Hello from the Common Health Coalition! The 2-4-2 Digest is a weekly snapshot for health leaders - 4 key insights in 2 minutes or with 2 swipes on your phone. 

Weekly Health Insights

Flu: CDC reports the 2024–25 flu season had the highest hospitalization rate since 2010–11, noting that only one-third of hospitalized patients were vaccinated. Severity indicators like ICU admission and ventilation remained stable relative to prior years.

Chronic Disease: While chronic disease deaths are falling globally, U.S. rates have plateaued. Deaths from heart disease and cancer rose in 2024, suicide entered the top 10 causes, and younger adults are experiencing more preventable deaths. 

Pharmaceuticals: President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed the FDA to crack down on deceptive direct-to-consumer drug ads. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said oversight had collapsed in recent years, fueling higher drug spending; the agency has now issued 100 cease-and-desist letters and proposed new rules requiring fuller risk disclosure. The U.S., alongside New Zealand, is one of only two countries that allow such ads.

Rural Health: CMS has released requirements and timelines for the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program created by this summer’s tax legislation (against a backdrop of broader cuts to Medicaid and public health). Many states have accelerated collaboration with health care systems and community partners to craft rural health transformation plans under a compressed early November application timeline.

Vax News: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to meet this week, September 18-19 (draft agenda and webcast link here). Check out the Common Health Coalition’s Vaccine Resources page for relevant explainers and toolkits related to immunization policy. 

Colleague Corner

CHC and Your Local Epidemiologist are regularly updating this map as states take action on COVID-19 vaccine access. 

Data Watch

A new JAMA Network Open study estimates that a modest 3.3% annual decline in PrEP coverage over the next decade would lead to 8,618 excess HIV infections and $3.6 billion in lifetime medical costs. Larger cuts could more than triple the adverse impact, reversing gains made in HIV prevention.

Figure. Estimated Yearly New HIV Diagnosis Rates at Observed Levels of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use and at Counterfactual Levels of Decrease in PrEP Coverage

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