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mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
@mmfill.bsky.social
2.5K followers 60 following 28 posts
Physician (IM/Peds). Epidemiologist. Mom. Wife. EIS ('15) and ELBI ('17) alum. Public health, biosecurity & medicine. Posts rep only me. Reposts ≠ endorsement.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH @mmfill.bsky.social · 27d
I’m so sorry to see this news from Los Angeles 💔

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive, almost uniformly fatal, neurological disorder caused by reactivation of the measles virus or an inappropriate immune response to the measles infection.

abc7.com/post/child-d...
Child dies from rare measles-related complication, LA County health officials say
Health officials reported the death of a Los Angeles County child from a complication of measles infection acquired during infancy.
abc7.com
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mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH @mmfill.bsky.social · 28d
"The vast majority of [state health department] communicable-diseases budgets are paid for with C.D.C. dollars". In fact, ~80% of CDC's budget goes directly out the door to state, tribal, local and territorial health departments. @newyorker.com

www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Inside the Chaos at the C.D.C.
A former senior official and two current employees describe the turmoil at the agency under R.F.K., Jr.,’s stewardship.
www.newyorker.com
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Reposted by Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
usatoday.com
USA TODAY @usatoday.com · Jun 9
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ousted all 17 members of a panel that advises the CDC on the safety, efficacy and clinical needs of vaccines.
RFK Jr. fires entire CDC vaccine advisory panel
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ousted all 17 members of a panel that advises the CDC on the safety, efficacy and clinical needs of vaccines.
bit.ly
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mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH @mmfill.bsky.social · Jun 9
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has."
(Margaret Mead)

As we kick off the CSTE 2025 Annual Conference, I am immensely grateful to serve among these incredible STLT public health leaders.
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mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH @mmfill.bsky.social · Apr 20
Immensely grateful to Dr. McDonald (@milbankfund.bsky.social) and many others lending their voices to this critically important conversation.
milbankfund.bsky.social
Milbank Memorial Fund & The Milbank Quarterly @milbankfund.bsky.social · Apr 18
In a new blog, Milbank Memorial Fund’s Morgan McDonald highlights the challenges and dangers of the abrupt termination of $11 billion in federal funds that occurred on March 24 and the mass layoffs at US Department of Health and Human Services that followed. www.milbank.org/2025/04/pray...
Reposted by Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
milbankfund.bsky.social
Milbank Memorial Fund & The Milbank Quarterly @milbankfund.bsky.social · Apr 18
In a new blog, Milbank Memorial Fund’s Morgan McDonald highlights the challenges and dangers of the abrupt termination of $11 billion in federal funds that occurred on March 24 and the mass layoffs at US Department of Health and Human Services that followed. www.milbank.org/2025/04/pray...
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Reposted by Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · Apr 10
The CDC's cruise ship inspectors have been laid off, as well as agency's head epidemiologist for investigating cruise ship outbreaks

That baffled health officials since this program is paid for by cruise ship fees, not taxpayer dollars

www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-cru...
CDC's cruise ship inspectors laid off amid bad year for outbreaks
The steep cuts to the cruise ship inspection team baffled officials in the program, which is not paid for by taxpayer dollars.
www.cbsnews.com
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mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH @mmfill.bsky.social · Apr 10
And a few of the *many* impacts at the state and local levels:
- Minnesota: www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressre...
- Chicago: www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...
- Texas: www.texastribune.org/2025/03/26/t...
- New Mexico: www.cnn.com/2025/04/07/h...
mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH @mmfill.bsky.social · Apr 10
More information on initial 'rescission' / clawback: www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
CDC is pulling back $11B in Covid funding sent to health departments across the U.S.
“Now that the pandemic is over, the grants and cooperative agreements are no longer necessary," federal health authorities wrote to funding recipients this week.
www.nbcnews.com
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mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH @mmfill.bsky.social · Apr 10
These comments from Secretary Kennedy are quite disappointing. The abrupt clawback of $11B in federal funds allocated to state & local HDs has had dramatic negative impacts on public health capacity nationwide. A more cohesive approach between DOGE & HHS would be beneficial.

www.com/news/rfk-jr-...
RFK Jr. says he's "not familiar" with all health program cuts in exclusive interview
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed health program cuts and the measles vaccine in his first network TV interview since joining the Trump administration.
www.cbsnews.com
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Reposted by Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
aregenberg.bsky.social
Alan Regenberg @aregenberg.bsky.social · Apr 2
50 canceled vaccination clinics, and other local impact from HHS cuts: ‘Mass layoffs is not how you make America healthier,’ city and county health officials say www.statnews.com/2025/04/01/h... via @statnews.com
50 canceled vaccination clinics, and other local impact from HHS cuts
"Mass layoffs is not how you make America healthier," city and county health officials say in reaction to large-scale dismissals of federal health workers.
www.statnews.com
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Reposted by Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
wired.com
WIRED @wired.com · Apr 1
NEW: Thousands of CDC employees who worked on things like preventing HIV and lead poisoning have been told they were subject to a reduction in force. Experts say people will die.
The CDC Has Been Gutted
Thousands of CDC employees who worked on things like preventing HIV and lead poisoning have been told they were subject to a reduction in force. Experts say people will die.
www.wired.com
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Reposted by Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
ddiamond.bsky.social
Dan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · Apr 1
Hearing from all corners of HHS this morning about a total bloodletting — firings of scientists, analysts and many more as delayed RIFs take effect.

Many folks didn’t see early AM email and showed up, only to be turned away when badges didn’t work. Was sent this photo of long lines at one HHS site.
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Reposted by Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
helenbranswell.bsky.social
Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · Apr 1
Employees of #HHS and its agencies who are being fired — RIF'd — started to receive termination notices today starting at 5 am. Big swaths of the #CDC appear to have been cut. Developing story.
www.statnews.com/2025/04/01/h...
HHS starts layoffs of thousands of workers across its agencies
Layoff notices began arriving early Tuesday for thousands of employees of HHS and its subsidiary agencies, with as many 10,000 workers potentially expected to be hit by the cuts.
www.statnews.com
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Reposted by Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
nbcnews.com
NBC News @nbcnews.com · Mar 25
“Now that the pandemic is over, the grants and cooperative agreements are no longer necessary," federal health authorities wrote to funding recipients this week.
CDC is pulling back $11B in Covid funding sent to health departments across the U.S.
“Now that the pandemic is over, the grants and cooperative agreements are no longer necessary," federal health authorities wrote to funding recipients this week.
nbcnews.to
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mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH @mmfill.bsky.social · Feb 25
A few resources / links with additional details:

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
2. www.npr.org/2024/12/13/n...
3. calgaryherald.com/news/fluorid...
4. www.dentistryiq.com/dentistry/re...
Why Calgary reversed its decision on fluoride after 10 years
After a decade without fluoride, Calgary had seen enough. The city’s reversal offers a critical perspective for communities debating the future of water fluoridation.
www.dentistryiq.com
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mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH @mmfill.bsky.social · Feb 25
In 2011, the city of Calgary took fluoride out of their water. Children developed a higher rate of cavities (+ req'd treatments, i.e. general anesthesia) than in other communities.

Calgary is now in the process of putting fluoride *back* into their water supply.

Let's learn from other communities.
nbcnews.com
NBC News @nbcnews.com · Feb 25
Utah is gearing up to make history as the first state to ban fluoride in public water systems if Gov. Spencer Cox signs a bill to prohibit the addition of the tooth decay-fighting mineral.
Utah set to become first state to ban fluoride in public water
A bill awaiting the governor's signature would prohibit the addition of fluoride to public water systems.
www.nbcnews.com
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Reposted by Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
npr.org
NPR @npr.org · Feb 19
As flu rages, the Trump administration has pulled the plug on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flu immunization campaign that targeted high-risk groups, including pregnant women.
Trump administration yanks CDC flu vaccine campaign
As flu rages, the Trump administration has pulled the plug on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flu immunization campaign that targeted high-risk groups, including pregnant women.
www.npr.org
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Reposted by Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
cbsnews.com
CBS News @cbsnews.com · Feb 19
Some lots of raw pet food sold in two states are being recalled after two indoor cats became ill with bird flu earlier this month and were euthanized due to the severity of their illnesses. https://cbsn.ws/41xxzzH
Raw pet food is recalled and warnings issued in two states after cats die of bird flu
Pet owners cautioned after tests confirm Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in two cats living in different households.
cbsn.ws
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Reposted by Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
bnonews.com
BNO News @bnonews.com · Feb 17
BREAKING: At least 8 injured after Delta plane crash landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport - CP24
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mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH @mmfill.bsky.social · Feb 16
While reports are that the EIS program has been spared, many other brilliant, dedicated, experienced public health professionals were terminated yesterday.

Our country is healthiest when we have a strong public health enterprise (from the federal to local levels).

bsky.app/profile/alex...
mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH @mmfill.bsky.social · Feb 15
I had the great privilege of serving in the EIS Class of 2015, responding to dozens of disease outbreaks and novel health threats.

The program is a crowned jewel of U.S. public health and a model for other countries.

Cutting this program does not, in any way, make our country healthier.
kkjetelina.bsky.social
Katelyn Jetelina @kkjetelina.bsky.social · Feb 14
You know Kate Winslet in Contagion? Where she runs into a hot zone, risking her life, so Americans could be safer?

She was an EIS officer. That’s who was just fired at CDC today. EIS officers. And many, many more public servants fighting every day for your health.
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mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH @mmfill.bsky.social · Feb 15
I had the great privilege of serving in the EIS Class of 2015, responding to dozens of disease outbreaks and novel health threats.

The program is a crowned jewel of U.S. public health and a model for other countries.

Cutting this program does not, in any way, make our country healthier.
kkjetelina.bsky.social
Katelyn Jetelina @kkjetelina.bsky.social · Feb 14
You know Kate Winslet in Contagion? Where she runs into a hot zone, risking her life, so Americans could be safer?

She was an EIS officer. That’s who was just fired at CDC today. EIS officers. And many, many more public servants fighting every day for your health.
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mmfill.bsky.social
Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH @mmfill.bsky.social · Feb 14
68 children have died of influenza this season.
And I've heard anecdotes that busy children's hospitals are at capacity with available ECMO circuits to support children critically ill with influenza.
The *vast* majority of these children are unvaccinated.
cidrap.bsky.social
CIDRAP @cidrap.bsky.social · Feb 14
US flu reaches high severity status as deaths outpace COVID

The CDC says it's now classifying the flu season as high severity for all age-groups for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...
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Reposted by Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
statnews.com
STAT @statnews.com · Feb 14
#Breaking - Trump administration to fire thousands at health agencies. Employees across agencies who were hired in the past one to two years are being targeted
Trump administration to fire thousands at health agencies
The Trump administration is set to eliminate thousands of federal health care jobs Friday, targeting employees across agencies who were hired in the past one to two years.
buff.ly
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Reposted by Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, MPH
emilyricotta.bsky.social
Emily Ricotta, PhD @emilyricotta.bsky.social · Feb 12
I am SO THRILLED to finally present our new paper on reforming observational studies in epidemic settings, published in @bmj.com BMJ Global Health.

gh.bmj.com/cgi/content/...

#Episky #Epidemiology #clinicalresearch #observational #IDSky
Observational research in epidemic settings: a roadmap to reform
Observational studies are critical tools in clinical research and public health response, but challenges arise in ensuring the data produced by these studies are scientifically robust and socially val...
gh.bmj.com
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