The hottest Child Health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

Documenting Hope - This Org's Research Helps us Understand and Improve Children's Health

Popular Rationalism • 297 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Child Health Health Research Health Advocacy Health Education Mental health
  1. There is a silent auction happening to raise funds for children's health, closing on October 4, 2024. It's a good chance to bid on some unique items and support a worthy cause.
  2. The auction features valuable items like health screenings and coaching packages, with some starting bids as low as $50. You might find something great while helping kids!
  3. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Documenting Hope organization, which focuses on improving children's health. It's a way to contribute to important research and initiatives for children.

Technology and Grieving

Margins by Ranjan Roy and Can Duruk • 5203 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Grief Health care Child Health Neurology Mental health
  1. Technology can help us understand and communicate health issues better. Tools like generative AI can make complex medical information easier to grasp for everyone.
  2. Grieving is a personal journey that everyone experiences differently. It's important to remember that your feelings of loss and sorrow are valid, and sharing your story can help others feel less alone.
  3. Creating memories with loved ones is crucial. Spending time with family, sharing experiences, and cherishing little moments can make a lasting impact, even after they've gone.

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.

President Trump Establishes a MAHA Commission

Who is Robert Malone • 22 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Health Policy Public Health Executive orders Child Health
  1. President Trump created a new commission, called the MAHA Commission, to look into America's health issues, especially childhood diseases.
  2. The goal is to figure out why chronic illnesses are rising and to come up with a plan to make kids healthier.
  3. Many people don't trust the healthcare system, and this commission aims to restore that trust while addressing the health crisis in America.

Health Insurers Increasingly Prevent Care for Children, New Congressional Report Finds

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 599 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Insurance Practices Legislation Child Health Medical Ethics
  1. Health insurers are making it harder for children to get necessary medical care. This often happens through a process called prior authorization, where doctors need approval from insurers before treating patients.
  2. A recent government report found that private insurers have inconsistent rules about approving basic health screenings and treatments for kids, which is crucial for their long-term health.
  3. The report suggests the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should check if insurers can really ask for prior approval for care that doesn't need it according to regulations. This is important to ensure all children get the preventative care they need.
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The difference between the US childhood vaccination schedule and Denmark's

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 195 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Public Health Research Methods Child Health
  1. There are big differences between the childhood vaccination schedules in the US and Denmark. Studying these differences could help us understand which method works better for kids.
  2. A cluster randomized trial could test the effectiveness of the US vaccination schedule compared to Denmark's. This means grouping areas to follow one schedule or the other and then measuring health outcomes.
  3. There's a lot of uncertainty about which vaccination approach is best. By collecting better data, we can start to settle these important questions instead of just accepting existing beliefs.

ScienceVs revisits the issue of gender affirming care for children with gender dysphoria.

Carolina Curmudgeon • 19 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Gender Dysphoria Medical Ethics Child Health Public Policy
  1. ScienceVs has both criticized and supported gender affirming care for children with gender dysphoria. They seem to have a bias in how they present the evidence surrounding this care.
  2. A recent study found that many teens who initially identified as trans ended up identifying as cis later. This suggests that some may not need medical intervention.
  3. The effects of hormone treatments can lead to serious and permanent health issues. Critics argue that children should not be put on these treatments if there’s a chance they might change their identity later.

New Zealand’s shamefully high use of puberty blockers for kids gets exposed.

A B’Old Woman • 499 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🏥 Health Politics Medical Ethics Public Health Mental health Child Health Policy Debate
  1. New Zealand has a very high rate of puberty blocker use in kids, much higher than in England, and this raises concerns.
  2. Many young people who use puberty blockers end up regretting it, but there isn't enough proper mental health support to help them before transitioning.
  3. Parents feel worried and confused because they want to support their kids but often get mixed messages about the safety of puberty blockers.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 180 - Blowing the Lid off SIDS!

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 1 implied HN point • 05 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Child Health Risk Factors Health Advocacy
  1. There is a significant rise in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) cases that needs more attention. People should know the current trends and possible factors causing these tragic events.
  2. Parents need to be aware of the risk factors related to SIDS that are not widely discussed. This information is crucial for keeping infants safe.
  3. Law enforcement and first responders must understand the importance of thorough medical investigations in SIDS cases. Many of these deaths are dismissed without proper examination, which can hinder justice and understanding.

Dangerous USPSTF Guidelines for Higher-Weight Children Are Open for Public Comment - Part 1

Weight and Healthcare • 299 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Child Health Health recommendations
  1. The US Preventive Services Task Force draft recommendation for higher-weight children is open for public comment until January 16.
  2. Good news: They aren't suggesting intensive dieting for toddlers and recognize the need for research on weight-neutral interventions.
  3. Bad news: They recommend intensive diet programs for children aged 6 or older based on outdated charts, using predominantly fair quality studies with limited long-term follow-up.

The State of Children's Health

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Child Health Nutrition Mental health Environmental health Global Health
  1. Children's health has improved over the years, but many are still facing serious issues like poor nutrition and mental health problems. There's a need for better support in different areas to help them thrive.
  2. In the US, reducing greenhouse gas emissions could lead to better health for children by improving air quality and nutrition. It’s also important for kids to feel a sense of purpose amidst challenges.
  3. In places like Tanzania, children's health problems are more about basic needs like food and medical resources. Building hospitals and providing proper care is essential to help those kids succeed.

The CDC, AAP and public health officials need to tell parents to stop masking their kids

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 203 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health Parenting Child Health
  1. There is no evidence to justify masking kids, especially very young kids.
  2. Organizations like the CDC and AAP should advise parents to stop masking healthy children.
  3. Companies selling child masks should be held accountable for false advertisement if they do not meet the required standards.

New peer-reviewed study again confirms childhood vaccines are likely responsible for nearly 80% of the autism cases in US

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Public Health Research Ethics Child Health
  1. A recent study suggests that childhood vaccines might be linked to around 80% of autism cases in the US. This claim is based on data gathered from the Florida Medicaid database.
  2. The study indicates that children who received more vaccine visits are diagnosed with autism at higher rates, implying a possible connection between the two.
  3. There's a call for more research comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated children, as past attempts to initiate such studies have been blocked. This raises questions about the transparency and safety of vaccines.

Help save a life! Is there a US board certified immunologist willing to write a vaccine exemption for a vaccine-injured child?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Education & Policy Child Health
  1. Private schools in Texas require all kids to be fully vaccinated, which some argue shows a lack of confidence in vaccine effectiveness.
  2. There are challenges in obtaining vaccine exemptions, especially for those with vaccine injuries, as schools typically want exemptions signed by a specific type of physician.
  3. Texas law allows private schools to set their own vaccination rules, so it’s important for parents to check these policies at each school.

Honest AI reads the Mawson paper on autism and recommends the CDC warn all parents that it's more likely than not that vaccines cause nearly 80% of autism cases

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Public Health Child Health Medical Ethics Autism Research
  1. A recent study suggests there might be a strong link between vaccines and autism, with vaccinated children showing much higher rates of the condition compared to those who aren't vaccinated.
  2. The study's findings indicate that as more vaccines are given, the likelihood of developing autism also increases, especially in vulnerable groups like preterm infants.
  3. There are calls for the CDC to warn parents and rethink current vaccination practices to ensure children's health and safety, emphasizing the importance of informed decisions.

VSRF LIVE - The Fight for Our Kids: An Interview with Informed Consent Warrior Barbara Loe Fisher

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 3 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines Informed consent Child Health Advocacy Public Health
  1. Barbara Loe Fisher advocates for informed consent and discusses the risks and benefits of childhood vaccines.
  2. She founded the National Vaccine Information Center after her son experienced severe side effects from a vaccine.
  3. Ms. Loe Fisher actively raises awareness about vaccine science, policy, and the importance of understanding vaccine risks.

Vax to Relax

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Child Health COVID-19 Public Health Vaccination Mental health
  1. Parenting involves balancing restrictions and freedoms for children.
  2. Fall 2020 was a challenging time for kids due to the pandemic, and there are considerations about reopening schools in a safe manner.
  3. It's important to shift from a zero-risk approach to relative-risk-reduction mode when dealing with COVID-19 to address the broader needs of individuals and populations.

Pick Your Battles

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 03 Jun 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Child Health Parenting COVID-19 Medical Advice
  1. Consider the risks and benefits before making decisions about your family's health, like getting vaccinated for COVID-19.
  2. Vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines, are effective and safe, providing protection and helping reduce transmission.
  3. Making informed decisions based on science and facts, not fear, is crucial when navigating health choices for your family.