The hottest Public Health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

It’s February, and I am writing about… heat waves

Klement on Investing • 1 implied HN point • 16 Feb 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Public Health
  1. Heat waves are already interfering with people’s ability to work. They’re even pushing households in traditionally cool climates to install air conditioning.
  2. Sick leave rises as heat waves lengthen, and people with circulatory problems are particularly likely to fall ill. Outdoor occupations like transport, logistics, agriculture, and construction are hit hardest.
  3. A single heat wave causes measurable lost wages and higher health costs, and while the GDP impact per event may seem small, repeated and worsening heat waves mean investing in adaptation (like cooling) is needed to limit future economic and health losses.

Help Bring Colin Home

Karlstack • 130 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Colin is a 34-year-old man suffering from early onset Huntington's Disease, and he wants to return home to be with his family. His family believes that being at home will give him more comfort and dignity as he faces his illness.
  2. A fundraising campaign called 'Let's Bring Colin Home' is organized to cover legal costs and home care support. They want to help Colin transition from a care facility to his family's home, which requires financial assistance.
  3. The fundraiser highlights the importance of community support, as just a few donations can make a big difference. Even small contributions can help Colin receive the care he needs and improve his quality of life.

Lessons from Emory-- Masking Mistakes

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 164 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Closing schools for long periods during COVID-19 was a mistake. Some countries didn't close schools and found that kids were not at high risk, which should have guided decisions.
  2. Vaccinating children and healthy adults who have had COVID-19 may not be the best idea. There's concern that this might lead to more vaccine hesitancy, especially when the urgency is communicated incorrectly.
  3. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted poorer communities much more than wealthier ones. There needs to be more open discussions and debates to improve understanding about pandemic responses and their effects.

Comparing Smoking with Being Higher Weight

Weight and Healthcare • 279 implied HN points • 01 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. Comparing smoking to being higher weight is not a fair comparison because they are different in terms of behaviors, interventions, and health impacts.
  2. Smoking and being higher weight are not directly comparable because body size is not a behavior like smoking, and the health implications differ significantly.
  3. Shaming fat people to be thin is not the same as shaming smokers to quit, as they are different issues with unique complexities and considerations.
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Covid, Contagion, and Looking Forward

Risk Musings • 401 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health
  1. Covid has become a global experience with waning immunity and increased contagiousness.
  2. Understanding Covid's spread involves looking beyond R0 numbers to factors like effective reproduction rate and incubation period.
  3. To combat Covid, focus on reducing susceptibility through therapeutics, policy changes like banning gain-of-function research, and investing in public health infrastructure.

New Study Finds What We Already Knew In 2022: COVID Mortality Risk Was Nearly Nonexistent

Unmasked • 96 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. A new study suggests that the risk of dying from COVID was much lower than previously thought. Many people believe this should have been clear from earlier data.
  2. COVID lockdowns and restrictions had huge impacts on society, like economic problems and lost learning for students. These issues continue to affect us today.
  3. The media and experts are often criticized for spreading fear and misinformation about COVID, which some say contributed to unnecessary restrictions and panic.

NIH study sections are broken

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 106 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. NIH study sections often fund unambitious science instead of groundbreaking research. This is a problem because many mediocre scientists are in charge, which doesn't help advance science.
  2. There's a heavy focus on diversity and inclusion in NIH grants, but much of it just repeats what we already know. Instead, we need better treatments for everyone, regardless of race or status.
  3. The review process for grants can discourage scientists from speaking out on important issues. This silence can lead to a lack of innovative ideas and solutions in research.

Tribute to Carter's public health work

Force of Infection • 121 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  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.

Europe Reacts to US Global Health Policy Shifts

Who is Robert Malone • 12 implied HN points • 18 Nov 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The US is changing its approach to global health by focusing on direct government-to-government aid rather than working through organizations like the WHO, which could impact health initiatives worldwide.
  2. Europe is facing economic challenges that make it hard for the EU to lead in global health efforts, even as they push for more leadership in light of US policy changes.
  3. There's a sense of resignation among European leaders as they realize the US is stepping back from global health commitments, leaving them to figure out how to cope with the situation.

Turns out even more of you are doctors (and nurses) than I expected

Unreported Truths • 43 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Many readers identify as healthcare professionals, with a significant portion being doctors and nurses. It's great to see so many engaged in the conversation about medical issues.
  2. There are concerns about the medical field focusing too much on procedures rather than promoting healthier lifestyles. This prioritization may be driven by financial considerations.
  3. Some healthcare professionals express distrust towards the research system and the influence of pharmaceutical companies. They feel that conflicts of interest may impact patient care and safety.

Plagued Again

Diane Francis • 479 implied HN points • 23 Dec 21
💾 History Public Health
  1. The Black Death was a major pandemic that hit Europe in 1348, causing massive deaths. It spread through fleas and rats, showing how important hygiene is in preventing disease.
  2. In response to the plague's recurrence in the 1600s, people used primitive methods like quarantining the sick. This shows how societies have tried to control outbreaks even with limited knowledge.
  3. Marking houses with red crosses symbolized the danger of disease and isolation. This historical practice reflects the ongoing struggle to manage public health crises.

The mRNA Revolution

Diane Francis • 479 implied HN points • 20 Dec 21
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The mRNA vaccines are an important breakthrough in fighting COVID-19 and other diseases. They help our bodies recognize and attack viruses more effectively.
  2. Despite concerns about variants like Omicron, the vaccines still offer protection. People are tired of restrictions, but the vaccines are a positive step forward.
  3. Scientists are continuing to innovate with mRNA technology. This could lead to even more health advancements in the future.

Welcome To The Fauci/Pfizer Matrix: COVID Vaccines Directly Cause Long-Lasting Side Effects, Per New Study

Unmasked • 92 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. There was a lot of misinformation about COVID vaccines when they came out. Experts made claims that were not supported by facts, leading to confusion about their effectiveness.
  2. Key figures like Dr. Fauci and Rochelle Walensky made statements that turned out to be incorrect, which worsened public trust and guided harmful policies.
  3. Recent research suggests that the long-term side effects of vaccines are more significant than previously acknowledged, highlighting ongoing issues around vaccine communication and transparency.

It's peak flu season

Force of Infection • 119 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. It's peak flu season, and there's been a significant rise in flu cases lately. Young children are getting hit the hardest with more doctor visits due to influenza-like illness.
  2. Covid-19 cases are also increasing after a slow start, with many locations showing high virus levels. It's important to stay updated on trends as they can change rapidly.
  3. RSV activity is up, but this year seems to be less severe than usual. Overall, it's crucial to take precautions like masking, as multiple respiratory illnesses are spreading.

Everything You Need to Know About H5N1 Bird Flu

OK Doomer • 106 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. H5N1 bird flu is mutating quickly, which is concerning for public health. It's important to stay informed about its developments.
  2. The U.S. administration is not communicating openly about health updates, which could leave people in the dark during a health crisis.
  3. Historically, some diseases that started off appearing mild later became serious. We should be cautious and prepared for any changes in the bird flu situation.

Outbreak Outlook - National - July 9

Force of Infection • 44 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Measles cases are breaking records this year, with many months still remaining. This highlights the ongoing concerns about vaccine coverage and public health.
  2. Influenza-like illnesses are low right now, showing it’s off-season for flu. The situation could change as we move further into the year.
  3. COVID-19 cases are slowly rising, especially in southern states like Florida and Texas, but there isn't a big surge happening yet.

It's time to pay attention to Bulgarian death rates. Yes, I'm serious.

Unreported Truths • 62 implied HN points • 15 May 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Bulgaria has seen a drop in death rates since Covid ended, which is surprising given its low vaccination rate. This suggests that high vaccination levels may not always lead to lower long-term death rates.
  2. Many countries still face unexpectedly high death rates post-Covid, even though the pandemic has been declared over. This indicates that there are other factors at play affecting mortality rates.
  3. The experiences of Bulgaria and heavily vaccinated nations highlight the complexity of public health outcomes after a pandemic, including the need to examine why some countries are seeing rising deaths while others are not.

Health New Zealand admits that they did not look at their own safety data. The vaccine is safe. Why bother to look at our data?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Health New Zealand admits they haven't examined their own COVID vaccine safety data. This raises questions about how they can say the vaccine is safe without reviewing it.
  2. They declined a request for a public discussion on the data, which some see as a lack of transparency in addressing concerns.
  3. Health New Zealand also stated they will not conduct autopsies for anyone believed to have been harmed by the vaccine, which adds to doubts about their commitment to safety investigations.

Barry Young's criminal trial continues on Thursday, Dec 11 Wellington District Court in New Zealand at 9am

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. Barry Young is on trial for leaking COVID-19 vaccination data in New Zealand, facing serious charges. His case has sparked a debate about public access to health data.
  2. The trial is set for December 11, and supporters are encouraged to attend or share information to raise awareness.
  3. The discussion highlights concerns about how public health data is handled and the implications for transparency in health matters.

If you are affiliated with any academic institution worldwide, I'll pay you to help redpill the world by surfacing aggregated mortality rate data from public health registries

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 25 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The project seeks academic-affiliated researchers to access national public health registries and publicly share weekly cohort mortality rates.
  2. They offer payment and argue the exported data will be aggregated, non-identifying, legally shareable, and useful for evaluating vaccine safety.
  3. Work is expected to be done on secure research platforms using Python (pandas, SQL) by materializing denormalized cohorts, computing weekly hazards/KCOR, and following export constraints like no external pip installs or APIs.

Paul Offit responds to multiple challenges by deferring to the peer-reviewed literature

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Peer review and major journals can act as gatekeepers tied to institutional and industry interests, so relying only on traditional publication as proof can suppress dissenting evidence and block open scientific debate.
  2. A new, simple analysis method applied to comprehensive national registry data is claimed to reveal net harms in some groups, and critics are challenged to either point to a better method or directly engage with those data and code.
  3. Restoring trustworthy science requires concrete reforms — open raw data, transparent and accountable peer review, independent funding for journals, cryptographic records of submissions, and stronger support for replication and independent researchers.

Professor Robert Scragg tries to show the COVID vaccines are perfectly safe in order to help put Barry Young in jail

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Scragg didn't provide evidence showing vaccines improve mortality rates. There was no clear proof that vaccinated people lived longer compared to unvaccinated in matched studies.
  2. He failed to analyze important data that could help prove vaccine safety. The data was available but he chose not to use it, which is confusing since it's crucial for understanding the truth.
  3. Health New Zealand hasn't analyzed their own data on vaccine safety, which raises questions about their reliability. They should openly share this information to help everyone understand the real impacts of the vaccines.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Jan 20

Force of Infection • 105 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Flu, COVID-19, and RSV cases are improving, but norovirus has become more prevalent this season. It's important to stay cautious during flu season, as the numbers can change quickly.
  2. While COVID-19 levels are still somewhat high, there's a small hope that the situation is getting better, with fewer hospitalizations reported recently.
  3. Norovirus is on the rise this winter, likely due to a new strain. It's crucial to maintain good hygiene practices, like washing hands, to prevent infection.

Vaccine mandates cost lives

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Vaccine mandates are claimed to cost lives and are portrayed as harmful.
  2. Decision makers are portrayed as guided by religion or ideology instead of science when creating vaccine policy.
  3. Moves to make vaccines optional—such as in Florida—are presented as the right choice, and it is claimed that countries without mandates have better health outcomes.

Repeated mRNA Covid jabs are linked to faster death from pancreatic cancer

Unreported Truths • 43 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Receiving three or more mRNA Covid vaccines is linked to shorter survival rates in pancreatic cancer patients. Those with more shots died faster than those with fewer shots.
  2. The study found changing levels of IgG4 antibodies in patients, which may weaken their immune response against cancer. This suggests the vaccines might change how the body fights tumors.
  3. Previous research indicated rising cancer death rates in Japan since the vaccine rollout. This study offers more detailed insights by tracking patients based on their vaccine status.

Outbreak Outlook - National - July 14

Force of Infection • 41 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. COVID-19 cases are slowly rising in some areas, but overall activity remains low across the country.
  2. Influenza rates are very low right now, with minimal activity reported in all states.
  3. The Southern and Western regions are experiencing a small increase in COVID-19-related emergency room visits, although they still make up a tiny percentage of total visits.

Now it can be told: the truth about the Covid jabs is slowly coming out

Unreported Truths • 136 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Some independent journalists are questioning the effectiveness of Covid mRNA vaccines. They believe these shots did not perform as promised.
  2. There are concerns about potential side effects and the impact of these vaccines on the immune system. People worry about the long-term consequences.
  3. Many mainstream media outlets are not discussing these issues, leaving it to a few independent voices to bring attention to the truths about the Covid vaccines.

Anti-depressants: The trials last 8 weeks; People take them for 8+ years

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 85 implied HN points • 04 Mar 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. People often take anti-depressants for many years, even decades, but they were only studied for about 8 weeks in trials.
  2. There isn't clear evidence that taking these medications long-term is better than not starting them at all, which raises concerns about their effectiveness.
  3. We need longer and better studies to truly understand the benefits and downsides of anti-depressants, including how they impact things like sexual health.

New Data Once Again Proves Sweden Was Right About Masks

Unmasked • 130 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Sweden's approach to COVID-19, particularly regarding masks, suggests that their policies were more effective compared to strict mandates. Many believe masks didn't help much, and the data supports this view.
  2. Experts' predictions and mandates around masks and vaccines were often incorrect, leading to public distrust. A lot of information from that time is either ignored or downplayed now.
  3. Recent studies reinforce that Sweden's strategies during the pandemic were valid while challenging the widely accepted methods enforced elsewhere. This raises questions about what really works in handling health crises.

URGENT: The FDA will reject future Covid jabs for healthy people under 65 without big new clinical trials proving they work

Unreported Truths • 57 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The FDA now requires new clinical trials to approve Covid vaccines for healthy people under 65. This means companies must prove the vaccines are effective before they can be used.
  2. Many adults may still qualify for boosters because of loose CDC guidelines on who is at risk for severe Covid. This could allow a lot of people to continue getting the vaccine even with new rules.
  3. While this is a step towards more safety with mRNA vaccines, the rules aren’t strict enough to significantly change access for most healthy adults.

Bah Humbug: No Matter How Hard They Try, Masks Still Don't Work

Unmasked • 113 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Masks have been debated since the pandemic began, but many experts still believe they don't work effectively. This has led to ongoing discussions among people who support or oppose their use.
  2. Past studies attempting to prove the effectiveness of masks have often been criticized for their flaws and misleading results. This has caused skepticism about the reliability of mask research.
  3. Recent studies that promote mask-wearing continue to fuel the belief among some groups, but they are viewed by others as inaccurate or propaganda. This division highlights the ongoing controversy over mask mandates.

Miracle in Mainz

Diane Francis • 679 implied HN points • 05 Apr 21
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. mRNA technology is changing medicine, promising to extend life and improve health. Vaccines for COVID-19 showed how effective this approach can be.
  2. BioNTech and Moderna rushed to create vaccines quickly, successfully using their mRNA methods. This faster way of making vaccines works better than older methods.
  3. There are plans to use mRNA technology for cancer vaccines in the near future. This could transform how we treat cancer and save many lives.

Governor Rambo

Diane Francis • 519 implied HN points • 23 Sep 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. Florida's Governor DeSantis has made the situation in Florida dangerous, especially for older people, by opposing mask and vaccination mandates amid rising COVID-19 cases.
  2. Many Floridians support health measures like masks, but DeSantis has ignored public opinion to gain media attention and promote himself nationally.
  3. Traveling to Florida might be risky right now, especially for Canadians looking to escape winter, due to the dangerous environment created by the Governor's decisions.

"Nothing Will Fundamentally Change."

OK Doomer • 96 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health
  1. RFK Jr. is being questioned about his ability to limit research on diseases and access to vaccines. His responses have been evasive and controversial.
  2. Democrats are very concerned about the impact of his misinformation on vaccination rates, especially among adolescents, which they say has led to tragic outcomes.
  3. There are doubts about RFK Jr.'s chances of confirmation, but the long-term effects of his potential power could still be serious for public health.

Don’t Believe The Hype: COVID Vaccines Were Far Less Effective Than Media And 'Expert' Claims

Unmasked • 35 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. The effectiveness of COVID vaccines was often overstated by media and experts. Many claims about how many lives they saved do not match the actual data.
  2. There was a lot of pressure and false information aimed at convincing people to get vaccinated. This included public campaigns and incentives that might not have been based on the truth.
  3. Policies like lockdowns and mask mandates were enforced without enough evidence supporting their necessity. Many people complied with these measures because they trusted the authorities.

URGENT: Yale researchers have found Covid spike protein in the blood of people never infected with Covid - years after they got mRNA jabs

Unreported Truths • 115 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health
  1. Yale researchers found Covid spike proteins in the blood of some people who got mRNA vaccines, even if they never had Covid. This is surprising because these proteins usually don't stay in the body long after vaccination.
  2. The presence of these spike proteins suggests that the genetic material from the vaccines might be causing cells to keep making them. This raises questions about the long-term safety of mRNA vaccines.
  3. The researchers need to confirm their findings and plan to publish their study soon. They aim to share more information so other scientists can verify these results.