Health in the Headlines

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2 min

Experts at the School of Health Professions and Human Services, the Saltzman Community Services Center, and the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell are available to offer commentary on the most important health and wellness topics of the day, including:

Measles – Infectious disease expert Bruce Farber, MD and public health expert Anthony Santella, DrPH can discuss the rising rate of measles in the U.S., which is nearing record levels this year, the value of vaccinations, and the impact of the outbreak on the general population.

Suicide - Psychology professors William Sanderson, PhD and Mitchell Schare, PhD, director of the Phobia & Trauma Clinic, can discuss how to talk about this sensitive topic with vulnerable individuals including children, who went to ERs for suicidal thoughts and attempts in 2015 at twice the rate they did in 2007. Public health professor Martine Hackett, PhD can discuss trauma and traumatic grief as an underlying cause of many public health issues, including infant mortality, maternal mortality, substance use disorder, and sexually transmitted infections. She can also address how “diseases of despair” have contributed to a decline in life expectancy in the United States for two years in a row.

Aging and disability – People with joint issues such as aching, pain, and stiffness who get at least an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity every week are more likely to be disability free after four years than those who do not get exercise, according to a new study. Experts in orthopedics and geriatrics can discuss why preserving mobility and independence are so important as a generation of Americans ages – more than 78 million people will be 65 years or older by 2035, according to recent Census figures. Public health professor Corinne Kyriacou, PhD can also address public health policy and social justice issues related to aging in America.

USA Today: Booming measles cases rocket toward record: Up nearly 100 from last week

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Martine Hackett

Associate Professor of Population Health

Dr. Hackett's research focuses on public health and health inequities, particularly in the American suburbs and minority communities.

Public HealthHealth CommunicationResearch MethodsMaternal-Child HealthInfant Injury

Corinne Kyriacou

Vice Dean of Health Professions and Human Services and Associate Professor of Population Health

Vice Dean for Administration, HPHS and Vice Dean of Health Professions and Human Services and Associate Professor of Population Health

Health Care System Organization, Financing, Delivery and ReformHealth and Aging PolicyPublic Health LeadershipPlanning, Implementation and Evaluation of Community Health ProgramsIntegrated Care

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Sep 29, 2026

1 min

Kratom Is Easy to Find - But How Much Do Young People Know About the Risks?

Kratom products have become increasingly visible in convenience stores, smoke shops and online, but growing concerns about dependence and increasingly potent derivatives are putting the substance under greater scrutiny. Addiction treatment providers across the United States are reporting an increase in patients seeking help for dependence on kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH. Some newer products contain highly concentrated levels of 7-OH, a compound that acts on opioid receptors and can produce stronger opioid-like effects. The issue is particularly relevant for adolescents and young adults. Kratom and related products can be sold as powders, pills, gummies and liquid shots, potentially making it difficult for consumers and families to understand exactly what they are purchasing and the risks involved. Genevieve Weber, PhD, LMHC, LPC, associate professor of counseling and mental health at Hofstra University, can discuss the risks associated with kratom and other emerging substances, particularly among adolescents and young adults. View her profile Drawing on her clinical practice and community-based work educating families and retailers, Weber can address why young people may be vulnerable to emerging substances, how perceptions of availability and legality can influence perceptions of risk, and what parents, educators and communities should know as new products continue to appear. With regulators, health professionals and treatment providers paying increasing attention to kratom and concentrated 7-OH products, Weber can also offer perspective on the importance of education and prevention as the substance landscape continues to evolve. To arrange an interview today, simply click on her profile below.

Sep 27, 2026

2 min

White House Media Ban Is Over - But Questions About Press Access Remain

The immediate confrontation may be over, but the questions it raised are not. CNN, MS NOW and Politico have regained access to the White House after President Donald Trump’s administration temporarily barred the news organizations from covering the president. A federal judge ordered their access restored, finding that the outlets had not been provided constitutionally adequate due process when their credentials were revoked. While the ban has been lifted, the episode has renewed a broader debate about press access, government accountability and the relationship between a presidential administration and the journalists assigned to cover it. It also raises questions about what happens the next time an administration strongly objects to a news organization’s coverage. How much discretion should the White House have over access? What protections exist for journalists covering the presidency? And could disputes like this affect how news organizations approach their coverage? Mark Lukasiewicz, dean of The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University, brings nearly four decades of journalism and network news experience to the discussion, including 17 years at NBC News, where he served as senior vice president of specials and supervised coverage of major breaking news events, presidential elections and debates. View his profile With extensive experience in television news, journalism and political coverage, Lukasiewicz can provide perspective on the practical consequences of restricting media access, the relationship between the White House and the press corps, and what the escalating dispute could mean for news organizations covering the administration. To arrange an interview today, simply click on his profile below.

Sep 24, 2026

2 min

A Rare September Nor’easter Takes Aim at the East Coast

A rare September nor’easter is developing along the East Coast, bringing the potential for heavy rain, strong winds, dangerous surf, coastal flooding and beach erosion from the Mid-Atlantic into the Northeast. ABC News reports that the storm is expected to intensify off the coast this week, although its ultimate impacts will depend heavily on its track and how close it comes to shore. The storm arrives as El Niño continues to strengthen in the Pacific. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center says there is now a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter, adding another important element to questions about what kind of weather the Northeast could experience in the months ahead. Jase Bernhardt, PhD, associate professor of geology, environment and sustainability and director of Hofstra University’s meteorology program, can discuss the developing nor’easter, the factors influencing its track and intensity, and how strong El Niño conditions could shape weather patterns across Long Island and the Northeast. View his profile Covering the storm? We can help. Bernhardt can provide perspective on: Why a September nor’easter is unusual and what is driving this week's storm The potential for strong winds, coastal flooding, heavy rain and beach erosion Why small changes in a nor’easter's track can dramatically change local impacts How a strong El Niño can influence fall and winter weather patterns Whether the region could see more coastal storms later this fall and winter How residents should interpret and respond to severe-weather warnings Bernhardt's research also explores how people respond to warnings about dangerous weather. He has developed virtual reality simulations designed to demonstrate the risks associated with events including hurricanes, flash floods and snow squalls and to study whether immersive experiences can improve public response to severe-weather warnings. To arrange an interview today, simply click on his profile below