Most infant formulas in the United States contain a high percentage of added sugars instead of natural lactose, “jeopardizing” infant health and development, says researchers at the University of Kansas in a new analysis of commonly marketed formulas. “Infants may consume upwards of 60 grams of added sugars per day, or the equivalent of two […] Continue reading ->
WASHINGTON, DC – The US Senate on Thursday voted to confirm Robert F Kennedy Jr as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services – with most Republicans setting aside concerns about his long record of vaccine hesitancy as well as skepticism of scientific research on infectious diseases. Republic Senator Mitch McConnell, himself a polio […] Continue reading ->
From the deadly mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the composition of the next seasonal flu vaccine, the collapse of USAID and the US CDC communications blackout are creating new challenges for WHO and its partners to respond in disease emergency hotspots – well beyond the direct loss of financial support. That […] Continue reading ->
WASHINGTON, DC – The abrupt decision by the United States National Institutes of Health to slash funding for overheads to the nation’s research centers and universities has provoked a fresh outcry among leading US researchers, global health experts and even some Republican politicians – with leading one expert saying this latest move could “seriously jeopardize” […] Continue reading ->
The US Centers for Disease Control has not updated its bi-weekly bird flu (H5N1) situation summary since 17 January – even if it finally published a limited edition of its Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report (MMWR) on Thursday, 6 February. In the wake of the CDC information flow shutdown and the US withdrawal from WHO, Dr […] Continue reading ->
Despite Waiver, Many US-Funded HIV Programmes Remain Paralysed; Trump Orders Face Protests, Lawsuits
Many HIV programmes worldwide remain paralysed despite being exempted from the United States’ 90-day freeze on foreign aid and “stop work order”. This is largely because the axe Elon Musk has taken to US agencies has resulted in there being too few staff members left to support their work, including processing payments and ensuring that […] Continue reading ->
WASHINGTON – The 27-member Senate Finance Committee voted to send Robert F Kennedy Jr’s Health and Human Services (HHS) nomination to the full Senate floor. The 14-13 approval came along party lines, despite RFK Jr’s often heated exchanges with Republican and Democratic Senators during two confirmation hearings last week. Kennedy weathered accusations of profiting from […] Continue reading ->
WASHINGTON, DC – Robert F Kennedy (RFK) Jr’s Senate confirmation as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary faced fresh obstacles on Thursday after Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) said he “wasn’t sure “ he could vote for someone “who spent decades criticizing vaccines, and who’s financially vested in […] Continue reading ->
Robert F Kennedy (RFK) Jr, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), faced two days of tense questioning from senators on the finance and health committees. He walked back many of his past statements on vaccines and abortion, and emphasized his commitment to address America’s […] Continue reading ->
Last week’s nomination hearing of Lee Zeldin, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shed little light on how he would chart the future of PFAS and other “forever chemicals” regulation. President Donald Trump began action on his pledges to deregulate environmental protections, promote fossil fuel production, and withdraw from the […] Continue reading ->