Explainers & Fact Checks

Public health fact checks

Infodemiology.com • July 23 2026

Pending HHS vaccine injury list draws skepticism and excitement

HHS sparked controversy by compiling a list of presumed COVID-19 vaccine injuries that would allow people to seek compensation without evidence that a vaccine caused their injury.

PHCC • July 17 2026

Canadian wildfires prompt online conversation about staying safe in poor air quality

As smoke from wildfires in Canada affected air quality in many cities across the United States, online commenters discussed how to stay safe.

PHCC • July 16 2026

Misleading claims about flu vaccines persist online

During a Senate confirmation hearing, the CDC director nominee avoided directly answering questions about promoting flu vaccines for children, saying only that she would “always protect our children.”

PHCC • July 16 2026

Meningococcal vaccine campaign receives positive response online

The pharmaceutical company GSK launched a campaign about meningococcal disease and vaccines featuring two celebrity partners.

Infodemiology.com • July 10 2026

Military base flu outbreak sparks conversation about the importance of routine vaccines

Plus, social media users discussed two recent studies on the benefits of COVID-19 and HPV vaccines.

PHCC • June 25 2026

Study finds COVID-19 vaccines reduce heart attack and stroke risk, sparking debate

A June 15 study found that the COVID-19 vaccine reduced the risk of COVID-19-related cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke.

PHCC • June 22 2026

Mental health and disability advocates decry Justice Department’s ADA opinion

The Justice Department broke with decades of federal disability policy in a new memo claiming that states are not required to provide community-based services for people with disabilities.

PHCC • June 22 2026

Posts debate new study finding that HPV vaccines reduce cervical cancer deaths

A recent Lancet study found that girls who got the HPV vaccine at age 12 or 13 had “close to zero” risk of dying from cervical cancer.

Infodemiology.com • June 18 2026

ACOG’s maternal vaccine schedule sparks online debate

False and misleading claims about routine vaccines circulated online over the past two weeks.

PHCC • June 14 2026

Retracted SIDS study ignites anti-vaccine debate online

In April, a 2021 study linking childhood vaccines to SIDS was removed by the publishing journal due to “serious methodological flaws”

PHCC • June 11 2026

Growing screwworm outbreak in animals fuels concern and conspiracy theories

On June 3, the USDA confirmed that New World screwworm was detected in a calf in Texas.

PHCC • June 10 2026

Evidence-based maternal vaccine guidance diverges from the CDC, sparking controversy

On June 10, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released its first maternal vaccination schedule.

Infodemiology.com • June 4 2026

Executive order targeting childhood vaccine schedule sparks online debate (co-authored)

PHCC • May 28 2026

Online posts share stories of potential mental health effects of weight loss drugs

Two articles sparked an online debate about the potential mental health effects of GLP-1 weight loss medications.

PHCC • May 24 2026

Concern grows over expanding tick populations, alpha-gal, and a Lyme disease vaccine

Online conversations about tick-borne illnesses surged after HHS announced plans to address expanding tick populations.

Read vaccine insights at Infodemiology.com

Public Good News • April 10 2026

Nicotine pouches: What to know about the risks

Some experts say nicotine pouches may help reduce cigarette use. Others warn they are highly addictive and harmful to young people.

Public Good News • February 24 2026

Ultra-processed foods: What you need to know

Ultra-processed foods are drawing new attention from federal regulators and state lawmakers, but researchers are still learning about their health impact.

Public Good News • December 3 2025

Kratom: What to know about the loosely regulated herbal drug

A plant-derived chemical more potent than morphine is regulated by a patchwork of state laws.

Public Good News • October 24 2025

The impact of polio vaccines in 4 charts

Seventy years after the first polio vaccine, wild polio has been eliminated in all but two countries.

Public Good News • October 17 2025

Why the tetanus vaccine matters

Vaccination is nearly 100 percent effective at preventing tetanus, a painful life-threatening disease.

Public Good News • July 25 2025

What would it mean for the U.S. to lose measles elimination status?

The best tool to prevent a measles comeback—the MMR vaccine—is readily available.

Public Good News • June 27 2025

Social media is full of mental health myths

Some people turn to social media for mental health support. The results can be dangerous.

Public Good News • April 16 2025

Don't get duped: A guide to spotting fake studies

Here’s how to spot the red flags of questionable research.

Public Good News • January 29 2025

How the HHS impacts your community’s health

HHS is responsible for programs that impact every community in the country. But most Americans aren’t aware of the department’s scope.

Public Good News • January 16 2025

Debunking the myth that vaccines cause autism

There is overwhelming evidence that there is no link between vaccines and autism. But the myth persists.

Public Good News • January 9 2025

All your questions about the hepatitis B vaccine answered

Hepatitis B is a potentially deadly disease that can be prevented by vaccination.

Public Good News • December 20 2024

Here's the latest you need to know about bird flu

Health officials continue to monitor the spread of the bird flu virus. The risk to the public remains low.

Public Good News • November 25 2024

Debunking the vitamin D fad

Vitamin D supplements are important for people without enough of the nutrient. Other health claims are less certain.

Public Good News • October 23 2024

Vaccines are our best weapon in the fight against polio

In honor of World Polio Day 2024, here are a few reasons why vaccines are indispensable to making polio a disease of the past.

Public Good News • September 26 2024

Debunking anti-abortion myths

More than two years after the fall of Roe, dangerous anti-abortion myths continue to spread. Here are the facts.

Public Good News • August 30 2024

Yes, we still need chickenpox vaccines

Vaccination spares children and adults from the misery of chickenpox and the serious short- and long-term risks associated with the disease.

Public Good News • July 25 2024

We need to talk about birth control

Many people have legitimate concerns about hormonal birth control. Some are taking advantage of those fears.

Public Good News • May 23 2024

How anti-vaxxers abuse data to trick you

Cherry-picking, misrepresenting, and misappropriating data are just a few ways to spin falsehoods.

Public Good News • March 25 2024

Vaccines and cancer: The myth that won’t die

Over three years of research have found no link between COVID-19 vaccines and cancer.

Public Good News • February 15 2024

‘Disease X’: What it is (and isn’t)

Understanding Disease X could be the key to fighting the next pandemic.

Public Good News • December 25 2023

Most of what you know about myocarditis is wrong

Separating fact from fiction about heart inflammation.

Public Good News • October 2 2023

Don’t let these myths stop you from getting your flu shot

The vaccine can keep you from getting infected or severely ill.

Public Good News • June 21 2023

Dispelling myths about mRNA vaccines

The history of mRNA vaccines spans decades. In the last three years, the groundbreaking technology has faced an onslaught of misinformation.

Stronger • November 29 2021

How the wellness movement became an anti-vax stronghold

The industry is a potent entry point to COVID-19 vaccine opposition