Public Health

Woonsocket – September 08, 2026 -- Updated 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccines are now available at CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations nationwide, offered at no cost for patients with most insurance plans.

Appointments can be booked through CVS.com, MinuteClinic.com or the CVS Health app, and walk-ins are accepted at both CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations. Vaccination slots are open seven days a week, including evenings and weekends.

Families can book up to four appointments together

Patients can schedule vaccinations for up to four people at the same time, allowing families and caregivers to get immunized in a single visit. Eligible patients can also receive other recommended vaccines during the same appointment, including flu and RSV shots along with routine immunizations.

Washington – September 08, 2026 -- The American Red Cross and the NAACP will premiere "Iconic Excellence: The Legacy of Dr. Charles R. Drew" on Sept. 18 on the American Red Cross YouTube channel, marking the 85th anniversary of Drew's appointment as the first medical director of the Red Cross Blood Program.

The short documentary traces Drew's breakthroughs in blood plasma preservation, work credited with saving hundreds of thousands of lives during World War II and shaping modern blood collection and distribution methods.

Stamford, Conn. – September 07, 2026 -- Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) has launched a new firearm safety toolkit aimed at helping veterans, service members and their families have direct conversations about suicide risk and secure gun storage.

The toolkit, called Ask Anyway: How to Have Conversations About Firearm Safety, was developed with grant support from Face the Fight, a veteran suicide prevention coalition. It launches as part of a broader public awareness campaign, Ask Anyway: Conversations to Save a Life, timed to Suicide Prevention Month in September.

Firearms account for nearly three-quarters of veteran suicide deaths

The veteran suicide rate is 60% higher than the national average, according to CVN. Firearms were involved in 73.3% of veteran suicide deaths in 2023, making them the most common method.

Florence, Ky. – September 07, 2026 -- Blue light glasses can ease digital eye strain for people who spend long hours staring at screens, but they are not a cure-all, according to optometrist Andrea Hill of Arnett Vision Care in Florence, Kentucky.

Patients report fewer headaches with consistent use

Hill says patients who wear blue light glasses regularly while working at a computer often report less eye irritation, fewer headaches, and more overall comfort by the end of the workday. The glasses do not treat underlying vision conditions, but they can reduce symptoms tied to prolonged screen exposure.

Computer vision syndrome causes dryness, blur, and fatigue

Extended computer use can trigger computer vision syndrome, marked by dryness, blurred vision, and fatigue. Hill notes that blue light glasses work best as part of a broader strategy rather than as a standalone fix.

Sacramento – September 07, 2026 -- The California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) will hold its 34th Annual Recovery Happens event on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at California State Capitol Park in Sacramento, marking the state's official kickoff for National Recovery Month.

The free, public event runs from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Area 33 of the park and is expected to draw hundreds of people in recovery, their families, and behavioral health professionals.

A free breakfast and live music open the day

Attendees can enjoy a complimentary pancake breakfast starting at 8:00 AM, followed by a live performance from COLOSO. Community exhibits will feature resource tables staffed by treatment providers, advocates, and peer support specialists.

Frankfurt – September 07, 2026 -- Youth clubs, associations, and groups across Germany are reporting break-ins, threats, and physical attacks linked to far-right extremists, according to a new study cited exclusively by the Frankfurter Rundschau.

The findings come from the "Bedrohungsstudie 2026" (Threat Study 2026), compiled by education researcher Benno Hafeneger, education expert Jana Sämann, and Deutscher Bundesjugendring (DBJR) staff members Maximilian Lorenz and Lars Reisner. The study is set to be published in the November issue of the trade journal "deutsche jugend," though the Frankfurter Rundschau has already obtained a copy.

WASHINGTON – September 04, 2026 -- A new survey from U.S. News & World Report finds that health experts overwhelmingly favor basic lifestyle habits over trendy biohacks, supplements or wearable tech when it comes to healthy aging.

Physical activity and diet top the list of proven longevity factors

The second annual 2026 U.S. News Healthy Aging Survey polled 63 health experts -- including longevity researchers, dietitians, doctors and pharmacists -- from July through August 2026. Physical activity and a nutrient-dense diet each earned support from 89% of respondents as critical factors for healthy aging, followed by restorative sleep at 30%.

Orlando, Florida – September 04, 2026 -- A new Public Television segment of "All Access hosted by Andy Garcia," filmed July 29, 2026, in Orlando, spotlights how nonprofit 26Health is reshaping chronic care access for underserved communities.

The segment shows how 26Health blends primary medicine with mobile testing units

The organization combines primary medicine, mental health services, and mobile testing to lower barriers to care for populations historically excluded from mainstream healthcare access.

26Health builds its programs on data from demographics often missing from major studies

By intentionally collecting wellness data from groups like Black women, the organization says it can identify clinical blind spots and tailor prevention strategies to the actual epidemiology of the communities it serves.

Juno Beach – September 03, 2026 -- Florida Power & Light Company has launched a new online Assistance Center that consolidates bill-help programs, federal aid options and local nonprofit resources into a single searchable hub at FPL.com/Assistance.

The centerpiece is FPL Saving Steps, a new program that teaches income-qualified customers practical ways to cut everyday energy use. Participants who complete the program can earn a one-time $200 credit toward a future electric bill.

Kathmandu – September 03, 2026 --Days after a devastating flash flood tore through Nepal, aid workers warn that contaminated water and overcrowded shelters are creating conditions for disease outbreaks among children.

The flood killed more than 900 people and left thousands missing

Official figures show more than 900 people died in the flash flood on August 26, with over 4,000 still missing. Rain continues to fall in the hardest-hit districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot, raising the risk of further flash flooding.

Rotting remains and standing water line the road to Trishuli Bazar

Save the Children staff report numerous body bags along the route from Kathmandu to Trishuli Bazar, the economic center of Nuwakot district. Decomposing human and animal remains, uncollected waste, and stagnant water are compounding health risks for residents.