Throughout 2024, The Nation’s Health delivered insights on the most important news of the year to public health professionals.

Readers were interested in health care access for children, Supreme Court decisions impacting public health, expanding uses of AI and other breaking public health news. They also read and shared stories from our June special section on improving health outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Nation's Health is published 10 times a year by the American Public Health Association. Browse and share our top 15 news stories of the year:

Next pandemic could start in the US, disease experts warn
From pigs to poultry to pets, the U.S. is home to a vast, complex and diverse network of animal industries, which can put the nation at risk for disease outbreaks

Health care access improving for people with IDD, but gaps remain
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience many disparate health outcomes, including fewer preventive screenings, more complications during pregnancy and lower life expectancy. Health professionals are working to address them.

Programs train health students to care for people with IDD
Training programs for health care professionals can improve the quality of care for the 8 million people in the U.S. with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Health care access a struggle for undocumented immigrant children
No federal programs provide health care to undocumented children. Except for emergency care, the children of undocumented immigrants are prohibited from enrolling in any federally funded coverage. Those restrictions can create health barriers for kids.

Supreme Court decision on ‘Chevron deference’ may bring drastic changes for public health
The end of a longstanding policy means U.S. courts will be able to sidestep the expertise of federal health agencies when interpreting laws — a course that experts say has the potential to harm public health policy in incalculable ways.

More programs offering low-cost, reliable transportation for health care visits
Transportation barriers continue to be a leading social determinant of health, impacting everything from access to health care to getting good jobs and obtaining healthy food.


States using Medicaid funds for firearm violence prevention
Medicaid offers flexibility that allows states to tie funding to community needs, including violence prevention. A number of states are taking advantage of that to address issues in their communities.


AI tools offer promise for public health — when used ethically
AI technology is being used to boost core public health functions, including disease surveillance, outbreak forecasting, health education and disease prevention. But experts caution ethical guardrails are needed on its use.


Surgeon general advisory lays out plan to tackle gun violence
A landmark surgeon general advisory confirms what many in public health already knew: Gun violence is a public health epidemic. The advisory also confirms that the way forward is through immediate evidence-based interventions that engage a range of communities.


Report: America falling behind in global science, technology
A new national strategy is needed to revitalize America’s role as a worldwide leader in science and technology, according to a recent report from the Science and Technology Action Committee.


Public health steadfast in commitment to equity, even in face of political attacks
Public health’s fundamental principles of diversity, equity and inclusion have come under scrutiny in courts and legislatures. But public health leaders remain steadfast in uplifting DEI as a core tenet in the field.


Phasing out tobacco sales by birth date taking hold in communities
A number of communities are taking a novel approach to protecting people from the health dangers of tobacco addiction: ending sales to people born after a certain date. Advocates hope it will create a tobacco-free generation.


Certified behavioral health clinics expanding across US
Shortcomings in mental health services have worsened, prompting leaders to look for new approaches. Certified Behavioral Health Clinics, which serve as a home for people experiencing mental health crises, are growing in popularity.


Construction sector struggles with opioid overdose deaths
People who work in construction get hurt on the job more often than other U.S. workers. The sometimes-painful aftermath puts them at risk for another deadly hazard: opioid misuse.


Health care remains unequal for many of America’s people, says NASEM report
Racial and ethnic inequities remain a fundamental flaw of the U.S. health care system and are holding back health equity, says a NASEM report.

Top photo by Ktaylorg, bottom photo by Alvarez, both courtesy iStockphoto.