The hottest Public Health Substack posts right now

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Top Health & Wellness Topics

Global Biosecurity in the Age of Low-Probability, High-Consequence (LPHC) Biological Risks-

Who is Robert Malone • 5 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Public Health
  1. Current international biosecurity rules strongly ban biological weapons but are institutionally weak and fragmented. They lack verification, enforcement, and do not cover accidental, dual‑use, or self‑propagating risks.
  2. Low‑probability, high‑consequence biological risks often fall outside existing treaties and can produce irreversible, cross‑border harms. Managing these risks requires proactive international coordination, shared norms, and continuous risk monitoring rather than only national or reactive responses.
  3. The global framework must shift from mere prohibition to collective risk management by adding verification, common biosafety standards, transparency, and worst‑case preparedness. Strengthening these elements would help align biotechnology innovation with safety and reduce the chance of catastrophic global events.

FDA approves Pfizer drugs with inadequate safety and efficacy data, and then regulators work for Pfizer

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 180 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. FDA approvals for Pfizer drugs may not have enough safety and effectiveness data. This raises concerns about the reliability of the drugs available to the public.
  2. There is a pattern of FDA regulators moving to jobs at pharmaceutical companies after approving their products. This can create a conflict of interest and lead to questions about transparency.
  3. The system seems designed to favor big pharmaceutical companies rather than prioritize patient safety and well-being. This indicates a troubling relationship between regulators and the companies they oversee.

Cocooning using TDAP vaccine

Who is Robert Malone • 15 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Vaccinating close contacts ("cocooning") was widely promoted as a way to protect newborns, but it has limited evidence and many programs now prioritize giving Tdap to pregnant women so antibodies pass directly to the baby.
  2. The current acellular pertussis vaccine often prevents symptoms but not infection, so vaccinated people can carry and spread pertussis without knowing it, meaning cocooning alone may be ineffective or could even raise risk.
  3. Requiring vaccination for visitors has proved hard to implement and can create real family conflict and isolation for new parents and grandparents, so the social harms and logistical costs are important considerations.

Diversifying Doulas?! HHS Spends Hundreds of Millions Spreading DEI Through Medical Community

OpenTheBooks Substack • 265 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employs a large team focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), costing taxpayers around $38.7 million each year. This effort includes 294 employees dedicated to creating equitable healthcare practices.
  2. The term 'equity' appears frequently in HHS' budget, showing a strong emphasis on promoting fairness in health services, especially for underserved communities. This includes funding diverse healthcare initiatives and outreach programs.
  3. Federal agencies, like HHS, are combining DEI efforts with traditional civil rights initiatives. This blending can create confusion about how equity policies impact equal treatment in health and employment, leading to potential legal challenges.

IARC: Can't Be Aspar-Tamed

KCKlatt’s Substack • 219 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Aspartame has been classified as 'possibly carcinogenic' by the IARC, meaning there's some evidence it might cause cancer, but it's not conclusive. This classification can create confusion about actual cancer risks.
  2. It's important to understand the difference between hazard and risk. Just because something is identified as a hazard doesn’t mean it will definitely cause harm in normal consumption amounts.
  3. IARC's ruling stirs up fear without clear guidance on safe consumption levels. Consumers need clear communication about risks when it comes to food additives like aspartame.
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Prasad FDA Memo: Regulatory Implications

Who is Robert Malone • 18 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The memo discusses serious concerns about COVID vaccines, suggesting they may have caused more harm to children than saved lives. This recognition challenges previous beliefs about vaccine safety.
  2. Dr. Prasad's guidance could lead to major changes in how vaccines are regulated, including stricter requirements for showing safety and effectiveness. This might slow down the approval process for new vaccines in the future.
  3. There are implications for the entire vaccine market, including potential changes in how vaccines are mandated for children and pregnant women. These changes could affect vaccine companies and public health policies.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 215: Leslie Manookian

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 1 implied HN point • 19 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The Health Freedom Defense Fund's challenge to LAUSD's COVID-19 vaccine mandate has reached the Supreme Court, which could lead to a major national decision on school vaccine mandates.
  2. Advocacy groups are pushing Medical Freedom Acts in multiple states and coordinating federal litigation to limit or overturn vaccine mandates and represent affected people.
  3. Parallel federal lawsuits and emergency motions, including attempts to intervene in disputes over the childhood immunization schedule, are active and could shape U.S. vaccine policy for years.

Humanity’s new frontier is complete genomic knowledge. The barriers are ideological.

Nucleus Genomics • 39 implied HN points • 18 Apr 24
🔬 Science Public Health
  1. Understanding our DNA can help us learn more about our health and traits. It's important for everyone to have access to this information.
  2. There are ideological debates that prevent people from getting the genetic insights they deserve. These discussions often limit how much we can learn about ourselves.
  3. The goal is to communicate scientific knowledge clearly and truthfully. This will help us all understand genetics better and use it to improve our lives.

Flu activity increases again

Force of Infection • 183 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. Flu activity is on the rise, hitting its highest level since 2002. This means more people are going to the doctor with flu-like symptoms.
  2. Younger children are getting hit hardest, with nearly 17% showing flu symptoms. Older adults are at greater risk for serious illness, even though their overall illness rates are lower.
  3. To prevent the flu, it's important to wear masks in crowded places, ventilate indoor areas, and get vaccinated. If you do get sick, antiviral medications can help you recover faster.

HHS, CDC to Make Announcement on Children’s Health Tomorrow

Who is Robert Malone • 13 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. HHS and CDC are expected to announce a major change to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule that could align it with other Western countries, potentially delaying start ages and reducing total doses for some vaccines.
  2. The decision may be driven at the HHS leadership level rather than through the CDC's advisory committee (ACIP), which would later need to update recommendations and align the Vaccines for Children program.
  3. If certain vaccines are removed from the official schedule, manufacturers could lose liability protections, likely triggering large lawsuits and intense pushback from pharmaceutical-backed medical groups, advocacy organizations, and trial lawyers.

From the Precipice, Nitrogen Asphyxiation Looks a Lot Like Lethal Injection Did

The Medicine & Justice Project • 79 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Alabama is attempting an unprecedented execution method using nitrogen asphyxiation, which has never been intentionally used to kill prisoners before
  2. Lethal injection and nitrogen asphyxiation methods for executions both originated from unlikely sources, with unexpected individuals pushing for more humane practices in capital punishment
  3. Despite opposition from medical associations and lack of certainty regarding effectiveness, nitrogen asphyxiation as an execution method is spreading among states like Alabama, Oklahoma, and Mississippi

The Crime Of The Century: COVID Lockdowns Devastated An Entire Generation Of Children

Unmasked • 71 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. COVID lockdowns had severe negative effects on children's development, including social and emotional skills.
  2. Many policies during the pandemic, like mask mandates and school closures, were implemented without considering their long-term impacts.
  3. New research confirms that the consequences of these lockdowns harmed a generation of kids for no good reason.

The Alchemy of Metabolomics: Erythritol

KCKlatt’s Substack • 319 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. Recent studies suggest that high levels of erythritol in the blood might be linked to heart issues, but it's still unclear if it's harmful. Some research shows that the body might produce erythritol naturally, rather than just from eating it.
  2. Erythritol is often labeled as an artificial sweetener, but it occurs naturally. So, its safety isn't straightforward, and more research is needed to fully understand its effects on health.
  3. While some lab tests show erythritol might affect blood clotting, the amounts used in those tests are much higher than what people typically consume. This makes it hard to know how significant the results are for everyday life.

Do masks work?

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1068 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. The science around masks is complex, with considerations like the type of mask, disease, social context, and transmission period.
  2. Research shows masks can be effective in reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at both an individual and population level.
  3. The effectiveness of masks is influenced by factors like compliance, type of mask, and social setting, requiring a nuanced approach to policies and recommendations.

Imported Doubt: How RFK Jr. Spearheaded a Disinformation Campaign that Left Samoa's Children Exposed (Pt. 1)

Off-Topic • 209 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. In 2019, Samoa experienced serious measles outbreaks, affecting many kids and even leading to deaths. This situation showed how important vaccines are for preventing disease.
  2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has played a big role in spreading misinformation about vaccines. His actions contributed to fears that led to lower vaccination rates in places like Samoa.
  3. The disinformation campaign not only put lives at risk but also highlighted the influence of individuals spreading doubt about vaccines, showing how public health can be harmed by such claims.

Covid shots don't need to be 'pulled' from the market, we just need to stop giving EUA to boosters without data

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 199 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Most people who want COVID shots are getting them, while those who don't want them simply aren't taking them. There's no need to remove the vaccines from the market.
  2. The FDA should require proper clinical trials for COVID boosters to gather real data on their effectiveness. This would help clarify the true benefits and risks of the vaccines.
  3. Calling for all COVID shots to be pulled from the market is unhelpful and distracts from the need for transparency and accuracy in vaccine data. Better studies will provide clearer answers.

Toronto's toxic supply

City Hall Watcher • 137 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. The number of fatal overdoses in Toronto remains high due to a toxic drug supply.
  2. During the pandemic, lack of access to injection sites and community-based programs contributed to rising overdoses.
  3. Pre-obtained drugs from the streets in Toronto have become more toxic, leading to a persisting crisis.

Kennedy, Conspiracy, and the Measles Outbreak that Nearly Destroyed Samoa

Off-Topic • 174 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. In 2018, two babies in Samoa died after a vaccine was mistakenly prepared with the wrong liquid. This led to a public outcry and a temporary halt to vaccinations in the country.
  2. Disinformation spread online, particularly from anti-vaccine groups, made parents in Samoa afraid of vaccines. This fear led to a significant drop in vaccination rates, even as a measles outbreak began in 2019.
  3. Despite the devastating impact of misinformation, Samoa managed to recover by launching a vaccination campaign that brought their vaccination rates back up and controlled the outbreak. However, the consequences of the misinformation were severe, with many lives lost.

Bombshell Rasmussen Survey Released

Who is Robert Malone • 19 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. About 36% of people who got the COVID vaccine report side effects. This means many felt some impact after receiving it.
  2. Many Americans think the vaccine could have caused serious health problems and even deaths. This shows there's confusion and concern among the public.
  3. There's a big difference between what the public believes about vaccine side effects and what health organizations report. This disconnect needs to be addressed.

kitten corner: late night conspiracies

bad cattitude • 220 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Pharmaceutical companies advertise heavily on TV, which seems unusual to some people. It makes you wonder why all the TV content is often in favor of these companies.
  2. The author expresses a sense of confusion about the relationship between media messaging and the interests of pharma companies.
  3. There's a hint of worry from the author about how working in this environment might be affecting their thoughts and perceptions.

Biden gives a Medal to Moderna and Pfizer - 10 reasons that was a bad idea

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 190 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. Awarding a medal to Moderna and Pfizer seems unfair because it ignores the dangers of other vaccines, and many people felt misled about vaccine risks.
  2. These companies have already made a lot of money from their products, so giving them a medal feels unnecessary and insulting.
  3. Some people suffered due to vaccine mandates and the actions of former officials. Recognizing these companies with a medal might send the wrong message.

Dr. Arthur Caplan: Will you help us stop the disinformation crisis?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Some record-level studies and analyses are claimed to show that childhood vaccinations do not reduce mortality and may be linked to higher infant deaths or SIDS, challenging mainstream claims that vaccines clearly save lives.
  2. Critics contend that many experts who warn about vaccine disinformation avoid open public debates with qualified dissenting voices, and a public challenge is being made to force that discussion.
  3. Open, transparent public debate is presented as the best way to stop disinformation and let people judge who is telling the truth.

Towards a Quieter City

The New Urban Order • 119 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Public Health
  1. Complaining about noise pollution in the city is often met with the suggestion to move, but cities are increasingly recognizing the health risks associated with noise and taking action.
  2. Noise pollution can have serious health impacts, including hearing loss, high blood pressure, heart disease, and increased stress in adults, as well as sleep loss and cognitive impairment in children.
  3. Efforts to address noise pollution vary, with some cities implementing tech-driven solutions like 'noise radar,' but challenges arise in enforcement, appropriate consequences for noise makers, and balancing noise regulations with other policing priorities.

Big Data, Small Payoff: Madrid Study Finds Pediatric mRNA Vaccine Benefits Thin—and Safety Questions Still Linger

Who is Robert Malone • 9 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines cut hospitalizations by only a few cases per 100,000 children, with almost no measurable benefit in 6–11-year-olds and a modest reduction in 12–17-year-olds.
  2. Serious outcomes like hospitalizations, MIS‑C, and myocarditis were rare overall, and while heart inflammation was uncommon, it was not clearly lower in vaccinated adolescents.
  3. Because absolute benefits are tiny and uncertainty is wide, the findings support shifting away from universal pediatric vaccination toward individualized, risk‑based recommendations.

The Gadfly: Walter Kempner

Experimental Fat Loss • 162 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. Walter Kempner was a doctor who developed a strict rice diet that helped seriously ill patients, particularly those with kidney problems, see improvements in their health. The diet was simple but very restrictive.
  2. Kempner's approach was controversial, and he often faced criticism from other doctors. However, he backed his claims with detailed data and had notable success in treating patients.
  3. Despite his initial success and fame, Kempner's methods aren't widely recognized today, and the rice diet hasn't been successfully replicated outside of his clinic.

Interview with Tony Fauci

Science Forever • 139 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Misinformation and vaccine hesitancy are exacerbated by the huge impact of social media, making it challenging to counter with correct information.
  2. Challenges exist in countering misinformation when highly credentialed individuals spread inaccurate information, creating difficulty in preserving the integrity of scientific communication.
  3. Communicating the evolving nature of science and the iterative self-correcting process can aid in improving science literacy and public understanding.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Aug 4

Force of Infection • 59 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. COVID-19 cases are increasing as we approach the school season, with more people testing positive and higher wastewater levels showing the virus's presence.
  2. For respiratory illnesses like flu, we're seeing very low activity levels across all age groups, which is encouraging for now.
  3. While COVID-19 hospitalizations are still low, emergency department visits are slightly rising, so it's important to stay alert.

Were the COVID vaccines genocide?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. There’s no clear evidence the vaccine campaigns were a centrally planned genocide, but secrecy, manipulation, and censorship during rollout made large-scale harm possible without explicit intent.
  2. Post-rollout data showed worrying signals like unexplained excess deaths, increased cardiac events in some groups, and reproductive or neurological problems that were often underreported or dismissed.
  3. Pharmaceutical companies and regulators acted with profit and protection motives, suppressing data and dissent in ways many view as a large-scale ethical and medical betrayal.

The DOJ is investigating how many crimes are committed with masks on

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 149 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. Wearing masks in public hasn't shown to help stop the spread of viruses and was even advised against by health experts before the pandemic. Many believe mask mandates are not useful.
  2. There is a concern that masks provide anonymity, which some criminals may exploit. This has prompted the DOJ to look into how many crimes are committed by people wearing masks.
  3. As more people stopped masking, some places started banning public masking altogether. This shift highlights a growing belief that masks can hinder law enforcement and harm social interactions.

Jay Bhattacharya is a superb pick for NIH director

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 209 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Jay Bhattacharya wants to study the effects of lockdowns and other COVID-19 measures. He believes this research will help prevent similar harsh actions in the future.
  2. He plans to improve how scientific research is done, focusing on making findings repeatable and clear. This could really help how science is understood and applied.
  3. Jay aims to change leadership rules at NIH and make grant processes better through trials. He believes changes in these areas could lead to more effective research.

Vaccines and Adjuvants: Aluminum

Who is Robert Malone • 16 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Vaccines are not all the same; each one is made with different ingredients and processes that affect how they work and their safety. It's important to not assume that all vaccines are equally safe and effective.
  2. Adjuvants like aluminum are added to vaccines to boost the immune response. They help the body react better to the vaccine, but understanding their long-term effects is still a bit uncertain.
  3. There are gaps in research about the safety of aluminum in vaccines, especially for babies and young children. More studies are needed to figure out if these aluminum compounds are completely safe.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Feb 17

Force of Infection • 152 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Flu season is very severe this year, especially affecting young children, with many doctor visits for flu symptoms.
  2. COVID-19 cases are still around but are currently lower than flu cases. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have slightly decreased recently.
  3. There have been notable outbreaks, like measles in Texas and human cases of bird flu in Nevada, showing the need for ongoing health monitoring.

On the bizarre anger and meanness of our public health betters

Unreported Truths • 69 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Some public health figures show anger and judgment toward people who disagree with them. They often seem to value their positions more than the people they serve.
  2. There are concerns about how some doctors prioritize their political views over patient care. This can lead to frustrating situations for both parents and children.
  3. Recent events highlight the disconnect between health professionals and the public. Sometimes they express a sense of superiority, making it hard for people to feel supported in their health decisions.

Is the 1986 act vaccine liability shield now gone for vaccines that got kicked off the recommended list? Yes, according to Aaron Siri.

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The Vaccine Injury Table is the legal mechanism that decides which vaccines get federal liability protection, and if a vaccine is removed from that table the statutory immunity tied to it disappears.
  2. Liability depends on two things: a vaccine being recommended for routine use and being listed in the Injury Table, so changing the CDC schedule alone doesn’t automatically remove legal immunity unless HHS revises the regulatory table through rulemaking.
  3. A separate law (the PREP Act) shields COVID vaccines during a declared emergency, so COVID shots remain protected while that emergency declaration stays in effect.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 213: Dr. Clinton Ohlers, PhD.

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. There are growing concerns that mRNA technology could affect the safety of the blood supply, with some studies and clinicians reporting persistent spike protein and structural changes in post-mRNA blood samples.
  2. SafeBlood is an international group that helps patients get directed donations from non-mRNA-vaccinated donors and argues patients should be allowed to refuse blood from mRNA-exposed donors in non-emergency situations.
  3. Longstanding safeguards like directed and autologous donations are being restricted, which raises questions about informed consent, transparency, and who gets to decide what is put into a patient’s bloodstream.