Noha Aboelata, MD
@nohaaboelatamd.bsky.social
Family physician, founding CEO Roots Community Health. Health policy/systems change, covid, mental health, homeless, jail/reentry health. Weekly public health briefing.
Oakland, CA
#MedSky
https://youtube.com/@rootscommunityhealth?si=SEOtKuOUwYEL7BHt
Oakland, CA
#MedSky
https://youtube.com/@rootscommunityhealth?si=SEOtKuOUwYEL7BHt
"The ACIP is no longer a scientific committee. It is an ideology machine."
I can't even bring myself to watch their meetings. Instead, I'm cheering for states and medical associations working to mitigate the damage and fill gaps. But the damage being done is immeasurable.
I can't even bring myself to watch their meetings. Instead, I'm cheering for states and medical associations working to mitigate the damage and fill gaps. But the damage being done is immeasurable.
September 20, 2025 at 4:17 PM
"The ACIP is no longer a scientific committee. It is an ideology machine."
I can't even bring myself to watch their meetings. Instead, I'm cheering for states and medical associations working to mitigate the damage and fill gaps. But the damage being done is immeasurable.
I can't even bring myself to watch their meetings. Instead, I'm cheering for states and medical associations working to mitigate the damage and fill gaps. But the damage being done is immeasurable.
Smart move! 1st made-in-Canada mRNA vaccines.
"By supporting the production of vaccines here at home, we are supporting our economy while strengthening Canada’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to future public health emergencies." -Canadian Minister of Health
"By supporting the production of vaccines here at home, we are supporting our economy while strengthening Canada’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to future public health emergencies." -Canadian Minister of Health
September 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Smart move! 1st made-in-Canada mRNA vaccines.
"By supporting the production of vaccines here at home, we are supporting our economy while strengthening Canada’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to future public health emergencies." -Canadian Minister of Health
"By supporting the production of vaccines here at home, we are supporting our economy while strengthening Canada’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to future public health emergencies." -Canadian Minister of Health
HHS initial cuts canceled nearly 700 CDC grants worth about $11 billion. Now, of the 5 states with the most canceled grants, 4 are republican-led: Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Ohio.
September 1, 2025 at 4:26 PM
HHS initial cuts canceled nearly 700 CDC grants worth about $11 billion. Now, of the 5 states with the most canceled grants, 4 are republican-led: Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Ohio.
Alarming! Non-medical exemptions for childhood vaccines are increasing & coverage is decreasing. In Idaho, with 15.4% exemptions, only 78% of kindergartners entered school last year with polio vax - below the immunity threshold! Just one imported case could mean an outbreak.
August 9, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Alarming! Non-medical exemptions for childhood vaccines are increasing & coverage is decreasing. In Idaho, with 15.4% exemptions, only 78% of kindergartners entered school last year with polio vax - below the immunity threshold! Just one imported case could mean an outbreak.
The future of COVID-19? It's in the sewers!🦠
Excellent Minnesota study found SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater predictably surged ~1 week before a rise in symptomatic cases. This bolsters the case for improved wastewater surveillance as a key tool for public health.
academic.oup.com/jid/advance-...
Excellent Minnesota study found SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater predictably surged ~1 week before a rise in symptomatic cases. This bolsters the case for improved wastewater surveillance as a key tool for public health.
academic.oup.com/jid/advance-...
August 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The future of COVID-19? It's in the sewers!🦠
Excellent Minnesota study found SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater predictably surged ~1 week before a rise in symptomatic cases. This bolsters the case for improved wastewater surveillance as a key tool for public health.
academic.oup.com/jid/advance-...
Excellent Minnesota study found SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater predictably surged ~1 week before a rise in symptomatic cases. This bolsters the case for improved wastewater surveillance as a key tool for public health.
academic.oup.com/jid/advance-...
Another day, another stunning display of ignorance by RFK Jr.
Vaccines are, in fact, a financial burden and a logistical challenge. Medical practices *only* take this on for the health of their patients and the community.
RFK Jr is dangerous and must be removed.
Vaccines are, in fact, a financial burden and a logistical challenge. Medical practices *only* take this on for the health of their patients and the community.
RFK Jr is dangerous and must be removed.
August 9, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Another day, another stunning display of ignorance by RFK Jr.
Vaccines are, in fact, a financial burden and a logistical challenge. Medical practices *only* take this on for the health of their patients and the community.
RFK Jr is dangerous and must be removed.
Vaccines are, in fact, a financial burden and a logistical challenge. Medical practices *only* take this on for the health of their patients and the community.
RFK Jr is dangerous and must be removed.
I never got to give my public comment at the Alameda County Board of Supervisors meeting this week about hundreds of millions of dollars for homelessness, so I'm gonna share it with y'all here 🙏🏾
July 25, 2025 at 3:42 AM
I never got to give my public comment at the Alameda County Board of Supervisors meeting this week about hundreds of millions of dollars for homelessness, so I'm gonna share it with y'all here 🙏🏾
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 6 medical societies + 1 patient suing HHS & RFK Jr. for "acting arbitrarily and capriciously" when they unilaterally changed C19 vax recs for children & pregnancy and took other actions designed to "mislead, confuse, and gradually desensitize the public to anti-vaccine and anti-science rhetoric"
![Leading Medical Professional Societies, Patient Sue HHS, Robert F. Kennedy,]Jr. for Unlawful, unilateral Vaccine Changes
AAP, ACP, APHA, IDSA, MPHA, and SMFM Join Together to Stop Assault on Public Health.
BOSTON -July 7, 2025 - Today, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Physicians (ACP), American Public Health Association (APHA), Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), Massachusetts Public Health Alliance (MPHA), Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), and a pregnant physician, filed suit in American Academy of Pediatrics v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to defend vaccine policy, and to put an end to the Secretary's assault on science, public health and evidence-based medicine.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4fy77a7kqotorqrxaalcssnf/bafkreigqsyj5luxdbomjvre6y6mcl2yhwlbt7sorfhzzbmlz5t5vew3g64@jpeg)
July 8, 2025 at 6:05 AM
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 6 medical societies + 1 patient suing HHS & RFK Jr. for "acting arbitrarily and capriciously" when they unilaterally changed C19 vax recs for children & pregnancy and took other actions designed to "mislead, confuse, and gradually desensitize the public to anti-vaccine and anti-science rhetoric"
CDC is urging summer camp operators to check for measles immunity status among campers and staff this summer due to increasing measles cases in the US. This is especially critical in regions with low/dropping vax rates. Helpful checklist for camp operators: www.cdc.gov/measles/down...
June 19, 2025 at 2:23 PM
CDC is urging summer camp operators to check for measles immunity status among campers and staff this summer due to increasing measles cases in the US. This is especially critical in regions with low/dropping vax rates. Helpful checklist for camp operators: www.cdc.gov/measles/down...
Can someone please explain to me why masking is not required in NICUs and PICUs (among other places)? These are very vulnerable patients. And one in 5 children and adolescents with Covid-associated hospitalization are admitted to ICU. We must protect our babies and children!
May 4, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Can someone please explain to me why masking is not required in NICUs and PICUs (among other places)? These are very vulnerable patients. And one in 5 children and adolescents with Covid-associated hospitalization are admitted to ICU. We must protect our babies and children!
This shifts depending how you slice the age groups, but adults die of a lot of other things, and the younger age groups are disproportionately impacted. They also don't necessarily have to have underlying conditions to have high morbidity. 58% of hospitalized kids <2y had none.
May 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
This shifts depending how you slice the age groups, but adults die of a lot of other things, and the younger age groups are disproportionately impacted. They also don't necessarily have to have underlying conditions to have high morbidity. 58% of hospitalized kids <2y had none.
Info from ACIP meeting, slide adapted for clarity.
Yes covid-associated hospitalization rates are highest among the 75+ age group. But the next highest rate of covid hospitalization is among the *under 6-mo old* age group! w/65-74 close behind. Important perspective!
www.cdc.gov/acip/downloa...
Yes covid-associated hospitalization rates are highest among the 75+ age group. But the next highest rate of covid hospitalization is among the *under 6-mo old* age group! w/65-74 close behind. Important perspective!
www.cdc.gov/acip/downloa...
May 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Info from ACIP meeting, slide adapted for clarity.
Yes covid-associated hospitalization rates are highest among the 75+ age group. But the next highest rate of covid hospitalization is among the *under 6-mo old* age group! w/65-74 close behind. Important perspective!
www.cdc.gov/acip/downloa...
Yes covid-associated hospitalization rates are highest among the 75+ age group. But the next highest rate of covid hospitalization is among the *under 6-mo old* age group! w/65-74 close behind. Important perspective!
www.cdc.gov/acip/downloa...
US is at risk of losing measles elimination status, returning to endemic measles. At current childhood vax rates, measles could return to spreading regularly at high levels, and if rates were to decline by 10%, ~11.1 million cases of measles could result over 25 yrs. This is what failure looks like!
April 25, 2025 at 2:10 PM
US is at risk of losing measles elimination status, returning to endemic measles. At current childhood vax rates, measles could return to spreading regularly at high levels, and if rates were to decline by 10%, ~11.1 million cases of measles could result over 25 yrs. This is what failure looks like!
RFKs autism research plan:
April 12, 2025 at 2:12 AM
RFKs autism research plan:
In the last 30yrs the US has seen increases in NICU beds (by 48%) and neonatologists (by 227%) with no apparent effect on lowering newborn mortality rates. It's much more effective (and cheaper) to do prevention. We should be investing in, not gutting, public health.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
March 30, 2025 at 6:05 PM
In the last 30yrs the US has seen increases in NICU beds (by 48%) and neonatologists (by 227%) with no apparent effect on lowering newborn mortality rates. It's much more effective (and cheaper) to do prevention. We should be investing in, not gutting, public health.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
They seem to be telegraphing their intention to do that, and stating the production timeline won't be affected. I also talked about it in this week's briefing.
www.youtube.com/live/zPlFITJ...
www.fda.gov/vaccines-blo...
www.youtube.com/live/zPlFITJ...
www.fda.gov/vaccines-blo...
March 6, 2025 at 3:03 PM
They seem to be telegraphing their intention to do that, and stating the production timeline won't be affected. I also talked about it in this week's briefing.
www.youtube.com/live/zPlFITJ...
www.fda.gov/vaccines-blo...
www.youtube.com/live/zPlFITJ...
www.fda.gov/vaccines-blo...
Good to see that CDC finally updated its measles page and will now update it weekly. That's about the only good news though. Measles outbreak in West Texas continues. Kindergarten vaccination rates are declining. The US is at risk of losing the elimination status we achieved in 2000.
February 23, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Good to see that CDC finally updated its measles page and will now update it weekly. That's about the only good news though. Measles outbreak in West Texas continues. Kindergarten vaccination rates are declining. The US is at risk of losing the elimination status we achieved in 2000.
Vice Mayor Desrie Campbell
February 15, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Vice Mayor Desrie Campbell
The City of Fremont, California votes 6-1 to ban camping on public & private - including residential - land for >3 nights. Also prohibits anyone from “permitting, aiding, abetting or concealing” camping on those lands. A violation is punishable by a fine of up to $1000 or up to 6 mos in jail.
February 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
The City of Fremont, California votes 6-1 to ban camping on public & private - including residential - land for >3 nights. Also prohibits anyone from “permitting, aiding, abetting or concealing” camping on those lands. A violation is punishable by a fine of up to $1000 or up to 6 mos in jail.
Backwards! Hospitals are getting slammed with flu, covid and RSV, so *visitors* are restricted while masks are optional. If we really care about stopping transmission, we should require masks. Where are all the people who were screaming about "heartless" visitor restrictions and "lockdowns?!"
February 14, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Backwards! Hospitals are getting slammed with flu, covid and RSV, so *visitors* are restricted while masks are optional. If we really care about stopping transmission, we should require masks. Where are all the people who were screaming about "heartless" visitor restrictions and "lockdowns?!"
"In the past week, a swath of schools and even entire school districts have announced closures in at least 10 states. These include Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, among others."
Where's all the outrage about "learning loss?" 🤔
Where's all the outrage about "learning loss?" 🤔
February 8, 2025 at 5:34 PM
"In the past week, a swath of schools and even entire school districts have announced closures in at least 10 states. These include Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, among others."
Where's all the outrage about "learning loss?" 🤔
Where's all the outrage about "learning loss?" 🤔
CDCs MMWR is back, sort of. Two "Notes from the Field," brief reports with incomplete info, no recommendations or conclusions. These are about Wildfires. Looking back over the past year, there's never been a week without at least 1 full report, outbreak report, etc. 3 H5N1 papers still unpublished.
February 7, 2025 at 5:28 AM
CDCs MMWR is back, sort of. Two "Notes from the Field," brief reports with incomplete info, no recommendations or conclusions. These are about Wildfires. Looking back over the past year, there's never been a week without at least 1 full report, outbreak report, etc. 3 H5N1 papers still unpublished.
For the first time in decades, no Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from CDC under the new administration's health communications freeze. Normally would've been posted yesterday 1/24. Who is this benefiting? Hoping this is truly temporary. 🙏🏽
January 25, 2025 at 3:29 PM
For the first time in decades, no Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from CDC under the new administration's health communications freeze. Normally would've been posted yesterday 1/24. Who is this benefiting? Hoping this is truly temporary. 🙏🏽
Finally more details about the 13yo girl who was critically ill with H5N1. Still unclear where she contracted this mutated version of the strain that's been found in wild birds. She survived after a long ICU stay, tracheal intubation, ECMO, and antivirals.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
January 7, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Finally more details about the 13yo girl who was critically ill with H5N1. Still unclear where she contracted this mutated version of the strain that's been found in wild birds. She survived after a long ICU stay, tracheal intubation, ECMO, and antivirals.
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
After you get past the headline with RFK and FDA in the same sentence, this is a solid overview *from experts* of needed changes at FDA:
➡️ Stop relying on industry funding
➡️ Curtail employee-industry connections
➡️ Improve device, additive & supplement approval
➡️ Separate food & drug into 2 agencies
➡️ Stop relying on industry funding
➡️ Curtail employee-industry connections
➡️ Improve device, additive & supplement approval
➡️ Separate food & drug into 2 agencies
December 25, 2024 at 5:26 PM
After you get past the headline with RFK and FDA in the same sentence, this is a solid overview *from experts* of needed changes at FDA:
➡️ Stop relying on industry funding
➡️ Curtail employee-industry connections
➡️ Improve device, additive & supplement approval
➡️ Separate food & drug into 2 agencies
➡️ Stop relying on industry funding
➡️ Curtail employee-industry connections
➡️ Improve device, additive & supplement approval
➡️ Separate food & drug into 2 agencies