Medical and Research Library News                

Training opportunities
Websites and reports on trending topics
Journal articles of note
New ebooks

Training opportunities

The webinars and online classes listed here are shared solely as opportunities to learn more information of interest to public health personnel. All times listed are in Central Time.

May 11, 2026; 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Humanizing Public Health: Rebuilding Trust in an Age of Misinformation.
Join The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) for a webinar that will explore how public health leaders can rebuild trust and counter misinformation by rethinking how we engage with communities. Drawing on lessons from past and ongoing public health crises, the discussion will examine how psychological, cultural, and structural factors shape how people interpret and act on health information.

May 21, 2026 1–3 p.m. Public Health Communications for Impact: Approaches to Strengthening Infrastructure. 
Effective communication is not just about messaging. It depends on strong systems, resourcing, and coordination behind the scenes. As health departments face increasing demands to demonstrate impact, communicate value, and navigate complex environments, communications stands as a foundational public health capability. This webinar from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) will explore how public health agencies can strengthen their communications infrastructure to improve reach, effectiveness, and sustainability.

May 26, 2026; 12–1 p.m. Data for Everyone: An Introduction to Spreadsheets.
Join this webinar from the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) for an introduction to learning about data and spreadsheets. Topics will include a review of data terminologies, data types, and the basic concepts involved in working with a spreadsheet. Upon completion of this class, students will be able to define common terms related to health data, prepare a spreadsheet for creating a simple data visualization and identify further learning opportunities for working with data.  

May 27, 2026; 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. The Long Game: Leveraging new prevention and treatment modalities to reduce the burden of HIV.
This webinar is offered by the DSHS Grand Rounds program. Barbara Saatkamp Taylor, MD, MS will cover current data on the HIV epidemic and standards for HIV care and prevention, based on guidelines and evidence-based medicine. Attendees will receive updates on new long-acting therapies for HIV prevention and treatment, advances in comprehensive HIV care, and the next steps in HIV research. Visit the Grand Rounds calendar to see information on upcoming sessions. Held monthly on the fourth Wednesday, sessions last 90 minutes with the final 20 minutes reserved for Q&A.

Websites and reports on trending topics

AGRICOLA is a bibliographic resource produced by the National Agricultural Library with millions of citations relating to the field of agriculture for journal articles, book chapters, theses, patents, and technical reports to support agricultural research. 

DSHS Acronym List is a compilation of acronyms and abbreviations maintained by the DSHS library. Please email the library if you have suggestions to add to this list.

eCLIPSE Ultimate Access provides access to The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute’s (CLSI) full library of standards. eCLIPSE Ultimate Access is an enhanced, premium platform with advanced features to help you access standards quickly and easily. Log in to this library resource using your DSHS email address.

Portal to Texas History is a digital gateway to primary-source collections from Texas libraries, museums, archives, historical societies, and private collections. Resources include agency‑produced annual reports, newsletters, pamphlets, and other materials documenting Texas history.

Journal articles of note

Carreño A, Aguilera MP, Ibañez L, et al. Analysis of prevalence and mortality among neonates and children with intestinal atresia: a multinational study, 1974-2015. Birth Defects Res. 2026;118(4):e70032. doi:10.1002/bdr2.70032

Abstract
Introduction: Small intestinal atresia (SIA) consists of a congenital obstruction of the lumen of the duodenum, jejunum, or ileum with varying severity. The aim of the investigation was to analyze the prevalence and mortality of SIA, using data from the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance and Research (ICBDSR).
Methods: Data on SIA cases were collected from 25 ICBDSR members' surveillance programs in 17 countries over 1974-2015. All pregnancy outcomes were included, but terminations of pregnancy were not available for 11 programs. Statistical analysis is descriptive, and the prevalence is established by the total of SIA cases divided by the total of births. The survival time was calculated, and mortality was analyzed individually using the Kaplan-Meier method for comparison.
Results: The total prevalence of SIA was 2.1 per 10,000 births. Iran had the highest prevalence with 11.5 per 10,000 total births (95% CI: 9-14.1); on the other hand, the lowest prevalence of SIA was in Mexico-Nuevo Leon with 0.5 per 10,000 births (95% CI: 0.3-0.8), and Cali-Colombia had zero cases. In South America, a higher prevalence of SIA was estimated compared to what was reported in 2000. Most deaths occurred between Day 2 and 6, except in Bogotá-Colombia, Spain, UK-Wales, and Mexico, where the deaths occurred on Day 1. The mortality in the first year was 4.3%, but the specific causes of death were not determined in this study.
Conclusion: The prevalence of SIA was about 2.1 per 10,000 births during a 41-year period in 25 centers, with variations in prevalence according to geographical locations. Future research is suggested to analyze changes in trends and the impact of early diagnosis and treatment in mortality.

Kneubehl AR, Rehm DP, Curtis MW, et al. Geographically distinct circulation of genotype II and III St. Louis encephalitis virus, Texas, USA, 2009-2024. Emerg Infect Dis. 2026;32(4):521-532. doi:10.3201/eid3204.250934
Abstract
We conducted a retrospective genomic surveillance study of St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) in Texas, USA, to determine the genotypes circulating in the region. By using a custom tiled-amplicon assay with Oxford Nanopore sequencing, we generated 63 genomes from SLEV-positive mosquito pools and viral isolates collected during 2009-2024. Phylogenomic analysis revealed temporal overlap of genotype II and III circulation, but with distinct geographic segregation. Genotype II was confined to Gulf Coast counties with sustained local transmission, whereas genotype III was only in north and west Texas, but with persistent circulation and repeated introductions. We identified the earliest known US genotype III sequences, although their phylogenetic placement leaves the entry point of genotype III into the United States unresolved. Our findings emphasize the need for clinical vigilance in West Texas, where SLEV and West Nile virus co-circulate, and suggest the Gulf Coast may be buffered against foreign genotype introduction.

Logan N, Birhane MG, McDonald SL, et al. Emergence of extensively drug-resistant shigellosis - United States, 2011-2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2026;75(13):173-178. Published 2026 Apr 9. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7513a1
Abstract
Shigellosis is a nationally notifiable diarrheal illness caused by gram-negative bacteria. Shigella infection is spread through fecal-oral transmission and sexual contact. Although most infections are self-limited, antibiotics are indicated for severe illness or to reduce transmission in settings with high risk for spread. Since 2015, a growing proportion of cases has been caused by extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella species, defined as being resistant to ampicillin, azithromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. No Food and Drug Administration-approved oral antimicrobial agents are available to treat these XDR infections. To describe U.S. trends and epidemiologic characteristics of XDR shigellosis, CDC analyzed Shigella isolates submitted to PulseNet, CDC's molecular surveillance network for enteric pathogens, during January 1, 2011-October 20, 2023; antimicrobial resistance was characterized using whole-genome sequencing data and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Among 16,788 isolates with resistance data during this period, 510 (3.0%) were XDR. The percentage of XDR isolates increased from 0% during 2011-2015 to 8.5% in 2023. Species information was available for 505 (99%) of 510 XDR isolates; among those, 333 (65.9%) were Shigella sonnei and 172 (34.1%) were Shigella flexneri. Among patients with XDR shigellosis, the median patient age was 41 years (IQR = 31-54 years) and 86.2% were men. Among patients with available travel history, 76.2% (173 of 227) reported no recent domestic travel and 82.4% (169 of 205) reported no recent international travel. Among 116 persons with available HIV status, 54 (46.6%) reported HIV co-infection. Strengthened surveillance, timely reporting, and targeted prevention strategies are needed to limit transmission of XDR Shigella strains.

Silva-Espinoza JC, Farani PSG, Lopez MF, et al. Identification of Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi in bats captured in El Paso County, Texas. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2026;20(4):e0014169. Published 2026 Apr 3. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0014169
Abstract
Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi are protozoan parasites that cause leishmaniasis and Chagas disease, respectively. In the United States, autochthonous transmission cycles of both Leishmania and T. cruzi have been documented, particularly in the southern and southwestern regions. Previous studies in El Paso, Texas, have identified dogs, cats, and several sylvatic mammals as infected hosts for these pathogens; however, the role of bats has remained largely unexplored. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional, observational study of 29 wild bats, opportunistically collected from domestic and peridomestic urban environments in El Paso, Texas, as part of local rabies surveillance. DNA extracted from available heart, spleen, skin, and lung tissues was analyzed by quantitative PCR targeting T. cruzi satellite DNA and Leishmania 18S rDNA, followed by DNA sequencing for confirmation. PCR-based molecular detection identified Leishmania spp. in six bats (24.1%) and Trypanosoma cruzi in thirteen bats (44.8%). DNA sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of parasite-specific DNA in four Leishmania-positive samples and twelve Trypanosoma cruzi-positive samples. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis showed that the digestion patterns of the T. cruzi samples differed from those observed in the TcBat reference control. However, given the limited characterization and known genetic variability of the TcBat lineage, as well as the constraints of PCR-RFLP-based typing, these findings do not conclusively exclude the possibility that the detected strains belong to the TcBat genotype. Co-detection of both parasites was detected in 3 out of 18 Tadarida brasiliensis specimens. Mapping of capture sites showed infected bats occurring in both urban and suburban areas of El Paso County. This study provides evidence of the molecular detection of Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi in bats from El Paso, Texas. These findings highlight bats as sylvatic hosts for medically important trypanosomatids in the U.S.-Mexico border region and emphasize the need for expanded surveillance to assess zoonotic risk and its environmental drivers.

New eBooks at the Medical and Research Library

Analysis of Epidemiologic Data Using R by Robert Hirsch (2024)
This book addresses the description and analysis of occurrence data frequently encountered in epidemiological studies. Effort is made to emphasize concepts rather than mathematics. Subjects range from description of the frequencies of disease to the analysis of associations between the occurrence of disease and exposure. Those analyses begin with simple associations and work up to complex relationships that involve the control of extraneous characteristics.

Curriculum Development for Medical Education by Patricia A. Thomas (2022)
This new 4^th edition is a practical guidebook for faculty members and administrators responsible for the educational experiences of health professional students, residents, fellows, and practitioners. It includes chapters on each of the steps of curriculum development, with updated examples and questions to guide the application of the timeless principles.

HBR Daily Leader : Everyday Wisdom for Exceptional Leadership by Harvard Business Review (2025)
This book provides 365 days' worth of insights and inspiration, an easy and enjoyable way to make your professional development a regular habit. Throughout the book, you'll find insights to spark your thinking, quotes to inspire you, and questions to reflect on. And each day presents you with an opportunity to take on topics such as communicating effectively, managing your time, expanding your influence, and cultivating new skills.

Managing Chronic Health Needs in Child Care and Schools : A Quick Reference Guide by the American Academy of Pediatrics (2019)
This fully revised and updated resource helps teachers and caregivers address the challenges of caring for children with chronic health conditions and special health care needs in child care and school settings. The health issues covered include chronic illnesses, acute situations, and selected developmental and behavioral problems, with a special emphasis on children with special health care needs.

Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Guide by Gustavo Moraes (2022)
With its extensive set of tools and features for improving productivity and collaboration, Microsoft 365 is being widely adopted by organizations worldwide. This book will help not only developers but also business people and those working with information to discover tips and tricks for making the most of the apps in the Microsoft 365 suite.

For more information, employees may email the Medical and Research Library at library@dshs.texas.gov to receive research assistance, learn how to access electronic materials, or to obtain the full text of articles mentioned in this month’s news.

The Medical and Research Library News is sent out once a month or when important library news or events occur. Recent issues of the MRL News are online. If any of the links do not open for you, please email library@dshs.texas.gov and we will send you what you need. Thank you!

If you would like to subscribe, please send an email to library@dshs.texas.gov with Subscribe in the subject line. 

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Medical and Research Library News

Training opportunities
Websites and reports on trending topics
Journal articles of note
New ebooks

Training opportunities

The webinars and online classes listed here are shared solely as opportunities to learn more information of interest to public health personnel. All times listed are in Central Time.

National Library Week – April 20-24, 2026

In honor of National Library Week, please join the DSHS Library and Information Science program for a series of interesting and informative webinars.

DSHS IRB: What It Is & How It Works
April 20, 2-3 p.m.
Precious Ohemeng, DSHS IRB Administrator
Description: Designed to provide core information about the Texas DSHS Institutional Review Board (IRB) and its processes, this webinar will describe the responsibility, purpose, and composition of the Texas DSHS IRB, examine the three functions of the Texas DSHS IRB, review each step in the Texas DSHS IRB process, and provide an overview of DSHS IRB policies.

Grant Readiness: Moving Beyond Eligibility to Capacity
April 22, 10-11 a.m.
Betsy Cox, DSHS Grant Development Center Coordinator
Description: Are you constantly pursuing grant opportunities but not seeing results? Set your organization up for lasting success with a smart, funder-focused grants approach. This workshop welcomes government agencies and nonprofits who are new or looking to sharpen their grant skills.

Achieve Your Potential: Career & Workforce Resources at the DSHS Library
April 23, 10-11 a.m.
Anne Tarpey, MSIS, Senior Medical & Research Librarian
Description: The DSHS Library & Information Science program offers many resources to assist HHS employees with career growth and workforce advancement. Anne Tarpey, Senior Medical & Research Librarian, will discuss the resources freely available to HHS employees to help them achieve their career goals.

Power Up Your Team Huddles: Micro Learns That Stick in 5 Minutes or Less
April 24, 10-11 a.m.
Katy Glazebrook, MS, CHES, CWP, CTCM, Workforce Development Training Specialist
Description: Team huddles are prime real estate for quick, high‑impact learning—if used well. This webinar demonstrates how microlearning can be used effectively in team huddles, highlighting common formats, a simple design model, and lightweight ways to measure impact—without adding prep burden.

PHAR26: Call for Presentations and Poster Submissions 
Submissions due by April 17, 2026.
The Center for Public Health Policy and Practice is calling for presentations and poster submissions for the DSHS Public Health Analytics and Research Conference (PHAR26) to be held October 7-8, 2026, in Austin, TX. This free conference - open to all DSHS staff - will include skill building workshops taught by university faculty, learning sessions, brown bag mentoring, networking events, and a poster session. To submit a proposal or abstract, complete the appropriate submission form in Word and upload it online. 
Abstracts and proposals must be submitted by April 17. Contact CPHPP Office of Public Health Research Advancement with any PHAR26 conference questions at researchadvancement@dshs.texas.gov.

April 7, 2026; 2–3 p.m. Bridging the Gaps: Community Health Workers and Oral Health.
Community health workers (CHW) play an important role in bridging barriers to critical oral health services. To support CHWs with educating communities on oral hygiene and connecting to dental services, many state and community-based organizations have dedicated curricula to train CHWs on oral health topics. States have also made progress integrating CHWs in oral health initiatives and advancing funding strategies to reimburse for CHW work related to oral health services through Medicaid. This webinar from the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) will highlight innovative partnerships, programs, and approaches to collaborate with CHWs to improve community oral health and discuss how states can support these efforts through funding opportunities, community-based partnerships, and training development.

April 8, 2026; 10–11 a.m. When the Computer Sounds Confident: AI Literacy for Nurses and Health Professionals.
Health professionals are increasingly expected to use, teach, and share information in environments where some content may be generated or influenced by artificial intelligence (AI) rather than written directly by a person. Yet many nurses and healthcare-related professionals have received little preparation on how these systems work or how to evaluate their reliability. This webinar from the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) introduces practical AI literacy using the N.U.R.S.E.S. AI Literacy Framework, a nursing-centered approach for understanding and responsibly using generative AI. Participants will learn why AI responses can sound confident even when inaccurate and how to apply professional judgment to verify information, support evidence-informed practice, and maintain patient safety. 

April 29, 2026; 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Community Health Worker Utilization: A Comprehensive Approach to Community-Based Care.
This webinar is offered by the DSHS Grand Rounds program. DSHS Grand Rounds explores the science and practice of population health and awards continuing education credits/contact hours for various disciplines. Visit the Grand Rounds calendar to see information on upcoming sessions. Held monthly on the fourth Wednesday, sessions last 90 minutes with the final 
20 minutes reserved for Q&A.

Websites and reports on trending topics

Academic Video Online is a TexShare resource that provides unlimited remote access to more than 63,000 videos. The database includes scholarly video material of virtually every video type: documentaries, interviews, performances, news programs and newsreels, field recordings, commercials, demonstrations, original and raw footage including tens of thousands of exclusive titles. Please email the library for remote access instructions for this resource.

AMA Manual of Style Online provides search functionality across the full text of the manual, online only updates, quizzes, and options for downloading and sharing content. Please contact the library for remote access instructions.

The Annual Review of Public Health covers significant developments in the field of public health, including key developments and issues in epidemiology and biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, social environment and behavior, health services, and public health practice and policy.

Think. Check. Submit. Through a range of tools and practical resources, this international, cross-sector initiative aims to educate researchers, promote integrity, and build trust in credible research and publications. It guides users through deciding where to submit articles for publication and includes a checklist for assessing journal quality.

Journal articles of note

Harpavat S, Rabbani TA, Upton AM, Devaraj S, Hernandez JA, Shneider BL. A strategy to identify biliary atresia efficiently: a perspective from a Texas center. World J Pediatr Surg. 2026;9(2):e001142. Published 2026 Mar 16. doi:10.1136/wjps-2025-001142
Abstract
Infants with biliary atresia are often diagnosed after 60 days of life because the disease is difficult to detect in its early stages. However, infants treated before 30-45 days of life have the best long-term outcomes. To help accelerate the biliary atresia diagnosis, we have developed a streamlined strategy that involves two sequential tests: (1) direct or conjugated bilirubin measurements and (2) a feeding abdominal ultrasound exam. In this review, the strategy is shared to encourage others to provide feedback as well as to consider incorporating portions into their own clinical workflows.

Killeen AL, Campbell SN, Jean N, et al. Walking the line: how social forces shape diabetic foot outcomes in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2026;43(2):287-301. doi:10.1016/j.cpm.2025.12.015
Abstract
Diabetes in the Rio Grande Valley is highly prevalent, with nearly one-third of adults affected and rates of foot ulcers and amputations far exceeding state and national averages. Outcomes are strongly shaped by social drivers of health, including poverty, uninsurance, limited education, transportation barriers, and distance from specialty care, which delay treatment and increase complications. Living conditions in colonias further amplify risk, while gaps in social driver of health measurement hinder targeted interventions. Leveraging ZIP code-level data within electronic health records offers actionable pathways to reduce disparities, prevent amputations, and improve equity in care.

Turner H, Horter L, Welton M, et al. Qualitative assessment of a novel results-based partnership between national wastewater surveillance centers of excellence and utility companies, Houston (Texas), Colorado, Wisconsin, and California, 2023. BMC Public Health. Published online March 14, 2026. doi:10.1186/s12889-026-26919-y
Abstract
Background: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) in September 2020. Four initial Centers of Excellence (COEs) were established between 2021 and 2023 in Houston (Texas), Colorado, Wisconsin, and California to guide wastewater surveillance efforts for public health. Our objective was to increase understanding of factors that facilitated implementation of wastewater surveillance from the perspectives and experiences shared by health department COEs and wastewater utility partners.
Methods: We used purposive sampling to select one key respondents from each of the four COEs and four respective wastewater utility partners. We conducted eight in-depth interviews related to the implementation of wastewater surveillance and identified common experiences and key points from interview transcription files. Insights on WWS implementation from COEs and wastewater utility partners were distilled from the responses into lessons learned.
Results: Three primary themes emerged after we analyzed the interview responses: perceived community benefits from wastewater surveillance, collaboration and trust building among partners that helped program advancement, and sustainability strategies and considerations.
Conclusion: This analysis provides insights into novel collaborations between utility companies and the public health sector. It highlights the need to have leadership support for program continuation and to help showcase the public health importance of WWS.

New eBooks at the Medical and Research Library

Good Charts, Updated and Expanded: The HBR Guide to Making Smarter, More Persuasive Data Visualizations by Scott Berinato (2023)
The ultimate guide to data visualization and information design for business. Making good charts is a must-have skill for managers today. The vast amount of data that drives business isn't useful if you can't communicate the valuable ideas contained in that data—the threats, the opportunities, the hidden trends, the future possibilities. But many think that data visualization is too difficult—a specialist skill that's either the province of data scientists and complex software packages or the domain of professional designers and their visual creativity. Not so. Anyone can learn to produce quality 'dataviz' and, more broadly, clear and effective information design. Good Charts will show you how to do it.

Pathogenesis: A History of the World in Eight Plagues by Jonathan Kennedy (2024)
According to the accepted narrative of progress, humans have thrived thanks to their brains and brawn, collectively bending the arc of history. But in this revelatory book, Professor Jonathan Kennedy argues that the myth of human exceptionalism overstates the role that we play in social and political change. Instead, it is the humble microbe that wins wars and topples empires. Drawing on the latest research in fields ranging from genetics and anthropology to archaeology and economics, Pathogenesis takes us through sixty thousand years of history, exploring eight major outbreaks of infectious disease that have made the modern world.

Statistical Modelling for Evidence-Based Public Health Lawrence N. Kazembe ed. (2025)
This book presents a selection of statistical techniques and methods applied to analyze data arising from HIV/AIDS epidemiology, as well as child and maternal health. Evidence-based decision-making in public health interventions requires appropriate techniques applied to solve relevant statistical and epidemiological questions, which would, in turn, bring out relevant outputs for action.

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Microsoft 365 by Paul McFedries (2025)
An illustrated, A-to-Z, and newly updated guide to mastering Microsoft Office 365 this revised edition offers an easy-to-use and up-to-date visual walkthrough of Microsoft's office products. It’s the fastest and most efficient way to get up to speed on apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, offering crystal-clear, high-resolution screenshots that show you exactly how to get things done.

For more information, employees may email the Medical and Research Library at library@dshs.texas.gov to receive research assistance, learn how to access electronic materials, or to obtain the full text of articles mentioned in this month’s news.

The Medical and Research Library News is sent out once a month or when important library news or events occur. Recent issues of the MRL News are online. If any of the links do not open for you, please email library@dshs.texas.gov and we will send you what you need. Thank you!

If you would like to subscribe, please send an email to library@dshs.texas.gov with Subscribe in the subject line. 

Return to top

Medical and Research Library News

Training opportunities
Websites and reports on trending topics
Journal articles of note
New ebook

Training opportunities

The webinars and online classes listed here are shared solely as opportunities to learn more information of interest to public health personnel. All times listed are in Central Time.

PHAR26: Call for Presentations and Poster Submissions 
Submissions due by April 17, 2026.
The Center for Public Health Policy and Practice is calling for presentations and poster submissions for the DSHS Public Health Analytics and Research Conference (PHAR26) to be held October 7-8, 2026, in Austin, TX. This free conference - open to all DSHS staff - will include skill building workshops taught by university faculty, learning sessions, brown bag mentoring, networking events, and a poster session. To submit a proposal or abstract, complete the appropriate submission form in Word and upload it online.  Abstracts and proposals must be submitted by April 17. Contact CPHPP Office of Public Health Research Advancement with any PHAR26 conference questions at researchadvancement@dshs.texas.gov.

March 4, 2026; 11 a.m.–12 p.m. How Local Health Departments Are Driving Data Innovation.
In this webinar from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) you’ll learn how local health departments nationwide are incorporating lived experience, community knowledge, and secondary data into actionable planning rooted in community intelligence. Walk away with practical insights for your next strategic plan. 

March 5, 2026; 1–2 p.m. Decisions are Your Destiny: Smart Prioritization of Interventions and Research CAN Change the World.
Portfolio analysis and management provide a means to realize the maximum benefit from a set of interventions, projects, or research programs. It is common for effectiveness to increase by at least 30%. This presentation from the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living will cover the five critical success factors, with a focus on portfolio analysis methods. This talk will show you the path to making the decisions that drive the best results for your efforts. 

March 9, 2026; 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Meeting the Moment: Practical Solutions for Arboviral Disease Prevention and Response.
Vector-borne diseases caused by arboviruses, viruses spread by mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects are becoming a growing concern in the United States. Changes in the environment and in human activities are reshaping where insects live and how people are exposed, increasing the risk of disease. This webinar series from the National Academies brings together researchers, public health practitioners, policymakers, health authorities, and community-based organizations to examine lessons learned and practical steps for preventing and managing the spread of arboviral diseases.

March 25, 2026; 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Mental Health and Rural Resilience.
This webinar is offered by the DSHS Grand Rounds program. DSHS Grand Rounds explores the science and practice of population health and awards continuing education credits/contact hours for various disciplines. Visit the Grand Rounds calendar to see information on upcoming sessions. Held monthly on the fourth Wednesday, sessions last 90 minutes with the final 
20 minutes reserved for Q&A.

Websites and reports on trending topics

DSHS Authors Bibliography, maintained by the DSHS Medical and Research Library (MRL), includes research articles, textbooks, or book chapters written by staff of the Texas Department of State Health Services in the last four years. For more information about the bibliography or to request a full-text copy of an article, contact the MRL by email or call 512-776-7559. If you are a DSHS author and would like your publication to be included,  please email the Medical and Research Library.

National Health Statistics Reports is a resource from the National Center for Health Statistics that provides annual data summaries and analyses on many health topics. The reports provide annual data summaries, present analyses of health topics, or present new information on methods or measurement issues. National Health Statistics Reports (NHSR) that have been released to date are presented in an interactive, searchable, and sortable data tables.

APA PsycInfo is the American Psychological Association (APA) database for abstracts of scholarly journal articles, book chapters, books, and dissertations. It is the largest resource devoted to peer-reviewed literature in behavioral science and mental health and contains records and summaries dating as far back as the 1600s. Access to APA PsycInfo is provided by the DSHS Library and Information Science Program.

PubChem is an open chemistry database from the National Library of Medicine and is the largest freely accessible reference tool for chemical information. Search chemicals by name, molecular formula, structure, and other identifiers. Find chemical and physical properties, biological activities, safety and toxicity information, patents, literature citations, and more.

Journal articles of note

Brooks BW, Callahan T, Stanley JK, et al. Identifying priority research questions for decentralized wastewater. Environ Sci Technol. 2026;60(1):49-63. doi:10.1021/acs.est.5c02138
Abstract
Decentralized wastewater treatment and reuse represent critical infrastructure across the rural-periurban-urban continuum around the world. Effective, efficient, resilient, and equitable implementation of on-premise technologies and management systems is part of a One Water approach and necessary to protect public health and the environment, yet inconsistent delivery of essential public health services persists in many regions, including across states, tribes, and territories of the United States. We initiated a groundbreaking effort to understand challenges and to identify research opportunities related to the science and practice of decentralized wastewater. A horizon scanning exercise using a bottom up and transparent key questions approach was performed in which research needs were submitted by over 450 professionals working in academia, government, industry, and nonprofit organizations. We then further considered these research needs through facilitated focus group discussions and identified priority research questions through a consensus process during an in-person synthesis workshop. These key questions included technical and management topics, which were partitioned among six research categories: treatment, performance, and resource recovery; resiliency, efficacy, and sustainability; environmental quality and public health; assessment, monitoring, and operation and maintenance; implementation; and regulations, enforcement, and environmental justice. We offer recommendations to answer the priority research questions presented here; doing so promises to advance the science and improve the practice across rural-periurban-urban gradients.

Lim JT, Chong CS, Chang CC, et al. Dengue suppression by male wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. N Engl J Med. Published online February 11, 2026. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2503304
Abstract
Background: Wild-type female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that mate with male A. aegypti mosquitoes that have been infected with the wAlbB strain of wolbachia pipientis bacteria produce nonviable offspring owing to cytoplasmic incompatibility. Repeated releases of wolbachia-infected males can potentially suppress wild-type mosquito populations and reduce the risk of dengue virus infection.
Methods: We conducted a trial involving the release of male A. aegypti mosquitoes infected with the wAlbB strain of wolbachia bacteria for the control of dengue in Singapore, a tropical city-state. In this cluster-randomized trial with test-negative controls, we divided 15 geographic population clusters into two groups: 8 clusters received deployments of male wolbachia-infected mosquitoes (intervention clusters), and 7 clusters received no deployments (control clusters). The primary end point was the diagnosis of symptomatic dengue virus infection of any severity caused by any serotype of the virus, as measured by the odds ratio for the distribution of wolbachia exposure among laboratory-confirmed reported dengue cases as compared with test-negative controls.
Results: A total of 393,236 residents lived in the intervention clusters, and 331,192 lived in the control clusters. Adult wild-type A. aegypti populations were suppressed across the intervention clusters. The baseline average abundance of the mosquitoes (number of adult female mosquitoes trapped divided by number of traps) was 0.18 and 0.19 in the intervention and control clusters, respectively; from 3 months after the initiation of the intervention until the end of the 24-month trial period, the average abundance was 0.041 and 0.277, respectively. In the intention-to-treat analysis at 6 months or more, the percentage of residents in the intervention clusters who were dengue-positive was lower than that in the control clusters (354 of 5722 tests [6%] vs. 1519 of 7080 tests [21%]). The protective efficacy of the intervention, calculated as (1 - odds ratio) × 100, ranged from 71 to 72% with 3 to 12 months or more of wolbachia mosquito exposure, as represented by odds ratios of 0.28 to 0.29.
Conclusions: Release of sterile wolbachia-infected male A. aegypti mosquitoes reduced vector populations and the risk of dengue infection in Singapore. (Funded by the Singapore Ministry of Finance and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05505682.).

Peprah S, Engels EA, Luo Q, et al. Cancer risk and mortality following Kaposi sarcoma among people with HIV in the United States, 2000 to 2019. Cancer Causes Control. 2026;37(2):23. Published 2026 Jan 17. doi:10.1007/s10552-025-02105-0
Abstract
People with HIV (PWH) have increased Kaposi sarcoma (KS) risk. Among 2,645 PWH with KS in the United States HIV/AIDS Cancer Match Study, subsequent cancer risk was elevated 2.8-fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4-3.3) compared to PWH without KS. Mortality after KS declined 2000-2002 and 2012-2015 (hazard ratio = 0.64; 95%CI: 0.55-0.74).

Shegog R, Sun H, Frost EL, et al. Online decision support for implementing evidence-based HPV vaccination strategies in Texas safety-net pediatric clinics: impact on HPV, MCV, and Tdap initiation. Healthcare (Basel). 2026;14(4):519. Published 2026 Feb 18. doi:10.3390/healthcare14040519
Abstract
Introduction: HPV vaccination rates for adolescents in the United States are below recommended levels. The Adolescent Vaccination Program (AVP) guides pediatric clinics on how to implement evidence-based strategies to increase HPV vaccination rates. These strategies comprise the adoption of (1) immunization champions, (2) provider assessment and feedback, (3) continuing education, and (4) prompts, (5) parent reminders, and (6) parent education. The AVP systems-based intervention has demonstrated increased HPV vaccination rates in large urban pediatric clinic networks. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using an online decision support tool, the AVP Implementation Tool (AVP-IT), to implement AVP strategies in safety-net clinics to improve healthcare for the medically underserved in Texas.
Methods: AVP immunization clinic staff champions in four urban safety-net clinics completed tailored Action Plans within the AVP-IT to guide strategy implementation, received webinar training from the research team commensurate to each AVP strategy, and participated in monthly monitoring calls with AVP-IT project staff over a 33-month period from 2022 to 2024.
Results: All clinics made progress toward full implementation of AVP strategies. Interrupted time series (ITS) trend analysis demonstrated that AVP-IT implementation was associated with an immediate boost in HPV vaccine initiation rates (p < 0.001) and that long-term trends (ITS slopes) were significant for HPV, MCV4, and Tdap vaccines despite low post-COVID-19 pandemic rates (p < 0.001). Vaccination rates using raw data (mean differences) were not longitudinally significant except for older youth aged 13-17 years.
Conclusions: The AVP-IT promises accessible and practical decision support to implement strategies to increase HPV vaccination rates in safety-net clinics. Scale-up in these clinics will require leadership support, technical assistance, and EHR optimization.

New eBook at the Medical and Research Library

Aschengrau & Seage's Essentials of Epidemiology in Public Health, 5^th edition by Ann Aschengrau (2026).
Seamlessly blending theory and practice, Aschengrau & Seage's Essentials of Epidemiology in Public Health, 5^th ed. presents both traditional and modern epidemiological concepts in a clear and accessible way. Broad in scope, the text opens with five chapters covering the basic epidemiologic concepts and data sources. A major emphasis is placed on study design, with separate chapters devoted to each of the three main analytic designs: experimental, cohort, and case-control studies.

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