In a memo obtained by NPR, acting health secretary Dorothy Fink forbade staff from public communications on most matters until Feb. 1, unless they get express approval from ‘a presidential appointee.’
public health
Posted inNPR
How would RFK Jr. handle bird flu? His record on vaccines has experts on edge
Trump’s pick for health secretary has a record of attacking vaccines. In fact he’s even taken direct aim at bird flu shots. Some scientists fear this doesn’t bode well in case of a crisis.
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On Apache lands, progress in a long war against ticks and the disease they spread
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, the deadliest tick-borne disease in the U.S., is a big problem on tribal lands in the Southwest. A community-led response on Apache lands in Arizona is helping save lives.
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Amid the fires, LA is warning some residents the tap water isn’t safe. Here’s why
Wildfires have a history of causing problems with the drinking water systems. In some affected areas around LA, officials are warning residents not to drink from the tap or even to shower.
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Fluoride analysis triggers renewed debate over what levels are safe for kids
A new study suggests a link between high levels of fluoride and lowered IQ. It’s heating up arguments over fluoridating drinking water, which dentists say is critical for protecting teeth.
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Dr. Rachel Levine focused on her job at HHS. Still, anti-trans politics followed her
Dr. Rachel Levine is the highest ranking, out transgender person ever to serve in the federal government. Her tenure at HHS ran concurrent with an explosion in state legislation targeting transgender people.
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Norovirus outbreaks are on the rise around the country and on cruise ships
Outbreaks of the gastrointestinal illness are surging both at sea and on land. Here’s what to know.
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For seniors with hoarding disorder, a support group helps with stigma and isolation
Concern is growing about the prevalence of hoarding disorder among seniors, and the lack of access to effective treatments. Some have found coping strategies — and community — in a support group.
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For homeless seniors, finding stable housing takes a village — and a lot of luck
The number of unhoused seniors is expected to triple by 2030. As rents rise, it becomes tougher to find affordable housing that’s accessible for those with medical conditions and disabilities.
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The FDA restricts a psychoactive mushroom used in some edibles
The Food and Drug Administration has told food manufacturers the psychoactive mushroom Amanita muscaria isn’t authorized for food, including edibles, because it doesn’t meet safety standards.
