The hottest Health Politics Substack posts right now

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Wait a Minute. Do They Actually Want a Bird Flu Pandemic? A Look at the Preparations.

OK Doomer • 238 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemics Government Response Disease Prevention Health Policy
  1. Governments seem to be unprepared for the bird flu crisis, even though the situation is serious and worsening. There's a belief that they are choosing not to act effectively.
  2. There's a concern that some officials might actually want a new pandemic. This is based on perceived intentions to benefit from chaos in the economy.
  3. Pressure is mounting on leaders to take the bird flu threat seriously, but so far, real actions are lacking, pointing to a failure to protect public health.

💊💉 Will the anti-obesity wonder drugs work wonders for the US economy?

Faster, Please! • 1553 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Economic Impact Pharmaceuticals Obesity Chronic diseases
  1. GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy could change the way we treat obesity and have a huge positive impact on health. They work by helping individuals lose weight and may also lower the risk of serious diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer's.
  2. These medications could boost the US economy significantly. Estimates suggest that by improving health and productivity, they might help increase the GDP by about 0.5 to 1 percent in rich countries.
  3. The overall benefits of health innovations, including GLP-1 drugs, aren't fully captured in traditional economic measures. They can lead to a better quality of life and longer life expectancy, which is valuable beyond just the numbers.

Try This at Home: The World's Simplest Germ Killer

OK Doomer • 24 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccines Disease Prevention Health Policy Medical Ethics
  1. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a natural germ killer that our bodies already produce to fight germs. It's similar to bleach but safe for use.
  2. There is a growing movement against vaccines in some states, with groups pushing for bans. This comes at a critical time for vaccine development.
  3. Using safe, effective germ-killing methods at home can be important, especially in light of public health concerns and vaccine hesitancy.

How to Report Post-Dobbs Deaths

All in Her Head by Jessica Valenti • 6014 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Abortion rights Health care Reporting Anti-Abortion Movement Maternal health
  1. Abortion bans have resulted in deaths since Roe was overturned, but they are often not reported accurately.
  2. It is crucial to clearly state the impact of abortion bans on women's lives without allowing for misinformation or equivocation.
  3. The broader systems failure, combined with abortion bans, leads to dangerous outcomes, emphasizing the urgent need for accurate reporting and advocacy.
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A Pfizer shot. A failed heart. A transplant. Get vaxxed again?

RESCUE with Michael Capuzzo • 9787 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Data Analysis
  1. John Berndsen's heart complications after receiving the Pfizer vaccine illustrate a potential link to myocarditis and the importance of questioning vaccine safety.
  2. Many adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines are not being reported in the media, and the numbers show a significant impact on health, including deaths.
  3. John Berndsen's experience highlights the importance of critically examining the safety and necessity of additional vaccine doses, especially for vulnerable individuals.

come offit

bad cattitude • 264 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Government Policy Pharmaceuticals Health Safety
  1. There's concern about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines that are quickly pushed through without proper testing. People worry that these vaccines could lead to more harm than good.
  2. Current vaccine liability laws protect companies from being sued if their products cause harm. This might lower their incentive to ensure the vaccines are safe and effective.
  3. Many believe that if vaccine manufacturers were held accountable for their products, they would take more care in their development and testing. This would help restore public trust in vaccines.

PEDOPHILES, Child sex abusers and Child pornographers - exposing Canada's Healthcare Leaders - Part 3 - Child pornography problem at College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta during the pandemic

COVID Intel - by Dr.William Makis • 5306 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Child abuse
  1. A post exposing child pornography problem at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta
  2. Parts 1 and 2 of the viral expose reveal child sex abusers among Canada's healthcare leaders
  3. Subscription offers access to more detailed posts and a 7-day free trial

Can Labour Fix the NHS?

Comment is Freed • 92 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Policy Government Economics
  1. Labour needs to improve the economy and the NHS to win a second term. If people feel better financially and notice changes in healthcare, that would help their chances.
  2. Although Labour has increased the NHS budget, the challenges are much greater now. The NHS is struggling with long waiting lists and a demoralized workforce.
  3. The government aims to shift focus from hospital care to prevention and community health, but they often do the opposite. Past strategies haven't worked, and they need to really commit to a new approach.

As UnitedHealth and Cigna are Sued for AI-Based Claims Denials, Documents Suggest Major AI Expansion

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 739 implied HN points • 11 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Artificial Intelligence Legal issues Insurance Practices Patient rights
  1. UnitedHealth and Cigna are facing lawsuits for denying medical claims using a flawed AI system, which many believe does not work correctly. This has led to patients not receiving the care they need or having to pay high costs for care.
  2. Despite the lawsuits and public criticism, these companies plan to expand their use of AI in health care decision-making. They are investing more in technology, aiming for efficiency even at the risk of more denied claims.
  3. Experts warn that using AI in health care can leave patients feeling helpless and confused when their claims are denied. They believe that patients under AI-driven systems may struggle to advocate for their own health needs effectively.

Covid Having Failed to do the Job, Bill Gates Is Making a Second Run at culling the population

2nd Smartest Guy in the World • 4913 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic response Public Health
  1. Bill Gates is being accused of attempting to reduce the world population through a 'peaceful culling'.
  2. WHO and Big Pharma are being criticized for promoting a potential 'Disease X' that could be 20 times deadlier than COVID-19.
  3. There are concerns about a lack of transparency and a hidden agenda behind global health decisions and pandemic predictions.

H5N1 Update: January 7

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1940 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology Public Health Infectious Disease Vaccination Pandemic Preparedness
  1. H5N1, or bird flu, is still spreading among animals and has now caused its first human death in the U.S. It's a serious virus, but the general public's risk remains low for now.
  2. Experts are worried about H5N1 because it could mutate and become more dangerous, especially if it spreads among animals that are close to humans. Keeping tabs on this virus is important.
  3. Right now, there's not much for the average person to do except stay informed. Avoid sick animals and unpasteurized milk to stay safe, and let health officials manage the outbreak.

BREAKING NEWS: Calling all Alberta healthcare workers & practitioners - it's time to take down corrupt & rotten Alberta Health Services, Colleges of Physicians, Surgeons, Nurses, Pharmacists...

COVID Intel - by Dr.William Makis • 4854 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Corruption Mental health Legal Battles
  1. Dr. William Makis MD is rallying Alberta healthcare workers to take action against corruption within healthcare institutions.
  2. Specifically calling out Alberta Health Services, Colleges of Physicians, Surgeons, Nurses, and Pharmacists.
  3. Dr. Makis MD has a history of battling corruption within Alberta's healthcare system.

Rx Exec on a Mission to Eliminate Unnecessary Middlemen and Slash Generics Spending

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 519 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Insurance Practices
  1. Removing middlemen from the prescription drug process can help lower costs. These middlemen often increase prices unnecessarily, making medications more expensive for everyone.
  2. Generic drugs make up a large portion of prescriptions, yet many people don’t realize they often pay more for them due to the complicated pricing system in healthcare. Focusing on providing generics can make medications more affordable.
  3. There's a need for more transparency in how drug benefits are designed for employers. By simplifying the system and cutting out extra layers, businesses can save money on prescription costs.

Private Medicare Plans and Vertical Integration Yield UnitedHealth $15.8 Billion in Profits Between January and June

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 619 implied HN points • 16 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Insurance Practices Medicare Advantage Corporate Governance
  1. UnitedHealth made a massive profit of $15.8 billion in just six months by using strategies to boost its income from private Medicare plans. This shows how profitable these plans can be for insurance companies.
  2. The company has been increasing its earnings by owning many of the doctors and clinics its patients visit. This vertical integration gives them more control and helps them profit more from the services they provide.
  3. UnitedHealth has found ways to maximize its Medicare Advantage funding by misreporting patient conditions. This has earned them billions from the government, which has raised questions about their practices.

Focusing on Healthcare’s Administrative Costs Is Misguided

Cremieux Recueil • 610 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Reform Policy Analysis Economic Impact Public Health
  1. The idea that administrative costs in healthcare are the main issue is often wrong. Many studies show the key costs come from provider payments, not just administration.
  2. Comparing U.S. administrative spending to other countries shows Americans spend similar percentages on administration, but overall higher costs are mostly due to higher payments to healthcare providers.
  3. Improving how healthcare is managed, especially through better corporate governance, can help reduce administrative costs, but we need broader reforms to really lower healthcare prices.

Rethinking mental illness, sanity, and culture in light of the fact that the chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Grace Lee, is literally insane

uTobian • 8195 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🏥 Health Politics Mental Illness Vaccines Public Health Pharma
  1. Psychopaths who fit in are more dangerous than the stereotypical crazy ones because they are harder to spot.
  2. The American public health establishment includes individuals who seem well-adjusted but are responsible for significant harm, like downplaying vaccine safety concerns.
  3. The public health system is run by individuals who are well-adjusted to an insane society, perpetuating harm while appearing normal.

Does the UK’s liver transplant matching algorithm systematically exclude younger patients?

AI Snake Oil • 864 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Medical Ethics Healthcare policy Predictive Modeling
  1. The liver transplant matching algorithm in the UK might favor older patients over younger ones, which raises serious ethical concerns. This can lead to younger patients, even if they are very sick, being overlooked for transplants.
  2. Using predictive algorithms in healthcare can be risky. They can have biases that might not be obvious, like wrongly estimating how long patients will live after a transplant based on a five-year cap.
  3. It's important for the public to have a voice in how medical algorithms are created and used. Better understanding and participation can help ensure fair and just treatment for all patients.

As it Turns Out, Health Insurance Executives Are Really (Really) Good at Their Jobs

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 799 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare system Insurance Issues Patient Care Healthcare Costs Corporate Governance
  1. Health insurance executives are focused on making their shareholders happy, which often means keeping costs low for employers, not necessarily improving services for patients.
  2. In health insurance, the customer who pays for the insurance and the consumer who uses it are different, creating conflicts of interest that can harm patients.
  3. Insurance companies often make it difficult for those who need the most care to access it, which is counterproductive for the patients who genuinely need help.

The Debate of Covid Science Part 2: A Team of Covid Experts Debate The Opinions Of BC's College Of Physicians And Surgeons

Pierre Kory’s Medical Musings • 4422 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19 Vaccines Medical Ethics Treatment
  1. Dr. Hoffe's statements on the efficacy of ivermectin in treating Covid-19 are supported by a large body of scientific evidence, including numerous positive meta-analyses and health ministry reports.
  2. Dr. Corneil's expert report ignored significant positive evidence on the effectiveness of ivermectin, focusing on selective negative studies and flawed trials.
  3. The exclusion of key studies, manipulation of trial data, and reliance on questionable criteria suggest a biased and disingenuous approach in evaluating the efficacy of ivermectin for Covid-19 treatment.

Pausing NIH study sections is going to be fine

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 157 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Medical Research Policy Reform Government oversight
  1. Pausing NIH study sections can help bring necessary changes. It's a good opportunity to rethink how research funding is distributed.
  2. Current funding processes tend to support more conventional ideas rather than groundbreaking ones. There needs to be a push for more innovative and transformative research.
  3. If cuts happen in research funding, especially for less impactful areas, it could lead to better use of public dollars. We need to focus on research that truly makes a difference.

Study: Abortion Bans Creating OBGYN Crisis

All in Her Head by Jessica Valenti • 3911 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Reproductive Rights State Legislation Women's Health
  1. Abortion bans in anti-choice states have created an occupational health crisis for OBGYNs.
  2. OBGYNs struggle to provide adequate care due to legal restrictions, impacting both patient outcomes and physician well-being.
  3. There is a significant need for institutional support for OBGYNs in anti-choice states, including mental health resources and guidance prioritizing patient health over conservative interpretations of abortion laws.

Artificial intelligence and mRNA vaccines are not going to cure cancer

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 156 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Medical Research Public Health Vaccines Technology
  1. Artificial intelligence and mRNA vaccines are not expected to cure cancer. Both technologies have limitations that make them less effective in treating this complex disease.
  2. Cancer therapeutic vaccines have been studied extensively, but only one has received FDA approval, and it shows only a slight benefit in survival. Overall, these vaccines often do not work as hoped.
  3. AI struggles to diagnose cancer accurately and often lacks the needed data to improve this. Simply detecting cancer is not enough; finding the right treatment for each specific case is much more complicated.

A Former Republican Lawmaker’s Constant Fight with UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage Plan to Stay Alive

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 759 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Insurance Issues Patient Advocacy Chronic Illness Medicare Disability Rights
  1. Healthcare can be a huge struggle, especially when battling a serious illness. Many people might face denied coverage and have to fight tirelessly for the treatments they need to survive.
  2. Financial strain can impact access to necessary medical treatments. Some individuals may even resort to fundraising or selling personal belongings to cover their medical costs.
  3. Certain Medicare Advantage plans can limit access to essential care and providers. This can be frustrating for those who need specialized treatments, forcing them into difficult situations.

Now what for public health?

Your Local Epidemiologist • 2790 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination policy Health Communication Health Misinformation Epidemiology
  1. We need to adapt to a new public health world because of unreliable leadership and misinformation. This means being more thoughtful in how we communicate and make decisions.
  2. Building bridges and finding common ground is essential for effective public health. Listening and showing empathy can help people trust the information provided.
  3. Fighting for the truth against falsehoods will be a major challenge. It's important to promote reliable sources of information to help individuals make informed health choices.

Arresting Women to 'Protect' Their Fetuses

All in Her Head by Jessica Valenti • 3793 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Reproductive Rights Women's Health Incarceration Medical care
  1. Pregnancy Justice defends pregnant people's rights and works against criminalization.
  2. Cases like Ashley Caswell's highlight the mistreatment faced by pregnant individuals, especially in Etowah County, Alabama.
  3. Alabama's use of 'chemical endangerment' charges demonstrates the prioritization of fetuses over pregnant individuals, leading to increased criminalization.

Are drugs good? Are side effects bad? It depends on what you're trying to do.

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 895 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Drug policy Mental health Medical Ethics Psychedelics Pharmaceuticals
  1. The good or bad nature of drugs really depends on what you're trying to achieve with them. It's important to consider the purpose behind using any drug.
  2. Different drugs can have different effects. For example, psychedelics can be helpful for depression but dangerous for someone who is unstable. It's all about context.
  3. Drugs should be viewed as tools that work in specific ways. We need to determine if those effects match what we want for our health or goals.

While an Insurance Industry Front Group Pushes Against Medicare Advantage Scrutiny, Rural Hospitals Remain Unswayed

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 599 implied HN points • 08 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Insurance Issues Medicare Patient Care
  1. Medicare Advantage plans are being pushed heavily by some insurance groups, but many rural hospitals are rejecting these plans due to issues like payment delays and limited coverage.
  2. Reports show that people on Medicare Advantage can face higher out-of-pocket costs and less access to necessary care compared to those on traditional Medicare.
  3. Many rural hospitals are opting out of Medicare Advantage altogether, indicating that this choice may leave beneficiaries with fewer options and potentially lead to financial burdens.

NIH study sections are broken

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 106 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Research Funding Public Health Scientific Integrity Policy Debate Health Disparities
  1. NIH study sections often fund unambitious science instead of groundbreaking research. This is a problem because many mediocre scientists are in charge, which doesn't help advance science.
  2. There's a heavy focus on diversity and inclusion in NIH grants, but much of it just repeats what we already know. Instead, we need better treatments for everyone, regardless of race or status.
  3. The review process for grants can discourage scientists from speaking out on important issues. This silence can lead to a lack of innovative ideas and solutions in research.

URGENT: The FDA will reject future Covid jabs for healthy people under 65 without big new clinical trials proving they work

Unreported Truths • 57 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination FDA Regulations Chronic Conditions Health Policy
  1. The FDA now requires new clinical trials to approve Covid vaccines for healthy people under 65. This means companies must prove the vaccines are effective before they can be used.
  2. Many adults may still qualify for boosters because of loose CDC guidelines on who is at risk for severe Covid. This could allow a lot of people to continue getting the vaccine even with new rules.
  3. While this is a step towards more safety with mRNA vaccines, the rules aren’t strict enough to significantly change access for most healthy adults.

Florida Committee Passes Bill Mandating Health Insurance Cover Conversion Therapy

Erin In The Morning • 3675 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Legislation Transgender rights
  1. Florida committee passed a bill mandating health insurance cover conversion therapy for transgender people
  2. The bill also restricts transgender individuals from updating gender markers on their driver's licenses
  3. The bill could have significant impacts on mental health care by allowing coverage for conversion therapy

ScienceVs: Trans Kids Health Care: Are We Getting It Wrong? (II)

Carolina Curmudgeon • 39 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Trans rights Medical Ethics Child Health Mental health Public Policy
  1. 1. The podcast only featured experts who support gender-affirming care, not those who might question its effectiveness. This creates a one-sided view of a complicated issue.
  2. 2. The discussion did not challenge any ideas about gender identity or question the idea that being trans is just as normal as being cisgender. This could limit understanding of the topic.
  3. 3. A study noted that using a preferred name can significantly reduce suicidal thoughts in gender dysphoric kids. However, instead of pushing for medical treatments, maybe simple name changes and support could be a better first step.