The hottest Global Health Substack posts right now

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The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO

Your Local Epidemiologist • 2180 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Global Health Public Health Health Policy Epidemiology International cooperation
  1. The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO means less influence in global health decisions, leaving a gap that countries like China might fill.
  2. The WHO faces challenges like limited funding and authority, which makes it hard to enforce health policies effectively.
  3. Even though the U.S. has strong public health systems, global health threats affect everyone, so it's important to stay involved with organizations like the WHO.

Chartbook 334 Triumph and tragedy: trends in maternal mortality worldwide.

Chartbook • 1130 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Maternal health Global Health Women's Health Public Health
  1. Global maternal mortality in childbirth has decreased from 446,000 in 2000 to 287,000 in 2020, showing some progress over time. However, it's a mix of good news and bad news.
  2. While areas like Central and South Asia have seen significant drops in maternal deaths, Sub-Saharan Africa still faces high rates, with Nigeria alone accounting for a large percentage of global maternal mortality.
  3. Some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, like Rwanda and Ethiopia, have shown that progress in maternal health is possible, even under difficult conditions, by reducing maternal deaths significantly.

Tribute to Carter's public health work

Force of Infection • 121 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Global Health Health Advocacy Epidemiology
  1. President Jimmy Carter was very active in global health efforts, especially through The Carter Center, aiming to eliminate diseases like Guinea worm and malaria.
  2. His work led to a huge drop in Guinea worm cases from 3.5 million to just 7, showing the real impact of his dedication.
  3. Carter even negotiated a ceasefire in Sudan to help health workers reach people in need, emphasizing how much he cared about public health.

The true story of the Samoa measles outbreak

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 152 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Health Policy Global Health Medical Ethics
  1. Measles was introduced to Samoa in the 1880s and a significant outbreak occurred due to a combination of poor health systems and low vaccination rates. The outbreak was worsened by significant events, including the deaths of two children after a vaccination mistake.
  2. After the vaccine-related deaths, the Samoan government paused the vaccination program, leading to a sharp decline in vaccination rates. Many people turned to traditional medicine instead of seeking proper medical care when measles spread.
  3. The story of the Samoa measles outbreak highlights that the responsibility for the crisis is complex, involving multiple factors like poor health literacy and governance. Blaming any single person for the outbreak, like RFK Jr., oversimplifies the true situation.

HUGE - WHO pandemic treaty could FAIL

The Freedom Corner with PeterSweden • 3812 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Global Health International Agreements National sovereignty Conspiracy Theories
  1. The WHO pandemic treaty is at risk of failing due to misinformation and conspiracy theories.
  2. The treaty would grant the WHO significant powers during a new pandemic, like implementing lockdowns and quarantines.
  3. Some countries, like Slovakia and New Zealand, are hesitant to sign the treaty to protect their national decision-making.
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Bill Gates Launches Global Tracking Tattoos

2nd Smartest Guy in the World • 3577 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Medical Misinformation Global Health Biotechnology
  1. Bill Gates is involved in projects like global tracking tattoos and genetically modified mosquitoes.
  2. There are concerns raised about Bill Gates funding schemes that involve cutting down forests and deploying GMO Frankenmosquitos.
  3. There is skepticism and caution advised regarding Bill Gates' projects to control and monitor the population.

Disease X: World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting To Release Followup PSYOP-19 "Pandemic"

2nd Smartest Guy in the World • 2731 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Global Health Bioweapons Vaccines Conspiracies
  1. The World Economic Forum is planning a follow-up 'pandemic' at their annual meeting.
  2. Disease X was preplanned by the WHO, showing a pattern with previous global health crises.
  3. Access to repurposed drugs like Ivermectin and Fenbendazole is seen as a threat to those behind the 'pandemics.'

The Prophets: D.A. Henderson

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3125 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Global Health Public Health Pandemics Lockdowns 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.

The AstraZeneca vaccine saved millions of lives – it should not be demonised

Independent SAGE continues • 479 implied HN points • 19 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccines Epidemiology Health Policy Global Health
  1. The AstraZeneca vaccine played a crucial role in saving millions of lives during the pandemic. It was affordable and easy to distribute, especially in poorer countries.
  2. Although there were concerns about rare side effects like blood clots, these issues were quickly identified and monitored. The benefits of the vaccine far outweighed the risks.
  3. Now, there are newer vaccines that are safer and easier to update for new variants. This doesn't take away from the important impact the AZ vaccine had in 2021.

Pandemic and Panopticon: The Rise of the Biomedical Security State

Human Flourishing • 2181 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccine Mandates Global Health Biosecurity
  1. During the pandemic, extreme measures like lockdowns and vaccine mandates were imposed with little debate or explanation.
  2. The biomedical security state involves magnifying risks, imposing control on citizens, justifying surveillance and merging public health with military-industrial complex.
  3. The global elite aim to establish a new world order using entities like the World Economic Forum and International Monetary Fund, pushing for international pandemic treaties and digital IDs.

Vaccines for all?

Independent SAGE continues • 299 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Global Health Public Health Health Equity Disease Prevention
  1. Many children around the world are not getting vaccinated, especially in poor or remote areas. This puts them at high risk for diseases like measles, which is highly contagious.
  2. Vaccine access can be improved with flexible delivery methods, like mobile clinics that bring vaccines directly to communities. This has worked well in places like Sierra Leone and Scotland.
  3. There's a lot of fear and misinformation about vaccines that affects people's willingness to get vaccinated. It's important to listen to concerns and provide accurate information to build trust.

The Politicization of Science Diplomacy

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 667 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Global Health International relations Geopolitics Diplomacy
  1. Nations are considering a Pandemic Agreement to enhance preparedness and response to disease outbreaks, focusing on science advice for a new international science advisory committee.
  2. Implementing a new science advisory committee to oversee genetic research and supervision of pandemic potential pathogens across various settings is challenging due to current political and diplomatic hurdles.
  3. The politicization of science diplomacy poses risks like compromising scientific integrity, creating 'policy-based evidence,' and jeopardizing the independence of expert advisory mechanisms, showing the need for stronger institutions where science intersects with politics.

First People Sickened By COVID-19 Were Chinese Scientists At Wuhan Institute Of Virology, Say US Government Sources

Michael Shellenberger • 685 HN points • 13 Jun 23
📰 News Investigative Journalism Global Health Government Virology
  1. The first people sickened by COVID-19 were Chinese scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
  2. They were engaged in 'gain-of-function' research on SARS-like coronaviruses when they fell ill.
  3. Significant evidence points towards the accidental escape of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from the Wuhan lab.

One Health is a Massive Globalist Grantmaking Scam

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 164 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Global Health Environmental health
  1. One Health is criticized for being a globalist grantmaking scam, seen as a relabelling of prior initiatives.
  2. The concept of One Health is described as convoluted with unclear objectives, and its foundational principles are questioned for lacking coherence.
  3. Many One Health Networks (OHNs) are perceived as superficial attempts to access funding, lacking substantial impact or clarity in their purpose.

The WHO Pandemic Agreement may be worrying, but it is also really stupid

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 160 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Global Health International Law Bureaucracy Healthcare Pandemic response
  1. The WHO Pandemic Agreement raises concerns but also appears impractical, focusing on bureaucratic procedures rather than concrete solutions.
  2. The Agreement involves bloated language and vague aspirations, lacking clear strategies to improve global healthcare.
  3. Key components, like the WHO PABS System and Global Supply Chain Network, reveal convoluted bureaucratic efforts with little practical benefit.

Covid "Twindemic"

Diane Francis • 419 implied HN points • 16 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic response Vaccination policy Public Health Global Health Disease Control
  1. COVID-19 is still a huge problem worldwide, with China facing severe issues due to poor vaccination and lockdown strategies. Many people are getting sick, and there are concerns about the virus spreading more because of this situation.
  2. There is a rising trend of both COVID-19 and flu cases happening together, called a 'twindemic', which is making hospitals very busy. People are not taking preventive measures seriously, thinking the worst is over.
  3. Vaccines and boosters for both COVID-19 and flu are very important now. It's essential for people, especially older adults, to stay careful and continue using masks in crowded or poorly ventilated places.

You will probably die of a cold

Gray Mirror • 134 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Global Health Government Response Biosecurity Research Ethics
  1. Scientists are focused on collecting viruses for their resumes, even if it means creating deadly ones in labs.
  2. The broken infrastructure of science leads to useless and dangerous research being funded and conducted.
  3. The threat of a lethal pandemic virus being created deliberately is a real concern that governments need to address with strict measures.

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.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #80

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 114 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Medicine Research Cancer Treatment Global Health
  1. The Vesuvius Challenge unlocked ancient knowledge by digitizing old scrolls using AI and 3D technology.
  2. The O'Shaughnessy Fellowships offer $100K for individuals to work on ambitious projects for a year.
  3. AI chatbots in mental health increased patient referrals, showing potential in closing accessibility gaps in treatment.

Against Magical Legal Thinking, or: Why the WHO Pandemic Agreement is an expression of the problem, and not the problem itself

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 88 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics International Law Global Health Pandemic response
  1. The WHO Pandemic Agreement is not the main problem, but an expression of a larger issue regarding international pandemic management.
  2. Proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations seem problematic due to vague and error-prone phrasing, expanding WHO's power in managing pandemics.
  3. Global health regulations and agreements may prioritize agendas over individual freedoms, like prioritizing free pharmaceutical products over intellectual property rights.

It Takes a Village

Are You Okay? • 0 implied HN points • 03 May 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Vaccination Community support Global Health Podcasts
  1. It is crucial to leverage the support and expertise of a community or 'village' to navigate challenges and make a difference.
  2. Always consider the context and real-world data when discussing important topics like vaccination to empower informed decision-making.
  3. Global solidarity is essential, as we are all part of a larger community and should offer support to those in need, even beyond our borders.