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Reposted by Matt Motta

Journal of Health Politics, Policy, and Law @jhppl.bsky.social · 6h

US public health is in crisis. In this special JHPPL issue edited by @oberlanderunc.bsky.social & @sarahgollust.bsky.social, you’ll find articles that help contextualize the erosion of public health infrastructure & adoption of policies harmful to public health. read.dukeupress.edu/jhppl/advanc...

Advance Publication | Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law | Duke University Press

read.dukeupress.edu

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Reposted by Matt Motta

Journal of Health Politics, Policy, and Law @jhppl.bsky.social · 6h

@mattmotta.bsky.social assesses Trump Administration efforts to undermine health agencies’ regulatory authority & how this stems from disdain for those working in civil service roles, rooted in dislike of academic, medical & scientific experts.
read.dukeupress.edu/jhppl/articl...

“We Want to Put Them in Trauma”: Understanding the Trump Administration's Attack on Government Health Agency Regulatory Authority | Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law | Duke University Press

read.dukeupress.edu

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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · 10h

The Trump administration's attacks on civil service are profoundly personal.

Today at @jhppl.bsky.social, I outline the "science of standing up for science;" how we can use social science research to restore health agencies' regulatory authority.

read.dukeupress.edu/jhppl/articl...

“We Want to Put Them in Trauma”: Understanding the Trump Administration's Attack on Government Health Agency Regulatory Authority | Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law | Duke University Press

read.dukeupress.edu

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Reposted by Matt Motta

Dan Vergano @danvergano.bsky.social · 6d

Stand Up for Science: Statement on Compact Corrupting Higher Education

"(W)hen the White House takes over what is defined as 'truth' regardless of scientific evidence, we are no longer in a free nation" - @standupforscience.bsky.social

Stand Up For Science Statement on Compact Corrupting Higher Education

Washington, D.C. — Today, the administration has unveiled their proposed "compact" for higher education. This document is antithetical to the free academic inquiry that forms the foundation of American excellence in higher education. Further, while the compact is framed as a way to promote fairness in higher education, this compact runs counter to the scientific method by prioritizing federal grant funding to go to universities who have signed, rather than proposals that have been selected by experts.

We call on university leaders to unite and reject this overreach of executive power by the White House. The compact lies in the context of an ongoing and multi-pronged attack on the integrity of the American scientific ecosystem, but this also tangibly represents the President seizing control of public spaces and higher education. Each university represents a beacon of free thought, vibrant educational empowerment, and public enrichment, and we must demand President Trump stay out of dictating universities.

"Trump's compact is yet another form of attack on the American institutions that provide evidence that counter's the core belief of MAGA — racism, misogyny, and regression of the human race to name a few. If universities agree to these terms, academic freedom in America will be over," says Colette Delawalla Founder and Director of Stand Up For Science. She continues "when the White House takes over what is defined as 'truth' regardless of scientific evidence, we are no longer in a free nation. Universities must understanding the seriousness of this moment and respond accordingly."

Stand Up For Science will reliably sound the alarm when science and scientists are under attack, and our platform empowers scientists to speak out and organize against corruption of American science. The proposing of this document represents an extreme authoritarian escalation for American higher education. It is …

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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · 9d

Policymakers are spreading misinformation about mRNA vaccine safety. That could have dangerous health policy consequences.

I'll provide new data about the rise of "mRNA vaccine stigmatization" at @shorensteinctr.bsky.social -- 11/20 from 12-1pm.

Registration link below!

tinyurl.com/53k96aaz

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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · 16d

100% !!

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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · 16d

The president's recommendations could put children in harm's way.

Even if clinical guidance does not change, pregnant people risk hurting themselves and their children when they run fevers and do not treat them.

This is a completely avoidable & self-inflicted public health crisis in the making.

PolitiFact @politifact.bsky.social · 16d

At a Monday press conference, President Donald Trump issued a warning: “Don’t take Tylenol if you’re pregnant.”

Doctors say it’s safe to use acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol, to reduce fever and pain during pregnancy. 🧵https://buff.ly/YY9G6hW

5 things to know about autism and Tylenol during pregnancy

During pregnancy, acetaminophen — the main ingredient in Tylenol — is generally considered a safe painkiller and fever reducer. Research hasn’t shown that it causes autism.

buff.ly

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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · 20d

Agh I know... it's such a scary time!

Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · 20d

Today's ACIP meeting may use VAERS data to make false claims about vaccine injury.

To help sort out what's true from what's false, @stecula.bsky.social and I updated an explainer we wrote several years ago for @us.theconversation.com.

theconversation.com/vaccine-deat...

Vaccine death and side effects database relies on unverified reports – and Trump officials and right-wing media are applying it out of context

Anti-vaccine activists are using the side effect reporting system to spread fear and misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines. But the database could also be used as a gauge for public concerns.

theconversation.com

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Reposted by Matt Motta

Julia Raifman, ScD @juliaraifman.bsky.social · 23d

Did you know? Universal Infant Hepatitis B vaccination is a public health policy success story.

The US initially tried a risk-based approach to Hepatitis B vaccination in the 1980s.

But vaccination rates remained low.

New cases continued to increase.

www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview....

Trends in reported cases of acute Hepatitis B peaked in 1986 and then declined after ACIP recommended universal infant immunization

Source: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00333549231175548

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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · Sep 5

RFK Jr is bad at telling the truth, but he's somehow even worse at lying.

Dan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · Sep 4

Still thinking about this mind-boggling exchange regarding the former CDC director today

RFK JR: I told her that she had to resign because I asked her, “are you a trustworthy person?” and she said “no.”

WARREN: What?

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Reposted by Matt Motta

Verasight @verasight.bsky.social · Sep 4

Congratulations to @hadleyssmith.bsky.social‬ and ‪@mattmotta.bsky.social‬ on their new publication in @jamapediatrics.com‬, exploring the future of newborn screening policy. We’re proud to be able to support their work.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2837716

jamanetwork.com

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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · Sep 3

Thanks for sharing! A few folks had reached out about the study over the past day or so. I'm glad it can be useful! These are some scary times...

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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · Sep 3

that's so kind of you! 🙏🙏🙏

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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · Aug 29

As I discussed with @nbcboston.com -- Dr. Monarez's firing was a move based in politics, not science.

For a Senate confirmed position, there is no reason why HHS (not the White House) should announce this move. I fully support @sanders.senate.gov call for a bipartisan Senate investigation.

NBC10 Boston @nbcboston.com · Aug 28

An escalating conflict over an influential vaccine committee was one of the final straws that led to the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez and the exodus of other top officials. on.nbcboston.com/1pY7htK

CDC crisis triggered by upcoming vaccine meeting, leading to director’s firing and resignations

An escalating conflict over an influential vaccine committee was one of the final straws that led to the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez and the exodus of other top officials.

on.nbcboston.com

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Reposted by Matt Motta

Rosa DeLauro @delauro.house.gov · Aug 28

RFK Jr. has no scientific or medical expertise. We know his agenda – he wants to take away lifesaving vaccines from kids & families. Thank God there are principled CDC experts who refuse to rubber-stamp RFK Jr’s plans that would hurt millions of children.

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Reposted by Matt Motta

Phie Jacobs @phiejacobs.bsky.social · Aug 27

If you're a CDC employee and have heard anything about the removal of Susan Monarez as director, please reach out! You can contact me at [email protected] or on Signal at phiejacobs.48

@altcdc.altgov.info

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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · Aug 25

RFK Jr's CDC is shutting science out of the policymaking process. Ultimately, his actions could deny people access to safe and effective vaccines.

That's why I'm glad that Massachusetts is following the science, and taking matters into their own hands.

NBC10 Boston @nbcboston.com · Aug 23

"It's really important that Massachusetts take immunization policy into its own hands, in part because we simply can't trust the recommendations coming from the federal government anymore," said Boston University School of Public History Professor Matt Motta. on.nbcboston.com/7sDVI83

Northeastern states consider regional approach to vaccine guidance after CDC changes

Shifting national vaccine policy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has Massachusetts and other states exploring a regional approach.

on.nbcboston.com

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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · Aug 22

Come see Michael Osterholm, Wendy Parmet, Rekha Lakshmanan, Jason Schwartz, and Nahid Bhadelia talk about the public health consequences of anti-vaccine politics, policy, and public opinion at @busph.bsky.social !

Tim Callaghan @thcallaghan.bsky.social · Aug 22

I'm excited to say that The Politics and Health Lab @busph.bsky.social which I co-direct with @mattmotta.bsky.social, will be hosing a Public Health Conversation this Fall about vaccine hesitancy!

You can register to attend the zoom webinar below!

publichealthconversation.org/conversation...

Vaccine Hesitancy: Past, Present, and Future. - Public Health Conversations

publichealthconversation.org

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Reposted by Matt Motta

Tim Callaghan @thcallaghan.bsky.social · Aug 22

I'm excited to say that The Politics and Health Lab @busph.bsky.social which I co-direct with @mattmotta.bsky.social, will be hosing a Public Health Conversation this Fall about vaccine hesitancy!

You can register to attend the zoom webinar below!

publichealthconversation.org/conversation...

Vaccine Hesitancy: Past, Present, and Future. - Public Health Conversations

publichealthconversation.org

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Reposted by Matt Motta

Jonathan Bernstein @jonathanbernstein.bsky.social · Aug 22

Take this very seriously. Trump *really doesn't know* things that ordinary folks who follow the news know, and he has no basis for refuting outright lies that do come his way (via GOP-aligned news outlets, friends, advocates) that reinforce his impulses.

Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · Aug 22

Authoritarian regimes frequently struggle to govern effectively because accurate information doesn't reach the leadership. Trump is basically designing a system to create this problem.

David S. Bernstein @dbernstein.bsky.social · Aug 22

We don’t *know* that this administration is getting rid of any intelligence officer who provides information contrary to Trump’s decreed view; but we don’t not know that either.

www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · Aug 21

That's so kind of you! I hope it's useful!! 🙏

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Matt Motta @mattmotta.bsky.social · Aug 19

The Trump admin's decision to eliminate an important federal newborn screening committee (ACHDNC) is inefficient, inequitable, and at odds with what most Americans want.

Our new Viewpoint (led by @hadleyssmith.bsky.social) in JAMA Pediatrics explains why, and where we can go from here.

Hadley Stevens Smith @hadleyssmith.bsky.social · Aug 18

U.S. newborn screening is entering a new era, marked by the promise of genomic technologies and absence of a key national guidance committee.

@mattmotta.bsky.social and I discuss recent events in the newborn screening policy space in a new JAMA Pediatrics Viewpoint. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

Facing the Next Generation of US Newborn Screening

This Viewpoint discusses the critical role of the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children and the importance of continued national guidance to the future of US newborn scree...

jamanetwork.com

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Reposted by Matt Motta

Knight Foundation @knightfoundation.org · Aug 19

Today, Knight Foundation is committing $10M to the Public Media Bridge Fund — part of a nearly $37M effort to support public media. We’re calling on others to join us in ensuring public media remains a pillar of civic life.

Read more in @nytimes.com:

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/b...

The Race to Rescue PBS and NPR Stations

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Matt Motta

Hadley Stevens Smith @hadleyssmith.bsky.social · Aug 18

U.S. newborn screening is entering a new era, marked by the promise of genomic technologies and absence of a key national guidance committee.

@mattmotta.bsky.social and I discuss recent events in the newborn screening policy space in a new JAMA Pediatrics Viewpoint. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

Facing the Next Generation of US Newborn Screening

This Viewpoint discusses the critical role of the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children and the importance of continued national guidance to the future of US newborn scree...

jamanetwork.com

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