The hottest Public Health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

More of your H5N1 questions answered

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1263 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. H5N1 is mostly spreading through contact with sick animals and surfaces. If it mutates, it could spread like COVID-19, mostly through the air.
  2. The U.S. hasn't started vaccinating farm workers against H5N1 because severe cases are rare and vaccines can have side effects. They focus on treating sick workers instead.
  3. Testing for H5N1 is ongoing in the U.S., with a system in place to check flu samples. It's important to stay informed about any changes in flu severity or new cases.

Buckle up: Navigating the noise around routine vaccination

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1375 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Vaccination has had a huge impact on public health, eradicating diseases like smallpox and reducing cases of polio and measles to near-zero with high vaccination rates.
  2. Most people still trust vaccines, with a significant percentage of parents ensuring their kids are vaccinated, despite the loud voices questioning vaccine safety.
  3. It's normal to have questions about vaccines, but it's important to seek answers from trusted experts to separate fact from fiction.

The Prophets: D.A. Henderson

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

We should all participate in scientific research

The Novelleist • 445 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🔬 Science Public Health
  1. Participating in scientific research can create better solutions to complex problems. When everyone gets involved, we can gather more data and generate thoughtful ideas.
  2. Top-down approaches to science can have limitations, like lack of local data and accessibility. Bottom-up participatory methods help engage communities and make research more effective.
  3. Collaboration between citizens, private companies, and researchers can lead to impactful changes. When people work together, they feel empowered and can drive progress for their communities.

Medicare Advantage plans have potentially deadly side effects. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services must act.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 1079 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Medicare Advantage plans are different from traditional Medicare, often limiting your choice of doctors and treatments. This means you might end up paying a lot more for care when you need it.
  2. Advertising for Medicare Advantage plans often focuses on attractive benefits, but downplays the risks and potential costs. It's important to be cautious since the coverage gaps can lead to significant out-of-pocket expenses.
  3. There is a call for stricter regulations on how Medicare Advantage plans are advertised, similar to rules for prescription drugs. This could help ensure people understand the serious implications before signing up.
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How to Fix the NIH

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1372 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Institute directors should have term limits of 5 to 10 years. This helps bring in new ideas and prevents one person from holding too much power for too long.
  2. More funding needs to go towards preventing chronic diseases rather than just treating them. Preventive care is important for keeping people healthy and can save money in the long run.
  3. The NIH should be more transparent about financial conflicts of interest. People deserve to know how research funding is influenced by financial ties to the industry.

Miracles In The (In)famous Pfizer Trial

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 25 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  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.

Fauci's Lies Forced a Biden Pardon, Creating New Legal Jeopardy for "Mr. Science"

The DisInformation Chronicle • 1105 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. Biden pardoned Fauci just before leaving office, suggesting he might have faced serious charges. This pardon has raised concerns about accountability for his actions during the pandemic.
  2. Fauci allegedly misled Congress about funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which has drawn a lot of scrutiny and could lead to further investigations.
  3. There are ongoing tensions within the NIH, as leadership changes are expected following discussions about corruption during the pandemic and the Trump team's influence.

Cigna denied a double lung transplant after a donor was found, leaving a mother scrambling for answers

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 679 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Cigna denied a double lung transplant even after a donor was found, leaving the patient and her family in a tough situation. This shows how insurance companies can impact life-saving medical decisions.
  2. In some cases, insurance companies take a long time to approve necessary surgeries, which can be life-threatening. Quick action is critical for patients needing urgent medical care.
  3. This isn't just an isolated incident; many patients face similar issues with insurance companies. More awareness and action are needed to protect patients from such denials.

Most Trend Breaks Aren't Real

Cremieux Recueil • 543 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🔬 Science Public Health
  1. When trends suddenly change, it often means that how we measure or report them has changed, not that something real has happened. We need to be careful not to jump to conclusions based on these changes.
  2. Examples in medicine show that so-called 'rises' in conditions like sepsis or Lyme disease can be due to better reporting or new definitions, not an actual increase in cases.
  3. We should treat shocking trends with skepticism. Sometimes what appears to be a major trend change is just better data or different reporting practices, rather than a true societal shift.

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 Public Health
  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.

Race to the Cluster Bottom

Disaffected Newsletter • 879 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. Chris Rufo highlights the rise of extreme behaviors and attitudes in society, like narcissism and hysteria. These traits are becoming more common and accepted.
  2. A school district in Vermont is implementing policies that allow boys to access girls' bathrooms and sports, aiming for inclusivity through gender affirmation.
  3. There is a resurgence of pandemic-like behaviors and attitudes, which some refer to as 'Covidianism'. Discussions around this topic are becoming more intense and critical.

Covid Situation Report: Mar 21, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 299 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  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.

American water is too clean

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 28 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Public Health
  1. Since the 1970s the federal government centralized water regulation, removing local control and imposing stringent standards that have driven up utility costs and household water bills.
  2. Many recent EPA rules force expensive infrastructure projects and hookup moratoria while delivering little measurable health benefit, saddling cities with debt and limiting housing and growth.
  3. A smarter approach is to let local communities balance costs and benefits, use market tools like trading or better pricing, and target cheaper fixes (for example reducing agricultural runoff) rather than chasing near‑zero risk at any cost.

HHS Open data is here. They will pay you if you find fraud.

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 15 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. HHS has released aggregated monthly Medicaid claims data that anyone can download and analyze using tools like Google BigQuery and the Medicaid Data Explorer.
  2. A federal whistleblower program offers up to a 30% bounty for recoveries when people report Medicare/Medicaid fraud through the FinCEN whistleblower portal.
  3. The claims data shows about a fourfold increase in high‑level emergency ambulance transports (A0433) and in EEG code 95812 across many states, suggesting either a real rise in severe emergencies or potential billing anomalies that merit investigation.

US Dietary Guidelines Remain an Evidence-Free Zone

Unsettled Science • 1255 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Many clinical trials show that the recommended dietary changes may not actually improve health. In fact, some guidelines might worsen our health.
  2. The expert committee ignored strong evidence for reducing ultra-processed foods while pushing for less evidence-based recommendations on meat and dairy.
  3. Conflicts of interest within the expert committee raise questions about the validity of the guidelines, suggesting that politics may influence dietary recommendations over solid science.

Scott Galloway Explains Why Age Gating Social Media Is Both Necessary and Doable

After Babel • 1346 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. Social media can be very harmful to kids, exposing them to risks like addiction, violence, and negative mental health effects. Just like age restrictions exist for alcohol and smoking, similar rules should apply to social media.
  2. Changing how social media platforms operate is key to protecting children. This means having laws that ensure kids can't access these platforms without parental oversight or age verification.
  3. Forcing social media companies to bear the costs of the harm they cause can help change their behavior. If they hurt someone, they should be held accountable, just like in other industries.

Covid Situation Report: Apr 18, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 219 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The Covid situation is improving, with lower hospital admissions and positivity rates compared to before. However, some areas are seeing slight increases.
  2. There is a new booster campaign for older adults and those at risk, highlighting the ongoing need for vaccination to prevent severe outcomes.
  3. Covid is still around and can be serious, especially for older people, so it's important to follow safety measures when feeling unwell.

Unwanted viral guests at Thanksgiving

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1378 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  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.

We Just Got More Proof That Nobody Needs To Wear Masks

Unmasked • 65 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Many credentialed doctors and public health experts are still loudly calling for universal masking, especially during winter.
  2. The piece claims data show masks did not stop viruses from spreading and points to Sweden’s avoidance of widespread masking alongside low excess mortality as evidence.
  3. Renewed pushes for universal masking this winter are presented as unnecessary because recent data allegedly contradict the effectiveness of masks.

Sanitizer Surge: Cautionary Consequences of COVID-19 Crisis

COVID Reason • 1546 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. The surge in demand for hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 crisis led to unintended consequences.
  2. The FDA's decision to relax regulations in response to the demand resulted in an influx of inexperienced hand sanitizer manufacturers.
  3. The environmental catastrophe in Carson, California, highlights the importance of considering potential risks and consequences during a crisis.

I'm pro-assisted dying in principle, but I'm not sure about the proposed law

Odds and Ends of History • 1407 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Assisted dying has good intentions, as it offers a choice to people in pain, but how it’s implemented is very important. We need to make sure that laws respect individual decisions and do not lead to negative outcomes.
  2. The proposed law on assisted dying could be rushed, which raises concerns about its effectiveness and potential problems. It's better to take time to create a solid law that can address all the issues carefully.
  3. Looking at examples from other countries suggests that assisted dying laws can lead to serious issues if not properly controlled. We should learn from their experiences to avoid similar mistakes.

Breath, Conscience, and the Winter I Was Cast Out

Natural Selections • 10 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. A worker was fired and evicted after refusing to follow masking and testing rules tied to a religious objection and claimed natural immunity, even though the overnight role was solitary and regular tests were negative.
  2. The employer applied COVID rules selectively and punitively, while colleagues privately agreed with the worker’s doubts but stayed silent for fear of losing their jobs.
  3. The worker is pursuing legal complaints for religious discrimination and due process violations and argues the era transformed safety practices into ritual compliance that punished conscience and questioning.

HHS picks, the House subcommittee report, and pandemic revisionism

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1326 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  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.

COVID Vaccines For Kids One Of The Most Unnecessary Interventions In History

Unmasked • 50 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The federal health department removed the universal recommendation that all children get COVID vaccines starting at six months. Some state health agencies said they would keep recommending the shots despite the federal change.
  2. The change prompted strong criticism from many medical experts, and the controversy is framed as politically charged with distrust of prior expert guidance.
  3. The piece argues COVID vaccines for healthy kids were largely unnecessary, claiming they prevented few child deaths and that proponents often didn’t closely examine the actual effectiveness data.

Dingus of the week: RFK Jr.

Men Yell at Me • 353 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. RFK Jr. has cut funding for important mRNA vaccine research, which many experts see as a dangerous move. This kind of action can really hurt public health efforts.
  2. NPR often uses calm headlines to describe serious issues, making headlines sound less alarming than they actually are. It’s like they are gently delivering bad news.
  3. Taking breaks for self-care, like paddleboarding, is important. Sometimes you just need to step back and relax, even if it means having a little meltdown.

The future of vaccine policy in the United States

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1399 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  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 Public Health
  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 golden age of vaccine development

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 45 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🔬 Science Public Health
  1. Vaccines used to be lucky accidents but are now deliberately designed using detailed knowledge of microbes, cells, and the immune system.
  2. New tools let us build precise vaccines from specific proteins or mRNA, making them safer, easier to optimize, and avoid using whole pathogens.
  3. Faster sequencing, better delivery systems, and improved manufacturing let vaccines be developed and updated in weeks, and continued investment will unlock even more progress.

This Week in Canada: All the Pilots Are Gay and Measles Are Back

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 505 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. Toronto is opening its first shelter specifically designed for the black community. This means support will be tailored to their cultural needs.
  2. Experience isn't a must for running this new shelter. The city is encouraging new groups to apply, even if they have less experience.
  3. The return of measles is a concern in Canada, highlighting potential public health issues that need attention.

With Walls Closing In, German Virologist Christian Drosten Ducks Behind Lawyers

The DisInformation Chronicle • 450 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Christian Drosten, a prominent German virologist, is facing scrutiny over his past statements about the origins of COVID-19, particularly regarding the lab leak theory.
  2. Gain-of-function research, which involves making viruses more dangerous, has come under increased ethical debate as the risks it poses to public health are significant.
  3. There is a growing call among scientists to halt risky gain-of-function experiments, as many believe they could lead to future pandemics if not carefully controlled.

The Dose (November 22)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1320 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  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.

Flu season gains momentum

Force of Infection • 90 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Flu activity is starting to rise across the country, with more people visiting doctors for flu-like symptoms. This could mean we are entering the flu season earlier than usual.
  2. COVID-19 cases are currently low, but there are regional increases in some areas, especially in the Midwest and Northeast.
  3. Norovirus is becoming more active, and it's important to practice good hygiene, like washing hands, to avoid getting sick.

Dr. Walensky’s Dishonorable Acts

COVID Reason • 1586 implied HN points • 08 May 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Vaccinated people can still get sick despite what was originally claimed by public officials.
  2. Repeatedly promoting masks as effective at preventing transmission or infection caused harm without solid evidence.
  3. Downplaying concerns over post-vaccine myocarditis despite potential risks was criticized for lack of proper risk communication.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Dec 2

Force of Infection • 97 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  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 Public Health
  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 Real Science on Masks: They Make No Difference

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5745 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The most authoritative estimate shows masks do not significantly reduce the spread of Covid-19 or other respiratory illnesses.
  2. Cochrane, a respected health organization, conducted a review concluding that all types of face coverings probably make little or no difference in reducing respiratory illness spread.
  3. The CDC and public health officials continue to recommend masks despite lack of strong evidence, ignoring downsides like social, psychological, and medical problems.

US Dietary Guidelines: Science is "Subpar," Cannot be Replicated

Unsettled Science • 948 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines are based on low-quality science that is hard to replicate. This raises questions about their reliability for healthy eating.
  2. A new study found serious flaws in how the USDA reviews the research for these guidelines, including mistakes in their search strategies and lack of transparency.
  3. Despite criticism and calls for improvement, the USDA has not made the necessary updates to ensure the guidelines are trustworthy and based on solid research.

You know nothing, John Snow

Logging the World • 538 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. The Zero COVID messaging may be targeting activities like brunch and Christmas parties as risky, while overlooking more dangerous professions that face higher COVID risks.
  2. Lockdown experiences were not equal, with some having professional jobs that were easier to adapt while others faced risks from working in less safe environments like warehouses or factories.
  3. There is a class divide in how COVID risks are perceived, with some people able to prioritize safety measures while others faced greater risks due to the nature of their work.