The hottest Epidemiology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 207 with Dr. Robert Redfield, MD.

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. A former CDC director gives an insider perspective questioning key COVID-era decisions and calling for greater transparency in how those choices were made.
  2. The conversation will tackle controversial topics like vaccine safety, the origins of SARS-CoV-2, high‑risk research, and alleged ignored treatment protocols.
  3. The goal is to revisit past decisions to learn lessons and push for better data sharing and preparedness for future public‑health emergencies.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 209 with Nicolas Hulscher, MPH.

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 1 implied HN point • 08 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. The show questions whether the data truly justified major COVID-era policies like lockdowns, mandates, and testing strategies.
  2. It centers the experiences of vaccine‑injured people and frontline advocates to highlight real health harms and demand more transparent, evidence-based science.
  3. The discussion examines contested and under-studied topics—vitamin D’s role, differences in outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated people, and research on amyloid microclots and spike-related pathology—and considers what new CDC guidance and the Food Pyramid reveal about public-health priorities.

Grok 4 admits that the COVID vaccines caused net harm

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  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.

We Learned The Hard Way

Euro Desk Paris • 39 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. The pandemic response highlighted the importance of individual responsibility and the impact of governmental decisions on society.
  2. The debate over lockdowns and restrictions raised concerns about mental health and the economic consequences of such measures.
  3. There was criticism of the authoritarian approach taken by some governments, and a call for more transparency, accountability, and public involvement in decision-making.

RFK Jr. And The Samoan Measles Outbreak

Who is Robert Malone • 23 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  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.
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Reminder: regional editions start Monday

Force of Infection • 28 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics 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.

"It's Not Covid, I Swear."

OK Doomer • 24 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. People often downplay their illness, saying it's not serious, like 'it's not Covid', which can be concerning.
  2. It's important to be mindful of hygiene, especially around others, to prevent spreading illness.
  3. Communication about health should be taken seriously, and it's okay to be worried if someone seems unwell.

Czech data appears to show a huge increase in mortality after the COVID booster shot, but most of that effect is not real

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Czech data shows a big rise in deaths after COVID booster shots, but most of this isn't true. The numbers can be tricky and not what they seem.
  2. The rise in mortality could be more about healthier people getting the booster, leading to misleading statistics. It's important to look at who is getting vaccinated.
  3. The overall death rate has not really changed much. So, while there is some risk with vaccines, the huge increase in deaths may be more about selection bias than anything else.

The Hunt for the Origin of SARS-CoV-2

A Biologist's Guide to Life • 47 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🔬 Science Epidemiology
  1. Tracking animals can lead to expanded intuition and understanding of the natural world
  2. Hunting for SARS-CoV-2 origins involves analyzing genetic traces and research methods
  3. Finding evidence of a potential lab origin for SARS-CoV-2 highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in scientific research

My $1M challenge to ANYONE: Can you show the COVID vaccine is safe using the Japan record level data?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. There's a challenge offering a $1 million prize for anyone who can prove that the COVID vaccine is safe using data from Japan. The data suggests that the vaccine may be more harmful than helpful.
  2. The person offering the challenge believes that many people, including epidemiologists, are not willing to take it, possibly because the data looks bad for the vaccines.
  3. The argument is that with high vaccination rates in Japan, if the vaccines were beneficial, the evidence of that should be clear, but instead, the mortality rates seem to indicate a net harm.

Revenge of the nerds: Will my new method for assessing vaccine safety put the scientific community to shame?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 19 May 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. A new method suggests a simple way to assess vaccine safety by comparing death rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. This approach could challenge traditional methods used by scientists.
  2. If this method is correct, it could mean that COVID vaccines caused more harm than good, contradicting the idea that vaccines are always safe and effective.
  3. There may be reluctance in the scientific community to accept this method because it comes from someone outside their field, which highlights the challenges of accepting new ideas and changing established beliefs.

Is the Current Bird Flu Made in America?

Who is Robert Malone • 14 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Current claims suggest the bird flu H5N1 strain might have been created in U.S. laboratories, but there is no solid evidence to support this idea. It's important to understand that these assertions are largely based on hypotheses and still need more investigation.
  2. The publication that stirred these claims had a very quick review process, which raises concerns about the thoroughness of the research. It highlights the need for careful scrutiny before drawing conclusions from such studies.
  3. The authors of the original claims lack specialized training in virology, making their statements even more questionable. It underscores the importance of relying on experts who are truly qualified in the field when discussing public health issues.

Over 200,000 Americans killed by the COVID vaccine: 10 methods, same answer

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 16 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. There are different ways to estimate how many Americans might have died due to COVID vaccines, and many of these methods point to a significant number of deaths.
  2. Studies and surveys suggest that the death toll from vaccines could be higher than the deaths caused by COVID itself, raising concerns about vaccine safety.
  3. Overall, estimates indicate that at least 200,000 Americans may have died due to the COVID vaccine, which should alarm lawmakers and the public.

Introducing the Kirsch Cumulative Outcomes Ratio (KCOR) analysis: A powerful yet simple new technique for accurately assessing the impact of any intervention on any outcome

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 18 May 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. The KCOR method is a new, simple technique to analyze how different interventions, like vaccines, affect outcomes such as mortality. It uses basic data like date of birth, date of death, and vaccination date to provide clear results.
  2. The analysis suggests that COVID vaccines may have increased mortality rates, indicating the vaccines could be more harmful than helpful. This counters many previous claims about the vaccines saving lives.
  3. KCOR is designed to be objective and straightforward, allowing for accurate comparisons without needing complex data adjustments, making it a powerful tool for understanding health interventions.

Official Czech Republic record level data released Nov 2024 confirms Moderna has nearly 50% higher ACM than Pfizer

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 10 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. The Czech Republic has released detailed vaccine data for the first time, showing that the Moderna vaccine may be more dangerous than the Pfizer vaccine. This data is important for understanding vaccine safety.
  2. Analysis of this data suggests that the Moderna vaccine could increase all-cause mortality by about 50% compared to Pfizer, which raises serious concerns about its safety even outside of COVID periods.
  3. Despite this significant information available, it appears that many in the medical community are ignoring the findings, which highlights the need for more transparency in public health data.

BREAKING: OFFICIAL Czech record level data shows Moderna recipients had up to a 50% higher death rate than Pfizer recipients

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Data from the Czech Republic shows that people who got the Moderna vaccine have a significantly higher death rate compared to those who got the Pfizer vaccine.
  2. This higher death rate has been observed across different age groups, indicating it's not just due to older people receiving Moderna.
  3. Despite these serious findings, there seems to be a lack of action and transparency from health authorities regarding this data.

My argument that the COVID vaccines had NO benefit

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. COVID vaccines did not lower the spread of the virus, and instead, some data suggests they might have increased it. This means that instead of helping to control the outbreak, they may have made things worse.
  2. The vaccines were expected to reduce the risk of death from COVID, but evidence shows that they possibly increased the chance of fatal outcomes in vaccinated individuals, particularly in specific vulnerable populations.
  3. Many studies and data analyses have indicated a correlation between higher vaccination rates and increased COVID cases, challenging the notion that vaccines universally provide protective benefits.

Australian excess deaths are highly correlated with the number of booster vaccinations

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 10 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. More booster shots lead to more excess deaths. It suggests a possible risk factor with the vaccines.
  2. There seems to be a link between more vaccines and increased COVID cases. This raises questions about their effectiveness.
  3. The study indicates serious concerns about the safety of vaccines, suggesting that some people may have been harmed significantly.

New paper shows COVID boosters increased mortality in nursing home residents. The effect was highly statistically significant after 4 weeks.

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. COVID boosters seem to increase death rates in nursing home residents, especially after four weeks. This suggests the boosters might be doing more harm than good.
  2. Initial vaccinations showed a tiny benefit, but it quickly faded and was not strong enough to justify the ongoing use of vaccines in nursing homes.
  3. Vaccinating nursing home staff appeared to negatively affect residents, leading to higher deaths. This data raises serious concerns about the overall effectiveness of these vaccines.

My Favourite Spoof Papers

By Reason Alone • 29 implied HN points • 22 Apr 23
🔬 Science Epidemiology
  1. Academia has a tradition of publishing joke papers to make serious points.
  2. Some papers have humorous names and content that push the boundaries.
  3. Spoof papers address serious topics in a funny way to provoke critical thinking.

Vaccine Week: Will it be good enough?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 16 Sep 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. The effectiveness of a COVID-19 vaccine may need to be higher than what regulatory bodies find acceptable in order to truly impact the course of the pandemic.
  2. Even with a vaccine that is 50% effective, wiping out the virus completely may be challenging, especially with lower vaccine coverage.
  3. Vaccines not only need to protect individuals from the virus but also prevent transmission to others, which can have a significant impact on overall disease spread.

What are the best "gold standard" data sources for determining COVID safety and efficacy?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. It’s important to find reliable data sources to understand the COVID vaccine's impact on safety and effectiveness. Good data helps answer important questions about health.
  2. Key questions include how vaccines affect infection risk, death rates from COVID, and overall mortality rates. These questions guide the research on vaccine impact.
  3. Some of the best data sources for these questions include worldwide COVID case numbers, nursing home COVID data in the US, and detailed records from the Czech Republic.

Do you have a family member who died from COVID after July 1, 2021?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 3 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. There is a survey asking people if they lost a family member to COVID after July 1, 2021. It helps gather information on the impact of the virus during that time.
  2. If someone hasn't lost a family member to COVID after that date, they are asked not to participate in the survey. This aims to keep the responses relevant.
  3. Those who lost multiple family members should only report on the first one and their vaccination status if known. This simplifies the data collection process.

B.1.1.7

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 11 Jan 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. The B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 is 50% more transmissible, likely spreading rapidly globally under several names, including 'UK Variant' and 'Supercovid.'
  2. B.1.1.7 mutations mainly affect the spike protein, raising concerns about vaccine efficacy. Current vaccines may still be effective, but wide distribution could lead to the virus evolving to evade immunity.
  3. B.1.1.7 is outcompeting other variants due to increased transmissibility rather than higher virulence, emphasizing the importance of maintaining mitigation efforts, particularly in high-risk settings, and ramping up testing to contain the spread.

The Christmas bubble

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 02 Dec 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. The UK Christmas bubble guidelines are complex and restrict gatherings to three households from December 23 to 27.
  2. The guidelines involve various rules on traveling, meeting indoors, and choosing regions with different COVID-19 prevalence levels for forming bubbles.
  3. The guidelines are convoluted, involving scenarios like forming different bubbles from your regular household and ensuring extra precautions within households.

Testing at the door versus testing at the desk

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 21 Oct 20
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Consider testing at the desk instead of at the door to reduce operational challenges and costs, though it comes with the risk of letting infectious individuals into the space
  2. Testing at the desk may lead to fewer infections if it can be done more frequently than testing at the door, highlighting the importance of cost-benefit analysis in testing strategies
  3. Exploring various testing strategies, including combinations of at-the-door and at-the-desk testing, can provide a system with lower cost and less risk in managing infections

If only we knew the viral load

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 19 Oct 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. Knowing the viral load of infected individuals can assist in understanding the infection's stage and progression.
  2. Ct scores from PCR tests can provide critical data for pinpointing viral infection cycles and determining treatment timing.
  3. Recording and utilizing Ct scores from widespread testing can help map virus dynamics at a population level and enhance understanding without relying solely on time series data.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 178 - Measles Outbreak Update

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 1 implied HN point • 22 May 25
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. There is currently a severe measles outbreak, especially in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Many people are getting sick, so it's important to stay informed and cautious.
  2. The CDC has reported over 1,000 confirmed cases just this year, making it one of the highest years for measles infections since the disease was considered eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
  3. A special live discussion will focus on the outbreak's details and ways to protect yourself and your loved ones. It's a good opportunity to ask questions and learn more about staying healthy.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 156 - The Sepsis Epidemic

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. The discussion will focus on the rising number of sepsis cases worldwide and possible links to COVID-19 and its vaccines. Sepsis is a serious condition, and it's important for people to understand its implications.
  2. Experts in the field will join to share insights, including a prominent virologist and a leading doctor on sepsis treatment. Their perspectives may help shed light on why this increase is happening.
  3. The event encourages community participation, aiming to inform people on health safety this winter. It's a good opportunity to learn and share information with friends and family.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 330

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 19 Mar 20
🕹 Technology Epidemiology
  1. COVID-19 spreads very quickly, especially without measures to control it. Understanding how outbreaks work can help people take action sooner.
  2. Data and models are essential to understanding how COVID-19 will affect local areas. People should act decisively based on available information.
  3. New tools and research in data science are helping track and analyze the impact of COVID-19. These resources are making it easier to study and respond to the pandemic.

VSRF LIVE Tonight: Episode 153 - More Damning Evidence from John Beaudoin Sr. PLUS! NH State Representatives Share MORE DAMNING FINDINGS from Their Recent Report!

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. John Beaudoin Sr. has been researching COVID-19 and its effects since 2020, uncovering important data about vaccine-related issues and misclassifications of deaths.
  2. New Hampshire state representatives recently released a report evaluating their government's COVID-19 response, highlighting serious flaws in the way it was handled.
  3. The discussion will focus on sharing this critical information and raising support for ongoing efforts in public health awareness.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 259

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 08 Nov 18
🕹 Technology Epidemiology
  1. Seattle and Houston provided large amounts of email metadata quickly, but Seattle's request came with a twist that led to an accidental extensive data collection.
  2. A machine-learned model called FINDER is being tested to detect foodborne illnesses in real-time using web search and location data.
  3. There are innovative projects like 'dankstimate' which aim to create a cannabis price estimator similar to Zillow's home price estimates.

CDC updates isolation guidance

Your Local Epidemiologist • 2 HN points • 05 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. CDC updated isolation guidance recommends staying home when sick until fever resolves for 24 hours and symptoms improve, then using caution for five days.
  2. There is a debate within public health about the updated guidance - some see it as a step back while others believe it simplifies virus prevention measures.
  3. The guidance update considers the decrease in community transmission, the contagious period, the types of viruses being irrelevant to actions, and the critical focus on reducing hospitalizations and deaths.

COVID Still Makes Everybody a Little Bit Crazy

Freddie deBoer • 1 HN point • 13 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. COVID has caused varying degrees of anxiety and extreme reactions in people, leading to polarized beliefs and behaviors.
  2. There are different extreme perspectives on COVID from both right-leaning skeptics and left-leaning individuals, each with their own set of beliefs and theories.
  3. There is a need to balance the accommodation of vulnerable populations like the immunocompromised with making sound public health decisions based on evidence and prevalence.

The book is online

Digital Epidemiology • 0 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
📚 Literature Epidemiology
  1. The book 'Digital Epidemiology' is now available online at www.digitalepibook.com.
  2. Seven out of ten chapters have been released, with more to come.
  3. There may be an additional chapter focusing on AI in digital epidemiology, depending on reader interest and publisher negotiations.

Australia's upcoming storm

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 26 May 21
🏥 Health Politics Epidemiology
  1. Australia's strict quarantine and closed borders may not be sustainable in the long run due to vaccine hesitancy and slow vaccination rates.
  2. Historical examples show that successfully keeping a respiratory virus out of Australia is extremely challenging.
  3. The alternative to Australia's current strategy is to give up on Covid-Zero and focus on containing outbreaks through testing, tracing, and vaccination while living with the virus.

Nu or COVID-21?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 26 Nov 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. The concern is about a new strain, B.1.1.529, and its impact compared to existing variants of COVID-19 - the key question being whether it is new enough to cause significant issues.
  2. The worrying factor includes the high mutation rate in the spike protein of B.1.1.529, the uncertainty about its classification as a new variant or a new disease, and the potential origin from animal populations.
  3. The positive aspects involve B.1.1.529 being detectable by existing tests, limited data showing it spreading in a population with a low vaccination rate, and the opportunity for quicker monitoring of cases due to specific patterns in diagnostic tests.

The worst will come in 2021-22

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 15 Dec 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. The forecasted surge in Covid-19 cases for early 2022, particularly due to factors like reduced mitigation efforts, insufficient vaccination rates, and new variants, appears to be unfolding with the Omicron variant spreading rapidly.
  2. Preparation for the upcoming outbreaks includes obtaining N95 masks and rapid tests, having a plan to care for vulnerable individuals cautiously, and prioritizing booster shots for older individuals.
  3. Despite the likelihood of increased Covid-19 cases in the near future, the message emphasizes the importance of patience over panic, with outbreaks expected to be intense but relatively short-lived.

Insanity and weirdness

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 31 Dec 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology
  1. The global pandemic has brought unexpected challenges and changes in management approach, shifting towards individual risk management, which raises concerns about lack of tools to help people self-manage effectively.
  2. The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has unique characteristics that make it highly infectious but less severe, potentially leading to complacency and overlooking the risks of continued virus circulation and possible mutations.
  3. There is a risk of complacency and potential resurgence of the pandemic if steps are not taken to prepare for scenarios where the virus mutates to become more infectious and virulent, highlighting the importance of staying vigilant and prepared for the future.