The hottest Public Health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Explaining the "Hospitalization Paradox"

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 3494 implied HN points • 19 Feb 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. The "Hospitalization Paradox" highlights the vaccine's impact on PCR tests and COVID-like illness, creating a statistical anomaly exploited by media and health authorities.
  2. Vaccines may not be clinically useful as they predominantly impact the ability to test negative rather than reducing the severity of illness or hospitalization.
  3. During the waning phase of efficacy, the persistence of a negative test may correlate with undesirable inflammation, spike protein toxicity, autoimmunity, and COVID-like illness.

Seeing the Forest for the Trees

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1187 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. Eating well is really important for health. A better diet can help reduce the risk of diseases and save money on healthcare.
  2. Staying active helps improve overall health, but many people find it difficult due to challenges like unsafe neighborhoods or busy schedules. People need safe spaces and support to exercise.
  3. Reducing substance use, like smoking and excessive drinking, is crucial for health. Public health efforts have made progress, but more work is needed to keep improving.

Pandemic Censorship Spurs Trump Research Nominees and Others to Create “Journal of the Academy of Public Health”

The DisInformation Chronicle • 885 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. A new journal aims to improve communication in public health and share a variety of expert opinions. This is important since many voices were silenced during the pandemic.
  2. The journal will pay peer reviewers for their work, making the process fairer and more efficient. This could help improve the quality of published research.
  3. By publishing peer reviews alongside articles, the journal hopes to promote openness in scientific discussions. This can help challenge the existing norms and biases in traditional scientific publishing.

Extra! Extra! Sunlight is Good For You!!!

The Corbett Report • 23 implied HN points • 25 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. Sunlight in moderation is genuinely good for you — it can calm inflammation and may help reduce risks of autoimmune problems like multiple sclerosis, so getting outside a bit each day can support your immune system.
  2. Powerful industries (Big Food, Big Pharma, and global health interests) have financial reasons to keep people unhealthy, and their influence can shape public messaging and discourage simple healthy choices.
  3. Grassroots efforts to promote healthy eating, exercise, and sensible sun exposure are valuable, but watch out for political co‑option or techy schemes; focus on practical, low‑tech steps to Make Everyone Healthy Again.

Which Arm Should You Get Your COVID-19 Booster In?

LIL Science • 727 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. The arm in which you receive your COVID-19 booster might make a difference in your immune response.
  2. Getting the booster in the same arm as the previous dose could lead to higher neutralizing antibodies and specific T cells.
  3. Memory B cells may persist in the draining lymph node, potentially aiding quicker immune response upon re-exposure to the antigen.
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Fauci’s Never-Ending Victory Tour

COVID Reason • 1487 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. Fauci faced criticism for his handling of COVID-19 outcomes and is now trying to distance himself from negative consequences.
  2. Fauci's legacy includes pushing for the COVID vaccine despite limitations like not preventing transmission.
  3. There are concerns about the impact of Fauci's actions on medical freedom and the patient-doctor relationship.

Op-ed on the US Dietary Guidelines: the problems and how to fix them

Unsettled Science • 1158 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. The US Dietary Guidelines have some serious flaws that need addressing. Many people think these guidelines aren't based on solid science.
  2. Experts are suggesting changes to improve the guidelines. They believe the rules should be more flexible and better reflect current nutrition research.
  3. There's a call for a broader discussion on diet recommendations. It’s important for everyone to have a say in what healthy eating looks like.

How Will Vaccine Skeptics View Vaccine Beer?

Viruses Must Die • 52 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
🔬 Science Public Health
  1. Talk to vaccine skeptics with empathy and without sneering; listening and explaining things simply helps conversations go much better.
  2. Distrust of institutional scientists and Big Pharma fuels skepticism, but independent scientists also deserve critical scrutiny—avoid reflexive tribalism on either side.
  3. Vaccine beer might appeal to some skeptics if it’s transparent, clearly not coercive (for example, visibly colored), and developed with feedback from skeptical communities beyond one’s family.

Covid Situation Report: Apr 11, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 199 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Covid hospital admissions are low and stable, indicating that the winter surge has mostly ended. This is a good sign for managing the virus.
  2. A Spring 2024 booster campaign is starting soon, targeting older adults and those with weakened immune systems to help keep them safer.
  3. Deaths from Covid have significantly decreased compared to last year, and the overall numbers continue to go down, which is encouraging news.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Dec 14

Force of Infection • 72 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  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.

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

Chartbook • 1130 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics 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.

The Dose (October 25)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1299 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  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.

Polio Ravaged My Family. Forget Its Horror at Your Peril.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1052 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The polio vaccine has been very successful in the U.S., with no new cases since 1979. This shows how important vaccines are for public health.
  2. Polio had a devastating impact on families, as seen in personal stories of loss. Such experiences highlight the real dangers of the disease before the vaccine.
  3. There are concerns about vaccine skepticism today, especially with influential figures promoting misinformation. It's crucial to remember the history of diseases like polio and the importance of vaccination.

ACIP at a Historic Turning Point

Injecting Freedom • 72 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Clinical trials used to license childhood vaccines matter a lot because ACIP often recommends those vaccines soon after licensure.
  2. There is a lack of post-licensure safety data and current safety monitoring isn't adequate, so more thorough follow-up is needed after vaccines are approved.
  3. ACIP has a historic opportunity to recommit to vaccine safety and to more carefully weigh efficacy issues when making its vaccine schedule recommendations.

The Real Cause of Health Care Dysfunction

In My Tribe • 1002 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. A big reason we spend so much on healthcare is that we often get expensive tests and procedures that don't help us much.
  2. Simply making more people eligible for Medicare won't fix the problem of overspending in healthcare.
  3. Many people like to think that healthcare costs are high because of greedy doctors or insurance companies, but that's not the main reason.

The Atlantic admits Covid shots killed kids - five years too late

Unreported Truths • 75 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Some mainstream outlets and officials have finally acknowledged that mRNA COVID vaccines may have caused deaths among children, years after the shots were rolled out.
  2. Vaccine makers and some journals reportedly withheld or downplayed negative trial results and side effects, delaying proper scrutiny of mRNA vaccine risks.
  3. That handling has eroded public trust in medicine and prompted calls for accountability and stricter vaccine approval standards.

1,135 days

COVID Reason • 1506 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The United States spent 1,135 days under a national emergency declaration due to Covid.
  2. Covid policies led to significant consequences like healthcare disruptions, flawed Covid models, and privacy concerns.
  3. The impact on child health and development, global rise in child labor, and negative effects on education were profound outcomes of Covid regulations.

MAHA

Points And Figures • 852 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. RFK Jr. raised valid questions about the medical system and vaccines. It's important to scrutinize vaccines and the reasons behind certain medical practices.
  2. The agricultural system is heavily influenced by government regulations and subsidies. To foster innovation, we need to reduce government control over farming.
  3. Allowing farmers more freedom to manage their land can lead to better practices and more creativity in food production. Letting the market decide which methods work best could benefit everyone.

FOI Clinical is live

Force of Infection • 15 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  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.

Today's the day

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1169 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Election day is important for public health in the U.S. It can greatly affect how health policies are shaped and implemented.
  2. Open conversations between different political groups are crucial for building trust in public health. Everyone needs to work together to improve health outcomes.
  3. No matter the election result, those in public health will keep fighting for better health for everyone. The commitment to serve the public remains strong.

It's Almost Impossible To Fathom The Level Of Stupidity This Harvard Medical School Study Manages To Sink To

Unmasked • 46 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Some high-profile medical institutions published COVID studies that appear deeply flawed and sometimes absurd.
  2. Several studies used weak methods or drew implausible conclusions — for example relying on phone surveys to claim mask mandates worked or modeling that linked vaccines to fewer deaths from unrelated causes.
  3. Those publications helped erode public trust, feeding accusations of fear-mongering and political bias in science.

New Recordings Point to Smear by Los Angeles Times Columnist Michael Hiltzik

The DisInformation Chronicle • 380 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. Michael Hiltzik, a columnist, has been accused of unethical behavior in his journalism, particularly related to COVID-19 vaccine injuries. This raises concerns about the integrity of the information being shared.
  2. Dr. Danice Hertz and Brianne Dressen, both of whom suffered from vaccine injuries, highlight that their experiences are often dismissed and labeled unfairly, emphasizing the need for more open dialogue and research into vaccine side effects.
  3. The reactions and symptoms reported by these individuals are real and significant, stressing the importance of informed consent and proper medical attention for those who experience adverse reactions to vaccines.

How To Submit a Public Comment Re: Sars-CoV-2 Fall 2023 Updated Booster

LIL Science • 628 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. Public comments about Sars-CoV-2 Fall 2023 Updated Booster must be submitted by September 8th, 2023, 11:59 EST.
  2. To submit a public comment, go to the CDC website, find the Public Comments tab, follow the link to the Federal eRulemaking Portal, and search by docket number CDC-2023-0060.
  3. Advocates believe the booster should be widely available due to limited protection from existing vaccines, risks of reinfection, and potential long-term health impacts.

Letters to the Editor: ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Gets the Facts Wrong

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 792 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. There's a new movement called MAHA, or 'Make America Healthy Again,' which includes people with different views on health and nutrition.
  2. Some people are questioning the accuracy and safety of vaccines and other scientific claims, which has led to strong opinions and debates.
  3. Doctors are particularly concerned about the misinformation being spread by the MAHA advocates, especially regarding children's health and vaccines.

The Dose (December 6)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1002 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  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.

Prescription for Corruption: How the AAP’s Vaccine Empire Faces a Legal Reckoning

Who is Robert Malone • 21 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Lawsuits allege that the AAP, CDC, and related actors ran a coordinated scheme to mislead the public about vaccine safety, claiming data suppression and conflicts of interest under RICO-style accusations.
  2. Critics argue the childhood vaccine schedule lacks comprehensive cumulative safety studies and say ingredients like adjuvants or multiple simultaneous shots could contribute to immune or long-term health problems, with adverse events underinvestigated.
  3. The legal fights and demands for transparency risk eroding public trust in pediatric institutions and could drive major policy, legal, and disclosure changes around vaccine recommendations and conflicts of interest.

How UnitedHealth became Goliath, Medusa and mythical sirens all wrapped into one

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 619 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. UnitedHealth has grown to be one of the biggest companies in the world, worth nearly half a trillion dollars. It has more members than the population of many countries, showing just how large its impact is.
  2. UnitedHealth is more than just an insurance company; it employs thousands of doctors and has various services like pharmacies and clinics. This makes it a big player in the healthcare industry.
  3. The article suggests it's important to understand how companies like UnitedHealth affect our healthcare costs and decisions about care. Their influence is significant, and we need to be aware of it.

Make America Healthy Again?

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1193 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. To improve America's health, we need to focus on real problems and not get distracted by minor issues. Understanding the causes of our health problems is critical.
  2. Access to quality healthcare and addressing social factors like food access is essential for reducing preventable diseases. Solutions should consider both health care and lifestyle.
  3. Public health relies on evidence-based practices. Ideas that sound good but lack strong backing might not help at all and could even make things worse.

When Did Trump Change His Mind about Lockdowns?

COVID Reason • 1447 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. Trump initially agreed to nationwide lockdowns in March 2020 due to influence from key advisors like Deborah Birx and Anthony Fauci.
  2. Trump's stance on lockdowns shifted over time, with him expressing desire to reopen by Easter 2020 but eventually extending lockdowns beyond that.
  3. Despite expressing some willingness to reopen, Trump ultimately stood by lockdown measures and criticized governors who attempted to ease restrictions.

The Dose (December 13)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 953 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. There's a national discussion happening about the U.S. healthcare system, revealing mixed feelings among Americans. Even though many like their insurance, dissatisfaction rises when they actually need to use it.
  2. H5N1 testing in milk is finally being implemented, which is important for tracking its spread. This change comes after significant public health concern and other testing efforts at local levels.
  3. Moderna's RSV vaccine trial for infants was stopped because some babies became sicker after receiving it. This shows the ongoing challenge of developing safe vaccines for young children.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Nov 16

Force of Infection • 96 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Flu activity is on the rise in the U.S., with particular concern around the H3N2 strain which has been linked to more severe seasons. It's important to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
  2. COVID-19 is currently very low in activity, with fewer emergency visits and hospitalizations. But there are still some minor spikes in a few states that need to be monitored.
  3. Norovirus positivity rates are rising, especially in the South, and it's spreading quickly. This virus can cause severe stomach issues, so stay cautious and mindful of hygiene.

How to (and not to) detox in the New Year

Your Local Epidemiologist • 850 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. A balanced diet with good nutrition helps your body detox naturally. Eating healthy foods supports your organs and keeps everything working well.
  2. Staying hydrated is important. Drinking enough water helps your kidneys and digestive system do their job of removing waste.
  3. Many trendy detox methods, like extreme diets or detox drinks, are not proven to work and can sometimes be harmful. It's better to focus on healthy habits like regular exercise and reducing alcohol.

We were right about EVERYTHING

Disaffected Newsletter • 1338 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. Some people believe they were right about the pandemic being overhyped and used to control citizens' rights.
  2. They think the government and health officials acted unreasonably and that many people supported harmful actions.
  3. There's a strong feeling of resentment towards those who went along with these actions, with a call for acknowledgment and apologies.

9 ways to spot falsehoods

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1105 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Check the basic logic of claims before sharing. If something sounds outrageous, take a moment to think it through.
  2. Follow the money behind the claims you see. If someone profits from spreading a story, be cautious about believing it.
  3. Stay skeptical and ask questions. The more you look into a claim, the better you'll understand its truth.

Friday Q&A: COVID, masks, boosters & testing

Are You Okay? • 599 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. High-grade, well-fitted, consistently-worn masks can help protect the individual against infection, but mask mandates have not shown to slow the spread of COVID.
  2. The Cochrane review published in January 2023 concluded that wearing masks 'probably makes little or no difference' to COVID outcomes on a population level.
  3. While masks can offer personal protection, mask mandates in 2023 may not be effective without evidence to support their impact and considering they are not a harm-free intervention.

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 Public Health
  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.

Rep. Chip Roy: Why I’m Backing RFK Jr.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 741 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. Chip Roy supports RFK Jr. for Health and Human Services despite having different opinions with others. He believes RFK Jr. knows how to improve America's health.
  2. Both Roy and Erick Erickson have had life-threatening health issues, and they credit innovative drugs by Big Pharma for their recoveries.
  3. Roy shares his personal story of overcoming cancer with a revolutionary drug, showcasing the importance of medical advancements.