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Congressional Black Caucus Foundation marks 50 years at pivotal time

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation marks 50 years at pivotal time

The CBC Foundation's annual conference will kick off in Washington to discuss the priorities of Black life in America.

Chronic Conditions Elevate Pneumococcal Disease Severity, Especially in Black Communities

Chronic Conditions Elevate Pneumococcal Disease Severity, Especially in Black Communities

Pneumococcal disease, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, can range from mild to life-threatening, with its severity significantly amplified in individuals with underlying chronic health conditions. Conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, chronic lung disease, and kidney disease impair the body's immune defenses and its ability to withstand infection. For instance, diabetes can hinder white blood cell function, while heart disease makes it harder for the body to tolerate the stress of a serious infection. Chronic lung diseases increase the risk of respiratory complications, and kidney or liver diseases can lead to impaired immune responses. Studies indicate that adults with these conditions experience significantly higher rates of pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease compared to healthy peers. The risk further escalates with multiple risk factors and smoking, which damages lung tissue and local immune defenses. In Black communities, the prevalence of these chronic condition...

Congresswoman Alma Adams and Senator Cory Booker Reintroduce Momnibus Act to Combat Maternal Mortality

Congresswoman Alma Adams and Senator Cory Booker Reintroduce Momnibus Act to Combat Maternal Mortality

Representatives Lauren Underwood and Alma Adams, co-chairs of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, along with Senator Cory Booker, have reintroduced the Momnibus Act. This legislative package aims to address the high rates of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities affecting mothers across all backgrounds in the United States. The Momnibus comprises 14 distinct pieces of legislation designed to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce mortality rates. Key provisions include critical investments in social determinants of health for pregnant individuals and new mothers, extending WIC eligibility during postpartum and breastfeeding periods, and funding for community-based organizations focused on maternal health. It also allocates funding for maternal healthcare for veterans, invests in a culturally competent perinatal workforce, and seeks to improve data collection processes and quality measures to better understand the causes of the maternal health crisis. Additionally, the act supports maternal ment...

Illinois Faces Medicaid Coverage Cuts Under President Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill'

Illinois Faces Medicaid Coverage Cuts Under President Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill'

More than 700,000 individuals in Illinois are at risk of losing or have already lost their public health insurance due to President Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill.' Governor JB Pritzker’s administration is actively notifying thousands of Illinoisans on Medicaid about these impending changes. Approximately half of the affected enrollees reside in Cook County. The state has initiated mailing letters to individuals covered by Medicaid, a joint state-federal program designed for low-income individuals or those with disabilities. Currently, about 3 million people in Illinois, roughly one in four residents, rely on Medicaid for their healthcare needs. Starting October 1, approximately 8,500 non-U.S. citizens with legal status, including refugees and trafficking survivors, will lose their coverage. Furthermore, in the coming year, around 700,000 individuals aged 19 to 64 without children could lose their coverage if they do not meet new work or volunteer requirements, necessitating bi-annual eligibility verifica...

12th Annual Future Security Forum to Reflect on U.S. Post-9/11 Counterterrorism Efforts

12th Annual Future Security Forum to Reflect on U.S. Post-9/11 Counterterrorism Efforts

On September 15, 2026, Arizona State University and New America will co-host the 12th Annual Future Security Forum in Washington D.C. This year's forum, titled "25 Years After September 11, Lessons From America’s Post-9/11 Wars," is organized in collaboration with the Global SOF Foundation, Security & Defence PLuS, the McCain Institute, and Small Wars Journal. The event will serve as a platform to reflect on the U.S. and its allies' counterterrorism efforts over the past two and a half decades. Key topics for discussion include insights derived from extensive war reporting, how America's allies perceive the country today, and the ways in which the Iran War has built upon prior policies. The forum aims to provide a comprehensive retrospective on the strategies, successes, and challenges encountered since the September 11 attacks, offering a critical examination of the long-term impacts of these conflicts and policies.

U.S. Public Health System Weakened by Chronic Underinvestment and Disruptions, Report Finds

U.S. Public Health System Weakened by Chronic Underinvestment and Disruptions, Report Finds

America's public health system is at a critical juncture, facing significant challenges due to decades of chronic underinvestment, workforce reductions, funding disruptions, and institutional uncertainty, particularly between 2025 and 2026. A report titled 'Underfunded and Under Strain: The State of America’s Public Health System' by TFAH highlights that these factors have severely weakened the system's capacity to protect communities from preventable diseases and injuries. Despite Congress preserving much of the federal public health system in fiscal year (FY) 2026, appropriations alone could not restore lost operating capacity. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) saw its workforce decrease by approximately 3,600 from the end of FY 2024, a reduction of about 28 percent. Grant interruptions, funding delays, and diminished technical and administrative capacity have further impacted program operations. The report emphasizes that while appropriated funds are crucial, they are in...

Large-Scale UK Health Study Reveals Limits of Sample Size in Representing Diverse Populations

Large-Scale UK Health Study Reveals Limits of Sample Size in Representing Diverse Populations

A recent study published in *Nature Medicine* evaluated baseline phenotypic data from over 1.9 million adult participants in the UK's 'Our Future Health' (OFH) study, one of the world's largest health cohorts. Researchers analyzed self-reported medical histories, physical measurements, and linked electronic health records to map disease patterns against UK national benchmarks. While the OFH cohort broadly reflects national demographic patterns, the study found that younger adults, most minority ethnic groups, and individuals from the most deprived areas remain proportionally underrepresented. Despite its massive scale, which provides high absolute numbers in some underrepresented groups, selection bias and underrepresentation persist. The study also noted differences in lifestyle factors, such as lower smoking rates but higher frequent alcohol intake in OFH participants compared to national surveys. Disease prevalence across 109 common conditions showed strong correlation with data from the UK Biobank, but...

U.S. Representative Troy Carter Invites Algiers Choir to Congressional Black Caucus Gospel Extravaganza

U.S. Representative Troy Carter Invites Algiers Choir to Congressional Black Caucus Gospel Extravaganza

U.S. Representative Troy Carter has extended an invitation to the Soulful Voices Choir from All Saints Catholic Church in Algiers to perform at the Gospel Extravaganza. This event is a key part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The conference, now in its 55th year, serves as a gathering point for lawmakers, policymakers, advocates, and community leaders. Its primary focus is to address and discuss critical issues impacting Black communities both within the U.S. and globally. Representative Carter, who is a member of the All Saints Catholic Church, highlighted that topics such as SNAP benefits, equal opportunity, and environmental justice are central to the discussions at this year's conference. The Soulful Voices Choir, which has been an integral part of the church's musical ministry for 16 years, views this performance as a significant opportunity to represent the cultural heritage and traditions of New Orleans, particularly its vibrant Black ...

U.S. Hospitals Face AI Access Disparities Despite Improved Outcomes

U.S. Hospitals Face AI Access Disparities Despite Improved Outcomes

A nationwide analysis of U.S. hospitals reveals that while Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotic systems are associated with improved clinical outcomes in time-sensitive care, significant geographic disparities exist in access to these technologies. Researchers at Drexel University found that specific AI workflow capabilities, such as staff-scheduling AI and routine task automation AI, were linked to better patient outcomes. For instance, staff-scheduling AI was associated with a 2.24-percentage-point increase in sepsis bundle completion, and routine-task automation AI correlated with a 0.87-percentage-point reduction in 30-day pneumonia mortality. However, the study highlighted that approximately 114.6 million people in the U.S. live more than a 30-minute drive from an AI-enabled hospital. While 79.5% of the population is within a 30-minute drive of surgical robotics, only 65.8% have similar access to AI-enabled hospitals. Despite a 56% increase in AI-enabled hospitals from 2022 to 2024, and population...

WHO African Region to Discuss Strengthening Primary Health Care in Lomé

WHO African Region to Discuss Strengthening Primary Health Care in Lomé

Countries within the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region are convening in Lomé to address the critical role of stronger Primary Health Care (PHC) in accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The meeting, commencing tomorrow, will bring together representatives from across the region to explore how enhanced PHC can deliver quality, integrated, and continuous care closer to communities. The discussions will draw upon existing evidence and country-specific experiences to identify practical priorities for action. This initiative underscores the WHO's commitment to ensuring that essential health services are accessible to all, with PHC serving as the foundational element of a robust health system. The focus will be on strategies that can effectively bridge gaps in healthcare access and improve health outcomes across the diverse populations of the African continent.

Study Links Ultra-Processed Food Intake in U.S. Infants to Higher Added Sugar and Sodium Consumption

Study Links Ultra-Processed Food Intake in U.S. Infants to Higher Added Sugar and Sodium Consumption

A recent study published in the journal *Nutrients* has found that ultra-processed food (UPF) intake during complementary feeding in infants is associated with higher consumption of added sugar and sodium. The research, conducted on a cohort of 114 healthy, full-term infants in the Denver metropolitan area of Colorado, analyzed dietary intake and growth data at approximately 5, 9, and 12 months of age. The study revealed that UPFs accounted for an average of 32% of energy intake from complementary foods. Researchers classified foods using the NOVA system, categorizing them based on their degree of processing. They observed that UPFs were more energy-dense, providing an average of 282 kcal per 100g compared to 128 kcal per 100g for minimally processed foods, and contained more sodium and less fiber. The consumption of UPFs increased over time, from about 4 kcal/kg/day at 5 months to 20 kcal/kg/day at 12 months. This increase in UPF intake was directly linked to higher added sugar consumption at both 9 and 1...

Healthy Eating Research Panel Proposes New Ultra-Processed Food Definition and Policy Recommendations

Healthy Eating Research Panel Proposes New Ultra-Processed Food Definition and Policy Recommendations

A recent report from Healthy Eating Research (HER) has put forth a new definition for ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and recommended five policy actions aimed at reducing their consumption in the United States. This initiative comes as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are finalizing their first federal definition of UPFs. The HER panel defines UPFs as products containing at least one cosmetic additive for palatability or a non-culinary ingredient not typically found in a home kitchen, such as high fructose corn syrup. This definition builds upon the Nova food classification system but is tailored for policy implementation. The report highlights that over half of American caloric intake comes from UPFs, linking their consumption to increased risks of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and mental health disorders.