Latest Insights & Research

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

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 […]

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News

Next week in Public Health, February 28, 2025

As I write this, it’s 7 in the morning, East Coast time. It’s also a Friday and the last day of the month. Some of the Reddit chatter indicates more federal job cuts today, but nothing is in the news yet. If you go to our front page, you will see a link to all […]

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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 […]

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News

Next Week in Public Health, February 21, 2025

We know it is really tough. The work is devalued. People are losing their jobs. And that meets huge competition for the current available NGO jobs. I myself had a few depressing hours last night where I was tempted to throw in the towel and keep my head down. But there are really people out […]

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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 […]

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News

Next Week in Public Health, February 7, 2025

The main thing we have our eye on is federal firings, which may happen early next week. Stay strong out there, friends. We’re active on bluesky now, so follow us there for a more rapid reaction Here’s, at least, the science that is coming down the pike. Act Now – Transform Public Health Today! Don’t […]

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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 […]

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News

Next Week in Public Health, January 17, 2025

We’ve been a bit unplugged this week, spending some well-earned time off in San Diego. Before going to the airport, we stopped at the Sunset Cliffs and walked down to the beach. Can you believe that I had never touched the Pacific before? Mission accomplished. We found all sorts of weird creatures in tide pools, […]

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News

Next Week in Public Health, January 10, 2025

Some super data was released this week. KFF Health News, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins and Shatterproof, has launched a comprehensive database tracking how billions from recent opioid settlements are being used by states and local governments. This resource, based on extensive research and public records from all 50 states, details the funds received in […]

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News

Next Week in Public Health, January 3, 2025

Countdown to inauguration day, I guess. While I’m a big fan of the local determination of health policies, this needs to be balanced against the rights of people. It’s definitely not enough to “wait and see.” We have to do tangible work toward change. Something I have seen floating around Reddit is “do not comply […]

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News

The Resurgence of Measles

Measles, a highly contagious respiratory illness, has made a concerning resurgence globally and in the United States, highlighting vulnerabilities in vaccination coverage and the challenges of maintaining disease elimination. Once declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, measles has since re-emerged due to factors like vaccine hesitancy, declining immunization rates, and increased international travel. A […]

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