Next Week in Public Health, July 25, 2025
Do you follow the HHS Facebook page? I do, mainly because I think I should. But, boy, it’s adopted the bizarre self-promotional tactics of the president. I’ve always been loath to jump into the comment sections on public Facebook posts — no good can come of it. Helpfully, I work under an HHS contract, so I’ve got that incentive to censure myself!
Here’s what’s been rising in research prominence over the past week.
And here is what’s been in the news.
Vested interests. Influence muscle. At RFK Jr.’s HHS, it’s not pharma. It’s wellness
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other figures from the “Make America Healthy Again” movement are criticized for their financial ties to the largely unregulated $6.3 trillion global wellness industry while they advocate against Big Pharma’s influence. Critics argue that these financial relationships raise ethical concerns about potential conflicts of interest and improper influence on federal health policy-making, akin to issues they’ve criticized within Big Pharma. The situation highlights the complexity and potential regulatory gaps in navigating the intersection of wellness advocacy and federal health oversight.
SSRIs under fire
A recent FDA panel under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promoted skepticism about the safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy, despite extensive scientific consensus supporting their use. The panel included figures who criticized SSRIs, citing potential, largely discredited risks like autism and miscarriages, and advocated for non-medicinal approaches to mental health, thereby overshadowing expert consensus that untreated depression poses greater risks to mother and child. This approach, emblematic of Kennedy’s broader skepticism of pharmaceuticals, potentially discourages necessary medical treatment by fostering misinformation and public distrust in well-established medical practices.
After Cleveland Clinic expanded to Florida, patients say surprise fees followed
Residents of Florida’s Treasure Coast are pushing back against unexpected “facility fees” levied by hospitals like the Cleveland Clinic for routine outpatient appointments. These charges, intended to cover costs associated with higher standards of care in hospital-owned practices, are often not fully covered by insurance, placing a significant financial burden on patients, especially those with high-deductible plans. The controversy has sparked broader discussions and legislative efforts across the country to ensure transparency and fair billing in healthcare, amid growing concerns about the escalating costs of medical services.
