Public Health

This policy watch examines the impact of federal staff cuts and HHS restructuring on the nation’s HIV response.

This updated fact sheet provides the latest data on the U.S. HIV epidemic, including key trends over time, impact by region and population, and information on the U.S. government’s response.

This analysis examines the latest trends in children’s routine vaccination rates, including the various contributing factors and policies affecting rates. As of the 2022-2023 school year, the share of kindergarten children up to date on their state-required vaccinations has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.

This policy watch provides an update on the latest trends in children’s routine vaccination and exemption rates and discusses how these trends could be impacted by the administration change.

This policy brief highlights areas in which HHS, FDA, and CDC have authority to shape U.S. vaccine policy with a specific focus on vaccine approvals and recommendations for the public. Ultimately, while there are limits, federal officials have significant authority to influence and alter vaccine policy, which could affect vaccine availability, views about vaccines, and vaccine use in the U.S. However, this does not include imposing mandates on or changing local vaccination requirements, as those authorities rest with state and local governments.

This Issue Brief reviews the federal role in setting U.S. water fluoridation policies, discusses current federal recommendations for water fluoridation, and summarizes the extent of water fluoridation across U.S. states.

The poll examines the public’s views on the coronavirus pandemic and a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as trust and confidence in public figures and institutions. It also gauges what issues voters are prioritizing in the upcoming presidential election. and finds that Republican and independent voters prioritize the economy, while Democratic voters are more focused on the coronavirus outbreak.

March 4, 2021 – THE CONVERSATION: Between Us, About Us. is a new campaign to provide Black communities with credible information about the COVID-19 vaccines co-developed by KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) and the Black Coalition Against COVID. Black doctors, nurses and researchers dispel misinformation and provide accessible facts in 50…

This brief summarizes key findings and themes from the COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor project that is tracking the dynamic nature of the U.S. public’s attitudes and experiences with COVID-19 vaccination, and is based on more than 11,000 interviews conducted since December 2020.

News Release May 20, 2021 – THE CONVERSATION / LA CONVERSACIÓN expands to address information needs about the COVID-19 vaccines in the Latinx community with new videos featuring doctors, nurses and promotoras (community health workers) in English and Spanish. This installment of the campaign is produced by KFF (Kaiser Family…