Population Health News, May 2026

Health Equity

Higher rates of anxiety and depression found in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Researchers found an overreliance on medication instead of counseling, and delays and even foregoing of mental healthcare due to cost–even though many in this population are covered by Medicaid. (University of Washington Medicine Newsroom, February 20, 2026)

In South Dakota, a huge health disparity between white and Native American populations: Native Americans in South Dakota die prematurely and avoidably at five times the rate of white South Dakotans. (South Dakota Searchlight, May 7, 2026)

Environmental and Climate Health & Justice

More black lung cases in Appalachia: More exposure to crystalline silica leads to lung scarring an inflammation, and ultimately fibrosis. But mine safety budgets have been cut, and protections and help aren’t coming soon. (YaleEnvironment360, April 30, 2026)

The June issue of AJPH focuses on climate change and health inequities: Topics include defending the endangerment finding, the need for agencies to collaborate, leveraging technology, and returning public health to the conversation. (AJPH, June 2026)

Built Environments, Spaces, and Places

In China, new energy vehicles (NEVs) reduce pollution, mortality:  Lower levels of particulate matter and carbon monoxide followed China’s push for NEVs. This helped prevent 262,000 non-accidental and 75,000 all-cause deaths. (Nature, May 13, 2026)

In a Black neighborhood in St. Louis, FEMA has failed: Tornadoes heavily damaged North St. Louis on May 16, 2025, but many funds to help residents rebuild have been denied or are in limbo. Neighborhood organizations are trying to help. (Capital B News, May 14, 2026)

Policy and Programs

A maternal health equity center in Buffalo: The center helps people of color and people who speak English as a second language who are facing high-risk pregnancies. Patients are paired with a prenatal educator. Classes and resources are available. (WKBW, May 11, 2026)

Weakening or eliminating air quality standards risks harms: Air quality standards, especially PM2.5 standards, are a “critical preventive strategy for sustaining population health gains and protecting the communities at greatest risk.” (AJPH, May 13, 2026)

Book Spotlight

In Expecting Inequity, Khiara Bridges explores how racism affects maternal health, even for affluent Black women. The racial disparities in maternal mortality “persist across income levels.” (MIT Press, March 31, 2026)

In Humanizing Public Health, Perry Halkitis “critiques the biomedical paradigm that dominates pandemic responses, advocating instead for a holistic, person-centered model.” Halkitis argues for empathy, building better trust, and political awareness as ways to improve our responses to pandemics. (Johns Hopkins Press, May 5, 2026)