The hottest Epidemiology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

The Prophets: D.A. Henderson

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3125 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. D.A. Henderson, an epidemiologist, warned that pandemic lockdowns may not effectively stop a disease but could lead to severe public health consequences.
  2. Lockdowns during the pandemic caused disruptions in education, social development, mental health issues, domestic violence, and overdose deaths, highlighting the broader impacts of such measures.
  3. Public health should focus on not just stopping a disease but also consider the broader health of society, including targeted protection for the ill and medically vulnerable, to avoid harmful consequences of overreaction like societal shutdowns.

Miracles In The (In)famous Pfizer Trial

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 25 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Reported vaccine effectiveness jumped sharply within about five to seven days after the second dose, which seems biologically implausible and makes that rapid change suspicious.
  2. The trial protocol let investigators treat symptoms in the first week after vaccination as side effects without PCR testing, so many potential COVID cases in the vaccine arm could have been missed and efficacy overstated.
  3. Vaccine recipients reported fewer non-COVID symptoms outside the immediate reactogenicity window, suggesting differential outcome ascertainment and bias that reduce confidence in the trial’s results.

YLE milestone, Red Dye #3, air quality in LA, raw cat food, and more on alcohol.

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1187 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. The FDA has banned Red Dye No. 3 from food and drugs because it was linked to cancer in lab animals. Even though it's mostly gone already, some products in stores still have it.
  2. Air quality can be misleading after wildfires. Just because the air is rated as 'healthy' doesn't mean it's safe, as many harmful pollutants might still be present.
  3. Moderate drinking might not be as safe as we thought. Recent reports suggest that even one drink a day could increase health risks, especially if there are other health issues involved.

Covid Situation Report: Mar 21, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 299 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Covid hospital admissions are low and stable, indicating the winter surge is over. Rates for flu are slightly higher than for Covid right now.
  2. Deaths due to Covid have decreased in the past month, reflecting lower infection rates. Overall, Covid is still present but at manageable levels.
  3. Older adults are at higher risk for hospitalization if they get Covid. It's important to limit contact when showing symptoms to protect yourself and others.

Unwanted viral guests at Thanksgiving

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1378 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. This Thanksgiving, the chance of getting sick is lower than in the past four years, but we still need to be careful as viruses can spread quickly.
  2. Most illnesses right now are from the common cold, and RSV is affecting young kids, so it's smart to be cautious around babies during gatherings.
  3. Vaccination rates are up, which helps prevent severe illness, so it's a good idea to get vaccinated before the holidays if you haven't already.
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HHS picks, the House subcommittee report, and pandemic revisionism

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1326 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. The new appointments in HHS reflect a mix of people who disagree with Covid-19 policies and those who have ignored real issues. Learning from the pandemic means discussing both the successes and failures honestly.
  2. Covid-19 is not like the flu; it caused a lot of deaths and the vaccines were effective in saving lives. It’s essential to recognize the actual impact and the importance of public health measures that worked.
  3. Many criticisms of pandemic policies lack evidence and understanding of the complexities involved. We should focus on genuine discussions about what went wrong and how to improve in future situations.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Dec 22

Force of Infection • 73 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Influenza is surging nationwide: outpatient ILI and test positivity have climbed sharply, many states now show high activity, and hospitalizations and pediatric deaths are rising. If you haven't had a flu shot yet, it's still the best way to reduce severe illness.
  2. COVID-19 and RSV remain at relatively low levels overall but are inching upward, with small increases seen in wastewater, ED visits, and hospitalizations in some regions. RSV is below average for the season but slowly rising and continues to hit young children hardest.
  3. There are multiple food recalls and a recalled infant formula tied to a botulism outbreak was still found for sale in many stores, contributing to numerous infant hospitalizations. Officials are also reportedly considering changes to the childhood vaccine schedule that could alter routine recommendations.

Tanzania

The Friendly Neighbors • 805 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Epidemiology
  1. Dr. Emily Smith is working on a project to identify barriers to care for children with cancer in Tanzania.
  2. Even when vaccinated, wearing masks on flights can reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
  3. Jesus' definition of 'blessed' centers around those in suffering and those who care for others.

The future of vaccine policy in the United States

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1399 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Most Americans still believe in the importance of vaccinations, with a large percentage supporting routine childhood vaccines. This shows that vaccines are still widely trusted by the public.
  2. Vaccine policy in the U.S. is mainly controlled by individual states, not the federal government. This means each state can set different rules about vaccinations.
  3. The federal government can indirectly influence vaccine policies through agencies like the FDA and CDC. Changes in their approach could affect how vaccines are reviewed and recommended.

Covid Situation Report: May 2, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 179 implied HN points • 03 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Covid positivity rates are rising, especially among people aged 65 and older. But overall, hospital admission rates for Covid remain relatively low.
  2. The Autumn 2023 booster significantly reduced hospitalization risks for older individuals, but its effectiveness decreases significantly after 15 weeks. A successful Spring 2024 booster campaign is needed to protect vulnerable populations.
  3. The Spring 2024 booster campaign started strong, with over 1.3 million doses given in the first two weeks. It's important for eligible individuals to get vaccinated as Covid levels may be increasing.

The Dose (November 22)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1320 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Egg prices are rising due to avian flu outbreaks, which are affecting poultry farms. This means some people might pay more than $4 for a dozen eggs.
  2. A new study shows that pregnant women should aim to get their RSV vaccine at least five weeks before their due date for better protection for their babies.
  3. Good news on sexually transmitted infections (STIs): rates have decreased for the first time in years, thanks to better testing and public health campaigns.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Dec 2

Force of Infection • 97 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Flu cases are rising in the U.S., especially among young kids, but overall activity is still below last year's levels. Hospitalizations are very low right now.
  2. COVID-19 levels are quite low nationally, but there's a chance they may increase following the holiday travel period.
  3. RSV is also increasing but is relatively mild compared to past seasons, along with other cold and flu-like illnesses spreading widely.

Covid Situation Report: Jun 13, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 99 implied HN points • 15 Jun 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Covid levels in England have stabilised after a minor rise in mid-May. Most regions are showing low and stable rates.
  2. The Spring 2024 booster vaccination campaign is going well, with 3.9 million doses given, but more needs to be done for vulnerable groups, especially the immunosuppressed.
  3. Older individuals face a higher risk of hospitalisation and death from Covid, highlighting the importance of getting vaccinated, especially for those aged 75 and above.

The Uncertain Origins of Aspirin

Asimov Press • 373 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. The origins of aspirin are complicated and often mixed up with myths and folklore. Many believe it comes from ancient uses of willow bark, but the evidence is not clear.
  2. While willow bark contains salicin, which can turn into salicylic acid in the body, it takes an impractical amount to achieve effects similar to modern aspirin. Real studies on its effectiveness in pain relief are limited.
  3. Aspirin's actual history can be traced back to the late 18th century, with significant contributions from figures like Reverend Stone and chemists at Bayer, showcasing how important accurate references and evidence are in understanding scientific developments.

Next phase, next stage, next craze, next wave

Logging the World • 538 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🔬 Science Epidemiology
  1. Understanding exponential growth in infection rates can help predict future COVID trends.
  2. Individual growth rates of different strains impact the overall daily growth rate, following a weighted average principle.
  3. Market share of strains, not just reaching a specific percentage threshold, influences overall infection growth.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Dec 14

Force of Infection • 72 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. Flu season has begun — outpatient ILI is above baseline and test positivity rose to 8.1%, with H3N2 making up about 86% of samples and hotspots in New York, New Jersey, Colorado, and Louisiana. A small Thanksgiving-related dip in pediatric cases looks temporary and activity usually rebounds in the following weeks.
  2. COVID-19 is starting to climb from recent lows, with wastewater and regional indicators rising (especially in the Northeast), though severe illness remains very low and increases in ED visits and hospitalizations are small. Expect a typical winter uptick even if current burden is still low.
  3. RSV is still low nationally but is increasing in most states, with higher wastewater activity in places like DC, Florida, Kentucky, Colorado, and Louisiana, while ED visits and test positivity remain well below last year. Other respiratory viruses (adenovirus, parainfluenza) are still active, rhinoviruses are falling, and human coronaviruses and metapneumovirus are beginning to rise.

The Dose (October 25)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1299 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Older adults can expect to get a Covid-19 vaccine next spring. Getting two shots a year may provide better protection, especially for those over 65.
  2. There’s a multistate outbreak of E. coli linked to McDonald's hamburgers, caused by slivered onions. It’s important to stay aware of food safety and current health warnings.
  3. Since the Dobbs decision, infant mortality rates have increased, mainly due to birth defects. This shows how political decisions can impact health and wellbeing.

FOI Clinical is live

Force of Infection • 15 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. FOI Clinical is a new clinician-focused briefing that delivers updates on reportable diseases, emerging outbreaks, policy changes, and same-day alerts for urgent events.
  2. The first issue highlights a range of current concerns—measles clusters, pertussis trends, a shift toward influenza B, meningitis, tularemia, mumps, and Nipah—covering both domestic and international threats clinicians should watch.
  3. The product is a paid subscription ($18/month or $189/year) with a free trial and is built on the Force of Infection platform that has tracked respiratory viruses for many readers since 2022.

The Dose (December 6)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1002 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Getting vaccinated for Covid-19 at the right time can make a big difference. If you haven't had Covid recently, fall is a good time for your shot.
  2. The flu vaccine is important and does not give you the flu. It reduces severe cases, and many misunderstandings about it need to be cleared up.
  3. HPV vaccinations are really effective and can significantly lower the risk of cervical cancer in young women. This shows how important vaccines are for public health.

What lessons can we learn from the Autumn Booster Campaign?

Independent SAGE continues • 179 implied HN points • 26 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. The initial Covid vaccination program worked well for older populations, but younger groups and ethnic minorities got less attention and support. We need to keep looking for ways to involve everyone.
  2. Booster vaccination rates are falling, especially among immunocompromised individuals and younger age groups. We must find better ways to encourage these communities to get vaccinated.
  3. Only a small percentage of NHS workers received the latest booster, which is worrying given their higher risk of exposure. It's important to ensure healthcare staff are protected so they can continue to care for others.

Bad Drugs Get Pulled Fast

Cremieux Recueil • 223 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Drugs that cause safety concerns are usually taken off the market quickly. This helps protect people from potential risks.
  2. Large amounts of data from many users help identify drug risks early. Epidemiologists use this information to understand how safe or risky a drug really is.
  3. Mistakes can happen in drug safety monitoring, leading to unnecessary withdrawals. It's important to balance safety with access to beneficial medications.

Spain’s African Swine Fever Crisis

Who is Robert Malone • 10 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🔬 Science Epidemiology
  1. African swine fever was detected near a high-security research lab and genetic analysis showed the strain closely matches a laboratory reference virus, prompting police raids and a sealed criminal investigation into a possible lab release.
  2. Spain’s pork industry is a global powerhouse, and the outbreak triggered immediate export bans and urgent containment actions, with a real risk of massive economic losses if domestic farms become infected.
  3. The case highlights serious gaps in biosafety and oversight for high-containment, internationally funded pathogen research, underscoring the need for greater transparency, clear accountability, and stronger governance to prevent accidental releases.

Weekend flu check-in

Force of Infection • 65 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Influenza activity is increasing across many states, especially among children. While still low, this trend is expected to continue as the holiday season approaches.
  2. Different regions are experiencing varying levels of flu activity. Some areas, like New York City and Colorado, are seeing significant rises, while others remain stable or low.
  3. In Canada, flu cases are also rising quickly, with a noticeable increase in hospitalizations. It's important to monitor respiratory illnesses like RSV and COVID-19, but currently, COVID-19 levels are stable.

The Dose: This week's public health explained (Oct 11)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 959 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Free Covid-19 tests are now available for all. You can order them online and they will be delivered to your home.
  2. Obesity rates in the U.S. are showing some decline after many years of increase, but the drop could be uncertain and isn't significant yet.
  3. Routine vaccinations for kids are dropping, which is concerning. More children are unvaccinated against diseases like measles, and this trend needs to be addressed to prevent outbreaks.

Two cautionary tales about BA.2.86

Logging the World • 478 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🔬 Science Epidemiology
  1. Don't just look at proportions, consider sample sizes too. Confidence intervals are important when dealing with limited data.
  2. Focus on the bigger picture when it comes to analyzing new variants. Growth rates matter.
  3. Instead of fixating on one variant, keep an eye on other potentially impactful variants as well. The situation is constantly evolving.

The Dose (October 18)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 883 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. Currently, levels of Covid-19, flu, and RSV are low, which is a good time to get your vaccines.
  2. A recall of over 11.7 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat is happening due to detected Listeria bacteria, so stay cautious.
  3. In California, H5N1 bird flu is spreading among dairy farms, but the overall risk to the public is still low.

Universal Repeated mRNA Boosting Was (and is) Bad Policy

Who is Robert Malone • 12 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Repeated, frequent mRNA boosters push the immune system toward a tolerance-style response (higher IL-10 and IgG4), so antibodies still bind the virus but trigger less inflammation and cell-killing—this helps prevent severe illness but does not reliably stop infection or spread.
  2. A one-size-fits-all policy of universal, frequent boosting was adopted without solid prospective evidence or proper timing studies, producing predictable immune 'signal stacking'; booster strategies should be risk-stratified, experimentally timed, and driven by shared decision-making.
  3. The tolerance-leaning immune shift from repeated boosting could affect responses to other vaccines and infections and might impair anti-tumor immune surveillance in some contexts, so booster spacing and long-term consequences warrant careful study.

BA.2.86 growth rates

Logging the World • 418 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
🔬 Science Epidemiology
  1. New COVID variant BA.2.86 has mutations that suggest fast growth, but estimating its growth rate is tricky.
  2. Statisticians use models and likelihood functions to estimate parameters like growth rates, but uncertainty exists in the estimates.
  3. The work of statistician C.R. Rao, like the Fisher information, shows fundamental limits to parameter estimation and the role of geometry in statistics.

Navigating RSV protection this fall

Your Local Epidemiologist • 646 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies have been developed to protect against RSV, especially for pregnant women and infants, showing high effectiveness in reducing hospitalizations.
  2. Older adults are also at risk for RSV, and the vaccine is effective for those over 60, but it’s important for them to discuss options with their healthcare providers.
  3. Real-world data confirms that RSV protection is effective and safer than getting the disease, but many people still lack awareness about these preventive measures.

On the Origins of Type 1 Diabetes

Eat Shit and Prosper • 439 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It usually starts early in life and is linked to specific genetic and environmental factors.
  2. The incidence of T1D is rising globally, but it varies greatly by location and doesn't correlate strongly with typical factors like income or race. Scientists suspect that certain infections, especially with bacteria like Legionella, might trigger the disease in genetically susceptible individuals.
  3. Research suggests that exposure to Legionella bacteria might confuse the immune system, leading it to attack the pancreas. This means that cleaning up contaminated water systems could be key in reducing new T1D cases.

The Virtue of Diversity

David Friedman’s Substack • 431 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Many countries had similar Covid-19 policies, even though their cultures and situations were very different. This shows that having different approaches can be useful because it allows for diverse solutions.
  2. The Great Barrington Declaration suggested protecting vulnerable people while allowing the virus to spread among others. This idea faced strong opposition, highlighting how challenging it can be to propose different solutions in a uniform system.
  3. Countries like Sweden took a different path during the pandemic, opting for lighter restrictions. This led to a less severe impact than predicted, suggesting that a variety of strategies can lead to better outcomes.

DMED and CDC COVID Data Scandals

Who is Robert Malone • 16 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Health data systems were retroactively altered to mask apparent spikes in illnesses, which eroded trust in military and public health records.
  2. Pressure to preserve institutional narratives, unchecked access to editable databases, and moral rationalizations combined into a self‑reinforcing 'fraud engine' that enabled systemic data manipulation until external scrutiny intervened.
  3. Preventing recurrence requires concrete reforms—immutable cryptographic data versioning, separation of analytics from communications, strong whistleblower protections, and real‑time access for independent review.

Heterodox Views In The Academy Could Save Lives

Heterodox STEM • 142 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. The lab leak theory is still debated, but political biases can influence how openly this is discussed in science.
  2. Gain-of-function research helps study viruses but poses risks, as it could lead to pandemics if not handled properly.
  3. Honest communication about scientific topics can help build public trust, which is crucial for handling future health crises.

State of Affairs: Feb 22

Your Local Epidemiologist • 904 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. Influenza-like illnesses are still prevalent, especially among children, and the season could continue until April or May.
  2. COVID-19 levels in wastewater are high nationally, with a strange pattern in the South, but hospitalizations remain lower than last year.
  3. Flu hospitalizations are stable, RSV cases are decreasing, and there is concern about a rising number of measles cases across several states.

No evidence that the US childhood vaccine schedule saves lives

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. There is a claim that no credible study shows the US childhood vaccine schedule, or any vaccine schedule worldwide, provides an overall net mortality or morbidity benefit.
  2. Real-world examples are cited saying unvaccinated children in some pediatric practices and communities like the Amish appear healthier and have lower rates of conditions such as autism.
  3. The argument insists vaccine mandates and mainstream messaging rest on belief rather than solid evidence, and that media and health authorities are ignoring or suppressing this lack of proof.

ACIP Cliff notes: Feb 28

Your Local Epidemiologist • 853 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. CDC recommends older adults receive a second Covid-19 vaccine in the spring, especially those over 65.
  2. The majority of people hospitalized for Covid-19 were not up-to-date on their annual vaccine, with specific risk factors common among them.
  3. Vaccine coverage challenges in the US stem from concerns like unknown side effects, lack of trust, and physician recommendations.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Feb 10

Force of Infection • 269 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. The flu season is at a record high, with about 1 in 13 doctor visits now related to flu symptoms. This is the worst flu outbreak we have seen in over ten years.
  2. Young children are most affected by the flu, but older adults are at a greater risk for severe illness. It's important for everyone to take precautions to stay healthy.
  3. To prevent the flu, people should wear masks in crowded places, improve ventilation indoors, wash hands often, and get vaccinated. If infected, antivirals can help reduce illness duration.