The hottest Community health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Number of people living in county could be as much as 50,000 higher than thought, health watchdog learns

NN Journal • 218 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Community health
  1. The population in Northamptonshire might actually be about 50,000 people higher than previously thought.
  2. According to a health official, nearly 844,000 people are registered with health services in the county.
  3. This number is significantly more than what the last census recorded, which raises questions about population tracking.

Friday brief: Northants health system overspending as county’s two hospitals bust budget

NN Journal • 99 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Community health
  1. The Northants health system is spending a lot more money than it planned, with hospitals facing major budget shortfalls.
  2. Kettering General Hospital has a big overspend due to issues like rising costs and high demand for services.
  3. The council and healthcare system are looking for solutions, including an external review of the hospital finances to get back on track.

If You Want to Survive, You're Going to Want Some Good Roots

OK Doomer • 114 implied HN points • 27 Feb 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Community health
  1. Public health systems are unraveling, making medical care less reliable and increasing the risk of infections and disease, especially during disasters.
  2. Wild plants and traditional herbal medicine can treat infections and chronic conditions, are often backed by science, and can be foraged, grown, or prepared cheaply as practical medical options.
  3. Learning to grow, identify, and prepare herbs now — and having someone in your community who studies them — builds real resilience, so gather clear, practical knowledge and start planting.

Bullets in the windows

Your Local Epidemiologist • 3103 implied HN points • 10 Aug 25
🏥 Health Politics Community health
  1. Public health workers are facing serious threats and violence, including a recent shooting at their workplace that highlights the dangers they encounter in their jobs.
  2. Despite ongoing attacks and fear, these workers continue to dedicate themselves to protecting communities and improving health, driven by their care for the future and their neighbors.
  3. There is a need for society to acknowledge the sacrifices of public health professionals and to create a safer environment that values and supports their vital work.

My promise to you

Your Local Epidemiologist • 6868 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Community health
  1. The goal is to provide clear, evidence-based health information, not to add to the noise of social media. This platform is designed to help you make informed decisions for your health.
  2. Transparency is key, and it’s important to understand what the science says and what it means for you. It's okay to admit when we don’t know something and to clarify the difference between data and opinions.
  3. Public health is about people, not just statistics. Every issue will be approached with empathy to consider the real human impact behind the numbers.
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What would making America healthy really mean?

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1742 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🏥 Health Politics Community health
  1. America's health system is facing serious problems, with cuts to important services like Medicaid and a lack of support for scientists. This is making it harder for people to get the care they need.
  2. We need to imagine a better future where everyone has access to clean air, healthy food, and support systems that actually work for families. This means integrating health services and making them easy to access.
  3. It's important for leaders to listen to people and build a health system that is fair, data-driven, and responsive. We must prioritize long-term health over short-term fixes.

Behind the curtain at YLE

Your Local Epidemiologist • 959 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Community health
  1. The post gives a behind-the-scenes look at how YLE keeps track of health signals and reads scientific studies. It's a sneak peek into the work that goes into health communication.
  2. Many members of the YLE community play important roles in spreading health information, like clinicians and school nurses. They help share and adapt YLE content to reach more people.
  3. The YLE team wants to experiment with new ways to support their community and make health communication easier for everyone involved.

Big news: California here we come!

Your Local Epidemiologist • 819 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🏥 Health Politics Community health
  1. There's a new newsletter launching in California called Your Local Epidemiologist. It aims to provide tailored public health insights for Californians.
  2. The newsletter is created based on feedback from local readers, making it more relevant to community needs and concerns.
  3. As the newsletter grows, there are plans to expand to more states and cities, reconnecting communities with trustworthy health information.

Weekend of a Lifetime

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 32 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Community health
  1. Community programs that start as personal recovery can naturally become service: simple, regular group movement and no-pressure social time give people a safe place to breathe, connect, and feel less alone.
  2. Framing struggles as "nervous system health" rather than clinical "mental health" can make the path forward clearer, because sleep, routine, exercise and community help settle the nervous system and build resilience.
  3. Real cultural change comes from people giving themselves to something bigger and from everyday rituals and honest conversation; a suicide-free future will be built one regulated nervous system and authentic connection at a time.

The fluoride debate

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1979 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Community health
  1. Fluoride helps strengthen our teeth and prevents cavities, which is why it's in toothpaste and is often added to public water supplies.
  2. Fluoridated water has been effective in reducing tooth decay overall, especially in communities with less access to dental care.
  3. The safety of fluoride is based on careful dosage; while high levels can be harmful, the amount used in drinking water is considered safe for everyone.

Aus Day Weekend

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 21 implied HN points • 13 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Community health
  1. Reframe struggle as nervous system health, not just a clinical mental health label, so sleep, exercise, routine and community become clear, practical steps people can take.
  2. Everyday social places and hospitality venues can create safety and connection, making them powerful parts of the solution for people who are isolated or struggling.
  3. Early, simple actions—regular shared movement, predictable routines, and honest conversations—can prevent crises and build toward a suicide-free community.

2025 Yearly Review

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 25 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Community health
  1. Personal and family life moved from struggling to thriving — managing stress better helped the kids and strengthened relationships, marked by lots of happy milestones and trips.
  2. Work and community impact scaled up strongly — talks exceeded goals and Running for Resilience grew programs, events, partnerships, and measurable community outcomes.
  3. The main lesson is to slow down and set clearer boundaries — prioritising rest, saying no more often, and focusing on diet and balanced exercise are top priorities for next year.

Senators Warren, Grassley and others taking bi-partisan action to address business practices of non-profit hospitals

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 439 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Community health
  1. Nonprofit hospitals are supposed to help their communities, but many are not meeting their legal obligations for charity care and community spending. They're holding onto large amounts of cash instead.
  2. A group of senators is raising concerns about how some nonprofit hospitals are abusing their tax-exempt status. They want clearer rules and stronger oversight to ensure hospitals give back to the community.
  3. Some hospitals focus too much on profits and expensive projects instead of helping poor patients. This is causing problems for those who really need care but aren't getting the support they should.

Three Years In

Force of Infection • 107 implied HN points • 26 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Community health
  1. The newsletter has evolved to focus more on everyday health issues rather than just major outbreaks. This change came from reader feedback about what they find most helpful.
  2. Over the past three years, the newsletter has gained a large audience, reaching over 42,000 readers in many countries. This shows that people value the information provided.
  3. Looking ahead, there is a desire for ongoing input from readers to improve the newsletter. The goal remains to offer clear, trustworthy health information that helps readers make better choices.

Regional editions begin Oct 28

Force of Infection • 36 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Community health
  1. Starting October 28, 2024, there will be regional editions of the Outbreak Outlook newsletter for better local information about illnesses.
  2. Paid subscribers can choose to receive updates specific to their region, while free subscribers will still get national updates.
  3. Each regional edition will provide local insights on illnesses like flu and COVID-19, tailored to specific states.

Change the Boogey

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Community health
  1. COVID isn't a moral failure; BA.5 is highly contagious, but vaccines and Paxlovid are effective.
  2. Accepting reality is not giving up; focus on what you can change like vaccination status and health.
  3. Prevent ICU admissions by improving metabolic health through diet, exercise, mental health support, and access to quality foods.