Public Health & Policy Archives

The New U.S. Dietary Guidelines: What’s New and Why It Matters

September 26, 2026

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines 2025–2030 mark a notable shift in how the federal government talks about food and health. Released jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)…

A New Philosophy Behind the Food Pyramid

September 13, 2026

The latest update to the U.S. Food Pyramid marks a quiet but meaningful shift in how federal nutrition guidance is delivered. Rather than relying on rigid limits and one-size-fits-all rules,…

Wildfire Smoke to Become Costliest U.S. Climate-Related Health Threat

September 8, 2026

Scientists are sounding the alarm: wildfire smoke, fueled by climate change, could soon become the most devastating climate-related health hazard in the United States. A new study projects that by…

At-Home Pap Smear Alternatives Arrive as U.S. Changes Policy

September 1, 2026

U.S. Expands Cervical Cancer Screening A major change is underway in how cervical cancer screening can happen in the United States — and it could make a big difference for…

Dolly Parton’s Heartbreaking Last Lesson: Love, Caregiver Grief, and the Health We Ignore

Black and white archival photo of Dolly Parton and her late husband Carl Dean, highlighting their six-decade marriage and caregiver devotion.

August 25, 2026

“I still have so many things I want to achieve.” Just four days before her passing at age 80, Dolly Parton shared those words with her characteristic, vibrant warmth. Even…

How One Teen Is Changing Student Health With Clean Air

June 22, 2026

Breathing clean air is something most of us take for granted. But for millions of students across the U.S., the air inside classrooms can quietly affect their health, focus, and…

A Firefighter’s Cancer Battle Sparks Health Insurance Coverage Debate

June 10, 2026

When people think about fighting cancer, they usually think about doctors, treatments, hospital visits, and recovery. What many patients don't anticipate is another battle that can unfold alongside the medical…

New Rules Could Change How Millions Keep Health Coverage

June 4, 2026

For decades, qualifying for Medicaid has largely depended on income. Soon, for millions of Americans, keeping Medicaid coverage may require something more: proving they meet new work-related requirements. Federal officials…

Two NIH Scientists Are Accused of Smuggling Mpox Samples into the U.S.

June 3, 2026

Most people assume that scientists studying dangerous viruses routinely transport samples across international borders. And they do. But according to federal prosecutors, that process only works when researchers follow strict…

U.S. Ranks 33rd in Global Health Despite Trillions in Spending

May 14, 2026

For decades, Americans have been told they live in the country with the best medical care in the world. And in some ways, that’s true. The United States is home…