The CDC cancels MMWR study showing COVID reduces hospitalizations. Clearly Sec Kennedy’s “radical transparency” is just a slogan. Jay Bhattacharya sees method flaws but peer reviewers found the study rigorous. That’s political interference in science
Out now @elgarpublishing.bsky.social
Advanced Intro to the R2H
No human rights are as essential as health rights
This book guides readers on all the essential elements of the R2H
www.e-elgar.com/shop/usd/adv...
Erica Schwartz is a credible CDC director. But she’ll need assurances against political interference & ongoing attacks on science
The signs are not good. RFK may impose a leadership team & senior CDC officials are extreme MAHA advocates
ACIP is destroyed & USPSTF is next.
ACIP's new charter seems innocuous but focuses on vaccine adverse events. Sec Kennedy's anti-vax advocacy has always implied that CDC hides vaccine injuries but vaccines are studied extensively & are safe & effective. Instead of promoting vaccines, RFK, Jr is sowing doubt
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RFKJr is hosting a podcast. He wants to be "Influencer in Chief." He can enter an evidence-free zone on vaccines, raw milk & red meat. It's unprecedented. He uses the HHS label to peddle false info. HHS used to be a safe harbor for reliable info. Not any more.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Now in @natureportfolio.nature.com
Why quality health information for all is a fundamental determinant of health and equity
From the Nature Medicine Commission on Quality Health Information for All
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
SCOTUS rejects state ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ minors, ruling it regulates viewpoint speech
But this isn't speech; it's state regulation of harmful therapies, as explained in @medpagetoday
This undermines core state power to regulate medicine
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/the-...
This is America Isolated
Negotiations on a pathogen access & benefitting sharing treaty annex are intense
States, pharma & NGOs globally are advocating for robust scientific sharing & equity
Here in the US, Silence
The US is on the outside looking in, not even a member of @who.int
Judge rules HHS child vaccine schedule changes are stayed & new ACIP appointments likely violate FACA
RFK Jr has ignored science & lawful process
The ruling is a win for public health & science
Vaccine policy under RFK Jr is purely political. He’ll certainly appeal
An Unwavering Belief in Science, Creativity, and Equity: The Legacy of Dr. William H. Foege www.milbank.org/quarterly/op...
Today @who.int renewed my appointment to the IHR Review Committee until 2030. What's interesting is that WHO copied the US State Department Geneva Mission. Even with US withdrawal, it is good to see an orderly process emanating from WHO HQ.
RFK Jr supports the president in invoking the DPA to spur production of glyphosate, a known carcinogen. It's striking how Kennedy is willing to jettison his core values to please Trump. In the process, he is betraying the MAHA movement that he was instrumental in creating. Shameful.
Invoking the Defense Production Act to spur the domestic production of glyphosate is a gross abuse of presidential authority. US agriculture is at not at risk. What is at risk is the nation's health. Glyphosate is a known carcinogen.
University of Lucerne BRAUN DISTINGUISHED LECTURE 2026
"A world built on justice & mutual obligations, based on shared democratic values is worth fighting for"
"Another way to say all this is we must reject selfishness, indecency & dishonesty, and embrace compassion & love for one another"
Dr Bhattacharya is wholly unqualified to lead CDC. He has scant ph experience. At NIH, he's cut vital public health research. During COVID he castigated CDC scientists & has never stopped. I haven't seen one idea that actually seeks to build CDC capacities, only to tear them down.
For those still wondering if Trump & RFK's assault on global health & human rights is reversible, think again. In @thinkglobalhealth.org, I show how historic the break is with US traditions, values and the rule of law. Eleanor Roosevelt would be weeping
www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/pres...
In @genevahealthfiles.bsky.social, we offer an explainer on US budget process & global health. Especially for advocates outside the US, it is an informative read:
genevahealthfiles.substack.com/p/united-sta...
In Health Affairs Forefront, we explain why US withdrawal from @WHO is legally dubious. We simply stress that a world in which the US & WHO are adrift is harmful for US national interests & global security
www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
In @thelancet.com, Peter Lurie & Alla Hill @cspinet.org and I examine the evidence for a nutritious diet. Sadly, the new Dietary Guidelines for America fail both on process (no transparency + COIs) and on substance (little science & evidence).
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Today in @TheLancet
New dietary guidelines for Americans: a recipe for poorer health
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Out today in @Health_Affairs Forefront
Without The US, The World Health Organization Cannot Fulfill Its Mission
www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
President Trump's Mark on Global Health and Human Rights www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/pres...
I wrote this because, even with all the cruelty & the harms to global health & human rights, I don't believe we fully appreciate how much Trump has destroyed US leadership & values since 1948
With new vaccine schedule secured, RFK Jr. allies head to statehouses www.statnews.com/2026/01/29/v... via @statnews.com
States are absolutely the next major target of MAHA
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
The Supreme Court’s 2026 Term—Public Health in Jeopardy jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Many of the problems with our health system & democracy itself is because of SCOTUS rulings that are tone deaf to values of public health, science, & equity. I explain this in @JAMAHealthForum today
What a hero Bill Foege was for the world For all the destruction of basic health functions this past year, Bill Foege's legacy, smallpox eradication, cannot be undone. I hope when the current darkness lifts, the CDC director has Bill’s vision and passion for health justice
Bill Foege was a dear friend & my public health hero. He called often outraged at Trump & RFK, Jr's attacks on science- leaving WHO, decimating USAID, undermining vaccines
To Bill, it was deeply personal
He fought for health & justice even as his eyes failed him & he became frail-- until the end
It's painful to see the US flag removed from @WHO Geneva HQ. On June 14, 1948 Truman signed a law requiring payment of dues before exiting. Since then,
every president understood WHO's value. Until Now.
Trump has unilaterally violated US & int'l law.
healthpolicy-watch.news/stars-and-st...
SCOTUS & Culture Wars
We know exactly how Justices will rule
It isn't based on law, justice, or the Constitution
☑️ Can't Ban Conversion Therapy
☑️ Can Ban Gender Affirming Care
☑️ Can Ban Trans Athletes
No legal consistency
Only consistency is SCOTUS joining Culture Wars
Today in @statnews.com, Richard Hughes & I discuss RFK's destructive vaccine policies. There's a cavernous divide between pro- & anti-vaccine states
Vaccine federalism means children’s health depends on geography. No one is safe as herd immunity wanes
Red states are most at risk
shorturl.at/8OI3x
Kudos to the House for passing a clean extension of ACA subsidies. If the Senate follows, it will dramatically lower insurance premiums & prevent 4 million Americans from losing health coverage.
It will save lives, keep families from financial ruin, and keep rural hospitals open.