Public Health

Denver – October 01, 2026 -- The U.S. Center for SafeSport has released video clips, interview access, and practical guidance for parents and coaches to recognize and prevent bullying in youth sports, timed to Bullying Prevention Month in October.

Short video clips feature SafeSport's education chief addressing signs of bullying

The clips, available for download by accredited media, feature Monica Rivera, SafeSport's Vice President for Education & Research. Topics include spotting signs and symptoms of bullying, talking to kids about the issue, and steps to take if a parent suspects their child is the one engaging in bullying behavior.

"To truly prevent bullying, we need to recognize when a young person may be struggling and respond to those needs before it shows up as harmful behavior," Rivera said. She added that early intervention, accountability, and support can interrupt cycles of harm and create safer environments for athletes.

New York – October 01, 2026 -- The Ad Council has launched The Secret to Motherhood, a new maternal mental health campaign urging new and expecting mothers to prioritize their own well-being as part of caring for their children.

One in five mothers face a maternal mental health condition

According to the CDC, these conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. Despite this, three in four cases go untreated, largely due to stigma surrounding the topic.

A new PSA series called 'What's Her Secret?' anchors the effort

Developed with Mischief USA on a pro-bono basis, the campaign is available in English and Spanish and includes broadcast and digital creative, strategic partnerships and talent activations. All materials direct mothers to a resource hub at LoveYourMind.com/moms, also available in Spanish at ConAmorTuMente.com/mama.

New York – September 30, 2026 -- Mediaplanet has launched its Future of Healthy Living Campaign, a health-awareness initiative distributed today as a magazine insert in USA TODAY and online at the campaign's digital hub, futureofpersonalhealth.com.

The campaign gathers editorial contributions from organizations including the American Society for Radiation Oncology, the American Public Health Association, the American Podiatric Medical Association, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Actor Ricco Ross fronts the cover story on prostate health stigma.

Ross discusses why conversations about prostate health should be normalized and urges men not to delay talking with their healthcare providers about appropriate screening.

New York City – – September 30, 2026 -- Hilarity for Charity (HFC), the nonprofit founded by filmmakers Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen, will host its fifth annual HFC Comedy Night on Friday, October 2, at Racket NYC, 431 W 16th St, raising funds for Alzheimer's caregiver support and brain health education.

The 21-and-over event kicks off with a VIP reception at 6:00 PM, followed by general admission doors at 7:00 PM and showtime at 8:00 PM.

Desi Lydic emcees a lineup of stand-up comedians and live music

Comedian Desi Lydic will host the evening, with stand-up sets from Byron Bowers, Jay Jurden, Bryan Safi, Jo Sunday and Maddie Wiener. No Static Orchestra will provide live music, and organizers promise additional surprises throughout the night.

Oak Brook, Ill. – September 30, 2026 -- Vehicle thefts in the United States fell 21% during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, with all 50 states posting year-over-year declines, according to a new analysis from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

A total of 268,415 vehicles were reported stolen to law enforcement between January and June 2026, translating to a national theft rate of roughly 77.81 thefts per 100,000 people.

Every state saw thefts decline, but the drops varied widely

The District of Columbia posted the steepest improvement, with thefts down 52% versus the first half of 2025. Despite that drop, D.C. still recorded the highest theft rate of any jurisdiction analyzed, at 181.94 thefts per 100,000 residents.

New York – September 30, 2026 -- Understood.org, a nonprofit supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families, has launched a new brand campaign called "Less Noise, More Understood," timed to ADHD and Learning Disabilities Awareness Month in October.

The campaign targets misinformation overload facing parents

Research cited by the organization found that 52% of TikTok videos about ADHD and 41% of videos about autism contain inaccurate or misleading information. One in four caregivers say they've regretted a health decision for their child because of conflicting information they encountered.

"Social media mentions of 'neurodivergence' more than quadrupled between 2021 and 2025, and they're still climbing," said Nathan Friedman, co-president and chief marketing officer at Understood. "As the conversation grows, this community deserves credible information that's easy to find, trust and act on."

Toronto – September 25, 2026 -- A Consumer Reports investigation into 17 prenatal vitamins found wide variations in nutrient levels, including folic acid, a nutrient essential for neural tube development in early pregnancy. Among the brands tested, Bird&Be's Complete Prenatal Pack met all of its label claims, according to the report.

Prenatal vitamins largely go unchecked before reaching store shelves.

Consumer Reports noted that prenatal vitamins are a routine part of prenatal care, yet the category remains largely unregulated. Brands are not required to verify their contents before products reach consumers, creating inconsistency in nutrient dosing across the market.

San Mateo – September 23, 2026 -- A nonprofit that has spent more than three decades helping people navigate life after a breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis is set to be featured on Public Television, with production planned at its San Mateo, California headquarters and aboard its Mobile Resource Center.

Bay Area Cancer Connections will appear in an upcoming episode of "All Access hosted by Andy Garcia," an educational short-form series distributed to Public Television stations nationwide. The organization was founded in 1993 by breast cancer patient Jill Freidenrich and her surgeon, Dr. Ellen Mahoney.

Nesconset, N.Y. – September 22, 2026 -- LifeVac, maker of an FDA-authorized anti-choking suction device, announced it has now saved 4,000 children from choking emergencies, following the rescue of a 3-year-old boy who stopped breathing while eating sausage at breakfast.

A toddler's airway closed completely despite standard first aid

The boy's mother first watched him try to cough up the food himself, but he went silent as the obstruction worsened. Basic Life Support choking protocols, including the Heimlich maneuver, failed to clear his airway.

A three-year-old device stored in a diaper bag became the last resort

The child's father retrieved the family's LifeVac Home Kit, which had sat unused in their diaper bag for nearly three years. Placed on the ground, the boy received the pediatric mask attachment three times; the third attempt dislodged the remaining piece of sausage and he began breathing again.

New York – September 22, 2026 -- Teenagers across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa can now submit scripts for a 30-second TV public service announcement warning drivers about the dangers of speeding, with a top prize of $2,000.

The 13th annual Drive Safe Chicago PSA Contest opens for entries

The National Road Safety Foundation, backed by the Chicago Auto Show, is running the contest for teens in the Chicagoland region and surrounding states. Entrants must submit a script or written description of a speeding-awareness PSA by mail or email before the Dec. 18, 2026 deadline.