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The authors comment on the opioid overdose epidemic in the U.S. and discuss proven strategies to manage chronic pain effectively without opioids to avoid overdoses and addiction. They discuss how reforming prescribing practices can help address the epidemic and improve conditions in communities through a coordinated public health initiative.

The authors offers updates on the Zika virus from January 2016 to July 2016. Topics covered include advisory issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention against women traveling to areas with Zika virus in January 2016, the association between Zika infection and serious birth defects, and the use of insect repellent registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In the article, the authors discuss the efforts to improve public health in the U.S. as of early 2017, particularly the implementation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of its "Winnable Battles" program that focuses on six areas. Also cited are the focus areas like infectious diseases, injury, and chronic disease prevention, as well as such strategies as policy development, media engagement, and creation of guidelines or practice standards.