The hottest Health Politics Substack posts right now

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Grok 4 admits that the COVID vaccines caused net harm

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Epidemiology Policy Data Analysis
  1. Grok 4 acknowledged that the COVID vaccines may have caused more harm than good. It recognized that the data showed little benefit from the vaccines during critical periods.
  2. The conversation highlighted that despite the claims of safety, there is significant evidence pointing to increased mortality rates among vaccinated individuals after booster shots.
  3. Many experts and organizations, like the CDC, have been criticized for not engaging with the data that suggests harm from the vaccines, leading to concerns about transparency and willingness to discuss the issue.

Regional editions begin Oct 28

Force of Infection • 36 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Disease Prevention Healthcare policy Community health
  1. Starting October 28, 2024, there will be regional editions of the Outbreak Outlook newsletter for better local information about illnesses.
  2. Paid subscribers can choose to receive updates specific to their region, while free subscribers will still get national updates.
  3. Each regional edition will provide local insights on illnesses like flu and COVID-19, tailored to specific states.

Latest Ioannidis paper claiming millions of lives saved is nothing more than "Turtles All The Way Down"

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Data Integrity COVID-19
  1. The new Ioannidis paper relies on assumptions and models instead of real data. This means its conclusions about lives saved are not based on solid evidence.
  2. The paper does not check its findings against real-world data or outcomes, which is a big problem. Without this verification, we cannot trust its claims.
  3. Transparency is crucial in science. The lack of access to raw data means no one can truly verify the numbers, making the findings questionable at best.

American Academy of Pediatrics tacitly admits that vaccines don't work!

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Public Health Policy Debate Medical Ethics Child Health
  1. If vaccines are effective, vaccinated kids shouldn't need protection from unvaccinated ones. The idea that they do raises questions about the vaccines' effectiveness.
  2. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports universal vaccination but emphasizes medical exemptions for those who genuinely cannot be vaccinated. However, getting these exemptions can be very difficult.
  3. The AAP's policy lacks clear evidence linking unvaccinated children to significant risks for others, and their recommendations seem driven by institutional interests rather than transparent science.
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The Monster Chicken in the Room

The Weekly Gazette • 11 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Global Health Health Education Philanthropy
  1. Language can really change how we understand health issues. In Indonesia, the word for anemia makes people think they need blood, not iron, which messes up health programs.
  2. Many women in Indonesia collect iron supplements but don’t take them because they believe the pills are meant to increase blood instead of iron. This misunderstanding affects their health negatively.
  3. Funders need to pay attention to language when designing health programs. A small change in wording could help improve many lives by making sure people understand the real issue.

All you need to know about health care this week.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 79 implied HN points • 24 Jun 22
🏥 Health Politics Insurance Issues Patient Care Medical Research Racial Disparities
  1. 41% of Americans have health care debt, showing a huge problem with medical costs in the country.
  2. People with high-deductible health plans often delay necessary treatments due to costs, which can worsen their health outcomes.
  3. Even those with insurance can struggle financially, leading many to seek help from friends or crowdfunding for medical expenses.

Deconstructing HHS: Influenza Vaccine Propaganda

Who is Robert Malone • 22 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Public Health Elderly Care
  1. Increasing flu vaccination in older people might actually lead to more deaths related to the flu. The immune systems of older individuals can also compromise their health, meaning vaccinations may not be as effective as thought.
  2. Getting vaccinated every year could make you more susceptible to new strains of the flu. The body may focus on last year’s virus instead of preparing for new ones.
  3. Many countries don't recommend annual flu shots for everyone. The push for vaccinations in the U.S. might be more about maintaining vaccine production and economic interests than public health.

The FTC decided not to investigate PBM business practices. But there is a silver lining.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 99 implied HN points • 18 Feb 22
🏥 Health Politics Pharmacy Insurance Costs Regulation
  1. The FTC decided not to investigate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), but some commissioners are still concerned about rising out-of-pocket costs for patients at pharmacies. This is a positive sign for future inquiries about healthcare costs.
  2. Many people with insurance are struggling to afford their medications because of high deductibles and costs demanded by their insurers. This issue is causing serious financial problems for families.
  3. Three big companies control a large portion of the PBM market and are making significant profits while many insured Americans can't afford necessary medicines. The investigation should consider how these companies' practices affect patients.

'Experts' Continue To Spread More Misinformation In Response To CDC Update

Unmasked • 67 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Misinformation COVID Policies Vaccines Lockdowns
  1. CDC facing criticism and misinformation from some 'experts' after updating guidance, sparking debates over COVID policies and decisions.
  2. There is ongoing discussion about the accountability and responsibility of those involved in pandemic decisions to achieve permanent resolution.
  3. A reader-supported publication sharing views on COVID measures and advocating for awareness and recognition of mistakes made during the pandemic.

Interested in health care? This is what I'm reading this week.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 79 implied HN points • 03 Jun 22
🏥 Health Politics Health care Legislation Mental health Insurance Access
  1. Senator Manchin is discussing a new version of the Build Back Better bill, which could cap Medicare drug costs for seniors. This change could help many older Americans save money on their medications.
  2. The Senate is also considering a telehealth 'Bill of Rights' to make mental health services easier to access. It’s important because many people struggle to get the mental health care they need due to insurance barriers.
  3. There's a trend of insurance companies providing care themselves, called 'pay-viders.' This can lead to higher profits for these companies, but it also raises questions about whether it helps patients receive better care.

The Lost Lesson of Tuskegee (guest post)

Viruses Must Die • 26 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Medical Ethics Public Health Vaccination Healthcare access Racial Justice
  1. Many people misunderstand the Tuskegee Study. They think the men were injected with syphilis, but the real issue was that they were denied treatment even when it became available.
  2. Withholding medical care is a huge problem in today’s healthcare system. It happens not just in historical cases like Tuskegee but also in modern practices where insurance companies delay or deny necessary treatments.
  3. The lessons from the Tuskegee Study are still relevant today. We need to acknowledge and address the issues of informed consent and access to healthcare to build trust in medical research.

Fox in the Henhouse- mRNA "Bird Flu" vax

Who is Robert Malone • 20 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Disease Management Government Policy Bioethics
  1. The USDA's approach to controlling Bird Flu by culling infected poultry has not been effective, leading to increased costs and a rise in egg prices. Experts suggest that alternatives like breeding disease-resistant chickens could be a better solution.
  2. There are concerns about the use of mRNA vaccines for avian influenza, as they may not offer complete protection and could lead to the development of vaccine-resistant strains. This has parallels to previous issues experienced with COVID-19 vaccines.
  3. Experts advocate for reassessing current strategies to manage Bird Flu, emphasizing the importance of natural immunity and genetic resilience in chickens instead of relying solely on vaccination and mass culling.

US: 5 things to know about new cybersecurity rules for medical devices

The PhilaVerse • 123 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🏥 Health Politics Cybersecurity Medical Devices FDA Approval
  1. New FDA rules require medical device makers to meet specific cybersecurity criteria for approval.
  2. Manufacturers must offer updates and patches for cybersecurity and develop a plan for addressing postmarket vulnerabilities.
  3. Rules focus on devices connected to the internet, like insulin pumps and pacemakers, not legacy technology.

Unraveling Autism’s Surge

Who is Robert Malone • 11 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Mental health Public Health Healthcare policy Genetics Education & Policy
  1. Autism diagnoses are increasing, and this is believed to be due to broader diagnostic criteria, greater awareness, and social factors, rather than a single biological cause.
  2. Genetics play a big role in autism, but environmental factors also matter. Different influences might activate genetic risks, making each case unique.
  3. The rise in autism could be linked to changes in how we define and categorize the disorder, with some arguing that this shift might lead to over-diagnosis and misses the real needs of individuals.

The New CDC Study on Natural Immunity

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 79 implied HN points • 19 Feb 22
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Natural Immunity COVID-19 Data Analysis
  1. Some studies suggest natural immunity from past infection can be as good or even better than full vaccination at protecting against COVID-19 infection.
  2. The new CDC study does not directly compare infection risk between vaccinated and naturally immune populations, but instead looks at hospitalized individuals with COVID-like symptoms.
  3. The study raises questions about the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing hospitalization for COVID-like illness and emphasizes the importance of examining data carefully to draw meaningful conclusions.

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.

ACIP meeting: CDC tacitly admits they are incompetent to assess COVID vaccine safety

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccine Policy CDC Safety Regulations Health Communication
  1. The CDC may have shown misleading information at an ACIP meeting to claim that COVID vaccines are safe. The evidence they presented doesn't fully consider important factors.
  2. One issue with their data is that people who get vaccinated are generally healthier, which skews the results. This creates an illusion that vaccines are safer than they might be.
  3. There is also a big problem with under-reporting of vaccine-related side effects, which means we might not be seeing the full picture of safety concerns.

What’s True and False in One Health

Who is Robert Malone • 19 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Environmental justice Global Health Health Equity
  1. One Health is an idea that looks at health from a broad perspective, including animals and the environment, but it raises concerns about prioritizing non-human life equally to human life. Many people find it hard to accept that a rat’s life is as important as a person's.
  2. The CDC's recent plan for One Health suggests a strong commitment to global monitoring and control of health threats, which some see as a potential overreach of power in the name of public health.
  3. Concerns are growing that One Health might lead to unnecessary restrictions and testing in both animal and human populations, which could disrupt food supplies and raise prices.

14 Attorney Generals Demand Answers Regarding the C-19 Vaccine Injured and Dead

Who is Robert Malone • 23 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Government Accountability Health Policy
  1. Fourteen state attorneys general are asking the federal government for answers about the treatment of people injured by COVID-19 vaccines. They feel that the current system is not fair to these individuals.
  2. The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) is seen as lacking transparency and has made it hard for injured individuals to get the support they need. Many claims are denied or unresolved.
  3. People who have suffered from vaccine-related injuries are often left without proper medical care or financial help. Their stories highlight the struggles they face after vaccination and the need for better support.

The Unforgivable Ivermectin Swindle

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 87 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🏥 Health Politics Health Misinformation Media Manipulation
  1. Ivermectin was unfairly portrayed during the pandemic, despite evidence of its efficacy in treating COVID-19.
  2. Media and government agencies spread misinformation about Ivermectin, labeling it as horse medicine to deter its use.
  3. The dishonesty around Ivermectin usage reveals potential conflicts of interest and undermines trust in media and pharmaceutical companies.

Homicide is not the leading cause of death for pregnant women

Sex and the State • 19 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Maternal health Public Health Reproductive Rights Social Issues
  1. Homicide is not the leading cause of death for pregnant women; in fact, most pregnant women are more likely to die from health issues like heart disease and blood clots.
  2. Media often highlights rare events, so if something makes the news, it’s likely not common; we should be cautious about believing it’s a widespread issue.
  3. There’s a lot we still don’t know about maternal mortality rates and what leads to them, but many deaths are preventable, and better support for healthcare is needed for expecting mothers.

As the border collapses, a measles cluster is growing at a migrant shelter in Chicago

Unreported Truths • 57 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Immigration Vaccination Border Public Health
  1. Legal immigrants to the United States are required to get various vaccinations, including a Covid shot, even if they have had Covid before.
  2. There is a growing cluster of measles cases at a migrant shelter in Chicago, raising concerns about vaccination rates among asylum-seekers.
  3. Media attention on outbreaks can vary, with a Florida measles outbreak receiving significant coverage, while a similar-sized cluster in Chicago is largely ignored.

Got an extraordinary COVID vaccine mortality anecdote?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 10 Aug 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Mortality Public Health Policy Anecdotes
  1. Share your stories about COVID vaccine outcomes, whether they are good or bad. It's important to share personal experiences.
  2. When sharing your story, include details about the number of deaths before and after the vaccine. This helps give context to the experiences.
  3. The stories collected might be put together for a video to present to health officials, showing real-life impacts of the vaccine.

RFK Jr. And The Samoan Measles Outbreak

Who is Robert Malone • 23 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Public Health Health Policy Epidemiology Medical Ethics
  1. The Samoan measles outbreak of 2019 is often blamed on low vaccination rates, but evidence suggests other factors may have contributed to the high death toll.
  2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised important questions about the outbreak, which were ignored by many critics who painted him as an anti-vaxxer.
  3. Detailed investigations into vaccine safety and efficacy are necessary to prevent future public health crises and ensure transparent healthcare practices.

Reminder: regional editions start Monday

Force of Infection • 28 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Health Updates Epidemiology
  1. Regional editions of Outbreak Outlook begin on Monday. These editions will provide more specific updates for different areas in the U.S.
  2. Paid subscribers will receive tailored updates about respiratory and stomach bug trends that are relevant to their region.
  3. The national update will still be available for free, but the regional insights offer extra local detail for subscribers.

COVID time series graphs show clearly the COVID vaccine kill people. That's why they keep the plots hidden from view.

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccines Safety Data Analysis Medical Ethics
  1. Time series graphs can show if a vaccine is safe or not by plotting daily deaths after vaccination. A safe vaccine should show a flat line after the initial period.
  2. Current data for COVID vaccines shows increasing mortality rates after vaccination, which suggests they may not be safe. Many reports don’t show this data.
  3. The medical community often ignores clear signs of vaccine risks, despite evidence appearing in graphs and reports, leading to frustration among those who analyze the data.

Retraction of the Danish aluminum study is ethically necessary to restore trust in the medical journals

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Medical Ethics Scientific Integrity Data Manipulation Vaccine Safety
  1. The revised Danish aluminum study has serious flaws, like not being open about the changes made to the data. This kind of manipulation is a big deal in science.
  2. There are concerns that the study downplays real risks by having a short follow-up period and not looking closely enough at health issues like autism and ADHD.
  3. To rebuild trust in medical research, this study should be retracted. It’s important for science to be transparent and free from conflicts of interest.

An Insider Perspective on the FDA: History and Role

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 14 Oct 22
🏥 Health Politics Drug regulation Clinical Trials Public Trust Regulatory reform
  1. Understanding the FDA's approval process for drugs includes stages like drug discovery, preclinical studies, clinical trials, and regulatory approval.
  2. The FDA's accelerated approval program, initiated in the 1990s due to HIV/AIDS, aims to speed up bringing life-saving drugs to market for urgent conditions, but follow-up studies are crucial.
  3. FDA approval decisions hinge on expert clinical judgment, balancing benefits and risks for patient safety and efficacy, a process that involves multiple stakeholders and extensive data evaluation.

Phthalates, Toxic Plastic Additives, are Everywhere: What’s the Acceptable Limit?

Molecular Spectacular • 43 HN points • 23 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Toxicology Public Health Food Safety Consumer Protection
  1. Phthalates are harmful chemicals used in many plastics and can end up in our food. They are found in everyday items like toys, shower curtains, and even cosmetics.
  2. Health experts warn that phthalates can disrupt our body's hormones, leading to various health issues, especially for children. This includes risks to their growth, metabolism, and reproductive health.
  3. Even though we're not consistently above the safe limits for phthalate consumption, studies show we're getting close. It's important to be aware of our daily exposure to these chemicals.

None of the 70,000 Adverse Events of Puberty Blocking Drugs Were a “Safety Priority” for Biden’s FDA

Who is Robert Malone • 16 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Drug Safety Medical Ethics Transgender Issues Public Health
  1. The FDA has received about 70,000 reports of negative events related to puberty-blocking drugs, but these have not been prioritized for safety concerns. This raises questions about how drug safety is monitored.
  2. Puberty blockers can have serious side effects, including risks for strokes and permanent health issues. Critics argue that these drugs should not be used for children who are healthy.
  3. There is a noticeable difference in how the FDA communicates risks; they have publicly warned about some drugs more than others. This might affect trust in the FDA's commitment to public health.

⛑️ Fixing Healthcare is Easy

UnfairNation by Ehsan Zaffar • 6 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Reform Insurance Issues Economic Impact Medical costs Public Health
  1. Healthcare in the U.S. is way too expensive compared to other countries. Insulin costs $300 here, but only $3 in many places around the world.
  2. Medical bills are a major cause of bankruptcies. Simplifying these costs could help many people and boost the economy.
  3. Insurance should not be tied to your job. Everyone should have access to healthcare, regardless of their employment status.

Despite a profitable 2021, expect higher deductibles and premiums in Aetna's health plans for 2022.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 79 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🏥 Health Politics Health care Insurance Investments Market Trends
  1. Aetna's health plans will have higher deductibles and premiums in 2022, which can make healthcare more expensive for customers. Even though they made money in 2021, people will likely pay more out of pocket.
  2. Even with big profits last year, investors are worried about how CVS/Aetna will perform this year. They became anxious after the company slightly lowered its cash flow expectations, leading to a drop in stock prices.
  3. Enrollment in Aetna's health plans has declined over the years as premiums increased. Many companies are offering less coverage, forcing people to pay more themselves instead, while the company focuses on boosting investor profits.