Public Health News Friday: October 30, 2026

Philadelphia’s new food and health coalition, Pennsylvania’s ongoing measles outbreak, and the approaching health insurance enrollment period lead this week’s roundup. We also look at access to pediatric intensive care, updated antibiotic-resistance estimates, and international developments in Ebola and climate health.

Coverage for October 24–30, 2026.

1. Philadelphia: A new coalition connects food access with better health.
   The Philadelphia Food as Medicine Coalition launched at the October 27 Food First Health Summit, bringing together health professionals, farmers, food organizations, and policymakers. Its priorities include expanding access to nutritious food, coordinating produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals, improving nutrition education, and reducing food waste. The coalition aims to strengthen existing programs and reach families before diet-related chronic diseases develop. Read WHYY’s coverage, October 29.
2. Philadelphia: The city appoints a manager to coordinate rat control.
   Philadelphia has named longtime public health employee Adrian Jordan its rat abatement manager. His work will focus on improving coordination among city departments, with the lower Northeast identified as the first target area. The appointment follows residents’ complaints about rats entering homes and damaging property. Residents can report rat problems to the city’s Vector Control program at 215-685-9000. Read Billy Penn’s coverage, October 28.
3. Regional: Health insurance enrollment opens November 1.
   Open enrollment for 2027 Affordable Care Act coverage begins Sunday in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Residents can compare plans through Pennie, Get Covered NJ, or HealthCare.gov, respectively. Premiums are rising, but many people still qualify for financial assistance. Enrollment deadlines and coverage start dates differ by state, making it worth reviewing the details before choosing or renewing a plan. Read WHYY’s enrollment overview, October 26.
4. Regional: Delaware highlights vaccination access ahead of respiratory illness season.
   Delaware health officials are encouraging residents to review the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations recommended for them with their health care providers. The state also highlighted assistance through public health clinics for people who are uninsured, underinsured, or having difficulty finding a recommended vaccine. Vaccine availability and eligibility vary by location, so residents should call before visiting. Read the Delaware health department announcement, October 29.
5. Pennsylvania: Measles outreach builds on trusted community relationships.
   Associated Press reporting from Lancaster County describes growing openness to vaccination among some Amish and Mennonite residents during Pennsylvania’s ongoing measles outbreak. Attitudes vary within these communities, and some residents remain opposed. Union Community Care’s small vaccination clinics have delivered about 450 measles shots. The reporting highlights the time and relationships needed to build trust, along with the connections between Plain communities and their neighbors. Read the AP story through Spotlight PA, October 30.
6. Pennsylvania and the Ohio border: EPA’s derailment response faces watchdog review.
   The EPA’s inspector general will investigate the agency’s response to the 2023 East Palestine train derailment. The review will examine whether EPA fulfilled its responsibilities and had adequate evidence for its public assurances about safety. Residents continue to raise health and environmental concerns. The investigation concerns the response and its supporting evidence; it does not itself establish that particular illnesses resulted from the derailment. Read the AP story through Spotlight PA, October 28.
7. National: CDC releases new estimates of drug-resistant infections.
   CDC’s updated antimicrobial-resistance report estimates that resistant bacteria and fungi cause 9.7 million infections and 50,800 deaths annually in the United States, using data collected in 2023. These estimates should not be directly compared with the agency’s 2019 totals because data sources and methods changed substantially. The report identifies threats across hospitals and communities, including infections that are becoming harder to treat. Read CIDRAP’s coverage, October 27, and explore CDC’s report.
8. National: Pediatric intensive care closures leave families traveling farther.
   Hospitals in Montana, Oregon, and Missouri have closed pediatric intensive care units during the past year, according to KFF Health News. Hospitals cite staffing shortages, low patient volumes, and financial pressures. As specialized care becomes concentrated in fewer locations, critically ill children may need longer transfers for treatment. The reporting also describes concerns that federal Medicaid cuts could place further pressure on children’s services. Read KFF Health News’ reporting, October 28.
9. International: Congo’s Ebola response includes a vaccine trial.
   UN News reported October 28 that the Democratic Republic of the Congo had recorded more than 10,000 Ebola cases, citing health ministry figures through October 26. Researchers have begun the TUMAINI vaccine trial, initially testing whether Ervebo, a vaccine used against Zaire ebolavirus, can protect against the Bundibugyo virus responsible for this outbreak. That protection has not been established. Conflict, displacement, and difficulty reaching affected communities continue to complicate the response. Read the UN outbreak update, October 28, and its vaccine trial coverage, October 27.
10. International: New climate report documents mounting health harms.
    The latest Lancet Countdown report, released this week, estimates 710,000 heat-related deaths worldwide in 2023, with more than 70% attributable to human-caused climate change. These are estimates for an earlier year, not a count of deaths this week. The report also tracks drought, conditions favorable to dengue transmission, and health system preparedness. Its authors call for stronger climate action and investment in health services that can withstand climate-related threats. Read UN News’ report, October 28.

The Philly Public Health Community Board is an independent community resource and is not affiliated with the City of Philadelphia or the organizations featured.