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Tag: policy

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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 […]

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Policy

Are We Breaking or Reinforcing Colonial Legacies?

Warning: This blog contains the words “racism” and “equity.” Please check with your federal supervisor to make sure you are protected again such dangerous ideas! For decades, global health (GH) programs in the United States have sent medical trainees abroad, equipping them with clinical skills and cultural humility training. But there’s a glaring issue: much […]

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Policy

Public Health Policy Evaluation with Machine Learning

How do we know if public health policies are truly effective? Whether it’s a campaign to reduce smoking, an initiative to improve maternal health, or a program to curb the spread of infectious diseases, measuring the success of these policies is crucial. Traditionally, policymakers have relied on well-established statistical methods to assess impact, but these […]

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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

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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Policy

Abortion Bans Lead to a Rise in Infant Mortality

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned the landscape of reproductive health in the United States has shifted dramatically. Abortion bans, once hypothetical are a the reality in many states. While these laws are often framed as protective measures, emerging research suggests they carry unintended and life-threatening consequences—particularly for the most vulnerable among us: infants. A […]

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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 […]

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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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Policy

Federal Funding Freeze Threatens Public Health Programs: What It Means for Public, Private, and Non-Profit Sectors

Update: 1/30/24. The White House rescinded its directive to freeze federal grants and loans after legal challenges and widespread confusion. Still, the underlying effort to eliminate funding for “woke” ideologies remains in place. States and nonprofits, many of which temporarily lost access to critical funds, warned of the potential for deeper, more lasting cuts. The […]

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Policy

Next Week in Public Health, January 24, 2025

We’ve been monitoring all of the federal policy orders that have been coming out since Trump’s inauguration. Next week, RFK, Jr. faces his first confirmation hearing to be secretary of HHS. To catch up, here’s an article from our colleague, Mandy Morgan, on what this potentially means for public health professionals. Here’s what we have […]

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