The hottest Health Politics Substack posts right now

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Top Health Politics Topics

The Covid Screwtape Letters - Part 2

COVID Reason • 793 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Debate Societal Impact Public Perception
  1. Masks became a way for people to show off their moral values, as if wearing one makes them better than others. It's interesting how people judge each other based on this simple piece of fabric.
  2. There’s a lot of confusion about how effective masks really are, with people switching their opinions constantly. This confusion helps keep people divided and distracted.
  3. Wearing masks has turned into a sign of tribal loyalty, where people identify if someone is 'with them' or 'against them.' This shows how easily they fall back on basic group instincts.

Making a “Miracle” HIV Medicine

Asimov Press • 206 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Drug Development Global Health Public Health Health Policy
  1. Lenacapavir is a new injectable drug that can prevent HIV for up to six months, showing a higher effectiveness than daily pills.
  2. The drug is being offered at reduced prices in many low-income countries, but there are concerns about access and affordability in some regions.
  3. Despite its promise, lenacapavir's future depends on getting it to those who need it, especially given changes in government funding for HIV prevention programs.

Exenatide - the drug that failed

Rory’s Always On Newsletter • 595 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Clinical Trials Drug Development Patient Care Medical Research
  1. Exenatide, a drug initially hopeful for slowing Parkinson's, failed in its final trial. This has left many in the Parkinson's community feeling uncertain and disappointed.
  2. Researchers are still figuring out why the drug worked in earlier tests but failed later. They need more data to understand if it was because the drug didn't reach the brain or if it just wasn't effective.
  3. The failure of Exenatide could make it harder for other similar drugs to get funding for trials. Meanwhile, experts emphasize that exercise remains a reliable way to manage Parkinson's symptoms.

Universal Primary Care: The Antidote to Health Reform Paralysis?

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 559 implied HN points • 24 Sep 24
🏥 Health Politics Health care Public Policy Insurance Access Costs
  1. Universal primary care is important because everyone needs it, even healthy people. It helps with routine illnesses and preventive care.
  2. Primary care is cost-effective, making up a small part of total healthcare spending but providing great health benefits. Investing in primary care can save money in the long run.
  3. Starting with universal primary care could be a smart first step toward broader healthcare reform. It might gain more political support and lead to better health outcomes for everyone.
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US Dietary Guidelines: Science is "Subpar," Cannot be Replicated

Unsettled Science • 948 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Dietary Guidelines Research Methodology Health Policy
  1. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines are based on low-quality science that is hard to replicate. This raises questions about their reliability for healthy eating.
  2. A new study found serious flaws in how the USDA reviews the research for these guidelines, including mistakes in their search strategies and lack of transparency.
  3. Despite criticism and calls for improvement, the USDA has not made the necessary updates to ensure the guidelines are trustworthy and based on solid research.

Lessons for the Next Plague

David Friedman’s Substack • 206 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemic response Vaccine Policy Political Impact
  1. The pandemic response showed many mistakes, like unnecessary lockdowns and wrong theories about how the virus spread. Learning from these errors can help us better handle future pandemics.
  2. Politics played a big role in how people reacted to health measures, with facts becoming linked to personal beliefs. This shows how polarized views can affect public health decisions.
  3. Trust in science was low because there were no clear, reliable sources of information. It's important to establish trustworthy scientific reporting to avoid confusion during health crises.

A big discovery, Medicaid cuts, states removing fluoride, drug price questions, and more.

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1287 implied HN points • 19 May 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Policy Changes Medicaid Epidemiology
  1. A recent breakthrough in genetics used new tools to fix a baby's rare disease by editing their DNA. This could lead to treatments for many other genetic disorders.
  2. Florida is removing fluoride from drinking water, which could affect many people's dental health. This decision might inspire other states to follow suit.
  3. Proposed cuts to Medicaid could leave 8.6 million people without health coverage, highlighting the importance of contacting lawmakers about healthcare access.

The Complex Adaptive Landscape Created by SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines Shows Us Why Evolution Will Not Allow Effective mRNA Vaccines Against mRNA Viruses, Part 1.

Popular Rationalism • 574 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Immunology
  1. mRNA vaccines face big challenges because of how fast RNA viruses can change. It's unlikely they'll be able to completely eliminate the virus over time.
  2. These vaccines can push viruses to evolve in ways that make them escape detection and survive better. This means the virus can keep changing and might even become more dangerous.
  3. Natural immunity, from getting the virus instead of a vaccine, can be broader and may help prevent newer variants. This shows how different immune responses can affect how the virus evolves.

Your top 10 FAQ on drug prices

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1591 implied HN points • 15 May 25
🏥 Health Politics Drug Pricing Healthcare policy Pharmaceuticals Public Health Patient Advocacy
  1. Drug prices in the U.S. are much higher than in other countries because drug companies set their own prices, and patents keep competition away for many years. This results in Americans paying more for medications.
  2. High drug prices lead people to skip doses or avoid taking medicine altogether, which can result in serious health issues. Many people can't afford their medications, causing preventable health problems.
  3. There are possible solutions to lower drug prices, like the government negotiating prices and reforming patents to allow generics more quickly. However, it requires public pressure and political will to make these changes happen.

Welcome To The Fauci/Pfizer Matrix: COVID Vaccines Directly Cause Long-Lasting Side Effects, Per New Study

Unmasked • 92 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Misinformation Policy Analysis COVID-19
  1. There was a lot of misinformation about COVID vaccines when they came out. Experts made claims that were not supported by facts, leading to confusion about their effectiveness.
  2. Key figures like Dr. Fauci and Rochelle Walensky made statements that turned out to be incorrect, which worsened public trust and guided harmful policies.
  3. Recent research suggests that the long-term side effects of vaccines are more significant than previously acknowledged, highlighting ongoing issues around vaccine communication and transparency.

The Covid Screwtape Letters - Part 1

COVID Reason • 1050 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic response Public Health Government Control Misinformation Crisis Management
  1. Chaos and confusion can be more powerful than a virus. When people are confused, they struggle to find the truth.
  2. Control is the real goal, not just dealing with the virus itself. Keeping people afraid and divided helps maintain that control.
  3. History shows us that fear can tear communities apart. Encouraging suspicion between neighbors can lead to a lot of conflict and chaos.

I Say Thank You to Big Pharma

In My Tribe • 455 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Pharmaceuticals Medical Research Drug policy Healthcare systems
  1. It's important to keep encouraging medical research because it brings a lot of benefits to society. We rely on a mix of private and government support for this research.
  2. Cutting drug prices without considering the negative effects might hurt medical research and innovation. We should think about the long-term impact of such changes.
  3. Using prizes instead of patents could lead to fairer rewards for drug developers and might reduce some issues in the research funding system.

FDA approves Pfizer drugs with inadequate safety and efficacy data, and then regulators work for Pfizer

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 180 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Regulation Public Health Corruption Pharmaceuticals
  1. FDA approvals for Pfizer drugs may not have enough safety and effectiveness data. This raises concerns about the reliability of the drugs available to the public.
  2. There is a pattern of FDA regulators moving to jobs at pharmaceutical companies after approving their products. This can create a conflict of interest and lead to questions about transparency.
  3. The system seems designed to favor big pharmaceutical companies rather than prioritize patient safety and well-being. This indicates a troubling relationship between regulators and the companies they oversee.

People with Serious Mental Illness Say Racist and Bigoted Shit All the Time

Freddie deBoer • 13211 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Disability Rights Social Issues Psychiatry Stigma
  1. People with serious mental illnesses can sometimes express racist or bigoted thoughts, which challenges the common belief that mental illness doesn't influence behavior. It's important to recognize that mental health conditions can distort thinking and actions.
  2. Acknowledging the complex relationship between mental illness and behavior is essential. People should not dismiss bad behavior outright but consider the person's mental health struggles and how those may impact their actions.
  3. There’s a cultural tendency to oversimplify mental illness, leading to misunderstandings. It's vital to accept that being mentally ill doesn't exempt someone from responsibility for their actions, but it can complicate how we view those actions.

Movers and Shakers: Assisted Dying

Rory’s Always On Newsletter • 376 implied HN points • 19 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Legal issues Ethics Patient rights
  1. There's a big debate about whether terminally ill people should get legal help to end their lives. Some believe the laws should change to support this decision, while others think it's best to keep the state out of it.
  2. Many people, especially in the Parkinson's community, might not qualify for assisted dying under current proposals. They may not get a 'terminal' diagnosis in time, even if their suffering is severe.
  3. Countries like Spain have different rules about assisted dying, allowing people with chronic conditions to seek help. This brings up questions about who decides what's considered unbearable suffering.

H5N1: Much More Than You Wanted To Know

Astral Codex Ten • 27324 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Epidemiology Infectious Disease Pandemic Preparedness Risk Assessment
  1. H5N1 bird flu started in birds but can spread to other animals and possibly humans. There are concerns about it becoming a bigger threat as it mutates.
  2. Currently, experts estimate a 5% chance of H5N1 causing a human pandemic in the next year, but it could rise to 50% over the next 20 years.
  3. If H5N1 does become a pandemic, most forecasts suggest it won't be as deadly as the Spanish flu, with risks ranging from normal flu severity to several times worse.

Dr. Atlas and the Crucible of Open Dialogue

COVID Reason • 495 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Censorship Public Health Policy Analysis Academic Freedom Pandemic response
  1. Government lockdowns during the pandemic didn't work as intended and caused more harm than good, affecting people's mental health and education.
  2. Censorship stifled important discussions and alternative viewpoints, which are essential for scientific progress.
  3. Academic institutions didn't uphold free expression and debate, which is key for critical thinking and finding the truth.

Ten States Have Held Out on Medicaid Expansion. It's Left Millions of Americans Without Health Coverage.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 439 implied HN points • 23 Sep 24
🏥 Health Politics Medicaid Legislation Public Health
  1. Ten states have not expanded Medicaid, leaving millions of people without health coverage. These states have some of the highest rates of uninsured residents.
  2. Many people in the coverage gap are working but still can't afford health insurance. Their incomes are too high for Medicaid but too low for ACA subsidies.
  3. The refusal to expand Medicaid often comes from political choices, not a lack of need. Many residents want the expansion, but their state governments are not listening.

Bruised by Government Report, Cigna's Pharmacy Business Sues the Federal Trade Commission

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 579 implied HN points • 20 Sep 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Reform Insurance Practices Drug Pricing Legal Challenges
  1. Cigna's pharmacy business, Express Scripts, is suing the Federal Trade Commission to challenge a report that claims they inflate drug prices and harm patients.
  2. The FTC's report has raised awareness about the power and practices of big pharmacy benefit managers, which control a large share of the market.
  3. Cigna is trying to protect its financial interests in pharmacy benefits, as they now make up a huge portion of the company's revenues, while also facing potential reforms from lawmakers.

When MAHA Forgets the Working Class

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 955 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Chronic Illness Working Class Health Policy Insurance
  1. Health advice that seems extreme or unattainable can push regular people away. It's important to give advice that feels realistic and achievable.
  2. Personal experiences with illness can be heavily influenced by socioeconomic status. Financial worries about healthcare can be a barrier to education and opportunities.
  3. Policies like the Affordable Care Act can make a big difference for people with preexisting conditions. They can open doors for education and better health insurance options.

Unjustified Critique of a CDC Report on Social Media Risks

The Shores of Academia • 39 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Public Health Social media
  1. The CDC report links frequent social media use to increased risks of bullying, feelings of sadness, and suicidal thoughts among teens. It found that a significant number of high school students use social media frequently, which may affect their mental health.
  2. Chris Ferguson criticizes the CDC report, claiming it shows bias and incompetence without providing solid evidence for his accusations. He describes the CDC's findings as exaggerated and accuses the authors of unethical behavior, which raises questions about his arguments.
  3. The conversation around social media impacts on mental health is polarizing, with some dismissing concerns as moral panic. This reflects a broader debate about the effects of digital technology on youth and the responsibility of researchers to communicate findings accurately.

1DaySooner's Trump II Health Policy Proposals

Astral Codex Ten • 14935 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Health Policy Public Health Medical Research Regulatory Affairs Healthcare access
  1. To improve kidney donations, policies may allow compensation for organ donors, which could help reduce the waiting list and save lives.
  2. There is a push for better transparency in healthcare data from the FDA, which could improve research and lead to safer medical products.
  3. Novel research ideas are often underfunded, so increasing support for unconventional studies and human challenge trials could speed up medical advancements.

How Experts Created a Peanut Allergy Epidemic

The Take (by Jon Miltimore) • 356 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Nutrition Allergies Medical Guidelines
  1. Experts once recommended avoiding peanuts during pregnancy and for young children. This led to a big increase in peanut allergies.
  2. Initially, there was no strong evidence for the peanut avoidance advice, which caused more harm than good.
  3. Now, it's suggested that introducing peanuts early can actually help prevent allergies, showing that previous guidelines were misguided.

Think Stabilized Spike is Bad? Meet Replicon mRNA Vaccines. They are So Bad, We Predict FDA Will Posture for Public Trust on These.

Popular Rationalism • 1069 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Trust Regulatory issues Public Health Biotechnology
  1. Replicon mRNA vaccines have the ability to replicate inside the body, which could lead to unknown risks and side effects. This uncontrolled replication raises concerns about overstimulating the immune system or causing mutations.
  2. Protests in Japan highlight public fear and skepticism surrounding self-replicating vaccines. Many people are worried about the lack of long-term safety data and want more transparency from health officials.
  3. How Japan handles this new vaccine could influence other countries' decisions. Regulatory bodies worldwide need to balance innovation with public safety and trust to avoid backlash and promote acceptance.

Friday brief: Northants health system overspending as county’s two hospitals bust budget

NN Journal • 99 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Finance Policy Community health
  1. The Northants health system is spending a lot more money than it planned, with hospitals facing major budget shortfalls.
  2. Kettering General Hospital has a big overspend due to issues like rising costs and high demand for services.
  3. The council and healthcare system are looking for solutions, including an external review of the hospital finances to get back on track.

Another PRO-MASK Study Debunked

COVID Reason • 733 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Medical Research Policy Analysis Epidemiology Health Education
  1. Recent studies show that school mask mandates may not significantly reduce COVID-19 transmission. It's important to look closely at how studies are conducted to understand their true effectiveness.
  2. Researchers highlight that using observational data can lead to misleading conclusions about mask mandates. Different methods could give us clearer answers about their impact.
  3. Future public health decisions about masks should rely on strong evidence from well-designed studies. This will help build trust and ensure that interventions are truly beneficial.

Letters to the Editor: ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Gets the Facts Wrong

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 792 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Nutrition Wellness Policy
  1. There's a new movement called MAHA, or 'Make America Healthy Again,' which includes people with different views on health and nutrition.
  2. Some people are questioning the accuracy and safety of vaccines and other scientific claims, which has led to strong opinions and debates.
  3. Doctors are particularly concerned about the misinformation being spread by the MAHA advocates, especially regarding children's health and vaccines.

Movers and Shakers: The NHS Health Check

Rory’s Always On Newsletter • 515 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Policy Patient Care Neurology
  1. The waiting times for Parkinson's care in places like Oxford can be shocking, reaching up to 56 weeks for a new appointment.
  2. Many patients feel let down by the NHS and sometimes choose to pay for private care due to long delays in service.
  3. Fixing the NHS needs both immediate funding for extra appointments and long-term improvements to the system to make it work better.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Feb 24

Force of Infection • 136 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Disease Control Public Health Epidemiology Health Policy Food Safety
  1. Influenza cases have dropped recently, giving some relief, although numbers are still higher than usual. Improvements were seen across all age groups.
  2. COVID-19 activity varies by state, with some places seeing high case numbers while others have less. Overall hospitalizations are low now compared to past months.
  3. Norovirus remains very high across the country, and it's expected to stay elevated for a while. This season's peak may last longer than usual.

The Dirty Trick Health Insurers Are Playing That You Don’t Know About

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 1199 implied HN points • 03 Sep 24
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Regulation Consumer Rights Healthcare Costs Health Reform
  1. Health insurers use a measurement called the medical loss ratio (MLR) to determine how much of your premiums go to actual medical care versus overhead costs. They should spend at least 80-85% on care, but many find sneaky ways to get around this.
  2. Big insurance companies manipulate what counts as 'quality improvement' to make it look like they're spending more on healthcare than they actually are. They might include things like software upgrades or marketing instead of just patient care.
  3. By buying up doctors' offices and clinics, insurers can steer patients to their own services without MLR rules applying. This way, they keep more money for themselves instead of lowering premiums or improving coverage for you.

A brief analysis of the PlasticList report

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 2238 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Environmental health Food Safety Consumer Protection Scientific research
  1. Water quality is generally good, but some tap water showed high levels of plasticizers, especially in certain areas.
  2. Seafood, steak, and chicken tested have notably high levels of plasticizers, raising concerns about their safety.
  3. Vegetables have low levels of plasticizers, but microwaving food might help reduce their presence.

A review of Charles Piller’s Doctored

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Research Ethics Public Health Alzheimer's Disease Regulatory issues
  1. Fraud and bad research have hurt Alzheimer's studies for years. Some scientists faked results, leading to wasted money and efforts chasing non-existent breakthroughs.
  2. Many findings in Alzheimer's research, like the amyloid hypothesis, have not led to effective treatments. This shows that simply following popular theories can mislead researchers away from better solutions.
  3. The issues in research go beyond fraud; they include the way studies are designed and published. Negative results are often ignored, which can cause scientists to miss important information and keep searching down the wrong paths.

Is this real life?

Disaffected Newsletter • 3776 implied HN points • 30 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Trauma Psychology Public Health
  1. Derealization is a feeling where the world seems unreal, like a scary movie. It can happen to people with mental health issues or past trauma, and it's really unsettling.
  2. The constant changes in news and public opinion can make people feel confused and anxious. It's like we are living in a situation where nothing feels stable or real.
  3. For those who have experienced derealization, knowing others feel the same can help them feel less alone. It's important to talk about these feelings and experiences.

OPINION: The GOP Plan to Right-Size the NIH and Provide Oversight Does Not Go Far Enough

Popular Rationalism • 693 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Chronic Disease Medical Research Healthcare Costs Policy Reform
  1. The GOP wants to cut the number of NIH disease centers and add political oversight, but that won't fix deeper problems. Chronic diseases are a big issue, and the focus needs to shift towards prevention, not just treatment.
  2. NIH spends a lot on traditional pharmaceutical research, but it often ignores integrative medicine, which could really help with chronic illnesses. More research into things like diet and lifestyle changes can make a big difference.
  3. #PlanB suggests decentralizing research by creating many independent labs that can focus on local health needs. It prioritizes prevention and transparency, aiming to better address the long-term health problems facing the country.

Movers and Shakers: Can you sue over Parkinson's?

Rory’s Always On Newsletter • 674 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Environmental health Legal issues Epidemiology Chronic Illness
  1. It's unclear if people with Parkinson's can sue for their condition. A recent case showed the link between Parkinson's and chemicals like TCE isn't proven enough yet.
  2. The case of Holmes v Poeton involved a worker who claimed his Parkinson's was caused by chemical exposure at work. Courts found the evidence too weak to support this claim.
  3. Studies suggest some chemicals might increase the risk of Parkinson's, but proving direct causation is hard because many factors can influence health conditions.

Her Surgeon Said She Needed The Operation. UnitedHealthcare Said No.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 899 implied HN points • 06 Sep 24
🏥 Health Politics Health care Insurance Issues Medical Ethics Patient Advocacy Policy Reform
  1. A woman named Robin needed a back surgery that her doctor recommended, but her insurance company, UnitedHealthcare, denied the request multiple times without clear explanations.
  2. The increasing number of denied medical procedures has led to significant financial issues for hospitals and has contributed to rising health care costs and bankruptcies.
  3. Robin's situation highlights a broader problem where insurance companies often prioritize profits over patient care, causing emotional and physical distress for those affected.

Coleman Hughes: My Mom—and the Case for Assisted Death

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3246 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Medical Ethics Public Policy Health care Patient rights
  1. The author believes people should have the choice to end their suffering through assisted death. Personal experiences can shape our views on complex topics like this.
  2. Assisted dying laws have been discussed globally, with countries like the Netherlands, Canada, and the UK considering legislation. It's important to explore these issues from different perspectives.
  3. The story of the author's mother shows that even the healthiest people can face serious illnesses like cancer. This highlights the unpredictability of life and health.

Chartbook 342 A history of America's medico-industrial complex ... seen from the step-down ward.

Chartbook • 1859 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system Social theory
  1. In the mid-20th century, hospitals and industrial workplaces were closely linked. Local hospitals supported the working-class community, especially in areas with heavy industrial work.
  2. The decline of industries in the 1980s changed healthcare. Smaller, local hospitals were replaced by larger, publicly funded healthcare facilities, which often led to job insecurity for care workers.
  3. The book highlights the intertwined lives of workers and healthcare, emphasizing how the changing economy impacts family life and the quality of care in hospitals.

Everything You Need to Know About H5N1 Bird Flu

OK Doomer • 246 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Pandemics Public Health Healthcare policy Epidemiology
  1. H5N1 bird flu is becoming a serious threat and might be spreading through the air from bird droppings, which could put people at risk even in parks.
  2. The current government's lack of transparency and support for tracking outbreaks is concerning, especially as hospitals face rising flu cases.
  3. Historical pandemics show that initial mildness can lead to deadly mutations, and without proper public health measures, we may be repeating past mistakes.