State Health Department

The Illinois Department of Public Health is urging residents to get vaccinated against measles as the number of cases in the state climbs. Officials are stressing that the measles vaccine is safe and highly effective, and are encouraging people to check their immunization records, particularly before travel or gatherings. The warning comes amid a broader rise in measles activity and declining vaccination rates in parts of the United States.

The Department of Human Services has announced new and expanded partnerships aimed at reducing suicide deaths across the state. The initiative is intended to strengthen suicide prevention efforts by working with partner organisations on outreach, support services and crisis response. Details about the specific partners and funding were not included in the announcement, and public reaction has so far been limited.

Mississippi State University's Department of Kinesiology is looking for participants to join a research study on cardiovascular and fitness health. The recruitment notice was reported by The Commercial Dispatch in the Columbus, Mississippi area. Volunteers taking part would contribute to research examining heart and fitness health, though details on eligibility, study activities and how to sign up were not included in the announcement.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reversed course on newly issued disease-tracking guidance, though the change is described as temporary. The agency's original guidance altered how health officials track and report certain diseases across the state, prompting a pullback. Details on which specific reporting requirements are affected, and why the department changed direction, have not been made clear in available reporting.

The Florida Department of Health has withdrawn its plan to broaden vaccine exemptions, backing away from a proposal that would have made it easier for families to skip school immunization requirements. The reversal comes after the state had signalled support for expanding exemptions, a move closely watched amid ongoing national debate over childhood vaccination mandates.

Hawaii state health officials have ordered a junkyard in Pearl City to cease operations following a fire at the site. The order comes as authorities respond to the aftermath of the blaze, which prompted concerns about possible health and environmental hazards at the property. Further details about the fire's cause, extent of damage, or any injuries have not been made public, and the company's response to the shutdown order is not yet known.

Pennsylvania's health department reports the state is approaching 1,000 confirmed measles cases, marking one of the largest US outbreaks in recent years. Health officials are urging vaccination and monitoring for further spread as case counts climb. The milestone has drawn national attention to gaps in immunization coverage and the resurgence of a disease once considered eliminated in the United States.

A State Department official says the United States is monitoring a suspected fatal case of pneumonic plague in Russia. Details about the victim, the location, or how the infection occurred have not been confirmed, and Russian authorities have not publicly verified the report. Officials are reportedly tracking the situation for potential public health implications.

The Department of Health and Human Services has announced a $10 million challenge to promote the Presidential Fitness Test in schools across the United States. The program aims to encourage student participation in physical fitness testing, a longstanding but recently scaled-back tradition. The move has drawn attention as part of a broader push to restore emphasis on youth fitness and physical education nationwide.

A state health department has held a hearing on patient access to medical psilocybin, collecting concerns from stakeholders about how the psychedelic treatment can be obtained. Testimony focused on barriers to access and the regulatory framework. The debate reflects a broader national push, following Oregon and Colorado, to legalise psilocybin for therapeutic use in conditions such as depression and PTSD.

The US Department of Health and Human Services has announced nearly $250 million in grants for addiction treatment and overdose prevention programs. The funding is directed at expanding access to care and strengthening efforts to curb drug-related deaths. Details on specific recipients and program breakdowns have not yet been widely reported.

The New Jersey Department of Health has issued executive directives aimed at guaranteeing residents' access to influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and routine childhood vaccines. The move is intended to remove barriers to immunisation and maintain vaccination coverage across the state. The directives underline the state's push to keep seasonal and childhood immunisations available despite shifting federal guidance.

The US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights has issued clarification of privacy rules governing state Medicaid programs. The guidance is intended to help states understand how federal privacy requirements apply to their Medicaid operations. Details on what specifically changed and how states and beneficiaries are responding are not yet available.

Mississippi State University's Department of Kinesiology is recruiting participants for a research study on cardiovascular and fitness health. The department is inviting community members to take part, with the findings expected to contribute to understanding of heart health and physical fitness. Further details about eligibility and study procedures have not been widely reported.

An Oklahoma court has ruled that the state health department cannot change gender designations on birth certificates. The decision limits the ability of transgender Oklahomans to update their documents to match their gender identity. The ruling adds Oklahoma to the list of states where legal battles over gender markers on official identification continue, and it is likely to face further challenges.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Eskridge. Residents are being told to boil water before drinking or cooking until the advisory is lifted. State officials typically issue such notices after pressure loss or contamination concerns, and tests must come back clean before restrictions end.

San Diego State University is reportedly dealing with a mumps outbreak as the school prepares for its first Pac-12 conference game. The illness could affect player availability and team preparations ahead of the high-profile opener. Details on the number of cases or which players are affected have not been confirmed by the university or athletic department.

A mumps outbreak has struck the San Diego State football team shortly before the program's Pac-12 opener, raising concerns about player availability and game preparations. Health officials and the athletic department are expected to manage containment as the team heads into a high-profile conference matchup.

The New Mexico Department of Health is launching a new health assessment connected to a molybdenum mine, according to The Taos News. The review will examine potential health impacts on nearby communities. Residents in the area have long raised concerns about mining operations and water contamination, making the state's decision a significant development for northern New Mexico.

North Dakota's Health and Human Services department has appointed Bates as executive director of its Medical Services Division. The division oversees key public health and medical assistance programs in the state. The appointment was announced through the department, and further details about Bates's background or priorities in the role were not provided.

The US Department of Health and Human Services has announced the SURPASS program along with three complementary initiatives aimed at transforming clinical trial design and infrastructure in the United States. The announcement was reported by Applied Clinical Trials. Details on funding, timelines and specific partners have not yet been released, and it remains to be seen how the initiatives will change how trials are run.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports the state has recorded more than 200 tuberculosis cases in 2026. The figures were released through the state health agency and reported by Kansas news outlets. Health officials typically use such data to track outbreaks and guide testing and treatment efforts, though no further details about affected counties or severity were provided in the coverage.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has opened its Statewide Community Health Equity Survey to residents across the state, including Barnstable County. The survey invites community members to share their experiences with health care access and barriers, with the aim of guiding public health programs and equity initiatives. Officials are encouraging residents to participate so the results reflect local needs.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced a partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services and Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin aimed at expanding clinical trials in the United States. The initiative, announced during a visit to Austin, is intended to strengthen the country's clinical research capacity, though details of funding and scope have not been made clear.

Valley State Prison in California hosted a wellness fair, according to the state's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The event is part of the department's broader focus on inmate health and rehabilitation, offering those incarcerated access to health information and services. Few further details about the fair's activities or attendance have been released.

The Center for Global Development has published six questions aimed at the State Department regarding its implementation plans for a global health agreement. The questions probe how the department intends to carry out its commitments, and the analysis is drawing attention among global health policy watchers monitoring US foreign aid and diplomacy.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded more than $1.3 million to universities in North Dakota. The funding was announced through Senator Kevin Cramer's Senate office, which publicized the federal grants for the state's higher education institutions. The awards are intended to support health-related research and programs at the universities, adding to federal investment in North Dakota's academic institutions.