Susan Monarez, Trump’s nominee for CDC director, faces an unprecedented and tumultuous era at the agency

Trump’s nominee for the top CDC role would join the agency at a time of great turmoil and uncertainty for medical research.

Jordan Miller, Teaching Professor of Public Health, Arizona State University • conversation
April 3, 2025 ~11 min

Bird flu could be on the cusp of transmitting between humans − but there are ways to slow down viral evolution

At the viral chatter stage of an outbreak, pathogens are just starting to infect people in sporadic bursts. It’s a sign that a pandemic may be on the horizon.

Ron Barrett, Professor of Anthropology, Macalester College • conversation
March 31, 2025 ~9 min


Measles can ravage the immune system and brain, causing long-term damage – a virologist explains

Complications from measles infection are surprisingly common.

Peter Kasson, Professor of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
March 31, 2025 ~6 min

Massive cuts to Health and Human Services’ workforce signal a dramatic shift in US health policy

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vision for US health policy prioritizes deregulation and leaves Americans with fewer benefits, services and protections.

Simon F. Haeder, Associate Professor of Public Health, Texas A&M University • conversation
March 31, 2025 ~12 min

Ecological disruptions are a risk to national security

Overfishing, disease and environmental crimes cause social and political instability, economic strife and strained international relations.

Rod Schoonover, Adjunct Professor, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University • conversation
March 27, 2025 ~9 min

Medetomidine is replacing xylazine in Philly street fentanyl − creating new hurdles for health care providers and drug users

An emergency physician and nurse scientist explain what medetomidine is and how to respond if someone is overdosing on it.

Karen Alexander, Adjunct Clinical Faculty, College of Nursing, Thomas Jefferson University • conversation
March 26, 2025 ~8 min

5 years on, true counts of COVID-19 deaths remain elusive − and research is hobbled by lack of data

Death data in the US is fragmented, incomplete and inconsistent. The consequences of undercounted deaths and lack of real-time tracking continue to be felt with each new public health crisis.

Dylan Thomas Doyle, Ph.D. Candidate in Information Science, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
March 20, 2025 ~10 min

Measles cases are on the rise − here’s how to make sure you’re protected

A medical epidemiologist explains who should consider getting a booster and whether you might need to check your antibody levels.

Daniel Pastula, Professor of Neurology, Medicine (Infectious Diseases), and Epidemiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
March 19, 2025 ~10 min


America’s clean air rules boost health and the economy − here’s what EPA’s new deregulation plans ignore

Clean air has become one of America’s best investments, returning $10 for every $1 spent on regulations, by one estimate.

Richard E. Peltier, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, UMass Amherst • conversation
March 12, 2025 ~9 min

Clean air rules boost US health and the economy − charts show what EPA’s new deregulation plans ignore

Clean air has become one of America’s best investments, returning $10 for every $1 spent on regulations, by one estimate.

Richard E. Peltier, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, UMass Amherst • conversation
March 12, 2025 ~9 min

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