Top public health news stories from APHA in 2019

We’re nearing the end of another busy year in public health. But before we say goodbye to 2019, let’s celebrate your favorite news articles from Public Health Newswire and The Nation’s Health.

We look forward to bringing you breaking news, professional perspectives, research, program updates and more in the new year!

Top 10 posts from Public Health Newswire in 2019

1. Call for abstracts announced for APHA 2019
   The annual opening of submissions for APHA’s Annual Meeting is always an exciting time for public health. Stay tuned for the call for abstracts for APHA 2020!
2. Environmental justice, racism and public health 
   Our July webinar and announcement of our new APHA Press book on racism piqued interest for readers.
3. Q&A with CDC Director Robert Redfield on the state of public health  
   Public Health Newswire interviewed Redfield on the agency’s plans for the year.
4. ‘My first year as HHS assistant secretary for health’ — Adm. Brett Giroir, MD 
   One year after being sworn in as HHS assistant secretary for health, Giroir reflects on the accomplishments of his office and looks to the public health work ahead.
5. APHA public health policy institute inspires action 
   APHA’s first Policy Action Institute showed participants how policy can improve health. Sign up for the 2020 event now!
6. APHA Press releases Certified in Public Health Exam Review Guide 
   APHA’s best-selling book helps students study for the CPH exam.
7. NPHW guest post: 4 strategies for using technology in public health 
   Raed Mansour, MS, director of the Office of Innovation at the Chicago Department of Public Health offers insights.
8. It is past time to act on the science to prevent childhood cancer 
   APHA’s Children’s Environmental Health Topic Committee, part of the Association’s Environment Section, calls for action.
9. Policies that work: A look at the scientific data behind gun violence prevention  
   APHA’s September forum highlighted the science on preventing gun violence.
10. The state of environmental health in education 
    An Environmental Health Coalition workgroup explores whether new accreditation criteria are a net loss for environmental health.

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Top 5 news stories from The Nation’s Health in 2019

1. Suicide, opioids tied to ongoing fall in US life expectancy: Third year of drop
   Fueled by “deaths of despair,” U.S. life expectancy declined to 78.6 years in 2017, with suicide rates rising 33%.
2. Programs work from within to prevent black maternal deaths: Workers targeting root cause — racism
   Maternal deaths among black women are at least three times that for white women. Health workers and advocates are working to close that gap.
3. President’s budget would hinder US public health progress: Huge cuts proposed
   The 2020 federal budget proposal included big cuts to major federal public health agencies.
4. Public health workers taking action on rising US STD rates: Gonorrhea, syphilis making comebacks
   Despite the rising rates of STDs, federal funding has failed to keep up.
5. Video games and health: Sorting science from popular beliefs — Many believe games cause gun violence
   There are pros and cons to playing video games, though one often-cited concern may need to be vanquished for good.

Read the rest of the top 10 list from The Nation’s Health on the newspaper’s website.

What were your favorite public health news stories of 2019? Tell us in the comments, below.