Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
@krysmjo.bsky.social
She/Her | America’s Poison Centers Epidemiologist| Momma | FL->PA->VA | Equity for all |#MaskUp #EpiSky #PublicHealth
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
A quiet career lesson: not every mentor meets the moment.
Often the disappointment isn’t bad intent, but absence — less curiosity, follow-through, or advocacy than you hoped for.
I’ve learned to treat those moments as clarifying. They sharpen what I value in leadership and I try to offer others
Often the disappointment isn’t bad intent, but absence — less curiosity, follow-through, or advocacy than you hoped for.
I’ve learned to treat those moments as clarifying. They sharpen what I value in leadership and I try to offer others
December 12, 2025 at 9:10 PM
A quiet career lesson: not every mentor meets the moment.
Often the disappointment isn’t bad intent, but absence — less curiosity, follow-through, or advocacy than you hoped for.
I’ve learned to treat those moments as clarifying. They sharpen what I value in leadership and I try to offer others
Often the disappointment isn’t bad intent, but absence — less curiosity, follow-through, or advocacy than you hoped for.
I’ve learned to treat those moments as clarifying. They sharpen what I value in leadership and I try to offer others
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
Just catching up on this after being in class all day. It would be great to have a functioning federal emergency management agency with competent leadership in times like this…
You would think that 100k people under evacuation orders from flooding would feature more prominently in national news? www.kuow.org/stories/go-n...
Live updates: 100,000 evacuated in historic Skagit Valley flood in Washington state
"Catastrophic" conditions continue to threaten Western Washington as an atmospheric river sweeps through the Pacific Northwest. 100,000 people have been placed under evacuation orders from their homes...
www.kuow.org
December 11, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Just catching up on this after being in class all day. It would be great to have a functioning federal emergency management agency with competent leadership in times like this…
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
You would think that 100k people under evacuation orders from flooding would feature more prominently in national news? www.kuow.org/stories/go-n...
Live updates: 100,000 evacuated in historic Skagit Valley flood in Washington state
"Catastrophic" conditions continue to threaten Western Washington as an atmospheric river sweeps through the Pacific Northwest. 100,000 people have been placed under evacuation orders from their homes...
www.kuow.org
December 11, 2025 at 10:52 PM
You would think that 100k people under evacuation orders from flooding would feature more prominently in national news? www.kuow.org/stories/go-n...
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
I’m not debating anything with antivaxxers. Predecessors in my field eradicated smallpox in the Americas. Eradicated wild polio during my mother’s childhood. Eliminated measles when I was in elementary school.
COVID denial killed my 31 y/o science-denying brother.
Goodluck and God speed.
COVID denial killed my 31 y/o science-denying brother.
Goodluck and God speed.
December 11, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I’m not debating anything with antivaxxers. Predecessors in my field eradicated smallpox in the Americas. Eradicated wild polio during my mother’s childhood. Eliminated measles when I was in elementary school.
COVID denial killed my 31 y/o science-denying brother.
Goodluck and God speed.
COVID denial killed my 31 y/o science-denying brother.
Goodluck and God speed.
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
KFF Health Tracking Poll: Health Care Costs in the Current Moment of Economic Anxiety www.kff.org/public-opini...
KFF Health Tracking Poll: Health Care Costs in the Current Moment of Economic Anxiety | KFF
As economic anxiety rises, KFF's Health Tracking Poll finds that younger adult, LGBT adults, Hispanic adults, and adults with modest incomes are among groups most likely to report difficulty earning a...
www.kff.org
December 11, 2025 at 9:52 PM
KFF Health Tracking Poll: Health Care Costs in the Current Moment of Economic Anxiety www.kff.org/public-opini...
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
“We haven’t built enough housing in the Country for a long time.”
- Fed Chair Powell
- Fed Chair Powell
December 11, 2025 at 2:35 AM
“We haven’t built enough housing in the Country for a long time.”
- Fed Chair Powell
- Fed Chair Powell
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
I hear
there’s a lot of flu
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of Covid
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of measles
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of RSV
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of “something”
out there.
So here
there’s a lot to be said
for not going out.
there’s a lot of flu
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of Covid
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of measles
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of RSV
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of “something”
out there.
So here
there’s a lot to be said
for not going out.
December 11, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I hear
there’s a lot of flu
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of Covid
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of measles
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of RSV
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of “something”
out there.
So here
there’s a lot to be said
for not going out.
there’s a lot of flu
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of Covid
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of measles
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of RSV
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of “something”
out there.
So here
there’s a lot to be said
for not going out.
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
I know
most people do not care
about viral threats
to humans or animals,
but in Greece a virus has killed
nearly 500,000
sheep and goats
imperiling the supply
of feta cheese,
so even if people do not care
about humans or animals
perhaps they’ll care
about viral threats to cheese.
most people do not care
about viral threats
to humans or animals,
but in Greece a virus has killed
nearly 500,000
sheep and goats
imperiling the supply
of feta cheese,
so even if people do not care
about humans or animals
perhaps they’ll care
about viral threats to cheese.
December 10, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I know
most people do not care
about viral threats
to humans or animals,
but in Greece a virus has killed
nearly 500,000
sheep and goats
imperiling the supply
of feta cheese,
so even if people do not care
about humans or animals
perhaps they’ll care
about viral threats to cheese.
most people do not care
about viral threats
to humans or animals,
but in Greece a virus has killed
nearly 500,000
sheep and goats
imperiling the supply
of feta cheese,
so even if people do not care
about humans or animals
perhaps they’ll care
about viral threats to cheese.
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
In Ireland we probably averted about 500 newborn RSV hospitalizations once nirsevimab was introduced last year (~75% risk reduction). Uptake was > 80%, and that's what's threatened by these cynical safety concerns from the antivaxxers in the US government.
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
December 10, 2025 at 3:06 AM
In Ireland we probably averted about 500 newborn RSV hospitalizations once nirsevimab was introduced last year (~75% risk reduction). Uptake was > 80%, and that's what's threatened by these cynical safety concerns from the antivaxxers in the US government.
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
Neither breastmilk nor formula can protect babies from hepatitis B.
But vaccines can.
But vaccines can.
RFK Jr: "All of the ingenuity of corporate America has not produced an infant formula that is superior in nutrition and all the qualities that we want to the infant formula that God made, which is the infant formula in a mother's breast."
December 8, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Neither breastmilk nor formula can protect babies from hepatitis B.
But vaccines can.
But vaccines can.
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
Having worked in prevention my entire career—cancer, then vaccines, and then COVID19, I can say that while many people understand that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, for others, if it doesn’t happen immediately they aren’t able to follow cause and effect.
December 8, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Having worked in prevention my entire career—cancer, then vaccines, and then COVID19, I can say that while many people understand that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, for others, if it doesn’t happen immediately they aren’t able to follow cause and effect.
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
Vaccination coverage doesn’t collapse overnight.
Yes, we are definitely already seeing outbreaks, and yes we are already seeing substantial declines in vaccine coverage.
But the true horror awaits a few years from now, barring another pandemic of a novel pathogen.
Yes, we are definitely already seeing outbreaks, and yes we are already seeing substantial declines in vaccine coverage.
But the true horror awaits a few years from now, barring another pandemic of a novel pathogen.
December 8, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Vaccination coverage doesn’t collapse overnight.
Yes, we are definitely already seeing outbreaks, and yes we are already seeing substantial declines in vaccine coverage.
But the true horror awaits a few years from now, barring another pandemic of a novel pathogen.
Yes, we are definitely already seeing outbreaks, and yes we are already seeing substantial declines in vaccine coverage.
But the true horror awaits a few years from now, barring another pandemic of a novel pathogen.
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
One of the most disturbing things about the U.S. government getting themselves into the anti-vaccine game is that it is a time-release poison pill.
It will take a few years before the worst of the harm is visible to enough people that they will truly understand what has been done to them.
It will take a few years before the worst of the harm is visible to enough people that they will truly understand what has been done to them.
December 8, 2025 at 9:43 PM
One of the most disturbing things about the U.S. government getting themselves into the anti-vaccine game is that it is a time-release poison pill.
It will take a few years before the worst of the harm is visible to enough people that they will truly understand what has been done to them.
It will take a few years before the worst of the harm is visible to enough people that they will truly understand what has been done to them.
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
Every day is a good day to ask.
December 8, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Every day is a good day to ask.
Incredible thread. I wanted to breastfeed so badly but my body just couldn't produce enough. Still, I pumped for EIGHT MONTHS to give my kids whatever I could. With kid #1, the 2022 shortage meant supplementing with whatever formula I could find to Keep. My. Kid. Fed.
👋 Breastfeeding & infant feeding expert here! All babies need safe, accessible nutrition. Most people already want to breastfeed and 84% start out doing so but can’t realize their goals. What we need are *policies* that make it possible to breastfeed for all who desire to do so and…
RFK Jr: "All of the ingenuity of corporate America has not produced an infant formula that is superior in nutrition and all the qualities that we want to the infant formula that God made, which is the infant formula in a mother's breast."
December 8, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Incredible thread. I wanted to breastfeed so badly but my body just couldn't produce enough. Still, I pumped for EIGHT MONTHS to give my kids whatever I could. With kid #1, the 2022 shortage meant supplementing with whatever formula I could find to Keep. My. Kid. Fed.
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
And we just had a botulism outbreak, where there were a series of safety violations reported by @by-cjewett.bsky.social & Julie Creswell www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/h...
Infant Formula Company Tied to Botulism Outbreak Had Known Problems
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:45 PM
And we just had a botulism outbreak, where there were a series of safety violations reported by @by-cjewett.bsky.social & Julie Creswell www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/h...
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
@propublica.org earlier this year raised concerns about the very same plant that was at the heart of the 2022 formula crisis www.propublica.org/article/baby...
Unsanitary Practices Persist at Baby Formula Factory Whose Shutdown Led to Mass Shortages, Workers Say
“Persistent leaks” and “unaddressed contamination issues” are among the problems workers say they witnessed at one of the nation’s largest baby formula plants. “I can’t have this on my conscience,” on...
www.propublica.org
December 8, 2025 at 9:43 PM
@propublica.org earlier this year raised concerns about the very same plant that was at the heart of the 2022 formula crisis www.propublica.org/article/baby...
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
In fact, a key concern is basic safety issues & how to hold companies accountable for their marketing & lobbying practices. There are a lot of conflicts of interest in formula regulation @by-cjewett.bsky.social showed: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/h...
December 8, 2025 at 9:42 PM
In fact, a key concern is basic safety issues & how to hold companies accountable for their marketing & lobbying practices. There are a lot of conflicts of interest in formula regulation @by-cjewett.bsky.social showed: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/h...
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
To date, the administration has had a complex relationship with infant feeding, with heavy involvement from the infant formula industry. There is no danger of formula going away. We would benefit from evidence-based, non-stigmatizing discussions about infant feeding where all families are valued.
December 8, 2025 at 9:37 PM
To date, the administration has had a complex relationship with infant feeding, with heavy involvement from the infant formula industry. There is no danger of formula going away. We would benefit from evidence-based, non-stigmatizing discussions about infant feeding where all families are valued.
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
this begins with addressing the health system, workplace policies, and regulations so that everyone can receive evidence-based information without commercial influence. We wrote about what needs to happen in our recent NASEM report on breastfeeding: www.nationalacademies.org/news/to-impr...
To Improve Breastfeeding Rates in U.S., Report Recommends Creating National Strategy, Enacting Paid Federal Family and Medical Leave
www.nationalacademies.org
December 8, 2025 at 9:32 PM
this begins with addressing the health system, workplace policies, and regulations so that everyone can receive evidence-based information without commercial influence. We wrote about what needs to happen in our recent NASEM report on breastfeeding: www.nationalacademies.org/news/to-impr...
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
👋 Breastfeeding & infant feeding expert here! All babies need safe, accessible nutrition. Most people already want to breastfeed and 84% start out doing so but can’t realize their goals. What we need are *policies* that make it possible to breastfeed for all who desire to do so and…
RFK Jr: "All of the ingenuity of corporate America has not produced an infant formula that is superior in nutrition and all the qualities that we want to the infant formula that God made, which is the infant formula in a mother's breast."
December 8, 2025 at 9:27 PM
👋 Breastfeeding & infant feeding expert here! All babies need safe, accessible nutrition. Most people already want to breastfeed and 84% start out doing so but can’t realize their goals. What we need are *policies* that make it possible to breastfeed for all who desire to do so and…
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
Of babies infected w/Hepatitis B, 90% develop chronic infection.
Of those, 1 in 4 will DIE.
They lose the ability to get rid of toxins & make important proteins. Their skin yellows, their abdomen swells, they’re uncomfortable. A fate no one deserves.
One we can avoid w/ vaccination.
.
Of those, 1 in 4 will DIE.
They lose the ability to get rid of toxins & make important proteins. Their skin yellows, their abdomen swells, they’re uncomfortable. A fate no one deserves.
One we can avoid w/ vaccination.
.
December 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Of babies infected w/Hepatitis B, 90% develop chronic infection.
Of those, 1 in 4 will DIE.
They lose the ability to get rid of toxins & make important proteins. Their skin yellows, their abdomen swells, they’re uncomfortable. A fate no one deserves.
One we can avoid w/ vaccination.
.
Of those, 1 in 4 will DIE.
They lose the ability to get rid of toxins & make important proteins. Their skin yellows, their abdomen swells, they’re uncomfortable. A fate no one deserves.
One we can avoid w/ vaccination.
.
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
My teen, who had dreamt of being an astrophysicist, just told me he wants to go to law school because, “Science isn’t going to be a priority in the US in the future…I don’t want a job where I’ll be constantly worried my funding will be taken away.”
Gutting. How many future scientists have we lost?
Gutting. How many future scientists have we lost?
December 7, 2025 at 1:23 AM
My teen, who had dreamt of being an astrophysicist, just told me he wants to go to law school because, “Science isn’t going to be a priority in the US in the future…I don’t want a job where I’ll be constantly worried my funding will be taken away.”
Gutting. How many future scientists have we lost?
Gutting. How many future scientists have we lost?
Reposted by Krys Johnson-O'Leary, MPH, PhD
Bad framing: ACIP voted to scrap the universal hepatitis B vaccine recommendation for newborns.
Accurate framing: Anti-vax conspiracy theorists appointed to ACIP by Robert Kennedy Jr., who made a fortune as an anti-vax profiteer, voted to expose babies to a preventable, incurable, deadly illness.
Accurate framing: Anti-vax conspiracy theorists appointed to ACIP by Robert Kennedy Jr., who made a fortune as an anti-vax profiteer, voted to expose babies to a preventable, incurable, deadly illness.
December 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Bad framing: ACIP voted to scrap the universal hepatitis B vaccine recommendation for newborns.
Accurate framing: Anti-vax conspiracy theorists appointed to ACIP by Robert Kennedy Jr., who made a fortune as an anti-vax profiteer, voted to expose babies to a preventable, incurable, deadly illness.
Accurate framing: Anti-vax conspiracy theorists appointed to ACIP by Robert Kennedy Jr., who made a fortune as an anti-vax profiteer, voted to expose babies to a preventable, incurable, deadly illness.