Podcasts about health nih

"It is a scientific fact that these macaques, like all other primates, including humans, are communicating. They communicate in much the same way we do - facial expressions, vocalizations, body postures, those kinds of things." - Jeff Kerr Jeff Kerr is PETA foundations Chief Legal Officer. I asked him to come on the show to talk about one of PETA's current lawsuits against the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Nathional Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). PETA is arguing that the monkeys being tested on in a government run facility are capable of communication (or “are communicating”). And that we have a constitutional right under the First Amendment to receive their communications. This could be a game changer in allowing us to see what's really going on in labs that are funded by taxpayer money, and which have so far been censored from public view. PETA's lawsuit follows years of NIH's attempts to deny Freedom of Information requests banning PETA executives from its campus and illegally censoring animal advocates' speech on NIH's public social media pages. Through the lawsuit, PETA is seeking a live audio-visual feed to see and hear real-time communications from the macaques who have been kept isolated, used in fear experiments, and had posts cemented into their heads. Anthropologists and other scientists have studied macaque and other primate communications for decades and know that the monkeys communicate effectively and intentionally through lip smacking, fear grimaces, body language, and various cries and sounds—all of which constitute speech under the law. Primatologists can analyze that speech on a deeper level to share their stories with the world.

Vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent diseases. Over the past 50 years, essential vaccines saved at least 154 million lives (1). During the same period, vaccination has reduced infant deaths by 40%. Together with governments, vaccine manufacturers, scientists and medical experts, WHO's vaccine safety program is constantly helping monitor the safety of vaccines. This helps ensure that vaccines are safe for you and your family. ​In the United States, a number of safeguards are required by law to help ensure that the vaccines we receive are safe. Because vaccines are given to millions of healthy people—including children—to prevent serious diseases, they're held to very high safety standards. Every authorized or approved vaccine goes through safety testing, including: Testing and evaluation of the vaccine before it's licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended for use by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Monitoring the vaccine's safety after it is recommended for infants, children, or adults ​ Before a vaccine is ever recommended for use, it's tested in labs. This process can take several years. FDA uses the information from these tests to decide whether to test the vaccine with people. During a clinical trial, a vaccine is tested on people who volunteer to get vaccinated. Clinical trials usually start with 20 to 100 volunteers, but eventually include thousands of volunteers. These tests can take several years and answer important questions like: Is the vaccine safe? What dose (amount) works best? How does the immune system react to it? Throughout the process, FDA works closely with the company producing the vaccine to evaluate the vaccine's safety and effectiveness. All safety concerns must be addressed before FDA licenses or authorizes a vaccine. ​Once a vaccine is approved or authorized, it continues to be tested. The company that makes the vaccine tests batches to make sure the vaccine is: Potent (It works like it's supposed to) Pure (Certain ingredients used during production have been removed) Sterile (It doesn't have any outside germs) FDA reviews the results of these tests and inspects the factories where the vaccine is made. This helps make sure the vaccines meet standards for both quality and safety. ​Once a vaccine is recommended for use, FDA, CDC, and other federal agencies continue to monitor its safety. ​The United States has one of the most advanced systems in the world for tracking vaccine safety. Each of the systems below supplies a different type of data for researchers to analyze. Together, they help provide a full picture of vaccine safety. Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS): VAERS is an early warning system managed by CDC and FDA that is designed to find possible vaccine safety issues. Patients, health care professionals, vaccine companies, and others can use VAERS to report side effects that happen after a patient received a vaccine. Some side effects might be related to vaccination while others might be a coincidence (happen by chance). VAERS helps track unusual or unexpected patterns of reporting that could mean there's a possible vaccine safety issue that needs further evaluation. The Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD): VSD is a collaboration between CDC and several health care organizations across the nation. VSD uses databases of medical records to track vaccine safety and do research in large populations. By using medical records instead of self-reports, VSD can quickly study and compare data to find out if reported side effects are linked to a vaccine. Post-licensure Rapid Immunization Safety Monitoring System (PRISM), links to an external website, opens in a new tab: PRISM is part of the Sentinel Initiative, which is FDA's national system for monitoring medical products after they're licensed for use. PRISM focuses on vaccine safety—it uses a database of health insurance claims to identify and evaluate possible safety issues for licensed vaccines. Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Project (CISA): CISA is a collaboration between CDC and a national network of vaccine safety experts from medical research centers. CISA does clinical vaccine safety research and—at the request of providers—evaluates complex cases of possible vaccine side effects in specific patients. Biologics Effectiveness and Safety (BEST) System: A system that uses multiple data sources and rapid queries to detect or evaluate adverse events or study specific safety questions. Additional research and testing: The Department of Defense (DoD), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Indian Health Service (IHS) have systems to monitor vaccine safety and do vaccine safety research. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) also support ongoing research on vaccines and vaccine safety. During emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, additional safety activities are utilized to help evaluate the data in quickly and with special populations. For example, a new smartphone tool called V-safe uses text messaging and surveys to check in with COVID-19 vaccine recipients after vaccination.  (CREDITS)   

Send us a textDr. Samir Khleif, MD is CEO of Georgiamune ( https://www.georgiamune.com/team ), a private, science and discovery clinical stage immunotherapeutic biotechnology company focused on reprogramming immune signaling pathways to redirect the immune system to fight diseases.  Dr. Khleif is a pioneer in the field of immunotherapy. He is a medical oncologist, immunologist, innovator, and entrepreneur, as well as a transformational executive in health care and biomedical research.Prior to becoming CEO of Georgiamune, Dr. Khleif served in different academic and leadership positions. He was a National Cancer Institute (NCI)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientist and Chief of the NCI Cancer Vaccine Section, where he led the development of pioneering immune-oncology and cancer vaccines into clinical trials. As a national and international academic leader, and detailed by the US government, he served as the founding director and CEO of the King Hussein Cancer Center ( https://www.khcc.jo/en ) in Amman, Jordan, where he led the development of the largest cancer center in the MENA region. He also served as the director of the Georgia Cancer Center, the state cancer center, at Augusta University. He is currently a biomedical scholar and holds a professorship at Georgetown University Medical School.Dr. Khleif also served as a Special Assistant to the Commissioner of the FDA, leading the FDA's Critical Path Initiative for Oncology. He is a member of the board of directors of Ayala Pharmaceuticals and Emerald Biopharmaceutics, and served as a member of the scientific advisory board of more than 20 biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.Dr. Khleif is an international KOL in immunology and immunotherapy. He has served on many national committees, including the Scientific Advisory Board of the Biden Cancer Initiative, as chair of the Immunotherapy Committee for NRG, and as a member of the NCI Cooperative Group. He currently serves as an advisor for the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. Dr. Khleif is an editor of three books, the author of hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific research articles, and a prolific inventor with more than 150 patents issued or pending in the field of immunology and immunotherapy.Dr. Khleif received his medical degree at the University of Jordan, Amman Jordan. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Medical College of Ohio and his fellowship in Medical Oncology at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, Maryland.#SamirKhleif #Georgiamune #Immunotherapy #KingHusseinCancerCenter #CriticalPathInitiative #FDA #Tregs #RegulatoryTCells #Cancer #Oncology #CheckpointInhibitors #ImmuneEscapeMechanisms #DualFunctioningAntibody #Autoimmune #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

My guest is Dr. Christopher Gardner, Ph.D., professor of medicine and director of nutrition studies at Stanford. He is known for his pioneering research on the impact of dietary interventions on weight loss and health. We compare ketogenic, vegetarian, vegan and omnivorous diets—and why there is no one-size-fits-all approach. All agree, however, that eliminating or dramatically reducing processed foods is best for health. We discuss the protein needs controversy; plant vs. animal proteins; the importance of fiber and low-sugar fermented foods for gut health and inflammation; and how diet affects gene expression. We also review food allergies—including gluten, wheat, dairy and soy—as well as raw dairy. The episode offers data-supported advice for healthier eating. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Mateina: https://drinkmateina.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Levels: https://levelshealth.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Christopher Gardner 00:02:32 Is there a Best Diet?, Individual Needs, Geography & Diet, Lactose 00:11:02 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Mateina 00:13:49 Raw Milk, Lactose Intolerance 00:20:33 Wheat Allergies, Gluten Intolerance; Celiac Disease 00:25:12 Processed Foods, Food Dyes, Research Outcomes, NOVA Classification, GRAS 00:33:44 Processed Foods, Economic & Time Considerations, US vs European Products 00:39:59 Food Industry Funding, Investigator Influence, Equipoise, Transparency 00:50:10 Sponsors: AG1 & BetterHelp 00:53:11 Industry Funding, National Institute of Health (NIH) 00:56:41 Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet; Diet Comparison, DIETFITS, A TO Z Study 01:10:24 Nutrition Naming, Omnivore, Meat, Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) 01:17:14 Transforming American Diet; Taste, Health & Environment 01:22:26 Sponsor: LMNT 01:23:43 Food Preparation, Chefs, Improve School Food 01:29:54 Scalability, Mega-Farms, Small Farm & Farmer Loss 01:34:25 Protein Requirements, Dietary Protein Recommendations, Standard Deviations 01:45:33 Protein & Storage 01:52:12 Plants & Complete Proteins?, Legumes, Bioavailability 02:01:58 Sponsor: Levels 02:03:17 Beyond Meat, Impossible Meat, Ingredients, Sourcing Meat, Salt 02:09:18 Vegan vs Omnivore Diet, Twin Study, Cardiometabolic Markers, Genes, Microbiome 02:20:24 Health Science Communication, DEXA; “Protein Flip” Diet; Food Patterns, Caloric Intake 02:31:29 Microbiome, Inflammation, Fiber, Tool: Low-Sugar, Fermented Food 02:45:32 Acknowledgements 02:47:55 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has closed its final beagle lab, marking the end of decades of using these dogs in painful experiments

BrainStorm wants to hear from you! Send us a text.in this episode of the "BrainStorm" by UsAgainstAlzheimer's, George Vradenburg, Co-founder and Chairman of UsAgainstAlzheimer's, and Russ Paulsen, the organization's Chief Operating Officer, discuss the impact of the Trump administration's policies on Alzheimer's research with host Meryl Comer. The conversation highlights the systematic dismantling of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other critical agencies, which threatens to undermine Alzheimer's research and public health. Vradenburg and Paulsen express concerns about the lack of transparency in the reorganization and the potential negative effects on drug reviews and approvals due to significant cuts at the FDA. They highlight the importance of protecting key programs that support seniors and the potential global impact of these policy changes. Despite the challenges, both Paulsen and Vradenburg are optimism about scientific advances in diagnosing and treating Alzheimer's, including the development of blood tests and new treatments. Hear the call to action for listeners to advocate for continued support for Alzheimer's research and to contact their members of Congress to ensure that funding remains a priority. This is a must listen episode!  This episode is sponsored by Genentech.Support the show

Dr. Alessi discusses headaches with Dr. Tanya Bilchik, a neurologist and headache specialist at Yale Hospital. They explore the evolving field of headache treatments, focusing on migraines, available therapies, and devices designed to alleviate pain. Dr. Alessi also addresses the rise in influenza related deaths among children, emphasizing the importance of vaccinations. Additionally, he talks about the National Institutes of Health (NIH), its origins, and shares his experience with the rigorous process of securing an NIH grant, highlighting the institute's important commitment to good science and health practices.

Dr. Joseph Ladapo is a Nigerian-American physician and health policy researcher currently serving as the Surgeon General of Florida since 2021. Born in Nigeria, he immigrated to the United States at the age of 5 with his family when his father, a microbiologist, came to continue his studies. Dr. Ladapo completed his undergraduate studies at Wake Forest University, where he was a decathlete and captain of the varsity track and field team. He then went on to earn his MD from Harvard Medical School and a PhD in Health Policy from Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. He completed his clinical training in internal medicine. Throughout his career, Dr. Ladapo has held various academic positions. He served as a faculty member in the Department of Population Health at NYU School of Medicine and as a Staff Fellow at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Prior to his current role, he was an Associate Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Ladapo's research focuses on clinical trial interventions and reducing the population burden of cardiovascular disease. His work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and his studies have been published in leading medical journals. In recent years, Dr. Ladapo has gained prominence for his bold stance on COVID-19 mitigation measures, in which he opposed mask and vaccine mandates, questioned the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, and approved alternative treatments. Currently, Dr. Ladapo serves as a Professor of Medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine in addition to his role as Florida's Surgeon General. He is married and has three young children.

Lester Kiewit speaks to Lwazi Mazibuko, Programs Manager at Parents, Families & Friends of South African Queers, about how the trans community is dealing with the withdrawal of the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show. This programme is your authentic Cape Town wake-up call. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is informative, enlightening and accessible. The team’s ability to spot & share relevant and unusual stories make the programme inclusive and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the popular World View feature at 7:45am daily. Listen out for #LesterInYourLounge which is an outside broadcast – from the home of a listener in a different part of Cape Town - on the first Wednesday of every month. This show introduces you to interesting Capetonians as well as their favourite communities, habits, local personalities and neighbourhood news. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit. Listen live – Good Morning CapeTalk with Lester Kiewit is broadcast weekdays between 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) https://www.primediaplus.com/station/capetalk Find all the catch-up podcasts here https://www.primediaplus.com/capetalk/good-morning-cape-town-with-lester-kiewit/audio-podcasts/good-morning-cape-town-with-lester-kiewit/ Subscribe to the CapeTalk daily and weekly newsletters https://www.primediaplus.com/competitions/newsletter-subscription/ Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalk   CapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalk   CapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkza  CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalk  CapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your gut health impacts everything. You need to understand insights to take good care of it. This week's guest is Dr. Aisha Pandor, Co-Founder & CEO of Pandora Health, a health tech company leveraging AI and gut microbiome intelligence to help women manage chronic health conditions. Hear how the gut-driven, AI-powered platform works, a sneak peek at the user journey, the role of AI in personalizing wellness plans, how they're keeping a patient-centric approach, as well as her advice for fellow aspiring entrepreneurs. Tune in to this episode to improve gut health for women!   Learn more: Dr. Aisha Pandor Pandora Health Pandora Health LinkedIn   Today's Hot Flash and other stats from: National Institutes of Health (NIH)

As I delve into the intricacies of Project 2025, it becomes clear that this initiative is not just another policy blueprint, but a comprehensive and ambitious plan to reshape the very fabric of the U.S. federal government. Conceived by a coalition of conservative scholars, policy experts, and former Trump administration officials, Project 2025 aims to consolidate executive power and implement a slew of radical reforms that could have far-reaching implications for American governance.At its core, Project 2025 is driven by four key pillars designed to create an effective conservative administration. This involves a significant overhaul of the federal civil service system, where merit-based hiring would be replaced by appointments based on loyalty to the administration. This shift is particularly evident in the proposed takeover of key government agencies such as the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Commerce (DOC), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)[5].Imagine a scenario where the DOJ, an institution meant to uphold the law impartially, is transformed into a partisan tool. This is exactly what Project 2025 envisions, with the DOJ being tasked to prosecute "anti-white racism" instead of protecting against discrimination across all groups. This proposal is not just a policy change; it represents a fundamental shift in how justice is perceived and administered in the United States.The project also targets other federal agencies for dismantling or significant restructuring. For instance, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Education (ED) are slated for abolition, reflecting a broader disdain for the current bureaucratic structure. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a cornerstone of medical research, would see its independence curtailed, with specific proposals to defund stem cell research. These changes are not merely administrative; they signify a profound reorientation of national priorities[5].One of the most striking aspects of Project 2025 is its economic agenda. The plan advocates for reducing environmental regulations to favor fossil fuels, a move that would likely exacerbate climate change and undermine decades of environmental protection efforts. Additionally, it proposes a flat income tax for individuals and significant tax cuts for corporations, which critics argue would widen the income gap and burden lower-income Americans. Medicare and Medicaid, critical safety nets for millions, would face cuts, further straining the healthcare system[5].The social and cultural implications of Project 2025 are equally profound. The initiative seeks to criminalize pornography and remove legal protections against anti-LGBT discrimination, rolling back hard-won rights for marginalized communities. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs would be ended, reflecting a broader rejection of progressive social policies. The plan even goes so far as to propose laws supported by the Christian right, including the criminalization of sending and receiving abortion and birth control medications, and eliminating coverage of emergency contraception[5].Immigration policy is another area where Project 2025's vision is starkly different from current practices. The plan recommends the arrest, detention, and mass deportation of illegal immigrants, and even suggests deploying the U.S. Armed Forces for domestic law enforcement. This approach not only raises serious constitutional concerns but also underscores a harsh and punitive stance on immigration[5].The architects of Project 2025 are not mere theorists; many have direct ties to Donald Trump's administration and campaign. Several key contributors worked in Trump's first administration or his 2024 election campaign, and the project's goals align closely with Trump's *Agenda 47* program. Despite Trump's later attempts to distance himself from the plan, his second administration has already begun implementing many of its proposals. Just four days into his second term, nearly two-thirds of Trump's executive actions mirrored or partially mirrored Project 2025's recommendations[5].As I reflect on the scope and ambition of Project 2025, it becomes clear that this is not just a policy initiative but a vision for a fundamentally different America. The project's proponents see it as a necessary corrective to what they perceive as a bloated, inefficient, and overly liberal federal government. However, critics warn that these changes could have devastating consequences for workers, the environment, and marginalized communities.Looking ahead, the implementation of Project 2025 will likely be marked by intense political battles and legal challenges. As the country navigates these changes, it will be crucial to monitor how these policies affect real people and communities. The next few years will be a critical period, as the full impact of Project 2025 becomes clearer and the nation grapples with the implications of such profound governance reforms.In the end, Project 2025 is a testament to the enduring power of ideological vision in shaping public policy. Whether one views it as a necessary revolution or a dangerous overreach, it is undeniable that this initiative has the potential to reshape the very foundations of American governance. As we move forward, it is essential to engage in a nuanced and informed discussion about the future we want to build and the values we wish to uphold.

As I delve into the intricacies of Project 2025, it becomes clear that this initiative is not just another policy blueprint, but a comprehensive and ambitious plan to reshape the very fabric of the U.S. federal government. Conceived by over 400 scholars and policy experts from the conservative movement, Project 2025 is a manifesto that outlines a radical transformation of American governance, aligning closely with the ideological leanings of former President Donald Trump.At its core, Project 2025 aims to consolidate executive power and impose a partisan control over key government agencies. This is evident in the proposal to replace merit-based federal civil service workers with individuals loyal to the administration. Agencies such as the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Commerce (DOC), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are targeted for this overhaul, suggesting a profound shift in how these institutions operate and the priorities they will serve[5].One of the most striking aspects of Project 2025 is its vision for the dismantling or abolition of certain federal agencies. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Education (ED) are among those slated for significant changes or outright elimination. This move is part of a broader strategy to streamline government, but critics argue it could lead to a loss of critical services and oversight. For instance, dismantling DHS could compromise national security and disaster response efforts, while abolishing the Department of Education could undermine federal support for public schools and higher education[5].The project also delves deeply into economic and environmental policies. It advocates for reducing environmental regulations to favor fossil fuels, a move that could have far-reaching consequences for climate change and public health. Additionally, it proposes reducing taxes on corporations and implementing a flat income tax on individuals, which could exacerbate income inequality. The plan further suggests cutting Medicare and Medicaid, critical healthcare programs for millions of Americans, and reversing many of the policies implemented by President Joe Biden[5].Healthcare is another area where Project 2025's proposals are particularly contentious. The plan recommends making the National Institutes of Health (NIH) less independent and defunding its stem cell research. This could stifle medical innovation and hinder the development of new treatments for various diseases. Moreover, the project proposes enacting laws that criminalize the sending and receiving of abortion and birth control medications, and eliminating coverage of emergency contraception, reflecting a strong alignment with the Christian right's agenda[5].Social and civil rights are also under scrutiny in Project 2025. The initiative suggests removing legal protections against anti-LGBT discrimination and ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Instead, it proposes that the DOJ should focus on prosecuting anti-white racism, a move that many see as a misguided and divisive approach to addressing racial issues. Furthermore, the project calls for criminalizing pornography, a policy that raises significant questions about free speech and personal freedoms[5].Immigration policy is another critical area where Project 2025's proposals are stark. The plan recommends the arrest, detention, and mass deportation of illegal immigrants, and even suggests deploying the U.S. Armed Forces for domestic law enforcement. This approach is not only controversial but also raises serious concerns about human rights and the rule of law[5].Despite the ambitious and often controversial nature of these proposals, Project 2025 has already begun to influence policy in significant ways. Following Trump's 2024 election victory, several architects and supporters of the project were nominated to positions in his second administration. An analysis by *Time* found that nearly two-thirds of Trump's executive actions in the early days of his second term "mirror or partially mirror" proposals from Project 2025[5].As I reflect on the scope and ambition of Project 2025, it is clear that this initiative represents a seismic shift in American governance. The project's writers and contributors, many of whom worked in Trump's first administration or his 2024 election campaign, have crafted a blueprint that is both detailed and far-reaching. While the stated goals of Project 2025 are to streamline government and align it with conservative values, expert analyses suggest that the potential impacts could be far more complex and multifaceted.Looking ahead, the implementation of Project 2025's proposals will likely be a contentious and ongoing process. As the administration continues to roll out these policies, it will be crucial to monitor their effects on various sectors of American society. The upcoming milestones will include legislative battles, judicial challenges, and public reactions that will shape the ultimate impact of this initiative.In the end, Project 2025 is not just a policy document; it is a vision for a fundamentally different America. Whether this vision aligns with the values and aspirations of the American people remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the journey ahead will be marked by significant change and profound debate.

In today's episode, "Federal Funding for Fish Conservation and Human Health," the crew discusses federal funding, its importance in the lives of fish and how we benefit as humans. We cover the US Fish & Wildlife Service, the US Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association, the National Institutes of Health, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Most of these agencies cost billions of dollars but they also save us billions in health costs, save countless lives and provide the nearly immeasurable intrinsic value that is resource and conservation services. When you add these all together, they comprise only 5% of the total US federal budget. We chat about the role of each agency, how it helps us and how you can get more information about them. At the end of the day, these agencies have open books because they are accountable to us and we think it's important to take them seriously.This podcast is brought to you by the bony eared assfish. Need we say more?For some more information, if you are interested:Check out the US Fish and Wildlife Service website to learn more about the important work they do to improve and preserve wild spaces and species.Check out the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture website to learn how they work to provide for healthy ecosystems as well as for the needs of Americans.Here's an article we referenced about who benefits from dismantling the Environmental Protection Agency.United for Medical Research shared a report on the profound impact that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding has on the economy.If you want to see how your region is potentially affected by the federal funding cuts to science and research, you can check out SCIMaP.Thanks for listening to Gettin' Fishy With It! You can find our new website at www.gettinfishywithit.com. You can find us on Bluesky at @gettinfishypod.bsky.social and on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @gettingfishypod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you want to drop us an email, you can send your complaints (or questions!) to gettingfishypod@gmail.com.Our theme music is “Best Time” by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FASSOUNDS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Our audio is edited by Amber Park Chiodini. Amber has her own podcast all about movies, called⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ So What Happens Next?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We very much appreciate you taking the time to listen to our fifty-first episode! Please help out the podcast by subscribing on your podcast platform of choice. If you could leave us a review, that would be super helpful!If you would like to support the show, you can sign up as a paid member on our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or you can ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buy us a coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!Thanks and we'll “sea” you again in two weeks!

In this episode, Steven breaks down a tumultuous week in public health and healthcare policy — from a growing trade war with China and its potential impact on medical imports, to the elimination of a vital pain research office at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He also unpacks the mixed messaging from HHS Secretary RFK Jr. on vaccines, including unchecked claims about measles treatments. Tune in for a timely and important public health update. Among the highlights in this episode: 00:57: Steven unpacks the wave of new tariffs, and how they might impact healthcare costs and access 04:14: Steven explains the implications for patients if pharmaceutical products and medical devices face future tariffs 06:45: Steven discusses the shutdown of the NIH’s Office of Pain Policy and Planning, and how it could stall research and support for people living with chronic pain 08:23: Steven addresses RFK Jr.'s shifting statements on vaccines in response to a second measles-related death in Texas 09:12: Steven raises concern over RFK Jr.’s promotion of unproven treatments for measles, including cod liver oil and vitamin A 10:25: Steven explains why these alternative therapies can be harmful and misleading, especially when used instead of scientifically validated treatments 11:42: Steven gives a shout-out to GHLF’s Healthcare Matters podcast episode featuring former FDA Commissioner Peter Pitts, exploring deeper implications of agency cuts. You can listen to the full episode here: https://ghlf.org/healthcarematters/#episode55 12:10: Steven announces the launch of the new Lupus Help Center at www.lupushelpcenter.org — a go-to resource for people living with lupus Contact Our Host Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hosts Tod Ibrahim and David White discuss the recent federal confirmations at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and explore their potential impact on kidney health policy

Hosts Tod Ibrahim and David White discuss the recent federal confirmations at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and explore their potential impact on kidney health policy

Send us a textIt's been a dire year for global health. Almost as soon as he took office as president of the United States, Donald Trump said he would withdraw the country from membership in the World Health Organization (WHO), he fired almost everyone at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and slashed staffing and budgets at U.S. health agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The United States government also says it plans to end funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and has cut some funding for the United Nations World Food Program's efforts to feed millions of people in 14 countries.Before Trump, the United States was the largest donor to global health in the world, contributing about US$12 billion in funding. That's less than 1 percent of the United States federal budget. But the new administration claimed these efforts were wasteful, did not serve the country's interests, and cost too much. It's not clear who can or will fill the gaps.“I think we are going through a very dark time,” says Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan, founder and president of the One Health Trust. But Dr. Laxminarayan, an epidemiologist and economist, does see some hope. He doubts the United States will permanently end its robust support of global health and he sees opportunities for organizations such as WHO to streamline and become more efficient.Listen as he chats with One World, One Health host Maggie Fox about the immediate effects of the startling new United States government policies and how he sees things shaking out in the long term.

On Tuesday, April 8, unions, unionized federal workers, and their supporters around the country mobilized for a national “Kill the Cuts” day of action to protest the Trump administration's cuts to life-saving research, healthcare, and education programs. As organizers stated on the Kill The Cuts website,  "By cutting funds to lifesaving research and medical care, the Trump administration is abandoning families who are suffering and costing taxpayers billions of dollars. These cuts are dangerous to our health, and dangerous to our economy. On Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 workers across the country are standing up and demanding NO cuts to education and life-saving research." In this on-the-ground edition of Working People, we take you to the front lines of the Kill the Cuts rally that took place in Washington DC, and we speak with workers and union representatives whose lives and work have already been affected by these cuts.Speakers include: Margaret Cook, Vice President of the Public, Healthcare, and Education Workers sector of the Communications Workers of America (CWA); Matt Brown, Recording Secretary of NIH Fellows United (United Auto Workers Local 2750); Rakshita Balaji, a post-baccalaureate researcher at the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and Amanda Dykema, shop steward for American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1072 at the University of Maryland, College Park.Additional links/info: Kill the Cuts website NIH Fellows United website Maximillian Alvarez, Working People / The Real News Network, “What's really behind Trump's war on federal unions?” Jocelyn Kaiser, Science, “NIH under orders to cancel $2.6 billion in contracts” Permanent links below… Leave us a voicemail and we might play it on the show! Labor Radio / Podcast Network website, Facebook page, and Twitter page In These Times website, Facebook page, and Twitter page The Real News Network website, YouTube channel, podcast feeds, Facebook page, and Twitter page Featured Music… Jules Taylor, “Working People” Theme Song Studio Production: Maximillian Alvarez Post-Production: Jules Taylor

On Tuesday, April 8, unions, unionized federal workers, and their supporters around the country mobilized for a national “Kill the Cuts” day of action to protest the Trump administration's cuts to life-saving research, healthcare, and education programs. As organizers stated on the Kill The Cuts website,  "By cutting funds to lifesaving research and medical care, the Trump administration is abandoning families who are suffering and costing taxpayers billions of dollars. These cuts are dangerous to our health, and dangerous to our economy. On Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 workers across the country are standing up and demanding NO cuts to education and life-saving research." In this on-the-ground edition of Working People, we take you to the front lines of the Kill the Cuts rally that took place in Washington DC, and we speak with workers and union representatives whose lives and work have already been affected by these cuts.Speakers include: Margaret Cook, Vice President of the Public, Healthcare, and Education Workers sector of the Communications Workers of America (CWA); Matt Brown, Recording Secretary of NIH Fellows United (United Auto Workers Local 2750); Rakshita Balaji, a post-baccalaureate researcher at the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and Amanda Dykema, shop steward for American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1072 at the University of Maryland, College Park.Additional links/info:Kill the Cuts websiteNIH Fellows United websiteMaximillian Alvarez, Working People / The Real News Network, “What's really behind Trump's war on federal unions?”Jocelyn Kaiser, Science, “NIH under orders to cancel $2.6 billion in contracts”Permanent links below…Leave us a voicemail and we might play it on the show!Labor Radio / Podcast Network website, Facebook page, and Twitter pageIn These Times website, Facebook page, and Twitter pageThe Real News Network website, YouTube channel, podcast feeds, Facebook page, and Twitter pageFeatured Music…Jules Taylor, “Working People” Theme SongStudio Production: Maximillian AlvarezPost-Production: Jules TaylorBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support.

When you think of workplace wellness, you may picture gym memberships and yoga mats. But joy, empathy, and inclusion also create a healthy and high-performing workplace culture! We need to reimagine what wellness means!Today, Misha Safran, shares how empathy intersects with inclusion to foster innovation and equity. We also discuss how to reframe the misconceptions about empathy that exist in high-pressure workplaces. With brilliant mindset shifts and practical tips, she shares how leaders can model empathy without feeling performative, and how to navigate conflict using empathy and emotional intelligence. Misha shares the four elements of joy and why you can be more successful when you embrace them so your team can break free from chaos and transform that energy into creativity, problem-solving, and success. To access the episode transcript, please search for the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.comKey Takeaways:Empathy is love, care, and concern - not agreement. It's having conversations, it's listening to know what's going on, and it's having healthy boundaries.Empathy before accusation.Empathy might look different depending on personality - it doesn't have to mean being touchy-feely or crying on the floor with your employees.Especially in conflict, urgency causes chaos - slow down, take a pause, take a breath, and respond, don't react. Slow down to build up. "Ask questions for the person in front of you to grow, not for you to know." — Misha SafranFrom Our Partner:SparkEffect partners with organizations to unlock the full potential of their greatest asset: their people. Through their tailored assessments and expert coaching at every level, SparkEffect helps organizations manage change, sustain growth, and chart a path to a brighter future.Go to sparkeffect.com/edge now and download your complimentary Professional and Organizational Alignment Review today.About Misha Safran, Founder, Center for Empathy and Emotional IntelligenceMisha Safran, an engaging keynote speaker and author, holds a Professional Coaching Certification (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). She is the founder of CEEQ, the Center for Empathy and Emotional Intelligence, LLC, and in 2022 was honored with the CEO Award from the National Institute of Health (NIH) for her impactful work on a DEIA training team.With infectious positivity, intuitive insights, and deep empathy, Misha creates safe spaces for individuals and teams to navigate discomfort while building essential skills. Her unique ability to support organizations in transforming conflict into connection, collaboration, and currency inspires communities to thrive, celebrate achievements, and foster renewed enthusiasm for collective work.Misha's passion lies in empowering people to reset their mindset, unlocking renewed energy, improved problem-solving, heightened creativity, and more thoughtful communication. She has dedicated her career to cultivating inclusive, sustainable relationships and fostering environments where everyone can succeed.Connect with Misha:CEEQ: ceeq.orgLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/misha-safranFacebook: facebook.com/CEEQempathyInstagram: instagram.com/mishasafranWorkplace Wellness Program: Laughter to Joy Wellness Experience for Connection, Collaboration, and Sustainable Success - Schedule a consultation: misha@ceeq.orgBook: A Teacher's Companion: Centering Empathy & Emotional Well-Being for Yourself and Your Students and bonus package for schools! Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books on empathy: Red-Slice.com/booksLearn more about Maria's work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemariaWe would love to get your thoughts on the show! Please click https://bit.ly/edge-feedback to take this 5-minute survey, thanks!

Governor Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia discusses his initiatives to improve health, including the "Four Pillars of Healthy West Virginia" focusing on food cleanliness, work incentives, daily exercise, and healthy food choices. He highlights the "Mountaineer Mile" initiative, encouraging daily walks, and the "SNAP" program's shift to promote nutritious food. Morrisey also emphasizes West Virginia's microgrid movement, aiming to attract data centers and reduce income taxes through new developments. Additionally, he mentions the state's ban on Red Dye Number 3 in food and the Riley Gaines Act, which defines sex-based terms in sports, protecting women's sports.Additionally, Utah State Representative Trevor Lee sheds light on the state's progressive legislative actions, including a groundbreaking bill to ban certain flags from government buildings and the push for gold as a transactional currency.Finally, Dr. Isaiah Hankel, a former NIH-funded researcher and CEO of Overqualified.com. Dr. Hankel shares his insights on the corruption and lack of accountability within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), discussing how research priorities often overshadow human safety. He highlights alarming statistics about the reproducibility of scientific studies and the opaque nature of funding and oversight.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Podcast Extra, we hear the latest on how decisions by the Trump administration are affecting science in the US. Most recently, a purge of National Institutes of Health (NIH) leadership has seen the chiefs of multiple institutes and centres removed from their posts.Plus, after cancelling nearly all NIH projects studying transgender health, the White House has directed the agency to focus on studying “regret” after a person transitions to align their body with their gender identity.News: ‘One of the darkest days': NIH purges agency leadership amid mass layoffsNews: Exclusive: Trump White House directs NIH to study ‘regret' after transgender people transitionNews: Are the Trump team's actions affecting your research? How to contact Nature Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Social Determinants of Health, or SDOH, are a buzzword these days—but often little more. We acknowledge their importance, but actual progress on capture (and subsequent patient support) has been slow. To be fair real barriers including technological limitations and limited financial incentives stand in the way. But my current guest understands better than most the major role SDOH play in patient health. He and his organization have developed a digital tool to facilitate capture and improve the lives of patients in their community. They're making a difference. Dr. Pablo Buitron de la Vega is Assistant Professor of Medicine, Medical Director, Preventive Medicine Residency, and Clinician Lead for the THRIVE Social Determinants of Health Program at Boston Medical Center / Boston University School of Medicine. A native of Ecuador, he's made SDOH his mission. On this show we cover: Dr. de la Vega's long journey from Ecuador to U.S. physician, the obstacles he overcame, and how the experience shaped his mission as a provider Defining SDOH and common examples in his line of work as a Boston physician Basics of capture in ICD-10 and what makes SDOH difficult to collect Boston Medical Center's SDOH capture tool, THRIVE: What it does, tangible benefits, and how your organization can get access Low-tech strategies for SDOH capture you can implement today Dr. de la Vega's National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to develop a triage tool to help address patients' unmet social needs

In this episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal welcomes Dr. Carrie Wolinetz, a leading science and health policy expert. With an extensive background, including roles at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr. Wolinetz shares her insights on the evolving landscape of medical research funding, the role of science policy, and the critical intersection between government, private sector, and research institutions.From the historical foundations of federally funded science to the challenges posed by shifting political landscapes, Dr. Wolinetz offers a compelling perspective on the future of research and public health.What You'll Learn in This Episode

Today's guest is Dan Elton, a Staff Scientist at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dan returns to the program to explore how AI is advancing genetic research, from protein engineering to gene editing and risk prediction. One of the most significant breakthroughs in this space is AlphaFold, DeepMind's AI model that predicts protein structures with unprecedented accuracy. While it does not analyze genetic sequences directly, its ability to model protein folding is transforming drug development and protein engineering. Dan also discusses the potential for AI to improve polygenic risk prediction, where machine learning models are being applied to assess disease risk based on genetic markers. If you've enjoyed or benefited from some of the insights of this episode, consider leaving us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and let us know what you learned, found helpful, or liked most about this show!

Liz is joined by Nada Hanafi to talk all things clinical trials. They start by defining the clinical trial pathways and all the acronyms used. Then, they discuss how training can be used as a mitigation measure for avoiding risk, exploring the benefits and drawbacks for this approach and how the strategy can be modified along the process. Learn more about the process and how the answer is often "it depends."In 2025, we're embarking on a MedDevice Training Journey: From clinical trials to standard of care. Join us all year long as we explore training at each stage of the product life cycle.Related Resources:Nada Hanafi is a thought leader within the Life Sciences and MedTech industry with over 22 years of experience across the public and private sectors. She is a Founder of MedTech Strategy Advisors, LLC where she advises life science companies on regulatory strategy, product development, and clinical research to accomplish regulatory, compliance, and business goals.Nada spent over 12.5 years working for the FDA, serving in increasing roles of responsibility and ultimately as a Senior Science Health Advisor in the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), where she led cross - Center and Agency programs for the advancement of FDA's mission to promote and protect public health, including as Co-Founder of the Health of Women (HoW) program, the Network of Experts program and the Patient Preference Initiative. She served as CDRH Liaison and Subject Matter Expert to FDs's Office of Women's Health (OWH) and the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE). She collaborated with the Center for Tobacco (CTP) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) where she served as Senior Management Advisor to the Director at the Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH), to improve regulatory efficiency and to strengthen data collection. Nada's drive and passion to address health inequities with a focus on women and minorities led her to Co-Found MedTech Color, a non-profit focused on advancing the representation of people of color within MedTech. Nada also serves on the Steering Committee and as Co-Lead on the Regulatory and Science Policy subcommittee for the Innovation Equity Forum (IEF) led by the NIH's ORWH and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.Nada holds an MSc in Biomaterials and a BEng in Biomedical Materials Science & Engineering from Queen Mary College, University of London. She earned her MPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Nada is a Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) and a Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) from the American Society for Quality (ASQ).Subscribe to our newsletter to hear more about the journey from clinical trials to standard of care! Click here to subscribe!Connect with us on LinkedIn:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nada Hanafi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cumby Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rachel Medeiros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Liz Cumby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠About Cumby Consulting:   Cumby Consulting's team of professionals deliver innovative MedTech training services for physicians, sales representatives, teaching faculty, key opinion leaders and clinical development teams. Whether you need a complete training system developed to deliver revenue sooner or a discrete training program for a specific meeting, Cumby Consulting will deliver highly strategic, efficient programs with uncompromising standards of quality.

My guest is Dr. Chris Palmer, M.D., a board-certified psychiatrist and professor at Harvard Medical School. He explains how specific nutrition, exercise, supplement-based, and other factors can improve mitochondrial health and thereby provide relief from adult and childhood ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and symptoms of autism. We discuss mitochondrial biology, whether vaccines can impact inflammation and mitochondrial health, and the potential ramifications. We also review creatine, methylene blue, and urolithin A, as well as the role of B vitamins and iron in treating depression. By the end of this episode, you will understand the powerful link between metabolic health and mental health, and the lifestyle, dietary, and other factors you can leverage to help overcome common mental health challenges and disorders. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. Chris Palmer 00:02:15 Integrating Metabolic, Mental & Physical Health; Childhood Trauma & Risk 00:10:46 Sponsors: Our Place & LMNT 00:13:44 Depression Causes, Molecule Model?, Neuroplasticity?; Metabolism 00:22:20 Mitochondrial Functions, Stress Response, Mental Health 00:31:09 Sponsors: AG1 & Eight Sleep 00:33:59 Mitochondrial Health & 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine 00:39:38 Stimulants, Mitochondria, Dopamine; Alcohol 00:45:47 Nicotine; Substance Use, Metabolic Health & Disease 00:52:23 Children, Energy & Metabolic Function; Diseases of Aging & Mental Disorders 00:59:18 Sponsor: Function 01:01:06 Diet & Metabolism; Ultra-Processed Foods, Additives, GRAS 01:09:30 Rebellious Spirit, Ultra-Processed Foods & Food Industry Funding 01:19:14 Ketogenic Diet, Epilepsy, Schizophrenia, Bipolar 01:22:52 Ketogenic Diet, Fasting & Mitochondria; Gut Microbiome, Brain Metabolism 01:30:06 Low-Fat Diets; Tool: Occasional Fasts; Ketogenic Diet; Intermittent Fasting 01:38:40 Nutrition Research, Food Industry Lobbyists; Ultra-Processed Foods, Addiction 01:46:55 Creatine & Mitochondrial Health 01:52:34 Methylene Blue & Mitochondria; Serotonin Syndrome 02:02:58 Urolithin A, Mitochondria Function; Supplements & Appropriate Use 02:11:14 Vitamin Deficiencies, Iron Deficiency 02:16:06 Vitamin B12 & Folate Deficiency, Autoimmune Disorders 02:24:48 Mental Illness & Root Causes 02:29:02 Vaccines, Inflammation, Mitochondria, Autism 02:39:17 Neurodevelopmental Disorder Onset & Follow-Up 02:45:31 Vaccines, Autism, Future Research; Mother Obesity & Diabetes 02:51:23 Father Obesity & Autism; Poor Metabolic Health, Blood Biomarkers 02:56:44 Assessing Metabolic Health & Biomarkers; National Institutes of Health (NIH) 03:02:59 Future Directions, Bridging Mental & Physical Health 03:09:27 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures

Come Back to Love® Radio: Shamanism and Your Healing Journey with Ray and Nina Crist  SUMMARY:  Here's an episode summary for *Come Back to Love® Radio* featuring Ray and Nina Crist of Jaguar Path: Come Back to Love® Radio – Episode: Awakening the Body, Mind, and Spirit with Ray & Nina Crist In this inspiring episode of Come Back to Love® Radio, host Robyn Vogel welcomes Ray and Nina Crist, founders of the Jaguar Path—a powerful fusion of yoga, shamanic healing, and personal transformation. Together, they explore the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern embodiment practices that support us in returning to love within ourselves and in our relationships. Ray and Nina share their profound journey of creating Jaguar Path, blending the science of yoga with the sacred traditions of the Andes. They offer insights into how energy, movement, and intentional living can help us release old patterns, restore vitality, and live from the heart. You'll hear stories from their personal paths of awakening and how they've cultivated a sacred partnership rooted in presence, purpose, and mutual devotion. This heartfelt conversation touches on healing the body, accessing intuitive wisdom, and the power of community and ceremony in supporting our evolution. A simple yet powerful grounding practice is used to connect body, breath, and spirit—so you can begin to feel the medicine of Jaguar Path for yourself. Tune in for an uplifting and soul-nourishing episode that invites you to walk your own path of transformation, healing, and—most importantly—love. BIOS:  Ray Crist is a world-renowned visionary who offers his teachings from a deep well of knowledge of indigenous wisdom. He has been an apprentice and an initiate of the Q'ero Nations elders since 2006 and ever since has shared the ways of living with thousands of spiritual seekers. Ray has traveled the world and has spent the last three decades immersed in shamanism, various styles of yoga, Chinese medicine, and martial arts.  He has been offering workshops and trainings at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, NY Open Center, Yoga Journal, Blue Spirit, Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort, and other centers around the world. Ray's trainings focus on how to use shamanic tools and yoga as technologies that assist us to reach an optimal state of being to live a balanced, empowered, and extraordinary life. Ray was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2003 and was given 3 months to live. He left his home country of Greece and in 2005 had surgery at the National Institute of Health (NIH) where he gave up his right kidney.  After that, he ventured in search of indigenous healers. To his surprise, the shamans he met told him that they couldn't heal him ... but that they could train him to become a shaman and heal himself. Ray went on to become an apprentice of three shamans from lineages as old as the Inca civilization and the Amazon jungle shamans. Spending time with the shamans and  living with them, he received several initiations up to the top level of the Q'ero lineage. In the 12th year of his apprenticeship, Ray was initiated by his teacher, Don Sebastian Pauccar Flores as a Kuraq Akulleq. This title translates to “seer” or “visionary” and comes with a directive to share the Q'ero teachings with other nations as a planetary representative of the tribe's culture and medicine. This has become the mission of Ray's life, and he founded The Jaguar Path in 2007 as the home base for that work. Ray is honored to share these teachings that he holds so close to his heart. Ray bows to the unfathomable power of this work and the unlimited potential of each member of the ever-growing international Jaguar Path Tribe. Nina Crist has lived, breathed, studied, and taught the martial arts since the early age of 17, learning the essence of each these styles: Karate, Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu, Tai Chi, Chi Gung, Kung Fu, and others. She is a black belt with the title of Master and as a keeper of this ancient wisdom, she is honored to share the beautiful practices with all who are drawn to them. Her teaching is inspired by decades of traditional training and she makes these ancient practices accessible to all. It is Nina's life work to peel back the layers of dogma and fear that surround this ancient wisdom so that people from all walks and all stages of life can benefit. Nina grew up close to nature in Maine and was called from a young age to live a spiritual path in service of uplifting and developing others. She always knew that her life would focus on offering nourishment and support to those around her.  At 17 she began training extensively in the martial arts, drawn to a deeply traditional, non-competitive, nature-based delivery of these ancient teachings in which discussion of the virtues and becoming your best self, was held side by side with the physical forms. Free Gift Link:  https://www.jaguarpath.com/cart/114463-Meeting-an-Ally-Journey-Digital-Download FREE GIFT: Grab your free classes in Shamanism here:  https://tinyurl.com/yep52ndv Learn more about Robyn here: https://www.comebacktolove.com

Mándanos un mensaje¿Alguna vez has sentido que sigues todas las reglas pero tu cuerpo no responde como esperabas? La respuesta podría estar en tus biomarcadores, esas pequeñas señales químicas que revelan la verdad sobre tu salud mucho antes que cualquier síntoma visible.Organizaciones de saludAmerican Diabetes Association (ADA): https://diabetes.org/American Heart Association (AHA): https://www.heart.org/World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/National Institutes of Health (NIH): https://www.nih.gov/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/Endocrine Society: https://www.endocrine.org/American College of Rheumatology: https://www.rheumatology.org/American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases: https://www.aasld.org/Estudios científicos específicosHemoglobina A1C: American Diabetes Association. (2021). Glycemic Targets: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. Diabetes Care, 44(Supplement 1): S73-S84.Ferritina y rendimiento: Sim, M., et al. (2019). Iron considerations for the athlete: a narrative review. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 119(7): 1463-1478.Miocinas: Pedersen, B. K. (2019). Physical activity and muscle-brain crosstalk. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 15(7): 383-392.Perfil lipídico y riesgo cardiovascular: Grundy, S. M., et al. (2019). 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 73(24): e285-e350.Vitamina D: Holick, M. F., et al. (2011). Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 96(7): 1911-1930.Enzimas hepáticas: Kwo, P. Y., et al. (2017). ACG Clinical Guideline: Evaluation of Abnormal Liver Chemistries. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 112(1): 18-35.Ácido úrico y enfermedad cardiovascular: Borghi, C., et al. (2020). Expert consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of patient with hyperuricemia and high cardiovascular risk. Cardiology, 145(1): 1-10.Variabilidad de frecuencia cardíaca: Shaffer, F., & Ginsberg, J. P. (2017). An Overview of Heart Rate Variability Metrics and Norms. Frontiers in Public Health, 5: 258.Support the showInstagram: andieillanesPágina web: andieillanes.com.mx

It's In the News.. a look at the top headlines and stories in the diabetes community. This week's top stories: Learning more about the FDA letter sent to Dexcom, news from ATTD including a bihormonal pump from a Dutch company, time in tight range update, more studies about using insulin and GLP-1 medications, eating chili to prevent gestational diabetes (really!) and more..  Find out more about Moms' Night Out  Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Learn more about Gvoke Glucagon Gvoke HypoPen® (glucagon injection): Glucagon Injection For Very Low Blood Sugar (gvokeglucagon.com) Omnipod - Simplify Life Learn about Dexcom   Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter here Here's where to find us: Facebook (Group) Facebook (Page) Instagram Twitter Check out Stacey's books! Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com  Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com Episode transcription with links: Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I'm Stacey Simms and every other Friday I bring you a short episode with the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now. XX Our top story this week: Dexcom Dive Brief: A warning letter posted Tuesday by the Food and Drug Administration revealed quality control issues with Dexcom's continuous glucose monitors. The FDA raised concerns with a design change to a component used in the resistance layer of Dexcom's sensors. The sensors with the new component were less accurate than those with the original component, according to the warning letter. Dexcom has ceased distribution of G7 sensors with the component, but the company's response did not address affected G6 sensors. J.P. Morgan analyst Robbie Marcus wrote in a research note Tuesday that the letter concerns a chemical compound that the sensor wire is dipped in. Dexcom began producing the compound internally to add redundancy to its supply chain.   Dive Insight: Dexcom Chief Operating Officer Jake Leach said in an interview with MedTech Dive last week that the company does not expect the warning letter to affect future product approvals, including a 15-day version of its G7 CGM, and there's no need yet to recall products. Dexcom has submitted the device to the FDA and anticipates a launch in the second half of the year.   Marcus, after speaking to company leadership and a quality control expert, wrote that many of the issues outlined in the letter could be addressed quickly. He added that the warning letter could explain minor delays in approval to the 15-day sensor, but Dexcom is still within the 90-day window for a 510(k) submission.   “While there's always a risk this could impede future product approvals,” Marcus wrote, “we do not expect this to materially delay the 15 day G7 sensor approval.”   The warning letter followed an FDA inspection last year of Dexcom's facilities in San Diego and Mesa, Arizona. Marcus wrote that after the FDA requested additional information and a separate 510(k), Dexcom stopped in-sourcing the compound and reverted back to the external supplier.   Dexcom's devices were misbranded because the company did not submit a premarket notification to the FDA before making major changes to the sensors, according to the warning letter. The sensors with the changed coating “cause higher risks for users who rely on the sensors to dose insulin or make other diabetes treatment decisions,” the letter said.     The FDA raised other concerns in the warning letter, including procedures to monitor the glucose and acetaminophen concentrations used in testing of the G6 and G7 CGMs. The FDA also cited problems with Dexcom's handling last year of a deficiency in its G6 sensors with dissolved oxygen content values, a key input for measuring blood glucose levels. https://www.medtechdive.com/news/dexcom-warning-letter-cgm-coating-change/743597/ XX Lots of studies and info out of the recent ATTD conference. One highlight that has been sort of under the radar: a Dutch company has been using a Bihormonal fully closed-loop system for the treatment of type 1 diabetes in the real world. This is a company called Inreda (in-RAY-duh). The Inreda AP® is an automatic system (closed loop) and independently regulates the blood glucose level by administering insulin and glucagon. The AP5 is certified in Europe and is being used in multiple studies and projects. The AP®6 is currently under development. https://www.inredadiabetic.nl/en/discover-the-ap/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38443309/ XX Let's talk about time in tight range. If you follow me and diabetes connections on social, you likely saw a video I made about this – it blew up last week. If not.. time in range has been a metric for a short while now.. in 2019 there was a consensus report advising a goal of 70% of time in the 70-180 mg/dL range for most people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), with modifications for certain subgroups. Recently we've been hearing more about 70-140 mg/dL — for longer periods as “time in tight range (TiTR).” At ATTD there was more talk about calling that range TING, or “time in normal glycemia.     There's a great writeup that I'll link up from the great Miriam Tucker on Medscape about a debate that happened at ATTD. On March 22, 2025, two endocrinologists debated this question at the Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) 2025. Anders L. Carlson, MD, medical director of the International Diabetes Center (IDC), Minneapolis, took the positive side, while Jeremy Pettus, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the University of California San Diego, who lives with T1D himself, argued that it's too soon.   https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/should-time-tight-range-be-primary-diabetes-goal-2025a100073q?form=fpf   XX Sequel Med Tech announces its twist pump will be firs paired with Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus. The twist has FDA approval for ages 6 and up and is set to begin its commercial launch by the end of June. The pump—designed by inventor Dean Kamen's Deka Research & Development—also incorporates the FDA-cleared Tidepool Loop software program, to record CGM blood sugar readings, make predictions based on trends and adjust its background insulin levels accordingly. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/sequel-med-tech-connects-twiist-insulin-pump-abbotts-cgm-ahead-market-debut XX Dexcom's longer-lasting CGM sensor looks promising, based on study results presented at the conference. The trial showed that the new 15-day G7 system is slightly more accurate than the current G7. The accuracy of CGM can be measured using MARD (mean absolute relative difference), which shows the average amount a CGM sensor varies from your actual glucose levels (a lower number is better).  The 15-day G7 has a MARD value of 8.0%, about the same as the Abbott Freestyle Libre 3. The Dexcom G7 15 Day is awaiting FDA approval and is not yet available in the U.S.   XX Little bit of news from Modular Medical.. they plan to submit their patch pump to the FDA late summer or fall of this year. The MODD1 product, a 90-day patch pump, features new microfluidics technology to allow for the low-cost pumping of insulin. Its new intuitive design makes the product simple to use and easier to prescribe. It has a reservoir size of 300 units/3mL. Users can monitor the pump activity with their cell phone and do not require an external controller. The pump uses a provided, single-use, disposable battery. Modular Medical picked up FDA clearance for MODD1 in September. The company also raised $8 million to end 2024. Its founder, Paul DiPerna, previously founded leading insulin pump maker Tandem Diabetes Care. DiPerna invented and designed Tandem's t:slim pump. By developing its patented insulin delivery technologies, the company hopes to improve access to glycemic control. Its founder, Paul DiPerna, previously founded leading insulin pump maker Tandem Diabetes Care. DiPerna invented and designed Tandem's t:slim pump. https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/modular-medical-announces-12m-private-placement/ XX More from attd – type 2 news? https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/biggest-diabetes-tech-news-attd-2025/ XX Another study that says people with type 1 who use a GLP-1 medication get better outcomes. In this study, those who use GLP-1 with insulin are 55% less likely to have a hyperglycemia-related ED visit, 26% less likely to have an amputation-related visit, and 29% less likely to have a diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)-related ED visit in the following year compared to those on insulin alone. Although they are not approved for T1D, some patients may receive them off-label or for weight control. Pretty big study for an off label drug: compared 7,010 adult patients with T1D who were prescribed GLP-1s and insulin to 304,422 adult patients with T1D who were on insulin alone.  It is important to note that the rates of new diabetic complications in one year for both groups were around 1%, indicating that these are uncommon outcomes regardless of medication use. https://www.epicresearch.org/articles/some-diabetic-complications-less-likely-among-type-1-diabetics-on-glp-1s   XX Early research here but exposure to antibiotics during a key developmental window in infancy may stunt the growth of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and boost risk of diabetes later in life The study, is published this month in the journal Science, it's a study in mice. These researchers are working off the idea that when while identical twins share DNA that predisposes them to Type 1 diabetes, only one twin usually gets the disease. She explained that human babies are born with a small amount of pancreatic “beta cells,” the only cells in the body that produce insulin.   But some time in a baby's first year, a once-in-a-lifetime surge in beta cell growth occurs.   “If, for whatever reason, we don't undergo this event of expansion and proliferation, that can be a cause of diabetes,” Hill said.   They found that when they gave broad-spectrum antibiotics to mice during a specific window (the human equivalent of about 7 to 12 months of life), the mice developed fewer insulin producing cells, higher blood sugar levels, lower insulin levels and generally worse metabolic function in adulthood.   in other experiments, the scientists gave specific microbes to mice, and found that several they increased their production of beta cells and boosted insulin levels in the blood. When male mice that were genetically predisposed to Type 1 diabetes were colonized with the fungus in infancy, they developed diabetes less than 15% of the time. Males that didn't receive the fungus got diabetes 90% of the time. Even more promising, when researchers gave the fungus to adult mice whose insulin-producing cells had been killed off, those cells regenerated. Hill stresses that she is not “anti-antibiotics.” But she does imagine a day when doctors could give microbe-based drugs or supplements alongside antibiotics to replace the metabolism-supporting bugs they inadvertently kill.   .   “Historically we have interpreted germs as something we want to avoid, but we probably have way more beneficial microbes than pathogens,” she said. “By harnessing their power, we can do a lot to benefit human health.”     https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1078112 XX Future watch for something called BeaGL - created by researchers at the University of California Davis and UC Davis Health who were inspired by their own personal experiences with managing T1D.   BeaGL is designed to work with CGMs and has security-focused machine learning algorithms to make predictive alerts about anticipated glucose changes, which are sent to a device. In this case, a smartwatch. The end goal is for BeaGL to be completely automated to reduce the cognitive load on the patient, particularly for teens. It's still in research phase but six student with T1D have been using it for almost a year.     https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/with-ai-a-new-metabolic-watchdog-takes-diabetes-care-from-burden-to-balance/2025/02 XX Investigators are searching for a way forward after two long-term diabetes programs were terminated following the cancellation of their National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, the result of federal allegations that study coordinator Columbia University had inappropriately handled antisemitism on campus. The programs include the three-decades-old Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and its offshoot, the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS). “We are reeling,” said David Nathan, MD, a previous chair of both the DPP and the DPPOS and an original leader of the landmark Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. Nathan is also founder of the Massachusetts General Hospital Diabetes Center in Boston, one of the 30 DPPOS sites in 21 states. On March 7, the Trump administration cancelled $400 million in awards to Columbia University from various federal agencies. While Columbia University agreed on March 21 to changes in policies and procedures to respond to the Trump administration's charges, in the hopes that the funding would be restored, DPPOS Principal Investigator Jose Luchsinger, MD, told Medscape Medical News that as of press time, the study was still cancelled. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/diabetes-prevention-program-cancellation-colossal-waste-2025a100076h XX XX Type 2 diabetes may quietly alter the brain in ways that mimic early Alzheimer's. This was only an animal study – but researchers say the high comorbidity of type 2 diabetes (T2D) with psychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders points to a need for understanding what links these diseases.   https://scitechdaily.com/how-diabetes-quietly-rewires-the-brains-reward-and-memory-system/ XX Eating chili once a month when you're pregnant seems to lower the risk of developing gestational diabetes. This is a real study! While chili showed a link to lower gestational diabetes risk, dried beans and bean soup had no significant effect, even among women who ate them more frequently. Some studies suggest that diets high in beans and legumes, including the Mediterranean diet, reduce GDM risk. While studies link beans to lower diabetes risk, their specific impact on GDM remains unclear. This study analyzed data from 1,397 U.S. pregnant women who participated in the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, conducted between 2005 and 2007. Chili consumption varied significantly by race, education, household size, income, supplemental nutrition status, and region. Non-Hispanic Black mothers consumed the most (0.33 cups/week), while those with higher income and education levels consumed less. Regional differences also influenced chili intake. One possible mechanism for chili's effect is capsaicin, a bioactive compound found in chili peppers, which has been linked to metabolic benefits in other studies. However, further research is needed to confirm this potential role in GDM prevention. Dried bean and bean soup consumption had no clear association with GDM. The study highlights limitations due to self-reported dietary data and the need for more detailed dietary measures. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250317/Could-a-little-spice-in-your-diet-prevent-gestational-diabetes.aspx XX

The fertility journey is challenging for many. This week's guest is reframing the whole process. Jessica Bell van der Wal is the Co-Founder & CEO of Frame, the all-in-one fertility support system providing virtual care, fertility coaching, and concierge support. Hear the moment she realized the need for better care during the family planning process, how her collaborative care platform works, the types of providers she partners with, and how her company is addressing provider burnout. And, she divides roles & responsibilities with her Co-Founder husband to boot. Tune in to this episode to support patients at every stage of the family building journey!   Learn more: Jessica Bell van der Wal Frame   Today's Hot Flash and other stats from: National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) are the largest funder of cancer research in the world. A January 2025 executive order froze NIH funding and cut indirect cost payments. Another executive order halted all public communications by a number of federal agencies. Challenges to the orders are winding through the courts.  Dr. Donald McDonnell, who studies and develops drugs to treat breast and prostate cancer, explains how these actions are affecting breast cancer research and what it might mean for people diagnosed with the disease. Listen to the episode to hear Dr. McDonnell discuss: why there may be no federal money allocated to cancer research this year why all cancer research will likely stop if no federal money is allocated how the funding freeze is affecting future scientists how the freeze may affect someone who was diagnosed with breast cancer today

Former NIH director Dr. Harold Varmus speaks out about what recent budget cuts and policy changes could mean for science.One of the areas targeted by President Trump's administration for cuts has been the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Cost-cutting actions have included the layoffs of some 1,200 NIH employees, the termination of research grants, a pause in the “study sections” that evaluate and award grant funding, and a cap on indirect costs included in research grants. Some of those moves have been paused following court cases. Dr. Harold Varmus, a former director of the National Institutes of Health, joins Host Ira Flatow to talk about the actions, and the impact he fears they could have on the future of biomedical research in the United States.Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

In this, the second installment of the series recapping the NHCA 2025 Conference, we have an incredible presentation from Colleen Le Prell, PHD. This is an edit version of her contribution to the Updates in Music Audiology workshop. The NHCA audience knows her as a recent past present of the organization, and a frequent presenter at the conferences. We know her as a dear friend who continually inspires us to a reach the highest possible academic rigor in our work. Dr. Le Prell is the Emilie and Phil Schepps Professor of Hearing Science, Head of the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing, and Co-Director for the Clinical and Translational Research Center at UT Dallas. She has received research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DoD), philanthropic foundations, and industry, for research on prevention of noise-induced hearing loss. She is the academic leader for the DoD Hearing Center of Excellence Pharmaceutical Interventions for Hearing Loss work group and an invited member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Meaningful Outcome Measures in Adult Hearing Health Care.  She is the Chair of the NIH Center for Scientific Review Auditory System Study Section, and serves on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Occupational Research Agenda Hearing Loss Prevention Cross Sector Council and the World Health Organization Make Listening Safe working group. Brief music clips heard in this episode are from a live performance of Osler Circle, a Beatles cover band based in Philadelphia. This is used for educational purposes and while the recording is ours to use, we do not own the rights to the original song, "Day Tripper", and that all rights belong to the respective copyright holders.

This episode has three chapters. Each one answers a key question, and, bottom line, it all adds up to action steps directly and indirectly for many, including plan sponsors probably, community leaders, and also hospital boards of directors. Here's the three chapters in sum. For a full transcript of this episode, click here. If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to subscribe to the free weekly newsletter to be a member of the Relentless Tribe. Chapter 1: Are commercial insurance premiums rising faster than the inflation rate? And if so, is the employee portion of those premiums also rising, meaning a double whammy for employees' paychecks (ie, premium costs are getting bigger and bigger in an absolute sense, and also employees' relative share of those bigger costs is also bigger)? Spoiler alert: yes and yes. Chapter 2: What is the biggest reason for these premium increases? Like, if you look at the drivers of cost that underpin those rising premiums, what costs a lot that is making these premiums cost a lot? Spoiler alert: It's hospitals and the price increases at hospitals. And just in case anyone is wondering, this isn't, “Oh, chargemasters went up” or some kind of other tangential factor. We're talking about the revenue that hospitals are taking on services delivered has gone up and gone up way higher than the inflation rate. In fact, hospital costs have gone up over double the amount that premiums have gone up. Wait, what? That's a fact that Dr. Vivian Ho said today that threw my brain for a loop: Hospital costs have gone up over double the amount that premiums have gone up. Chapter 3: Is the reason that hospital prices have rocketed up as they have because the underlying costs these hospitals face are also going up way higher than the inflation rate? Like, for example, are nurses' salaries skyrocketing and doctors are getting paid a lot more than the inflation rate? Stuff like this. Too many eggs in the cafeteria. Way more charity care. Bottom line, is an increase in underlying costs the reason for rising hospital prices? Spoiler alert: no. No to all of the above. And I get into this deeply with Dr. Vivian Ho today. But before I do, I do just want to state with three underlines not all hospitals are the same. But yeah, you have many major consolidated hospitals crying about their, you know, “razor-thin margins” who are, it turns out, incentivizing their C-suites to do things that ultimately wind up raising prices. I saw a PowerPoint flying around—you may have seen it, too—that was apparently presented by a nonprofit hospital at JP Morgan, and it showed this nonprofit hospital with a 15.1% EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) in 2024. Not razor thin in my book. It's a, the boards of directors are structuring C-suite incentives in ways that ultimately will raise prices. If you want to dig in a little deeper on hospital boards and what they may be up to, listen to the show with Suhas Gondi, MD, MBA (EP404). Vivian Ho, PhD, my guest today, is a professor and faculty member at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine. Her most major role these days is working on health policy at Baker Institute at Rice University. Her work there is at the national, state, and local levels conducting objective research that informs policymakers on how to improve healthcare. Today on the show, Professor Vivian Ho mentions research with Salpy Kanimian and Derek Jenkins, PhD. Alright, so just one quick sidebar before we get into the show. There is a lot going on with hospitals right now. So, before we kick in, let me just make one really important point. A hospital's contribution to medical research, like doing cancer clinical trials, is not the same as how a hospital serves or overcharges their community or makes decisions that increase or reduce their ability to improve the health and well-being of patients and members who wind up in or about the hospital. Huge, consolidated hospital networks can be doing great things that have great value and also, at the exact same time, kind of harmful things clinically and financially that negatively impact lots of Americans and doing all of that simultaneously. This is inarguable. Also mentioned in this episode are Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy; Baker Institute Center for Health Policy; Suhas Gondi, MD, MBA; Salpy Kanimian; Derek Jenkins, PhD; Byron Hugley; Michael Strain; Dave Chase; Zack Cooper, PhD; Houston Business Coalition on Health (HBCH); Marilyn Bartlett, CPA, CGMA, CMA, CFM; Cora Opsahl; Claire Brockbank; Shawn Gremminger; Autumn Yongchu; Erik Davis; Ge Bai, PhD, CPA; Community Health Choice; Mark Cuban; and Ferrin Williams, PharmD, MBA. For further reading, check out this LinkedIn post.   You can learn more at Rice University's Center for Health Policy (LinkedIn) and Department of Economics and by following Vivian on LinkedIn.   Vivian Ho, PhD, is the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics, a professor in the Department of Economics at Rice University, a professor in the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, and a nonresident senior scholar in the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. Ho's research examines the effects of economic incentives and regulations on the quality and costs of health care. Her research is widely published in economics, medical, and health services research journals. Ho's research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the American Cancer Society, and Arnold Ventures. Ho has served on the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Center for Health Statistics, as well as on the NIH Health Services, Outcomes, and Delivery study section. She was elected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine in 2020. Ho is also a founding board member of the American Society for Health Economists and a member of the Community Advisory Board at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Ho received her AB in economics from Harvard University, a graduate diploma in economics from The Australian National University, and a PhD in economics from Stanford University.   05:12 Are insurance premiums going up? 05:59 What is the disparity between cost of insurance and wage increases? 06:21 LinkedIn post by Byron Hugley. 06:25 Article by Michael Strain. 06:46 How much have insurance premiums gone up for employers versus employees? 09:06 Chart showing the cost to insure populations of employees and families. 10:17 What is causing hospital prices and insurance premiums to go up so exponentially? 12:53 Article by (and tribute to) Uwe Reinhardt. 13:49 EP450 with Marilyn Bartlett, CPA, CGMA, CMA, CFM. 14:01 EP452 with Cora Opsahl. 14:03 EP453 with Claire Brockbank. 14:37 EP371 with Erik Davis and Autumn Yongchu. 15:28 Are razor-thin operating margins for hospitals causing these rising hospital prices? 16:56 Collaboration with Marilyn Bartlett and the NASHP Hospital Cost Tool. 19:47 What is the explanation that hospitals give for justifying these profits? 23:16 How do these hospital cost increases actually happen? 27:06 Study by Zack Cooper, PhD. 27:35 EP404 with Suhas Gondi, MD, MBA. 27:50 Who typically makes up a hospital board, and why do these motivations incentivize hospital price increases? 30:12 EP418 with Mark Cuban and Ferrin Williams, PharmD, MBA. 33:17 Why is it vital that change start at the board level?   You can learn more at Rice University's Center for Health Policy (LinkedIn) and Department of Economics and by following Vivian on LinkedIn.   Vivian Ho discusses #healthinsurance #premiums and #hospitalpricing on our #healthcarepodcast. #healthcare #podcast #changemanagement #healthcareleadership #healthcaretransformation #healthcareinnovation   Recent past interviews: Click a guest's name for their latest RHV episode! Chris Crawford (EP465), Al Lewis, Betsy Seals, Wendell Potter (Encore! EP384), Dr Scott Conard, Stacey Richter (INBW42), Chris Crawford (EP461), Dr Rushika Fernandopulle, Bill Sarraille, Stacey Richter (INBW41)  

Janet A. Jokela, an infectious disease physician, discusses her article, "Doctors, grounded in our oath, must act now more than ever," reflecting on the physician's solemn commitment to patient care, integrity, and advocacy. With increasing challenges to public health institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and World Health Organization (WHO), physicians must decide how to uphold their oath amid political and systemic disruptions. The conversation explores the role of medical professionals in defending science, advocating for patients, and maintaining ethical standards in health care. Listeners will gain insights into actionable steps, from professional advocacy to public communication, that reinforce the vital responsibility physicians carry both inside and outside the clinical setting. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise—and it's built on a foundation of trust. It's time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended GET CME FOR THIS EPISODE → https://www.kevinmd.com/cme I'm partnering with Learner+ to offer clinicians access to an AI-powered reflective portfolio that rewards CME/CE credits from meaningful reflections. Find out more: https://www.kevinmd.com/learnerplus

National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants partially fund hundreds of research projects at UW-Madison each year. NIH covers about 55% of the indirect costs of research funding on campus, but last month they announced a new standard indirect rate of 15% across all NIH grants. What does this mean for researchers at the university?  Host Bianca Martin sat down with the Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery Dr. Jo Handelsman and Teaching Assistant Association co-president Madeline Topf to understand the impact of this cut which is currently being challenged in court. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram!  You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The acting head of the NIH reportedly pushed back against legal guidance to resume grant funding, leaving federal workers in the lurch. Also, though fungi make up a tiny part of the human microbiome, they play an important role in both the prevention and development of many diseases.Cuts And Conflicting Directives Sow Confusion For NIH WorkersJust over a month after President Trump's inauguration, federal science in the US is in a state of disarray. Executive orders to halt grant funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have faced court challenges. Last week, a federal judge extended a restraining order on a proposal to cap NIH grant funding for indirect costs, costs that experts say are critical to their work. But according to new reporting, staff within the NIH have been left without clear guidance about moving forward with those grants, with the NIH's acting director reportedly pushing back against legal guidance from the agency's lawyers to restart distribution of the funding.Host Flora Lichtman is joined by Katherine J. Wu, staff writer for The Atlantic, who reported on the turmoil at the NIH. They also talk about other science news of the week, including an update on the measles outbreak in Texas, how to see every planet in the solar system this week, and how scientists think runner Faith Kipeygon could be the first woman to break a four-minute mile.You've Heard Of The Microbiome—Welcome To The MycobiomeYou've heard of the microbiome, the community of bacteria, viruses, archaea parasites, and fungi that live in our bodies. But that last member of the group, fungi, get a lot less attention than the others. And perhaps that's unsurprising. After all, bacteria outnumber fungi 999 to 1 in our guts.But now, scientists are beginning to piece together just how important fungi truly are. Disruption in the fungal balance can play a role in the development of Crohn's disease, irritable bowel disease, celiac disease, colorectal cancer, some skin diseases, and more.Host Flora Lichtman talks with Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum, microbiologist and professor at Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine, who has dedicated his career to studying the fungi in our bodies, and coined the term mycobiome over a decade ago.Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Dr. Lauren Yap joins host Dr. Joel Berg to chat about the upcoming AAPD Pediatric Oral Health Advocacy Conference (POHAC) in Washington, DC. Each year, hundreds of early career pediatric dentists visit the nation's capital to advocate for the issues impacting the profession and optimal oral health of all children with congressional staff. Dr. Yap shares her experiences as a previous POHAC attendee, as well as how she encourages her peers to seize any opportunity to be a strong voice for themselves and their patients, whether it be in the operatory to the state or national level. Guest Bio: Lauren C. Yap, DMD, MPH, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Division of Pediatric Dentistry and serves as the Assistant Program Director for the Postdoctoral Pediatric Dental Residency Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She earned her dual degree in Dentistry (DMD) and Public Health (MPH) from the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry and College of Public Health in 2019 and subsequently completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Certificate in Hawaii, followed by a Pediatric Dentistry Certificate at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA. Board-certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Yap is an active leader in the field, currently serving as the Pennsylvania Public Policy Advocate for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and as a member of the Committee on Scientific Affairs. She is also a recent graduate of the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership (2024) and proudly serves as the Third District Representative for the American Dental Political Action Committee (ADPAC). Before pursuing her dental education, Dr. Yap worked as an elementary school math teacher and served as a research assistant at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the Center for Asian Health.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump administration has begun mass layoffs of federal employees, with more than 10,000 workers terminated across multiple agencies. Many of those affected were recently hired and still on probationary status, according to officials speaking anonymously to NPR. Nearly 300 employees were fired from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), while the Department of Energy cut up to 2,000 positions, including staff at the National Nuclear Security Administration. The Department of Health and Human Services saw thousands of job losses at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including nurses at the NIH Clinical Center. The Department of Homeland Security lost over 400 employees, while the Department of Veterans Affairs terminated 1,000 workers. The IRS is expected to lay off thousands more next week, which could impact tax processing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On February 7, 2025 it was announced that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) would be capping indirect cost payments for research grants at 15%. This is a massive reduction from the current standard, and will have widespread impacts on … Continue reading →

I'm not a financial advisor; Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!Devin: What is your superpower?Raj: I have a creative side in how I think about new businesses. I've applied that to the problems I see in the world that I feel need solving.Anxiety is one of the biggest mental health challenges of our time, affecting millions of people worldwide. Yet, despite the availability of treatments, many individuals hesitate to seek help due to stigma, cost, or lack of accessibility. Raj Amin, CEO and Co-Founder of Arcade Therapeutics, is tackling this problem by harnessing the power of gaming to provide evidence-based anxiety relief."One of the biggest challenges to engaging people is really the format of that engagement," Raj explained. "It's a big obstacle to get people into therapy. A lot of people haven't tried therapy. There's a lot of stigma associated with it. So we've got to figure out ways to give them an on-ramp to begin self-care. And that's really where gaming comes in."Arcade Therapeutics has developed a mobile game that integrates a psychological technique proven to reduce anxiety symptoms. Rather than requiring users to commit to therapy or medication right away, this game offers a more accessible and engaging way to start managing anxiety. "Two-thirds of Americans play games," Raj noted. "What if you could actually embed a psychological technique into the game that is proven to reduce anxiety symptoms? That's what we've done at Arcade."The company's business model relies on scientific validation, with research-backed methods that have undergone clinical trials funded in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This has positioned Arcade Therapeutics to be recognized as a digital therapeutic—a form of software-as-medicine. As a result, its products can be prescribed by doctors and reimbursed by insurance providers. With the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rolling out new billing codes for digital mental health treatments starting in 2025, the company is poised for rapid growth.Arcade Therapeutics is currently raising capital through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign on WeFunder, allowing everyday investors to support this innovative approach to mental health care. "We need to democratize the way that early-stage companies get built," Raj said. "Crowdfunding allows us to set the stage for a future where companies can be supported by the people who believe in them, including therapists and doctors who see the value in what we're building."Investors and mental health advocates interested in learning more can visit s4g.biz/AT to support Arcade Therapeutics' mission. By blending science with gaming, Raj and his team are making mental health support more engaging, accessible, and effective.tl;dr:* Raj Amin, CEO of Arcade Therapeutics, explains how gaming can be leveraged to treat anxiety.* Arcade Therapeutics' mobile game integrates a psychological technique clinically proven to reduce anxiety.* The company's business model relies on digital therapeutics, enabling insurance reimbursement for mental health treatments.* Raj discusses his superpower, creative problem-solving, and how it has shaped his career.* He shares actionable tips on fostering creativity, including context-switching and learning from diverse fields.How to Develop Creative Problem Solving As a SuperpowerRaj Amin's superpower is creative problem-solving. Throughout his career, Raj has applied his ability to connect different ideas and industries to create impactful solutions. "I would say that I have a creative side in how I think about new businesses," he shared in today's episode. "And I think I've applied that to the problems that I see in the world that I feel need solving."An illustrative example of Raj's superpower is his work with Arcade Therapeutics. Recognizing the stigma and barriers to mental health treatment, he saw an opportunity to use gaming—something millions of people engage with daily—as a platform for delivering anxiety-reducing therapies. "Gaming is something that people are already doing and it's engaging, but we can now apply that in a way that helps bring down stigma and improve access to earlier treatments for mental health," he explained.To develop creative problem-solving as a personal strength, Raj suggests:* Engage in context switching – "I might grab a guitar, play a song for 10 minutes, and then shift to a business challenge. The intersections between different activities often lead to new ideas."* Expose yourself to diverse fields – "Dive into new subjects. For instance, I explored AI and then thought about how it could be applied to mental health."* Solve problems you personally experience – "I created a mini AI-driven coach for myself to see how technology could be leveraged for mental wellness."By following Raj Amin's example and advice, you can make creative problem-solving a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileRaj Amin (he/him):CEO and Co-Founder, Arcade TherapeuticsAbout Arcade Therapeutics: We develop evidence-backed therapeutic games to help address $300B in US costs for untreated mental health conditions.Website: www.arcadetherapeutics.comOther URL: wefunder.com/arcadetherapeuticsBiographical Information: Raj Amin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Arcade Therapeutics, a pioneering healthcare startup transforming mental health treatment through innovative, game-based solutions backed by decades of neuroscientific research. With a career spanning healthcare, media, and consumer tech, Raj has consistently driven ventures that blend cutting-edge technology with impactful consumer engagement. Previously, he co-founded Mana Health, a data-driven healthcare platform acquired by Comcast Connected Health, and HealthiNation, the first on-demand consumer health video network that reached over 100 million monthly viewers and 40 million cable TV homes, later acquired by GoodRx. Raj also led global venture investments at Avis Budget Group and held leadership roles at N2 Broadband, Scientific-Atlanta, and Replay TV. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's esteemed Management and Technology Program, he holds dual degrees from the Wharton School of Business and the Moore School of Engineering, blending expertise in business strategy and telecommunications innovation.X/Twitter Handle: @digitalrajnycLinkedin: linkedin.com/in/rajamin/Instagram Handle: @digitalrajnycSupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, Ecotone Renewables, Imotobank Dealership and SuperCrowdLA. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.* Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on February 18, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.* SuperCrowdHour, February 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe will be leading a session on "Calculating Your Funding Needs," providing essential guidance for entrepreneurs and impact-driven businesses to determine the right amount to raise for sustainable growth. Whether you're preparing for your first crowdfunding campaign or planning to scale, this is a must-attend! Don't miss it!* Superpowers for Good Live Pitch for Q1-25, March 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET. The application window for the 1st quarter live pitch event is now open. Apply here.* SuperCrowdLA: we're going to be live in Santa Monica, California, May 1-3. Plan to join us for a major, in-person event focused on scaling impact. Sponsored by Digital Niche Agency, ProActive Real Estate and others. This will be a can't-miss event. Has your business been impacted by the recent fires? Apply now for a chance to receive one of 10 free tickets to SuperCrowdLA on May 2nd and 3rd and gain the tools to rebuild and grow!Community Event Calendar* Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events* Kingscrowd Meet Up in Los Angeles, CA - February 19th at 5:00 PM PT* Kingscrowd Meet Up in West Hartford, CT - February 24th at 5:30 PM ET* Capital Raise Strategies for Purpose Driven Enterprises, hosted by PathLight Law, February 25 at 1:00 PM ET.* Kingscrowd Meet UP in San Francisco, CA - February 27th at 5:30 PM PT* Igniting Community Capital to Build Outdoor Recreation Communities, Crowdfund Better, Thursdays, March 20 & 27, April 3 & 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.* NC3 Changing the Paradigm: Mobilizing Community Investment Funds, March 7, 2025* Asheville Neighborhood Economics, April 1-2, 2-25.* Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025, Crowdfunding Professional Association, Washington DC, October 21-22, 2025.Call for community action:* Please show your support for a tax credit for investments made via Regulation Crowdfunding, benefitting both the investors and the small businesses that receive the investments. Learn more here.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 9,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

In the name of government efficiency and cutting foreign spending, the Trump administration is freezing funds and furloughing workers at many federal agencies. Billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs are at stake. Leaders of organizations in our region that receive federal funding join us to discuss the local impact.We'll hear about the major changes to institutions like USAID when we speak with Eric Postel* of Bennington, a Senior Advisor at DAI, Inc., and a USAID political appointee during the Obama and Biden administrations, and Nazgul Abdrazakova, President and CEO of Resonance Global, based in Winooski. Their organizations both receive USAID funding. The Vermont Afghan Alliance receives funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support Afghan refugee resettlement. Executive director Molly Gray and Yassin Hashimi, who leads the organization's employment program, explain the uncertainty caused by the funding cuts. Then, we're joined by Jack Glaser, a local biomedical researcher whose organization, MBF Bioscience in Williston, receives federal grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). *Eric Postel spoke to Vermont Edition a personal capacity and not on behalf of DAI, Inc.Broadcast live on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments, or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

When Julian was just 6 weeks old, Kady knew something wasn't right. Despite more than 16 doctors insisting Julian was fine, Kady trusted her instincts and fought for answers—refusing to leave the hospital until the right tests were done. That persistence led to a life-changing diagnosis: a rare genetic form of hypoparathyroidism. Julian's specific mutation is so unique that he is the only known case in the world. In today's episode of On Rare, David Rintell, Head of Patient Advocacy at BridgeBio, and Mandy Rohrig, Director of Patient Advocacy at BridgeBio Gene Therapy, speak with Kady, the mother of Julian, a 4-year-old boy living with ADH1. Managing his condition has been a daily balancing act, as too little calcium leads to painful, debilitating symptoms, while too much threatens his kidneys. Kady shares the emotional journey of raising a child with a rare disease, from relentless advocacy to empowering Julian with the knowledge to recognize and communicate his own symptoms.   Michael Collins, M.D., a research scientist at the National Institute of Health (NIH), provides a medical overview of Autosomal Dominant Hypocalcemia Type 1 (ADH1), a rare form of hypoparathyroidism that leads to low blood calcium levels. While most cases of hypoparathyroidism result from accidental gland removal during thyroid surgery, ADH1 is caused by genetic mutations. Often going undiagnosed until a child presents with severe symptoms, ADH1 is difficult to catch early since calcium levels are not part of routine pediatric screenings. The condition is also difficult to treat because standard calcium supplements, which alleviate ADH1 symptoms, can worsen kidney complications, increasing the risk of severe kidney stones and even renal failure. Treatment requires a delicate balance to avoid overcorrection and long-term kidney damage. Dr. Collins sheds light on the complexities of this condition and the challenges both patients and doctors face in managing it.

Tim Smith, Director of Region 8 of the United Auto Workers (UAW), joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss ongoing negotiations with Volkswagen, organizing efforts at the BlueOval SK battery plant in Kentucky and concerns about funding cuts to the National Institute of Health (NIH). Andrew Strom, a union lawyer, OnLabor contributor and adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Gwen Wilcox's recent firing from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the potential dismantling of the Board and the broader implications for labor rights in the U.S.

Are you constipated? Better question: did you know that you could be constipated even if you poop regularly? As a gut health dietitian, I'm no stranger to the constipation conversation…because constipation is super common: according to the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, constipation affects roughly 25% of Canadians.  In the US? According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), constipation affects about 15% of the US population and that number skyrockets if looking at older adults. And people live with constipation for years - sometimes their whole lives - without realizing that proper nutritional care can actually do a lot to relieve their symptoms.  Which is why we are chatting with my friend and dietitian colleague Andrea Hardy RD, who is one of my most trusted sources of digestive health information..and the author of a brand new ebook about constipation called Backed UP. Andrea is going to drop a lot of practical, useful information about what constipation is, what causes it and most importantly, what you can do about it. We cover everything from exactly what counts as constipation - even if you poop daily! - to the root causes of constipation, how nutrition helps and why throwing a ton of fibre into a constipated body can actually backfire, dramatically. This episode is a must listen for anyone who has a gut, AKA every single human on the planet.  About Andrea Hardy RD: Andrea Hardy is a registered dietitian from Calgary, Canada where she runs a multi-disciplinary digestive health practice called Ignite Nutrition. Her focus is gut health & gastrointestinal diseases and is recognized in the media as Canada's Gut Health Expert. She is passionate about translating science into ‘easy to digest' information to support a healthy gut.  She has spoken on the TEDx stage, as well as internationally about digestive health.  On this episode we chat about: Andrea's own experience with constipation-predominant IBS How do we know if we're constipated? The different types of constipation, and what causes them The foundation of healthy bowel movements Fibre supplements for constipation  Should you do low FODMAP if you have IBS-C? Signs you want to see your doctor right away Hypothyroid and bowel movements How your pelvic floor interacts with constipation How to increase fibre in the diet for long term bowel health Support the Pod! We couldn't make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners…and our sponsors! A huge thank you to the wonderful folks at One Degree Organics for sponsoring this episode...we love their 100% sprouted oatmeal and granolas! I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd @andreahardyrdIf you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN! available at www.desireerd.com/podcast

It's Hump Day! Sam speaks with Jackie Flynn Mogensen, reporter covering science and health at Mother Jones, to discuss her recent reporting on the Trump administration's actions towards the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Then, he speaks with Elie Mystal, justice correspondent at The Nation, to discuss his recent piece on the Trump administration's to dismantle DEIA efforts across the federal government. First, Sam runs through updates on the potential blockage of Trump's federal funds freeze, Trump's attempt to push out federal workers, Elon's interns' influence at the OPM, the gutting of the Equal Opportunity Commission, a trans care ban for anyone 19 and under, education funding, and Trump's grotesque immigration regime, before expanding on the enthusiasm from conservative media over Trump taking a sledgehammer to the government's ability to govern. Jackie Flynn Mogensen then joins, diving right into the devastating impact of Trump's first wave of federal funding freezes on the US public health regime, unpacking the pause on the NIH's $40B in funding to outside research – funding that spurs over a 2:1 return in economic activity – alongside the complete cut off of communications between health departments both internally and with the public. After expanding on the importance of broad-scale scientific research, Mogensen walks Sam through the drastic increase in insecurity and precarity among federal workers in these organizations, and why all of this dysfunction is ultimately the point of Trump's attacks on US public health infrastructure. Elie Mystal and Sam then unpack the utter nihilism of the Trump Administration's approach to the rule of law, particularly when bolstered by a Supreme Court intent on the destruction of the very same government. Next, Mystal walks through Trump's ongoing attack on DEI and DEIA policies, exploring their role as the white response to needing to “prove” the enforcement of the Civil Rights and Americans with Disabilities Acts, and what a world where the federal government refuses to act as an equal opportunity employer, nor defend equal opportunity employment, would look like. After touching on the Supreme Court's role in potentially bolstering Trump's executive takeover of the federal government – and why even a rebuke of Trump could spell trouble for future Democratic presidents – Elie and Sam wrap up with Democratic Leadership's failure to address any element of the material devastation Trump has already wrought on the country in less than two weeks. And in the Fun Half: Sam expands on the devastating impact of the “chaos is the point” ethos of the Trump Administration and the absurdity of blaming those materially affected over their vote, also touching on the utter failure of Democratic leadership to address this destruction, and looking at how a genuinely engaged opposition leader would respond to Trump in the form of JB Pritzker. Next, the MR Crew unpacks Rep. Rich Cormick's explanation on why taking away meals from kids is fine, actually, gets a window into the world of Harlan Crow from Redford in Dallas, and touches on the Trump Admin's decision to reverse (and maybe reverse the reversal?) of the recent OMB memo. They also dive deep into the devastating impact of Trump's first ten days on the agriculture industry, and watch RFK get grilled over his myriad dangerous hypocrisies, plus, your calls and IMs! Follow Jackie on Twitter here: https://x.com/jackiefmogensen Check out Jackie's work at Mother Jones here: https://www.motherjones.com/author/jackie-flynn-mogensen/ Follow Elie on Twitter here: https://x.com/ElieNYC Check out Elie's work at The Nation here: https://www.thenation.com/authors/elie-mystal/ Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Follow us on TikTok here!: https://www.tiktok.com/@majorityreportfm Check us out on Twitch here!: https://www.twitch.tv/themajorityreport Find our Rumble stream here!: https://rumble.com/user/majorityreport Check out our alt YouTube channel here!: https://www.youtube.com/majorityreportlive Gift a Majority Report subscription here: https://fans.fm/majority/gift Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! https://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: https://majority.fm/app Go to https://JustCoffee.coop and use coupon code majority to get 10% off your purchase! Check out today's sponsors: Nutrafol: Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to https://Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code TMR. Find out why over 4,500 healthcare professionals and stylists recommend Nutrafol for healthier hair. That's https://Nutrafol.com, promo code TMR. Smalls Cat Food: For 50% off your first order, head to https://www.smalls.com and use code MAJORITY. Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattLech @BradKAlsop Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on Youtube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Check out Matt Binder's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder Subscribe to Brandon's show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/ The Majority Report with Sam Seder - https://majorityreportradio.com/  

As the global workforce continues to age, it is increasingly vital for organizations to have both efficient succession plans and effective knowledge sharing between their employees. Julie Berko, Director of the Office of Human Resources at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), joins the Talent Angle to discuss how organizations can leverage data to enable knowledge sharing and simplify succession planning. She also explains how organizations can identify future skills needs and build strategies to develop them. Julie Berko boasts more than 30 years of human resources experience, honored with the 2022 Presidential Rank Award. A Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, she champions workplace flexibilities and employee well-being. Julie pioneered the FAA's Work/Life program and geriatric care management. At NIH, she instituted the Leave Bank program, Maxiflex, and telework expansion, meeting 100% employee needs. Her initiatives fostered diversity, inclusion, and swift response to COVID-19, enabling quick transition to maximum telework for 75% of the workforce. Julie served on the NIH Child Care Board, Health and Wellness Council, and co-chaired the 2023 Federal Human Capital Collaborative Forum. She holds a master's degree in public administration from American University and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Howard University. Peter Aykens is the chief of research for Gartner's HR practice. Peter is responsible for building and leading research teams within the practice to address clients' key initiatives. Before his current role, he spent over 25 years at Gartner leading research teams focused on banking and financial services strategy, producing numerous studies that addressed business strategy, channels, marketing, customer experience and product challenges. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from St. Olaf College, a master's degree in international politics from Aberystwyth University (formerly known as the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth) and a master's degree and a doctorate in political science from Brown University.

Today's guest is Dan Elton, Staff Scientist at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dan returns to explore the transformative role of AI in healthcare. In his new role, Dan shares how his work at NIH focuses on integrating diverse datasets—including genetics, electronic health records (EHR), and imaging—to advance disease risk prediction and personalized medicine. He sheds light on NIH's efforts to create integrated data platforms, leveraging initiatives like the All of Us Program to enhance research accessibility and innovation. If you've enjoyed or benefited from some of the insights of this episode, consider leaving us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and let us know what you learned, found helpful, or liked most about this show!

The Flu Vaccine: Science at its Worst   Richard Gale and Gary Null Progressive Radio Network, December 20, 2024   Joshua Hadfield was a normal, healthy developing child as a toddler. In the midst of the H1N1 swine flu frenzy and the media fear mongering about the horrible consequences children face if left unvaccinated, the Hadfield family had Joshua vaccinated with Glaxo's Pandermrix influenza vaccine.  Within weeks, Joshua could barely wake up, sleeping up to nineteen hours a day. Laughter would trigger seizures. Joshua was diagnosed with narcolepsy, “an incurable, debilitating condition” associated with acute brain damage.[1]  Looking back, Pandermrix was a horrible vaccine.  Research indicates that it was associated with a 1400% increase in narcolepsy risk. A medical team at Finland's National Institute for Health and Welfare recorded 800 cases of narcolepsy associated with this vaccine.  Aside from the engineered viral antigens, the other vaccine ingredients are most often found to be the primary culprits to adverse vaccine reactions. The Finnish research, on the other hand, indicated that the vaccine's altered viral nucleotide likely contributed to the sudden rise in sleeping sickness.[2] Although Pandermrix was pulled from the market for its association with narcolepsy and cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness), particularly in children, it should never have been approved and released in the first place.  The regulatory fast tracking of the HINI flu vaccines is a classic, and now common, example of regulatory negligence by nations' health officials. The failure of proper regulatory evaluation and oversight resulted in Joshua and over 1,000 other people becoming disabled for life. Settlements to cover lawsuits exceeded 63 million pounds in the UK alone.  No one should feel complacent and assume flu vaccine risks only affect young children. Sarah Behie was 20 years old after receiving a flu shot.  Three weeks later her health deteriorated dramatically. Diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a not uncommon adverse effect of influenza vaccination, four years later Sarah remains paralyzed from the waist down, incapable of dressing and feeding herself, and rotting away in hospitals and nursing homes.[3]  Flu vaccines are perhaps the most ineffective vaccine on the market.  Repeatedly we are told by health officials that the moral argument for its continued use is for “the greater good,” although this imaginary good has never been defined scientifically. Year to year, how effective any given seasonal flu vaccine will be is a throw of the dice. Annual flu vaccine efficacy rates in the US have demonstrated significant variability. Data from the CDC reveal efficacy estimates of approximately 39% for the 2020–2021 season, 37% for 2021–2022, 52% for 2022–2023, and a preliminary estimate of 50% for the 2023–2024 season.  Preliminary CDC estimates for this flu season estimates 34% likely efficacy. Although these are CDC's figures, independent figures are consistently much lower. At their best, flu vaccines in recent years are around 50% effective according to official health analysis. During some seasons, vaccine efficacy is a bust. For example, the 2014-2015 flu season strain match was such a failure that the CDC warned the American public that the vaccine was only 23% effective.[4]  Nevertheless, these rates underscore the vaccine's inconsistent protection. Studies such as those by Skowronski and Belongia further highlight flu vaccines' variability and force to question whether the vaccine is capable of providing any reliable protection.[5,6] Moreover, Cochrane Collaboration reviews, known for their rigorous analyses, consistently find that flu vaccines reduce influenza-like illness by only about 1% in healthy adults and have negligible impact on hospitalizations and mortality rates. This limited efficacy raises critical concerns about the vaccine's utility, particularly when weighed against its risks.  Perhaps the most useless flu vaccine that should have never been approved was Medimmune's live attenuated flu vaccine (LAIV) FluMist, which the CDC later had removed from the market because it was found to so ineffective—only 3 percent according to an NBC report.[6] However the real reason may be more dire, and this a fundamental problem of all live and attenuated vaccines: these vaccines have been shown to “shed” and infect people in contact with the vaccinated persons, especially those with compromised immune systems.  Consequently, both the unvaccinated and the vaccinated are at risk.  The CDC acknowledges this risk and warns “Persons who care for severely immunosuppressed persons who require a protective environment should not receive LAIV, or should avoid contact with such persons for 7 days after receipt, given the theoretical risk for transmission of the live attenuated vaccine virus.”[7]  According to the FDA's literature on FluMist, the vaccine was not studied for immunocompromised individuals (yet was still administered to them), and has been associated with acute allergic reactions, asthma, Guillain-Barre, and a high rate of hospitalizations among children under 24 months – largely due to upper respiratory tract infections.  Other adverse effects include pericarditis, congenital and genetic disorders, mitochondrial encephalomyopathy or Leigh Syndrome, meningitis, and others.[8]  The development and promotion of the influenza vaccine was never completely about protecting the public. It has been the least popular vaccine in the US, including among healthcare workers. Rather, similar to the mumps vaccine in the MMR, it has been the cash cow for vaccine makers.  Determining the actual severity of any given flu season is burdened by federal intentional confusion to mislead the public.  The CDC's first line of propaganda defense to enforce flu vaccinations is to exaggerate flu infections as the cause of preventable deaths.   However, validating this claim is near impossible because the CDC does not differentiate deaths caused by influenza infection and deaths due to pneumonia.  On its website, the CDC lumps flu and pneumonia deaths together, currently estimated at 51,000 per year. The large majority of these were pneumonia deaths of elderly patients. Yet in any given year, only 3-18% of suspected influenza infections actually test positive for a Type A or B influenza strain.[9]  As an aside, it is worth noting that during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, an extraordinary and unprecedented phenomenon occurred: influenza infections, which have long been a seasonal health challenge, seemingly disappeared. Federal health agencies such as the CDC attributed this sharp decline in flu cases to the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) like mask-wearing, social distancing, and widespread lockdowns. However, this explanation raises critical questions about its plausibility. If these measures were effective enough to virtually eliminate influenza, why did they not similarly prevent the widespread transmission of SARS-CoV-2? This contradiction highlights the need to critically examine the possible explanations behind the anomaly, questioning whether the disappearance of the flu was truly a result of public health measures or due to other factors such as diagnostic practices, viral interference, and disruptions to seasonal flu patterns. If these interventions were indeed effective, their impact should not have been so starkly selective between two similarly transmitted viruses. This contradiction undermines the plausibility of attributing the disappearance of flu cases solely to NPIs. A more plausible explanation for the disappearance of flu cases lies in the diagnostic focus on SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic. Individuals presenting with flu-like symptoms were overwhelmingly diagnosed for COVID-19 with faulty PCR testing methods rather than influenza, as public health resources were directed toward managing the pandemic. This prioritization inevitably led to a significant underreporting of flu cases. Furthermore, the symptoms of influenza and COVID-19 overlap significantly, including fever, cough, and fatigue. In the absence of influenza testing, many flu cases were wrongly diagnosed as COVID-19, further inflating SARS-CoV-2 case numbers while contributing to the perceived disappearance of the flu.  One of the more controversial findings in recent flu vaccine research involves the phenomenon of viral interference, wherein vaccinated individuals may become more susceptible to other respiratory pathogens. To date there is only one gold standard clinical trial with the flu vaccine that compares vaccinated vs. unvaccinated, and it is not good news for the CDC, the vaccine makers, and the push to booster everyone with the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines. This Hong Kong funded double-blind placebo controlled study followed the health conditions of vaccinated and unvaccinated children between the ages of 6-15 years for 272 days. The trial concluded the flu vaccine holds no health benefits. In fact, those vaccinated with the flu virus were observed to have a 550% higher risk of contracting non-flu virus respiratory infections. Among the vaccinated children, there were 116 flu cases compared to 88 among the unvaccinated; there were 487 other non-influenza virus infections, including coronavirus, rhinovirus, coxsackie, and others, among the vaccinated versus 88 with the unvaccinated.[10]  This single study alone poses a scientifically sound warning and rationale to avoid flu vaccines at all costs. It raises a further question: how many Covid-19 cases could be directly attributed to weakened immune systems because of prior flu vaccination? A 2019 study conducted by the US Armed Forces investigated the relationship between influenza vaccination and susceptibility to other respiratory infections, including coronaviruses. Analyzing data from over 9,000 individuals, the researchers found that people who received the flu vaccine were more likely to test positive for certain non-influenza respiratory viruses. Notably, influenza vaccination was associated with an increased likelihood of contracting coronaviruses and human metapneumovirus.[11] These findings suggest a complex interaction between influenza vaccination and susceptibility to different respiratory pathogens, and challenges the belief that flu vaccines provide greater benefits over risks. The same researchers' follow up study in in 2020 furthermore concluded that “vaccine derived virus interference was significantly associated with coronavirus and human metapneumovirus.[12] Additional recent studies, such as those by Bodewes, which identified immune interference due to repeated annual flu vaccinations,[13] and Shinjoh, which highlighted increased viral interference in vaccinated children, provide further evidence of this relationship.[14] These findings challenge the prevailing assumption that flu vaccination has only positive effects on immune health and raise important questions about the broader implications of repeated annual vaccination. In a follow up study after the H1N1 swine flu scare, Canadian researcher Dr. Danuta Skowronski noted that individuals with a history of receiving consecutive seasonal flu shots over several years had an increased risk of becoming infected with H1N1 swine flu.  Skowronski commented on the findings, “policy makers have not yet had a chance to fully digest them [the study's conclusions] or understand the implications.”  He continued, “Who knows, frankly? The wise man knows he knows nothing when it comes to influenza, so you always have to be cautious in speculating.”[15] There is strong evidence suggesting that all vaccine clinical trials carried out by manufacturers fall short of demonstrating vaccine efficacy accurately. And when they are shown to be efficacious, it is frequently in the short term and offer only partial or temporary protection. According to an article in the peer-reviewed Journal of Infectious Diseases, the only way to evaluate vaccines is to scrutinize the epidemiological data obtained from real-life conditions. In other words, researchers simply cannot -- or will not -- adequately test a vaccine's effectiveness and immunogenicity prior to its release onto an unsuspecting public.[16] According to Dr. Tom Jefferson, who formerly led the Cochrane Collaboration's vaccine analyses, it makes little sense to keep vaccinating against seasonal influenza based on the evidence.[17] Jefferson has also endorsed more cost-effective and scientifically-proven means of minimizing the transmission of flu, including regular hand washing and wearing masks. There is also substantial peer-reviewed literature supporting the supplementation of Vitamin D.  Dr. Jefferson's conclusions are backed by former Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine scientist Peter Doshi, PhD, in the British Journal of Medicine. In his article Doshi questions the flu vaccine paradigm stating:  “Closer examination of influenza vaccine policies shows that although proponents employ the rhetoric of science, the studies underlying the policy are often of low quality, and do not substantiate officials' claims. The vaccine might be less beneficial and less safe than has been claimed, and the threat of influenza appears overstated.”[18]         A significant body of research proves that receiving the flu shot does not reduce mortality among seniors.[19] One particularly compelling study was carried out by scientists at the federal National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Not only did the study indicate that the flu vaccine did nothing to prevent deaths from influenza among seniors, but that flu mortality rates increased as a greater percentage of seniors received the shot.[20] Dr. Sherri Tenpenny reviewed the Cochrane Database reviews on the flu vaccine's efficacy. In a review of 51 studies involving over 294,000 children, there was “no evidence that injecting children 6-24 months of age with a flu shot was any more effective than placebo. In children over 2 years of age, flu vaccine effectiveness was 33 percent of the time preventing flu. In children with asthma, inactivated flu vaccines did not prevent influenza related hospitalizations in children. The database shows that children who received the flu vaccine were at a higher risk of hospitalization than children who did not receive the vaccine.[21]  In a separate study involving 400 asthmatic children receiving a flu vaccine and 400 who were not immunized, there was no difference in the number of clinic and emergency room visits and hospitalizations between the two groups.[22]  In 64 studies involving 66,000 adults, “Vaccination of healthy adults only reduced risk of influenza by 6 percent and reduced the number of missed work days by less than one day. There was a change in the number of hospitalizations compared to the non-vaccinated. In further studies of elderly adults residing in nursing homes over the course of several flu seasons, flu vaccinations were insignificant for preventing infection.[23] Today, the most extreme wing of the pro-vaccine community continue to diligently pursue mandatory vaccination across all 50 states.  During the flu season, the debate over mandatory vaccination becomes most heated as medical facilities and government departments attempt to threaten employees and schools who refuse vaccination. Although this is deeply worrisome to those who advocate their Constitutional rights to freedom of choice in their healthcare, there are respectable groups opposing mandatory flu shots.  The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons “objects strenuously to any coercion of healthcare personnel to receive influenza immunization. It is a fundamental human right not to be subjected to medical interventions without fully informed consent.”  The good news is that the majority of Americans have lost confidence in the CDC after the agency's dismal handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Positive endorsement of the CDC would plummet further if the public knew the full extent of CDC officials lying to Congress and their conspiracy to commit medical fraud for two decades to cover=up evidence of an autism-vaccine association.  When considering the totality of evidence, the benefit-risk ratio of flu vaccination becomes increasingly problematic. The poor and inconsistent efficacy rates, combined with the potential for serious adverse reactions and the phenomenon of viral interference, clearly indicates that the vaccine does not deliver the public health benefits it promises. Public health strategies must balance the benefits of vaccination against its risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.  Imagine the tens of thousands of children and families who would have been saved from life-long neurological damage and immeasurable suffering if the CDC was not indebted to protecting the pharmaceutical industry's toxic products and was in fact serving Americans' health and well-being? One step that can be taken to begin dismantling the marriage between the federal health agencies and drug companies is to simply refuse the flu vaccine and protect ourselves by adopting a healthier lifestyle during the flu season.    NOTES [1] http://yournewswire.com/boy-awarded-174000-after-flu-vaccine-causes-permanent-brain-damage/  [2]  http://www.globalresearch.ca/finnish-scientists-identify-link-between-glaxosmithklines-swine-flu-vaccine-pandemrix-and-narcolepsy/5423154 [3] http://sharylattkisson.com/woman-paralyzed-after-flu-shot-receives-11-million-for-treatment/ [4]  http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/12/3/flu-vaccine-ineffective.html  [5]Skowronski DM, Leir S, et al. Influenza vaccine effectiveness by A (H3N2) phylogenetic subcluster and prior vaccination history: 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 epidemics in Canada. J Infectious Diseases, 2021; 225(8), 1387–1397. [6] Belongia EA, Skowronski DM, et al. Repeated annual influenza vaccination and vaccine effectiveness: review of evidence. Expert Review of Vaccines, 2023; 16(7), 743–759. [7]  Barbara Lo Fisher, The Emerging Risks of Live Virus and Virus Vectored Vaccines.  National Vaccine Information Center, 2014  [8]  http://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/UCM294307.pdf  [9] Barbara Lo Fisher, “CDC Admits Flu Shots Fail Half the Time.”  NVIC, October 19, 2016 [10] http://gaia-health.com/gaia-blog/2013-06-02/flu-vax-causes-5-5-times-more-respiratory-infections/  [11] Wolff GG. Influenza vaccination and respiratory virus interference among Department of Defense personnel during the 2017–2018 influenza season. Vaccine. 2019 Oct 10;38(2):350–354.   [12] Wolff GG. (2020). Influenza vaccination and respiratory virus interference among Department of Defense personnel. Vaccine, 2020 38(2), 350-354.  [13] Bodwes F, Janssens Y, et al. The role of cell-mediated immunity against influenza and its implications for vaccine evaluation. Frontiers in Immunology, 2021 13, 959379. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.959379  [14] Sinojoh M, Sugaya N, et al. Effectiveness of inactivated influenza and COVID-19 vaccines in hospitalized children in the 2022/23 season in Japan: The first season of co-circulation of influenza and COVID-19. Vaccine, 2022; 41(1), 100-107.  [15]  http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/flu-shot-linked-to-higher-incidence-of-flu-in-pandemic-year-1.1287363 [16]   Weinberg GA, Szilagyi PG. Vaccine Epidemiology: Efficacy, Effectiveness, and the Translational Research Roadmap. J Infect Dis 20210;201.1: 1607-610.  [17] ‘A Whole Industry Is Waiting For A Pandemic', Der Spiegel, http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,637119-2,00.html, [18] Dolshi P. "Influenza: Marketing Vaccine by Marketing Disease." BMJ 2013;346: F3037.  [19] Simonsen L, Reichert T, et al. . Impact of Influenza Vaccination on Seasonal Mortality in the US Elderly Population. Arch Intern Med Archives 2005;165(3): 265.  [20] Glezen WP, Simonsen L. Commentary: Benefits of Influenza Vaccine in US Elderly--new Studies Raise Questions. Internat J Epidemiology2006;35(2): 352-53. [21] 105th International Conference of the American Thoracic Sociey, May 15-20, 2009 (quoted in , Sherri Tenpenny.  “The Truth about Flu Shots”.  Idaho Observer, June 1, 2009)  [22] ibid  [23] Ibid.