Public Health News & Media

AVA criticizes UK energy drink vending ban

July 20, 2026

The Vending & Automated Retail Association has criticized the U.K. Department of Health and Social Care's decision to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy…

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Debate grows over Washington D.C. overdose prevention vending machines

July 17, 2026

Washington, D.C.'s overdose prevention vending machines are facing renewed scrutiny as the D.C. Public Space Committee reviews permits for 14 machines that…

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Indian state to revive milk vending

July 16, 2026

The Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers' Federation Ltd., in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, plans to revive its Aavin milk vending machines more…

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2nd public health vending machine coming to Wisconsin county

July 14, 2026

A second public health vending machine will be installed in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, later this month, according to a Seehafer News report, expanding…

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What 2 studies reveal about self-service success

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Two academic studies suggest the most effective self-service deployments balance automation with accessibility and user-centered design. Although the research…

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Ohio county installs first harm reduction vending machine

July 9, 2026

Belmont County, Ohio, has launched its first free harm reduction vending machine at the Wayne L. Hayes Tower in Martins Ferry, according to a Times Leader…

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Colorado county releases naloxone kiosk impact report

July 8, 2026

Colorado's Mesa County Public Health department has released its first annual Naloxone Kiosk Impact Report, highlighting the success of its public naloxone…

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Research shows healthcare kiosks are growing smarter — and more human

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Four published academic studies suggest kiosk and vending technologies are becoming more intelligent, more accessible and more responsive to community needs.

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Queue raises $12.6M to expand robotic pharmacy kiosks

July 1, 2026

Palo Alto-based startup Queue has raised $12.6 million in seed funding to accelerate deployment of its autonomous pharmacy kiosks, which are designed to…

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Maryland county deploys 24/7 naloxone vending machines

July 1, 2026

The Howard County Health Department in Maryland has installed two outdoor vending machines that provide free, 24/7 access to naloxone and other…

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UK entrepreneur rolls out vending machine for baby necessities

July 1, 2026

A Dundee, Scotland, entrepreneur has launched what she believes is the U.K.'s first vending machine dedicated to baby essentials, according to a Yahoo News…

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NYC expands public health vending to Staten Island

June 30, 2026

New York City has opened its first publicly supported health vending machines on Staten Island, according to a press release, providing free, 24/7 access to…

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Vending machines combat nutrition inequality in Malaysia

June 30, 2026

ATLAS Vending, the vending division of Etika Sdn Bhd, has launched ATLAS Nutri Aid, a smart vending machine initiative that provides free Goodday Charge milk…

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UAE school use facial recognition to promotes healthy vending

June 29, 2026

A school in the United Arab Emirates has been shortlisted for the Supporting Healthy Lives award in the World's Best School Prizes after students developed an…

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What the latest academic research says about kiosks and vending machines

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Three recent studies examine topics ranging from customer acceptance of self-service kiosks to AI-powered healthcare kiosks and the growing role of vending…

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Estonia moves toward self-service medication dispensing

June 25, 2026

The country of Estonia in northern Europe is considering legislation that would allow pharmacies to deploy self-service vending machines capable of dispensing…

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Pennsylvania county grows self-service health kiosk program

June 24, 2026

Delaware County, Pennsylvania, is continuing to expand its "Test & Go" public health kiosk program with additional installations at a transit hub and…

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India railway partners on massive hygiene vending deployment

June 24, 2026

Indus Towers, one of India's largest telecom tower operators, has partnered with Northern Railways to install 500 IoT-enabled sanitary napkin vending machines…

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Missouri county rolls out first of 3 healthcare vending machines

June 24, 2026

The Osage Ambulance District's Mobile Integrated Healthcare program has installed the first of three healthcare vending machines planned for central Missouri…

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Tennessee school board moves to curb energy drinks

June 23, 2026

The Wilson County Schools Board of Education unanimously approved on first reading a proposal that would limit energy drinks sold in high school vending…

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