midterm, we're making that visible. Starting August 24, we're taking on Election Earth's 10-Week GOTV Challenge: one simple (and powerful) action every week. JOIN US! → electionearth.org/action-challenge/