René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP
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epiren.bsky.social
René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP
@epiren.bsky.social
470 followers 450 following 720 posts
Father. Husband. Epidemiologist. Instructor at GMU and JHBSPH. Fellow at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Believer in Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow. All opinions, my own.
Learn more: https://linktr.ee/rene.najera
Posts Replies Media Videos
epiren.bsky.social
How Philadelphia was mapped out from its beginning to now is a lesson in American and global history. This video explains it so well: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ocb...
Philadelphia’s City Layout Explained: From Penn’s Vision to Today’s Chaos
How Philadelphia’s city layout developed into what it is today. Chapters; 0:00 Introduction 1:11 Philly's location and royal charter 1:59 The plan and survey 4:39 Plot sales and settlement 6:07 Old…
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:19 PM
epiren.bsky.social
La Cámara de Diputados en México propone prohibir totalmente los vapeadores por sus daños a la salud, con penas de cárcel y fuertes multas. El dictamen busca proteger a jóvenes ante la expansión ilegal de estos dispositivos.
www.debate.com.mx/salud/diputa...
www.debate.com.mx
November 25, 2025 at 3:50 PM
epiren.bsky.social
Un experto de la OMS destaca que la clave para frenar el sarampión en México es la vacunación, resaltando la colaboración con el gobierno para fortalecer la respuesta y elevar la cobertura. oem.com.mx/elsoldemexic...
La respuesta para detener el sarampión en México es la vacuna: OMS - El Sol de México | Noticias, Deportes, Gossip, Columnas
José Moya Medina, representante de la OMS en México, explica cómo han colaborado con el gobierno para capacitar al personal, ofrecer un equipo de respuesta rápida y analizar las coberturas
oem.com.mx
November 25, 2025 at 1:35 PM
epiren.bsky.social
US Border Patrol is tracking millions of American drivers using surveillance tech, raising concerns about privacy and public trust in government agencies. Read the full WIRED report: www.wired.com/story/securi...
US Border Patrol Is Spying on Millions of American Drivers
Plus: The SEC lets SolarWinds off the hook, Microsoft stops a historic DDoS attack, and FBI documents reveal the agency spied on an immigration activist Signal group in New York City.
www.wired.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:17 AM
epiren.bsky.social
Because of the recent misleading statements on autism and vaccines on the CDC website, I've updated History of Vaccines' page on autism and vaccines, one of our most popular ever. It now has authoritative information on the subject, not from CDC.
historyofvaccines.org/getting-vacc...
Why Have Vaccines Been Ruled Out as a Cause of Autism?
Vaccines do not cause autism; scientific studies confirm this.
historyofvaccines.org
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 PM
epiren.bsky.social
A federal judge ruled to protect the medical records of transgender children treated at CHOP, denying most of the DOJ’s subpoena. This decision affirms the importance of patient privacy in sensitive health cases.
www.inquirer.com/health/chop-...
Federal judge hands CHOP victory in its fight to protect medical records of transgender children
U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney sided with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and denied the bulk of the Department of Justice's subpoena seeking patient records.
www.inquirer.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:31 PM
epiren.bsky.social
A recent study shows over 40% of US adults with advanced hepatitis B liver disease didn’t receive treatment, with especially low rates among women and Black or White patients. Addressing these gaps is crucial.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/hepatitis/st...
Study finds low levels of treatment in adults with advanced hepatitis B liver disease
Rasi Bhadramani / iStock
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
epiren.bsky.social
Scientists are concerned that cuts to the CDC's prion unit could leave the US vulnerable as chronic wasting disease spreads among deer, risking possible human cases that may go undetected for years.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/chronic-wast...
While no one was watching: Tenuous status of CDC prion unit, risk of CWD to people worry scientists
Lorie Shaull / Flickr cc
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 24, 2025 at 1:35 PM
epiren.bsky.social
Ecuador confirma dos casos de chikungunya importados desde Cuba y refuerza el monitoreo sanitario en viajeros. Se han activado protocolos para prevenir la transmisión local de este virus.
www.14ymedio.com/internaciona...
Ecuador detecta dos casos de chikungunya de visitantes provenientes de Cuba
El Ministerio de Salud Pública ha activado un protocolo para monitorear a todas las personas que ingresan al país desde la Isla
www.14ymedio.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:17 AM
epiren.bsky.social
Una nueva variante más virulenta de meningitis B fue responsable del brote que causó la muerte de la joven gimnasta María Herranz y hospitalizó a otros jóvenes en Madrid y Guadalajara.
Una nueva variante de meningitis B causó el brote en el que falleció la gimnasta de 17 años María Herranz
Una investigación descubre que el patógeno, más virulento, causó dos fallecidos y dos hospitalizados en Madrid y Guadalajara, todos ellos jóvenes
elpais.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
epiren.bsky.social
Learn how respiratory infections impact long-term care residents and explore vaccine strategies, CDC recommendations, and ways to increase adult vaccination confidence in an upcoming APIC virtual symposium.
portal.apic.org/s/#/store/br...
APIC Community Portal
portal.apic.org
November 21, 2025 at 5:19 PM
epiren.bsky.social
A recent study used more realistic measurements of fluoride consumption and compared fluoride exposure with intake intelligence and acuity outcomes. Its findings continue to add to the evidence that fluoridation at modern levels is safe.
phnightschool.substack.com/p/epidemiolo...
Epidemiology Night School: What If the Tap Water Gave You a Boost in School?
It doesn't, but check out this study…
phnightschool.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:00 AM
epiren.bsky.social
A large trial finds an mRNA flu vaccine prevents more illness than standard shots but causes more mild side effects like arm pain and fatigue. The new technology could improve flu vaccination in future seasons.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-ge...
Experimental mRNA flu vaccine is more effective than conventional flu shot, but causes more side effects
Antonio_Diaz / iStock
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM
epiren.bsky.social
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy joins Ezekiel Emanuel at Penn for a fireside chat on loneliness, chronic stress, and public health. Event is December 3, Huntsman Hall, Philadelphia. Details at cph.upenn.edu/events/fires...
Fireside Chat with Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA - University of Pennsylvania — Penn Center for Public Health
Loneliness and Public Health: A Conversation with Ezekiel Emanuel, MD, PhD Hosted by Penn LDI and […]
cph.upenn.edu
November 19, 2025 at 7:03 PM
epiren.bsky.social
Chronic absenteeism in U.S. schools is rising, putting student health and academic success at risk. Addressing this crisis requires public health solutions that support both kids and communities. magazine.publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/chronic...
Chronic Absenteeism: An Overlooked Vital Sign | Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine
Chronic school absenteeism is a national crisis—for education and for public health.
magazine.publichealth.jhu.edu
November 19, 2025 at 5:19 PM
epiren.bsky.social
Ethiopia has reported its first Marburg virus outbreak in Jinka, with 17 suspected cases and nine confirmed. There is no vaccine for this virus, which is related to Ebola and can be deadly.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/marburg/ethi...
Ethiopia faces its first Marburg outbreak, which has proved deadly
Microbe World / Flickr cc
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
epiren.bsky.social
Most public restroom germs aren’t a serious threat, but norovirus and E. coli can linger on surfaces. The real risk lies in poor hand hygiene, not the toilet seat. Wash your hands well, and your immune system handles the rest. medium.com/p/7d7060dab1a9
Germs in Public Restroom: What You Can Catch and What’s Just Unfounded Fear
And the single best way to protect yourself.
medium.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:01 AM
epiren.bsky.social
The placebo effect isn’t just “mind over matter." It reveals how expectation and belief can cause real health changes. Understanding this helps shape ethical research and more effective public health.
medium.com/the-quantast...
The Placebo Effect: Trickery, Science, and the Magic of Expectation in Health
How expectation, hope, and belief shape real outcomes in medicine and public health.
medium.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM
epiren.bsky.social
"Emergency department (ED) patients who received tailored messages or a simple inquiry about the COVID-19 vaccine were no more likely to take the vaccine than patients who didn't receive interventions, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open."

www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/eme...
Emergency department messaging doesn't increase COVID vaccine uptake, study finds
Vaccine uptake at 30 days was not significantly higher in either intervention group.
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM
epiren.bsky.social
Data disaggregation is key to revealing health disparities and promoting equity, especially for AI/AN communities. Join experts for strategies on more inclusive, accurate data collection and reporting. Register for the webinar: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Counting Everyone, Counting Correctly: Case Studies in Data Disaggregation, Inclusive Data Visualization, And Reducing Misclassification of American Indian and Alaska Native PopulationsWebinar
us02web.zoom.us
November 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM
epiren.bsky.social
New data shows HPV vaccination has led to a sharp drop in cervical cancer and precancer rates worldwide, confirming the vaccine’s remarkable effectiveness and safety. More than a decade of progress is now clear. www.gavi.org/vaccineswork...
The HPV vaccine is erasing cancer – here's the proof
More than a decade after the first HPV vaccination programmes rolled out, data from multiple countries reveals a dramatic fall in cervical cancers and precancers, confirming that HPV vaccines are…
www.gavi.org
November 18, 2025 at 5:19 PM
epiren.bsky.social
Please be careful if you take "natural" and/or unregulated Supplements or Complementary and Alternative Medicine (aka S.C.A.M.).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLOb...
This Gas Station Drug Nearly Ruined My Life
I thought I’d found a natural fix for my ADHD. Instead, it became one of the hardest addictions I’ve ever had to break. Vlog channel https://youtube.com/EvanEdinger Some info for those trying to quit…
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
epiren.bsky.social
Navigating family health debates at Thanksgiving isn't about winning. Instead, it should be about planting seeds of trust and understanding. Respectful conversations, grounded in empathy, can help counter misinformation. Real change starts with connection.
medium.com/@jsteier_292...
A Survival Guide for Thanksgiving Dinner Conversations About Health and Science
Pass the Potatoes, Hold the Panic
medium.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:35 PM
epiren.bsky.social
New research suggests that common viral infections might gradually alter brain proteins in ways linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s, hinting at a “slow-burn” priming effect over a lifetime. medium.com/microbial-in...
Everyday Viruses Could Be Priming Our Brain for Neurodegeneration Over Time
It’s a slow-burn effect.
medium.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:17 AM
epiren.bsky.social
Public health needs more than just bodies and funding. It needs lasting solutions that require expertise, stable policy, and smarter resource use so we’re ready for future crises. medium.com/@epiren/who-are-you-going-to-use-to-rebuild-public-health-after-this-whole-fiasco-6313396bd3b9
Who Are You Going to Use to Rebuild Public Health After This Whole Fiasco?
Will it be quality over quantity, or are we just going to throw bodies and cash at the problem?
medium.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:30 PM