> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.phillypublichealth.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Public Health Roundup: Pennsylvania Updates, New Research, and Calls to Share Your Work - URL: https://www.phillypublichealth.org/public-health-roundup-pennsylvania-updates-new-research-and-calls-to-share-your-work/ - Published: 2026-10-09T12:55:04.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-09T12:55:04.000Z - Description: This week: Pennsylvania measles and health-equity data updates, new research on young adults and lung immunity, plus urgent calls for public health abstracts, reviewers, and a health-policy fellowship. - Author: René Najera - Tags: News, Calls & Deadlines, Research, Funding and Fellowships, Pennsylvania, Health Equity ## Pennsylvania public health updates ### Pennsylvania reports 1,078 measles cases The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported **1,078 confirmed measles cases across 41 counties** as of October 7\. The total included 207 hospitalizations and five confirmed measles-associated deaths. The department cautioned against interpreting the latest increase as a sudden surge: more than 40 of the 74 newly added cases involved people who became sick more than two weeks earlier and were no longer contagious when their cases were confirmed. The department says only four of the 1,078 reported cases occurred among vaccinated people. State health centers and pop-up clinics have administered nearly 9,000 MMR vaccine doses during the response. [Read the October 7 Pennsylvania Department of Health update](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/newsroom/pa-department-of-health-provides-statewide-update-on-measles-out9?ref=phillypublichealth.org) ### Pennsylvania updates its minority health statistics The Pennsylvania Department of Health updated its [Minority Health Statistics](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/health-statistics/minority-health-statistics?ref=phillypublichealth.org) on October 8. The latest update includes data on adult behavioral health risk factors, cancer incidence, mortality, and population. The resources include tables and charts comparing selected health measures across racial and ethnic populations. They may be useful for community health assessments, grant applications, research, teaching, and program planning. [See what is new in Pennsylvania health statistics](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/health-statistics/whats-new?ref=phillypublichealth.org) ### Seven Pennsylvania communities receive WalkWorks funding The state awarded **$290,000 in WalkWorks grants** to help seven communities develop active-transportation plans. Over the next year, local planners will collect data, assess existing conditions, gather public input, and plan improvements to pedestrian, bicycle, and transit networks. These projects illustrate the connection between transportation planning and public health: whether a community is safe and practical for walking, rolling, or bicycling can shape opportunities for physical activity. [Read the Pennsylvania Department of Health announcement](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/newsroom/administration-invests--300k-in-7-pa-communities-to-improve-walk?ref=phillypublichealth.org) ## New research ### Mental distress and physical inactivity among young adults A new CDC analysis examined Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from more than 424,000 adults ages 18–29. Between 2012 and 2024, the reported prevalence of frequent mental distress increased from **12.7% to 21.3%**. Physical inactivity increased from **15.9% to 16.8%**. However, the researchers also found encouraging recent changes: frequent mental distress declined in both 2023 and 2024, while physical inactivity declined in 2024. The study cannot show that physical inactivity causes mental distress, or the reverse. It was cross-sectional, relied on self-reported answers, and measured each outcome with a single survey question. [Read the peer-reviewed CDC report in ](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/wr/mm7539a1.htm?ref=phillypublichealth.org)[*MMWR*](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/wr/mm7539a1.htm?ref=phillypublichealth.org) ### Human lung model preserves local immune responses Researchers created three-dimensional human lung organoids that retained important immune cells and functions for several months. When infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the laboratory, the models produced both general inflammatory reactions and virus-specific T-cell responses. Pre-stimulating the organoids with viral fragments also reduced subsequent infection in the model. The work could help researchers study immune defenses inside lung tissue and test ideas for locally delivered vaccines. This was laboratory research, not a clinical trial. It does not establish that a new vaccine approach is effective or ready for use in people. [Read the NIH summary and link to the peer-reviewed ](https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/human-lung-organoids-built-immune-system-could-transform-respiratory-disease-research?ref=phillypublichealth.org)[*Nature*](https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/human-lung-organoids-built-immune-system-could-transform-respiratory-disease-research?ref=phillypublichealth.org)[ article](https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/human-lung-organoids-built-immune-system-could-transform-respiratory-disease-research?ref=phillypublichealth.org) ## Calls, fellowships, and ways to contribute ### Urgent: ASPPH proposals and reviewers due October 9 The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health is accepting proposals for its 2027 Annual Meeting for Academic Public Health, scheduled for March 17–19 in Baltimore. Oral and poster proposals should present ideas, practices, or practical approaches relevant to academic public health. The deadline is **Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time**. ASPPH is also seeking volunteer proposal reviewers. Reviewer applications are due October 9, with reviews scheduled for October 14–23. [Review the ASPPH call for proposals](https://aspph.confex.com/aspph/2027/cfp.cgi?ref=phillypublichealth.org) [Apply to serve as a proposal reviewer](https://aspph.confex.com/aspph/2027/cfr.cgi?ref=phillypublichealth.org) ### Corrected deadline: AAHB abstracts due October 23 The American Academy of Health Behavior has extended its call for abstracts for the 2027 Scientific Meeting, “Health Behavior Across the Life Course.” The official page now lists **October 23, 2026**, as the submission deadline, with notification scheduled for December 1\. The meeting welcomes health-behavior work concerning nutrition, physical activity, sleep, substance use, mental health, sexual health, chronic disease prevention, healthy aging, and related subjects. [Review the corrected AAHB call for abstracts](https://aahb.org/2027-Call-for-Abstracts/?ref=phillypublichealth.org) ### Preparedness Summit abstracts due October 27 The 2027 Preparedness Summit is seeking abstracts from public health professionals and partners in health care, emergency management, emergency medical services, laboratories, academia, community organizations, infrastructure, and related sectors. Submissions should describe actionable lessons, transferable approaches, tools, evaluation findings, or promising practices. Presenters must be prepared to register, pay applicable fees, and attend the April 19–21 meeting in Atlanta. **Deadline: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.** [Read the guidelines and submit an abstract](https://s2.goeshow.com/naccho/publichealth/2027/preparedness%5Fabstract%5Fform.cfm?ref=phillypublichealth.org) ### RWJF Health Policy Fellows applications due November 3 The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows program offers midcareer health professionals a full-time learning and placement experience in federal health policy in Washington, D.C. Applicants need an advanced degree, substantial experience in a health-related field, and at least ten years of full-time professional experience. They must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. People whose primary job responsibilities are government relations or advocacy are not eligible. The program offers a **$175,000 stipend over 12–24 months**, plus up to $20,000 for approved relocation and housing expenses. References are due **October 30 at 3 p.m. Eastern**, and preliminary applications are due **November 3 at 3 p.m. Eastern**. [Review eligibility and application details](https://www.rwjf.org/en/grants/active-funding-opportunities/2026/robert-wood-johnson-foundation-health-policy-fellows.html?ref=phillypublichealth.org) ### Community health workforce abstracts due November 6 The National Association of Community Health Centers opened its call for abstracts for the 2027 Workforce Conference on October 6. The conference will take place May 25–26, 2027, in Las Vegas. NACHC invites health professionals, researchers, and other leaders to submit ideas that can advance community health. Presenters must register for the conference and cover their own travel and lodging; accepted speakers currently qualify for a $50 registration discount. **Deadline: November 6, 2026.** The official page does not list a closing time. [Review the NACHC call and submission information](https://www.nachc.org/conferences/conference-call-for-abstracts-information/?ref=phillypublichealth.org) --- ***Information was checked on October 9, 2026, and may change. Readers should verify details with the organizers or employers. The Philly Public Health Community Board does not endorse listed events or opportunities and is not affiliated with the listed institutions or organizations, the City of Philadelphia, or the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.***