The hottest Public Health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics
Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack 1415 implied HN points 10 Jan 24
  1. There were lies about asymptomatic spread of COVID-19.
  2. False claims were made about the effectiveness of masks in preventing transmission.
  3. The safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were questioned.
Letters from an American 28 implied HN points 20 Feb 26
  1. A senior British royal, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over ties to Jeffrey Epstein and alleged sharing of confidential government documents while serving as a trade envoy.
  2. Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol was convicted of leading an insurrection and sentenced to life in prison after attempting to impose martial law and block the legislature, with several co-conspirators also receiving long sentences.
  3. President Trump has seized and renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace to launch a self-styled "Board of Peace" that drew mixed international responses, is proposing a U.S.-run alternative to the WHO, and is pushing election-related legislation and White House changes while advancing his political messaging.
Your Local Epidemiologist 1430 implied HN points 23 Jun 25
  1. Extreme heat can be really harmful, especially when it's humid. It makes it hard for our bodies to cool down, so it's important to pay attention to humidity and dew point, not just temperature.
  2. It's a tough season for ticks, with a rise in tick-related illnesses. If you're in areas where ticks are common, be cautious and check for bites after being outdoors.
  3. There are some food safety alerts to watch out for. Certain meal products and cough syrup have been recalled because of health risks, so it's smart to check your fridge and pantry.
Heterodox STEM 263 implied HN points 02 Dec 25
  1. Medicine is increasingly shaped by social justice and identity politics, and when doctors or policies prioritize group identity over clear clinical risk, it can lead to decisions that hurt patient outcomes.
  2. The idea that patient outcomes require race-matched doctors is often overstated or confounded by clinical factors, and most patients report that their doctor’s race usually does not matter.
  3. Doctors should focus advocacy on things that directly help patients, stay within medical expertise, and avoid actions that harm trust or education, while noting that many young elite physicians are not practicing where care is most needed.
Who is Robert Malone 11 implied HN points 05 Mar 26
  1. A U.S. Army lab repeatedly failed to inactivate anthrax and ended up shipping live spores to nearly 200 labs over more than a decade, revealing major biosafety and quality-control breakdowns.
  2. The facility’s large production scale, advanced capabilities, and its ties to the 2001 anthrax investigation raise real dual-use concerns and unanswered questions about whether oversight and stated defensive needs matched what was produced.
  3. An AI-driven, six-layer verification approach could help spot warning signs and distinguish defensive work from misuse, but it will need transparency, independent oversight, and broad international cooperation to be effective.
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Independent SAGE continues 239 implied HN points 28 Jun 24
  1. Covid cases in England are rising again, especially in the North East and North West, but they are still at relatively low levels overall.
  2. Deaths from Covid have slightly increased recently, but they remain lower compared to last year, with only 101 deaths recorded for a recent week.
  3. The Spring 2024 booster campaign is ending soon, and while 55% of those eligible have received it, many immunocompromised individuals still need to get vaccinated.
Disaffected Newsletter 2358 implied HN points 19 Sep 23
  1. Many people are starting to distrust the medical system, especially after the experiences during Covid and how vaccines were handled. It's important to question the advice given and think critically about health decisions.
  2. Listening to your intuition about your health can be crucial. Signs of something wrong shouldn't be ignored, and recognizing these early can save lives.
  3. Chronic health advice, like dietary recommendations, can often be wrong or outdated. People should be open to new information and trust their own experiences over established guidelines.
Your Local Epidemiologist 1591 implied HN points 28 May 25
  1. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) can be convenient and affordable, but they are often linked to health issues like obesity and heart disease. It's important to know that not all processed foods are bad; some can actually be nutritious.
  2. Research shows that diets high in UPFs may lead to overeating and poorer health, but the exact reasons for this aren't fully understood yet. The type of UPF matters, with sugary drinks and processed meats being the most harmful.
  3. To eat healthier, you can look for foods with lower added sugars and sodium, while being mindful of marketing claims. Sometimes, it’s okay to include UPFs in your diet, especially when they meet your specific needs.
The Watch 1079 implied HN points 21 Jul 25
  1. The Maryland audit found that medical examiners incorrectly classified many police custody deaths. This means potential homicides weren't properly investigated or addressed.
  2. There was a noticeable racial bias; deaths of Black individuals were less likely to be labeled as homicides compared to other racial groups. This indicates a serious issue with how bias affects these important determinations.
  3. The study points to a need for better procedures in medical examinations, particularly to avoid bias. Changes in how autopsies are conducted can potentially save lives by preventing similar deaths in the future.
Human Flourishing 2181 implied HN points 14 Jun 23
  1. During the pandemic, extreme measures like lockdowns and vaccine mandates were imposed with little debate or explanation.
  2. The biomedical security state involves magnifying risks, imposing control on citizens, justifying surveillance and merging public health with military-industrial complex.
  3. The global elite aim to establish a new world order using entities like the World Economic Forum and International Monetary Fund, pushing for international pandemic treaties and digital IDs.
Your Local Epidemiologist 1342 implied HN points 20 Jun 25
  1. The new ACIP members may not have much vaccine experience, raising concerns about their decisions affecting public health.
  2. Expect confusion and misinformation about vaccines in social media following the meeting, especially around topics like thimerosal and the MMR vaccine.
  3. Although some answers will surface after the meeting, many important questions remain, and many health organizations are already working hard to clarify the situation for the public.
Your Local Epidemiologist 1399 implied HN points 13 Jun 25
  1. Deportations affect not just the individuals who are removed but also the families and communities left behind, especially children who may experience trauma, stress, and uncertainty.
  2. Studies show that fear of deportation can lead families to avoid seeking medical care, which can have serious public health implications for entire communities.
  3. Support from caregivers, educators, and communities is crucial for children and families affected by these policies, helping them cope and thrive despite the challenges they face.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss 881 implied HN points 11 Aug 25
  1. Homeless people with severe mental illness are a major issue, with nearly one in five suffering from serious conditions like schizophrenia. This situation is urgent and needs attention.
  2. Trump's new executive order aims to make it easier to give psychiatric care to homeless individuals who are severely mentally ill. This could lead to more resources for helping these vulnerable people.
  3. If the plan works, it might change how we approach mental health treatment for the homeless, but it needs support from the courts and local governments to be successful.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss 2415 implied HN points 24 Feb 25
  1. New rules in Ottawa limit how long you can warm up your car in winter, aiming to cut emissions. Many people think this is silly given the extreme cold.
  2. Bureaucratic efforts to fight climate change, like the car warming rule, often get a lot of attention but may not really help the environment.
  3. There's a growing debate over whether such regulations are practical or just inconvenience people without making a real difference.
Injecting Freedom 66 implied HN points 30 Jan 26
  1. The government has ended funding for research that uses aborted fetal tissue.
  2. A central claim is that every dose of MMR and chickenpox vaccine contains billions of pieces of human DNA and cellular material from cell lines derived from an aborted fetus.
  3. The piece highlights an exchange describing how fetal tissue was physically processed to develop those cell lines, using graphic language about cutting tissue into pieces.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss 3389 implied HN points 02 Dec 24
  1. Jay Bhattacharya was a respected Stanford professor until the pandemic changed everything. He proposed focusing on protecting vulnerable people instead of broad lockdowns.
  2. With support from other scientists, he created the Great Barrington Declaration, advocating for 'focused protection' during Covid-19. This approach aimed to keep society more open while safeguarding those at risk.
  3. Despite facing harsh criticism and attacks on his character for his views, Bhattacharya's ideas are gaining more attention, especially as he may soon lead the NIH.
Independent SAGE continues 699 implied HN points 25 Mar 24
  1. COVID-19 is still an economic issue, and the impact of Long Covid needs to be considered in vaccine decisions. Vaccination helps prevent Long Covid, but we don't fully understand how long this protection lasts.
  2. Many people are unable to access vaccines, especially children. In contrast, other countries widely vaccinate kids, while the UK has limited offers.
  3. Long Covid can significantly affect people's ability to work and has a heavy economic burden. This includes healthcare costs and loss of income, which could impact the economy in the long run.
Your Local Epidemiologist 2760 implied HN points 23 Jan 25
  1. The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO means less influence in global health decisions, leaving a gap that countries like China might fill.
  2. The WHO faces challenges like limited funding and authority, which makes it hard to enforce health policies effectively.
  3. Even though the U.S. has strong public health systems, global health threats affect everyone, so it's important to stay involved with organizations like the WHO.
Your Local Epidemiologist 1591 implied HN points 15 May 25
  1. Drug prices in the U.S. are much higher than in other countries because drug companies set their own prices, and patents keep competition away for many years. This results in Americans paying more for medications.
  2. High drug prices lead people to skip doses or avoid taking medicine altogether, which can result in serious health issues. Many people can't afford their medications, causing preventable health problems.
  3. There are possible solutions to lower drug prices, like the government negotiating prices and reforming patents to allow generics more quickly. However, it requires public pressure and political will to make these changes happen.
Letters from an American 32 implied HN points 15 Feb 26
  1. On February 14, 1884 he lost both his wife and his mother within hours and marked the day with a heavy black X in his diary.
  2. Both deaths were tied to diseases caused by city filth and crowding—like typhoid and infections—showing how poor sanitation and crowded tenements endangered people's lives.
  3. Devastated, he went to a Dakota ranch and remade himself as a rugged cowboy, gaining new political credibility. He then returned to politics, rose to the presidency, and pushed urban sanitation and labor reforms as part of the Progressive agenda.
Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning 234 implied HN points 28 Nov 25
  1. Your time is valuable, so it's better to spend it on meaningful activities instead of wasting it online. Books and knowledge can greatly enrich your life.
  2. James Watson made significant contributions to understanding DNA, and his book 'The Double Helix' gives a unique insight into this scientific journey. It's a great read for anyone interested in genetics.
  3. E. O. Wilson and W. D. Hamilton had different approaches to biology, but both made important discoveries. Their works show the evolution of thought in the field of genetics and how science can help us understand life better.
Force of Infection 83 implied HN points 24 Jan 26
  1. Flu activity is falling nationwide, but school-age children are showing a small rebound that could either be a brief bump or the start of a larger spike, so this needs close watch over the next week or two.
  2. COVID-19 is improving overall with lower ED visits and wastewater signals, but the Midwest remains relatively higher and a similar small rebound among school-age kids is being monitored.
  3. Measles outbreaks are growing rapidly across states and could cause the US to lose its elimination status, underscoring serious gaps in vaccination and public health risk.
Gordian Knot News 292 implied HN points 19 Nov 25
  1. Nuclear accidents like Three Mile Island, Fukushima, and Chernobyl have had surprisingly low impact on public health. Even major releases didn’t lead to noticeable increases in cancer rates.
  2. The Chernobyl disaster, despite being severe, mostly harmed individuals who drank contaminated milk. Proper safety measures could have prevented most of the harm caused.
  3. The real danger lies in making nuclear energy too expensive, which can indirectly lead to more deaths by making people poorer. We need to make nuclear cheaper to avoid unnecessary risks.
Unmasked 31 implied HN points 17 Feb 26
  1. Pfizer's CEO has publicly claimed the company "saved the world" from COVID while the company made billions in profit, a statement many see as an attempt to rewrite the pandemic’s history.
  2. Pandemic-era policies — lockdowns, school closures, mask mandates, vaccine passports, and aggressive economic measures — caused widespread and long-lasting social and economic harm.
  3. By the mid-2020s most places had largely returned to normal, but some political leaders still threatened to reinstate mandates, showing the debate over pandemic responses continues.
Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack 943 implied HN points 10 Feb 24
  1. Strong opposition to amnesty and forgiveness for those involved in the COVID-19 pandemic fraud and abuse of the elderly.
  2. Criticism towards individuals who developed mRNA technology and COVID gene injections, branding them as murderers and money-driven.
  3. Call for accountability through judicial processes for all involved in the alleged COVID-19 crimes, including medical professionals.
Independent SAGE continues 499 implied HN points 22 Apr 24
  1. Covid levels are currently low in the UK, but new variants are expected to emerge soon. We need to stay alert as these variants could cause more infections.
  2. There's growing concern about bird flu as it spreads among animals and may jump to humans. Health experts worry this could lead to the next pandemic.
  3. It's important to prepare for future outbreaks by improving vaccines, treatments, and surveillance systems based on lessons learned from Covid.
Chartbook 157 implied HN points 18 Dec 25
  1. Countries are building secure stockpiles of rare earth minerals, underscoring their strategic importance for technology and defense.
  2. A program or product called "Lightning" is being ended, signaling a shift away from that specific technology or platform.
  3. Pandemic security is a major policy concern, and Jakarta is experiencing notable economic and urban growth that matters for planning and development.
Your Local Epidemiologist 2404 implied HN points 10 Feb 25
  1. Flu cases are rising sharply this year, with many people experiencing 'influenza-like illnesses' since 2002. Fewer vaccinations among kids and a mismatch between the vaccine and circulating flu strains are contributing to this problem.
  2. A new Ebola vaccine trial has started in Uganda quickly after an outbreak occurred. This is an important step to help control the spread of the virus and protect public health.
  3. New nutrition guidelines suggest that kids aged 5 to 18 should mainly drink plain water and milk, while sugar-sweetened beverages should be limited. This can help improve their overall health and prevent issues like weight gain and dental problems.
OpenTheBooks Substack 177 implied HN points 13 Dec 25
  1. Federal grants totaling about $27 million since FY2021 have funded programs for Minnesota’s Somali community, covering culturally relevant services, education, health research, and food/gardening initiatives.
  2. The University of Minnesota got the largest share (around $14.3 million) for projects like after‑school arts, diversity training, and Autism Spectrum Disorder research that reports higher autism rates among Somali children.
  3. Separate federal investigations have uncovered large welfare and autism‑related Medicaid fraud involving some Somali community members, which raises program‑integrity concerns even though researchers say their surveillance data can’t determine the fraud’s effect on prevalence estimates.
Your Local Epidemiologist 2389 implied HN points 04 Feb 25
  1. Public health data is crucial for keeping people safe and informed. When this data is lost or manipulated, it poses a serious risk to health and safety.
  2. Changes in government orders are causing confusion and delays in data reporting, affecting how health agencies communicate important health information.
  3. Local health departments and universities are still working to share necessary health updates while federal agencies face challenges. Staying informed through local sources is key during this instability.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss 2921 implied HN points 11 Dec 24
  1. Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was from a wealthy background and seemed normal to those who knew him. His social media showed no extreme political views but did include a controversial book.
  2. Mangione went through a tumultuous time after back surgery, which might have contributed to his change in behavior. His arrest and the context surrounding it have led to public speculation about his motives.
  3. Despite his serious charges, some people online celebrated Mangione, seeing him as a kind of anti-hero against the healthcare system, illustrating the complex reactions to his actions.
Freddie deBoer 3310 implied HN points 07 Nov 24
  1. There is no perfect solution for drug policy because people will always seek out drugs, and some might suffer serious consequences from their choices. It's important to accept that addiction and tragedy can happen, regardless of the laws in place.
  2. Efforts to decriminalize drugs often come with challenges, but reverting to strict prohibition has historically failed and leads to more harm than good. Enforcing harsh penalties on the drug trade can result in a cycle of injustice and social problems.
  3. The idea that every issue has a simple solution can be misleading. Sometimes, trying to fix a complex problem like drug use with quick fixes can create more issues rather than resolving the existing ones.
Your Local Epidemiologist 959 implied HN points 18 Jul 25
  1. The post gives a behind-the-scenes look at how YLE keeps track of health signals and reads scientific studies. It's a sneak peek into the work that goes into health communication.
  2. Many members of the YLE community play important roles in spreading health information, like clinicians and school nurses. They help share and adapt YLE content to reach more people.
  3. The YLE team wants to experiment with new ways to support their community and make health communication easier for everyone involved.
Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack 884 implied HN points 11 Feb 24
  1. There is an effort to nullify voices of scientists and doctors who oppose mRNA technology and vaccines, attempting to make them change their stance.
  2. Insiders are suggesting a move to persuade high-ranking anti-mRNA voices to soften their language and reports to prepare the public for acceptance of mRNA technology.
  3. Be cautious of potential infiltration by individuals admired and followed in the areas of mRNA technology and vaccines, as there may be attempts to misdirect and sway public opinion.
Your Local Epidemiologist 1232 implied HN points 09 Jun 25
  1. A new class of antibiotics has been approved for treating urinary tract infections, which is great news in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
  2. Measles cases are rising in several states, especially among unvaccinated children, highlighting the importance of vaccination during summer travel.
  3. Wildfire smoke from Canada is affecting air quality in many areas, so it's smart to check local air quality levels and take safety precautions when needed.