Trump administration blocks funding for CDC health programs, WSJ reports
These include youth violence prevention programs, research on preventing gun injuries and deaths and efforts targeting diabetes, chronic kidney disease and tobacco use, according to the report.
The money withheld could not be determined, but it could be as high as $200 million, the WSJ reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.
The CDC did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The White House has previously stated its intention to reduce U.S. health spending by more than a quarter next year, with the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention facing the brunt of billions of dollars in cuts.
Earlier this week, Susan Monarez was confirmed as CDC director to lead a downsized agency as the White House moves to slash its budget by nearly $3.6 billion, reducing it to about $4 billion.
The cuts follow a layoff plan enacted by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that eliminated 2,400 positions in CDC, though roughly 700 of those workers have since been rehired.
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Daily Mail
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
More states ban certain people from buying junk food... is YOURS one of them?
Soda and candy have now been made off-limits to certain Americans in six more states as officials continue to clamp down on what people can buy with food stamps. Low-income residents in West Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas will be barred from buying the goods under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These restrictions are further built on top of a movement started earlier this year. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has previously banned the foods from SNAP recipients in Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah. The controversial move is aimed at improving the health of the millions of Americans in those states who rely on food stamps. While the plans would ban sugary and high-calorie sweets, they would also exclude purchases of diet sodas and fruit juice with less than 50 percent natural juice, as these are high in sugar and artificial sweeteners. Restricting junk food from the $100billion-a-year federal SNAP program has been a key goal for health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and his 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda. The first-of-its-kind ban will become effective for all the participating states starting January 1, 2026 and last for at least two years. Other Republican-led states are set to roll out similar measures. Serving nearly 42million Americans, SNAP helps low-income families purchase fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads and cereals, snacks and plants that can produce foods. It is run by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered through individual states. In general, benefits are available to people with an income at or below about $33,500 a year for a three-person household. Over the past two decades, lawmakers in several states have proposed halting SNAP payments for soda, chips, ice cream and 'luxury meats' like steak, as well as bottled water and decorated birthday cakes. However, despite multiple proposals being submitted, no other presidential administration, including President Donald Trump's first, has approved them in the past. Secretary Rollins said: 'It is incredible to see so many states take action at this critical moment in our nation's history and do something to begin to address chronic health problems. 'President Trump has changed the status quo, and the entire cabinet is taking action to Make America Healthy Again. 'At USDA, we play a key role in supporting Americans who fall on hard times, and that commitment does not change. Rather, these state waivers promote healthier options for families in need.' According to the USDA website, food stamps users spend over $600million a year on sweetened beverages including soft drinks and energy drinks. A 2024 scientific review published in the journal Public Health by British researchers found that energy drinks can raise the risk of physical and mental health problems among children. For example, kids who consume the beverages, which can contain more caffeine than a cup of coffee, are more likely to be overweight and develop heart problems. They also face a higher chance of getting mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression and suicide attempts. The ban comes as RFK Jr has continued to push for restricting junk food from SNAP since his nomination as Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. The leader of the Make America Healthy Again movement has repeatedly called soda 'poison' and claimed it can cause damage to human health. Kennedy has also previously suggested Americans who eat donuts, guzzle sodas or smoke should not be provided with free healthcare. 'If you're smoking three packs of cigarettes a day, should you expect society to pay when you get sick?' he told CBS. The nation's top health official noted it is the American people's choice to 'eat donuts all day' and he would not to take it away. However, he went on to say junk food lovers cannot expect 'society to care for them' since there is possibility for them to get 'very sick.' His claims have long put him at odds with President Trump as the latter is known to enjoy multiple sodas per day, albeit the sugar-free versions. Shortly after being sworn-in for the second time, President Trump also re-installed a bright red button on his desk in the Oval Office to notify an aide that the commander-in-chief wants a fresh Diet Coke. The 79-year-old reportedly drinks multiple cans of Diet Coke a day and is known to indulge in an occasional burger and fries for his meals. Trump yet to make a comment on the newly announced wave of bans. Prior to these waivers, SNAP recipients could buy anything except alcohol, tobacco, hot and prepared foods, and personal care products. Antihunger groups oppose SNAP food restrictions, saying that research shows that program participants are no more likely than other low-income Americans to buy sugary drinks or snack foods. And they say that limiting food choices undermines the autonomy of people who receive a benefit of about $187 per month — or about $6.20 per day. 'They just seem to be targeting a specific population without having data that says that they are the issue or that this is going to improve,' said Gina Plata-Nino, a deputy director at the Food Research and Action Center, a nonprofit advocacy group. Trade groups representing beverage and candy makers criticized the effort, saying that they narrowly target SNAP participants. Representatives for the soda industry accused state and federal officials of 'choosing to be the food police rather than take truly meaningful steps to lift people off SNAP with good-paying jobs.' Chris Gindlesperger, a spokesman for the National Confectioners Association, called the approach 'misguided.' 'SNAP participants and non-SNAP participants alike understand that chocolate and candy are treats – not meal replacements,' Gindlesperger said.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Expert: Things you should never touch in an airport
Published: | Updated: Summer travel is in full swing, and airports across America are busier than ever with nearly 3 million passengers flying every day. Travel, especially in crowded environments like airports and airplanes, increases the potential for exposure to viruses, particularly those that spread through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces. Common viruses people are most at risk of encountering during air travel include respiratory viruses (influenza, Covid-19 and r hinoviruses, which cause the common cold) and norovirus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea. However, more serious illnesses, including measles, are increasingly becoming a threat as international travelers and unvaccinated Americans move through airports. In a bid to keep travelers as healthy as possible, one expert is warning of the spots in the airport and on the airplane that should be approached with care. Dr Darin Detwiler, who previously served as a public health expert for the FDA , told the Daily Mail that air travel is a risky endeavor with 'people unknowingly entering an invisible battlefield of infectious threats'. However, Dr Detwiler said 'there is some good news,' adding certain habits can protect against getting sick and ruining a vacation. 'By taking strategic precautions at every stage of your journey - from your ride to the airport to the moment you retrieve your luggage - you can dramatically reduce your risk of infection.' Be Uber alert Your exposure to germs begins before you step into the terminal, Dr Detwiler said. 'Rideshares, taxis and airport shuttles can be incubators for illness, often lacking proper sanitation and ventilation between passengers,' he explained. To maximize safety, he recommends disinfecting high touch surfaces, such as seatbelt buckles, door handles and touchscreen TVs, with hand sanitizer or cleansing wipes. Opening the window can also 'improve airflow and reduce airborne virus concentration.' Meanwhile, Dr Detwiler recommends keeping your hands away from your face as your eyes, nose and mouth are direct entry points for pathogens. Security bins are dirtier than toilets Security checkpoints are some of the dirtiest areas in an airport, Dr Detwiler warns. A 2018 study found that the plastic trays used at airport security checkpoints harbored more germs than the airport toilets. Researchers took eight samples from the trays used at the Helsinki airport over the course of three weeks. When the results came back, they found that half of the samples carried some kind of respiratory disease, including influenza A, rhinovirus, adenovirus and coronavirus. In comparison, viruses were not detected in most of the samples collected from toilets. The scientists said this may be due to people paying particular attention to hand hygiene when in the bathroom. 'Much like old days when public pay phones were the most handled (and contaminated) surfaces, today those plastic security bins harbor more respiratory viruses than public toilets,' Dr Detwiler told the Daily Mail in response to the findings. To prevent the spread of germs in the security area, he recommends using hand sanitizer immediately after touching security bins, conveyor belts or fingerprint scanners. With millions of travelers from all over the world passing through airports each day, Dr Detwiler said terminals are high-risk areas for airborne illnesses like measles, flu and RSV. Airport terminals, as large, enclosed spaces with high traffic, can experience poor air quality due to various factors like emissions from vehicles and aircraft. And with millions of people breathing out potentially infectious droplets, there is a high chance of pathogens spreading. For this reason, the health expert said wearing a face mask is a good way to protect yourself. He recommends KN95 and N95 masks, as both are designed to filter out at least 95 percent of particles. If you don't feel comfortable wearing a mask all the time, focus on wearing one in crowded areas to maximize safety, 'particularly at security, near gate seating and in restrooms,' Dr Detwiler said. Other tips include maintaining your distance from anyone visibly ill (especially in boarding lines), using your phone instead of self-check-in kiosks and shared touch-screens, and staying hydrated. 'Dry air suppresses your immune system, making you more susceptible to infection,' he explains. 'So it's best to keep a drink with you at all times.' However, be wary of public drinking fountains as the dispenser buttons were one of the dirtiest surfaces in airport terminals, with 1,240 colony-forming units (CFU) of bacteria. Bathroom stall locks, in comparison, had 70 CFU. If you want to your take safety protocols up a notch, Dr Detwiler adds, 'you could consider wearing disposable gloves around the terminal, but remember to remove them safely and sanitize afterward.' Beware of the buffets in airport lounges The expert said premium airport lounges may offer a quieter atmosphere, but they're not immune from contamination, 'especially when it comes to shared food stations and high-touch surfaces.' He advises avoiding self-serve buffets and opting for packaged or made-to-order meals instead. He also recommends disinfecting tables and seating areas before eating. The bathrooms and shower facilities in airport lounges are also riddled with germs, so he always uses a napkin or paper towel to open bathroom doors and touch water faucets. Boarding the plane and flying Once on the plane, you're packed into a small space and exposed to an exponential amount of droplets and pathogens. While Dr Detwiler said an aircraft's High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters remove 99.9 percent of airborne particles, including bacteria and viruses, the biggest risk is proximity to other passengers, especially those coughing or sneezing. The former FDA employee, who is also an ardent traveler, said he always picks a window seat to reduce encounters with passers-by. He also always keeps his air vent open and pointed slightly downward to 'create an airflow barrier.' Before taking his seat, he uses sanitizing wipes to clean high-touch areas, including the tray table, armrests, seatbelt buckle and touchscreens. One 2015 study found that tray tables were the dirtiest spots on a plane. Results showed they had 2,155 CFU per square inch, far more than the bathroom flush button (265 CFU), overhead air vent (285 CFU) and seatbelt buckle (230 CFU). One of Dr Detwiler's biggest no-nos while flying is using the seatback pockets because, he says, they are rarely disinfected and may harbor bacteria. Arrival and post-flight precautions Think you're safe once you've landed? Think again. The doctor revealed the baggage claim area, customs and ground transportation all present new risks. Baggage claim belts come into contact with thousands of suitcases and hands, making them potential areas for bacteria to gather. Studies have also shown that suitcases - particularly their wheels and bases - can carry significant amounts of bacteria, sometimes exceeding levels found on surfaces like public toilet seats. Plus, 'exhaustion can make you more vulnerable as you are less alert and it is easy to let your guard down'. To keep your guard up, he recommends sanitizing your hands after collecting luggage, as your 'bag has been tossed around and handled by multiple people, moving along on conveyor belts, trolleys and cargo holds.' He also suggests keeping your mask on in customs and baggage claim as these areas are still crowded with travelers. After returning home or arriving at a hotel, shower and change into clean clothes as soon as possible, especially after long-haul flights.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
The ancient spice that reduces bloating - and could boost weight loss
Curry lovers could be tucking into extra health benefits with their favorite dishes. Cumin, the versatile spice which gives dishes that warm, nutty, and earthy flavor, is rich in antioxidants and can help reduce the risk of disease and protect the body's cells. 'A diet high in antioxidants can help reduce the risk of heart disease and some other chronic diseases,' registered dietitian Nicole Hopsecger told the Cleveland Clinic. 'Of course, that goes hand-in-hand with making sure your diet is also high in other antioxidant sources, including fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains and legumes.' To reap those benefits, Hopsecger advises that people grind up cumin seeds, increasing the body's ability to absorb it. 'You also get more benefits from the vitamins and minerals it contains, such as B vitamins, vitamin E, iron and magnesium,' she explained. Iron makes a protein in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen through the body, boosts the immune system, and keeps hair healthy. Magnesium helps maintain muscle and nerve function, keeps bones strong, regulates blood sugar and protects immune health, according to MedlinePlus. Vitamin B is essential for metabolism and brain function. That's not all that cooking with cumin can do for you. One study found cumin extract helped people alleviate bloating and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. A separate review showed cumin extract had been found to improve liver function tests in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Cumin has been used for thousands of years, dating back to the dawn of written history, according to NPR. It was popular in ancient Mesopotamia and in the more than 4,000 years since then, its use has spread throughout the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. "Once it has been introduced into a new land and culture, cumin has a way of insinuating itself deeply into the local cuisine, which is why it has become one of the most commonly used spices in the world," author Gary Nabhan writes in his book, 'Cumin, Camels, and Caravans.' Any amount is generally safe to use when cooking, but people may want to be careful with supplements, Hopsecger advised. Previous research has also found that cumin could help with weight loss. One study claimed it help people to lose weight similar to an over-the-counter oral weight loss drug known as Orlistat. Another study, assessing the effects of cumin and lime, found 'beneficial effects on weight' for participants who were overweight. A third study showed cholesterol levels improve after people took just three grams of cumin powder a day for three months. But the dietician noted that more research is needed to make a solid connection. 'There's not enough research to support them,' Hopsecge said. 'In the few studies that do, there are likely other factors going on in addition to the cumin supplement, such as increased motivation or lifestyle changes.'
