Latest Insights & Research

Stay informed with the latest public health research, insights, and evidence-based analysis from our team of experts.

All Posts

All Workforce News Health equity Commentary Research Policy Society Mental health
Commentary

Trump Speech Recap: Public Health in the Crosshairs

Trump’s address to Congress made it abundantly clear that federal public health efforts are being dismantled under the guise of “efficiency” and “common sense.” The newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, is tasked with eliminating waste, but as Trump noted, this includes funding for programs that address structural inequities. He […]

Read more →
Commentary

How an NSF Report Set the Stage for Current Anti-DEI Policies

Something slipped by last October when America’s attention was focused on the election. The NSF Politicized Funding report, chaired by Texas’s Ted Cruz and released by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s minority staff, asserted that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has increasingly allocated funding to research projects influenced by diversity, equity, […]

Read more →
Commentary

We Got Scammed: A Cautionary Tale About Research Recruitment Fraud

Online research recruitment is a powerful tool—until it backfires. We recently learned this the hard way when we and our colleagues over at Dawn Chorus posted a call for participants on Facebook for parents to share their experiences and perceptions of substance use patterns within a specific community. What happened next left us stunned, frustrated, […]

Read more →
News

Goodbye Richardson Waiver: HHS Streamlines Rules—But at What Cost?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a significant policy shift (of course, on a Friday afternoon), rescinding the long-standing “Richardson Waiver” and realigning its rulemaking procedures with the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). This move, outlined in a new policy statement published in the Federal Register, has broad implications for how […]

Read more →
News

Project 2025 is Unraveling Decades of Public Health Progress

The early days of President Donald Trump’s administration have seen rapid implementation of policies rooted in Project 2025, a comprehensive conservative playbook developed by the Heritage Foundation. While Trump has publicly denied knowledge of the 922-page “Mandate for Leadership,” his administration’s actions tell a different story—one with profound implications for public health, biomedical research, and […]

Read more →
News

The Initial Impact of RFK

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has wasted no time in pursuing his agenda, announcing plans to investigate childhood vaccine schedules and anti-depressant medications as potential drivers of chronic diseases. In a speech to HHS staff, Kennedy urged them to keep an “open mind.” Yet, his past statements and actions raise concerns about the potential erosion of […]

Read more →
Policy

RFK and SSRIs: Trouble Ahead.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sparked widespread debate, particularly regarding his views on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Long known for his skepticism toward vaccines and pharmaceutical interventions, Kennedy has now turned his attention to antidepressants, calling for a federal review of their prescription rates […]

Read more →
Policy

The “Make America Healthy Again” Initiative: A Trojan Horse for an Anti-Equity Agenda

The recent executive order establishing the “Make America Healthy Again Commission” presents itself as a bold effort to address America’s chronic health crisis. With alarming statistics about rising disease rates, declining life expectancy, and the economic burden of poor health, the initiative appears to focus on improving national well-being. However, when examined in the broader […]

Read more →
Commentary

Data Integrity in a Divided World: The Smart Case for Inclusivity

The current socio-political climate has made it dangerous to engage in equity work. The federal government’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have created an environment where organizations must rethink how they communicate about equity without compromising core values. While the language of fairness and justice is under siege, the principles behind equity—ensuring […]

Read more →
Policy

RFK’s promises

The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), marking a significant shift in the leadership of the nation’s largest health agency. Amid opposition from both sides of the aisle and deep concerns from the public health community, Kennedy secured his confirmation through key assurances made to […]

Read more →
Commentary

Some Linguistics Suggestions for Continuing the Work

Update: March 25, 2025. We have a big, long-form update to this post that can be found here Public health research plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing disparities in healthcare, access, and outcomes. However, recent federal restrictions targeting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives have placed new barriers on how researchers can […]

Read more →

Get the public-health insights you need—
every Thursday morning.

We scan 70+ journals so you don't have to.
One email. Zero jargon. Unsubscribe anytime.

🔒 No spam. 1-click opt-out. Privacy-first.