LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
NCHCMM 2025: New App, Free Headshots, Career Workshop & More
The 2025 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media (NCHCMM) is almost here, (next week!) with exciting updates for public health communicators! The new event app—sponsored by NORC—makes it easy to explore sessions, connect with peers, and stay informed.
Conference registration has been extended through July 22, with day passes available through July 25—ideal for students or locals. Attendees can take advantage of free professional headshots on July 29 and a limited-capacity career development workshop, Pivot with Purpose, focused on navigating change and professional growth.
Don’t miss special appearances by former NFL players during a Monday cancer prevention session. Visit the NCHCMM website for the latest agenda.
New CDC Campaign “Free Mind” Tackles Youth Mental Health and Substance Use
The CDC’s Free Mind campaign takes a creative, youth-focused approach to address the critical link between mental health and substance use. Launched July 21, the campaign offers a range of engaging tools—fact sheets, social media graphics, video PSAs, an interactive graphic novel, and a forthcoming card game—to help youth and their caregivers understand how mental health challenges can increase the risk of substance misuse and overdose.
Designed to spark honest conversations and provide healthier coping strategies, Free Mind promotes a blueprint for better mental well-being. Public health communicators can learn more during the campaign’s live webinar on July 24.
COVID-19 Cases are Rising in These States Amid Summer Wave
The CDC reports a summer surge of COVID-19 cases growing in at least 26 states, including Arkansas, Ohio, and Texas, with emergency room visits for young children reaching their highest levels since March. While new variants Nimbus and Stratus are no more severe than previous strains, vigilance remains essential—especially for vulnerable groups like young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Vaccine guidance is evolving: the CDC now recommends “shared clinical decision-making” for healthy children and pregnant people, urging individuals to consult healthcare providers. Vaccination remains strongly recommended for adults 65+, those at high risk, and unvaccinated adults to reduce severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Read more from CBS here.
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Get a First Look at NCHCMM 2025 Breakout Sessions
The 2025 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media (NCHCMM) is happening July 28–30 in Atlanta, and we’re excited to share a preview of this year’s breakout sessions.
Highlights include sessions on AI in public health, youth-driven campaigns, mental health messaging, and building trust and transparency through community engagement. Attendees can also explore sessions covering global health, CRM-based campaigns, cancer and maternal health, and more. Haven’t registered yet? Register at www.NCHCMM.org to join the conversation shaping the future of public health communication.
ChatGPT Use Linked to Cognitive Decline: MIT Research
A recent MIT Media Lab study raises concerns about the long-term cognitive effects of relying on ChatGPT. Researchers found that participants who regularly used the tool to write SAT-style essays showed the lowest brain engagement and underperformed linguistically and behaviorally compared to peers who used Google or no tools at all.
EEG scans revealed diminished neural activity in the ChatGPT group, which increasingly shifted from using the tool for support to copying content outright. The “brain-only” group showed the strongest cognitive function. These findings highlight the need for caution, particularly for younger users, as public health and education sectors grapple with AI’s growing role. Read the full article from The Hill here.
HHS Plans ‘Bold, Edgy’ Campaign on Ultra-Processed Foods
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a bold national campaign, “Take Back Your Health,” focused on the strong links between ultra-processed foods and increased diabetes risk. With an estimated $10-20 million budget for its first phase, the campaign aims to deliver daring, viral messaging that motivates behavior change among Americans.
It also seeks to popularize health technologies like wearables, framing them as modern, “cool” tools for tracking diet and managing health. This initiative highlights a strategic push to combine public health messaging with cutting-edge technology to address chronic disease prevention nationwide. Read more from STAT News here.
Don’t Miss the Closing Plenary at NCHCMM!
Be sure to join us on Wednesday, July 30, for the powerful closing plenary at the National Conference for Health Communication, Marketing, and Media (NCHCMM) in Atlanta: Communicating the Value of Public Health. Sponsored by Deloitte and organized by PHCC and NPHIC, this dynamic session brings together leading voices—Brian Castrucci, Katherine Reed, and Ashani Johnson-Turbes—for a conversation on how storytelling, media strategy, and innovation can reshape public understanding of public health. Walk away inspired to elevate your messaging and impact.
This plenary is a must-attend for public health professionals seeking practical strategies to cut through misinformation, engage diverse audiences, and demonstrate the critical role of public health in improving lives. Register today to be part of this energizing conclusion to NCHCMM!
