Latest news with #DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices
17 hours ago
- Health
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fires two top deputies at Department of Health and Human Services
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired two top deputies at the Department of Health and Human Services, ABC News has learned. Heather Flick Melanson, Kennedy's chief of staff, and Hannah Anderson, deputy chief of staff of policy, are departing, according to a department spokesperson and another person familiar with the decisions. Neither Flick nor Anderson immediately responded to an ABC News request for comment. No reason was given for the ousters. The person familiar with the situation told ABC that Kennedy "has every right to make personnel decisions." "Secretary Kennedy has made a leadership change within the Immediate Office of the Secretary," according to a statement provided by an HHS spokesperson to ABC News. "Effective immediately, Matt Buckham will serve as Acting Chief of Staff." "Mr. Buckham currently serves as the Kennedy's White House liaison at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where he oversees the recruitment and onboarding of political appointees across the agency. He brings valuable experience in personnel strategy and organizational management to this new role," the statement continued. "Secretary Kennedy thanks the outgoing leadership for their service and looks forward to working closely with Mr. Buckham as the Department continues advancing its mission to Make America Healthy Again," the statement concluded.
The Guardian
21 hours ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Medical charlatans have existed through history. But AI has turbocharged them
Nearly a year into parenting, I've relied on advice and tricks to keep my baby alive and entertained. For the most part, he's been agile and vivacious, and I'm beginning to see an inquisitive character develop from the lump of coal that would suckle from my breast. Now he's started nursery (or what Germans refer to as Kita), other parents in Berlin, where we live, have warned me that an avalanche of illnesses will come flooding in. So during this particular stage of uncertainty, I did what many parents do: I consulted the internet. This time, I turned to ChatGPT, a source I had vowed never to use. I asked a straightforward but fundamental question: 'How do I keep my baby healthy?' The answers were practical: avoid added sugar, monitor for signs of fever and talk to your baby often. But the part that left me wary was the last request: 'If you tell me your baby's age, I can tailor this more precisely.' Of course, I should be informed about my child's health, but given my growing scepticism towards AI, I decided to log off. Earlier this year, an episode in the US echoed my little experiment. With a burgeoning measles outbreak, children's health has become a significant political battleground, and the Department of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of Robert F Kennedy, has initiated a campaign titled the Make America Healthy Again commission, aimed at combating childhood chronic disease. The corresponding report claimed to address the principal threats to children's health: pesticides, prescription drugs and vaccines. Yet the most striking aspect of the report was the pattern of citation errors and unsubstantiated conclusions. External researchers and journalists believed that these pointed to the use of ChatGPT in compiling the report. What made this more alarming was that the Maha report allegedly included studies that did not exist. This coincides with what we already know about AI, which has been found not only to include false citations but also to 'hallucinate', that is, to invent nonexistent material. The epidemiologist Katherine Keyes, who was listed in the Maha report as the first author of a study on anxiety and adolescents, said: 'The paper cited is not a real paper that I or my colleagues were involved with.' The threat of AI may feel new, but its role in spreading medical myths fits into an old mould: that of the charlatan peddling false cures. During the 17th and 18th centuries, there was no shortage of quacks selling reagents intended to counteract intestinal ruptures and eye pustules. Although not medically trained, some, such as Buonafede Vitali and Giovanni Greci, were able to obtain a licence to sell their serums. Having a public platform as grand as the square meant they could gather in public and entertain bystanders, encouraging them to purchase their products, which included balsamo simpatico (sympathetic balm) to treat venereal diseases. RFK Jr believes that he is an arbiter of science, even if the Maha report appears to have cited false information. What complicates charlatanry today is that we're in an era of far more expansive tools, such as AI, which ultimately have more power than the swindlers of the past. This disinformation may appear on platforms that we believe to be reliable, such as search engines, or masquerade as scientific papers, which we're used to seeing as the most reliable sources of all. Ironically, Kennedy has claimed that leading peer-reviewed scientific journals such as the Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine are corrupt. His stance is especially troubling, given the influence he wields in shaping public health discourse, funding and official panels. Moreover, his efforts to implement his Maha programme undermine the very concept of a health programme. Unlike science, which strives to uncover the truth, AI has no interest in whether something is true or false. AI is very convenient, and people often turn to it for medical advice; however, there are significant concerns with its use. It is injurious enough to refer to it as an individual, but when a government significantly relies on AI for medical reports, this can lead to misleading conclusions about public health. A world filled with AI platforms creates an environment where fact and fiction meld into each other, leaving minimal foundation for scientific objectivity. The technology journalist Karen Hao astutely reflected in the Atlantic: 'How do we govern artificial intelligence? With AI on track to rewire a great many other crucial functions in society, that question is really asking: how do we ensure that we'll make our future better, not worse?' We need to address this by establishing a way to govern its use, rather than adopting a heedless approach to AI by the government. Individual solutions can be helpful in assuaging our fears, but we require robust and adaptable policies to hold big tech and governments accountable regarding AI misuse. Otherwise, we risk creating an environment where charlatanism becomes the norm. Edna Bonhomme is a historian of science
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
HHS removes LGBTQ+ 'gender ideology' from teen pregnancy program
"This is a seismic change," said Adrian Shanker, the former deputy assistant secretary for health policy under President Joe Biden. "This is a program that has been effective at keeping teens across the country from getting pregnant, so this should be a universally appreciated goal." The Department of Health and Human Services policy, announced in a July 1 memo to grantees, bans grant-funded programs from teaching about sex that is not heterosexual vaginal intercourse. It also bans "the eroticization of birth control methods" and bans any content on creating more pleasurable sexual experiences. The policy goes on to prohibit any discussion of youth experiencing gender dysphoria or expressing transgender identities. "The statute does not require, support, or authorize teaching minors about (ideological) content, including the radical ideological claim that boys can identify as girls and vice versa," the memo to grant recipients says. "Programs must be aimed at reducing teen pregnancy, not instructing in such ideological content." Public health experts say the move could further stigmatize LGBTQ+ youth, who have higher rates of teen pregnancy than their heterosexual peers, and often feel less comfortable speaking to parents or health care providers about sex. Emily Hilliard, the press secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement that the new policy "ensures that taxpayer dollars no longer support content that undermines parental rights, promotes radical gender ideology, or exposes children to sexually explicit material under the banner of public health." Corina T. Lelutiu-Weinberger, an associate professor of health sciences research at Columbia University in New York, said teen pregnancy rates are already disproportionately high among bisexual girls, so making it harder to talk about their sexual behavior puts them at higher risk. A 2018 study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that bisexual girls had "nearly five times the risk of teen pregnancy, and those who identified as mostly heterosexual or lesbian had about twice the risk compared to teens who were completely heterosexual." Most of the disparity was explained by physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Lelutiu-Weinberger said youth tend to figure out their sexuality alone because they don't want to talk about it with their parents. She said LGBTQ+ people also tend to have a harder time talking about sex with health care providers, who often are not comfortable about talking about sex, or may have their own biases. "There is a lot of discomfort and mislabeling and often there are no conversations," Lelutiu-Weinberger said. "And both parties are uncomfortable bringing it up because of fear of stigma." Amelia Stanton, a Boston University professor and investigator for the Sexual, Reproductive and Mental Health Disparities Program, said the changes don't align with science or promote the best interest of public health. "If we're limiting that information, we're not offering tools for planning," Stanton said. "We're not offering the opportunity to really learn how to prevent STIs or how to have agency in sexual activity." Stanton said heterosexual intercourse might align more with traditional values, but failing to teach kids about oral sex, anal sex and other sexual behavior that carries risk for sexually transmitted infections will cause the rates of those infections to increase. Nearly half the nation's cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in 2023 were reported in people 15 to 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Infections were disproportionately high among men who had sex with men. Shanker, the former Biden aide, said that Congress created the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program in 2010 under President Barack Obama to replace an abstinence-only sex education model in place under President George W. Bush. "We have a comprehensive program that's highly effective, and they're tinkering with it for political purposes instead of trying to achieve public health results for the American people," Shanker said.
CNET
2 days ago
- Health
- CNET
The FDA Approved a New Natural Food Dye. Here's How to Avoid the Artificial Ones
The US Food and Drug Administration has put a spotlight on food dyes this year. In January, the administration banned Red No. 3 and then approved three natural food dyes in May. Now, on top of the FDA and Department of Health and Human Services asking food companies to stop using petroleum-based synthetic dyes entirely, the FDA wants brands to speed up the removal of Red No. 3 before the proposed 2027 deadline. To help this along, the administration just green-lit a new natural blue food dye, gardenia (genipin) blue. According to the FDA, this blue dye comes from the fruit of the gardenia, a flowering evergreen. It can be used in hard and soft candy, sports drinks, ready-to-drink teas, flavored or enhanced noncarbonated water, fruit drinks and ades. "This expedited timeline underscored our serious intent to transition away from petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the food supply," said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary in a news release. "Now, by expanding the palette of available colors derived from natural sources, food manufacturers have a variety of options available that will make it easier to end their use of petroleum-based dyes." Gardenia (genipin) blue joins the red algae-based galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract and the white color calcium phosphate as 2025's new and approved natural food color additives. MichelleWhat is gardenia (genipin) blue? The FDA approved the use of gardenia (genipin) blue from a petition by the Gardenia Blue Interest Group. According to the FDA's order, gardenia (genipin) blue is a dark purple or blue liquid made from the mature fruit of the Gardenia jasminoides Ellis plant with soy protein hydrolysate. Now, you may be thinking: Isn't soy an allergen? According to the GBIG, the soy protein allergens aren't expected to be detected in the final color additive because "unreacted protein hydrolysate is removed during manufacturing." Because no soy protein allergens will be in the final product, the GBIG is asking to be exempt from food allergen labeling. The FDA is currently reviewing this petition. How to avoid artificial food dyes Though more research is required and many still find this answer controversial, Healthline reports that there is currently no evidence that food dyes pose significant health risks. However, if artificial food dyes are substances you want to steer clear of, there are ways you can work to remove them from your diet. First, make sure you're reading the labels on your food products to see if any synthetic dyes are listed. For instance, you can look out for Red Dye No. 40, which is a common one. To avoid these dyes in the first place, you'll want to reduce your consumption of ultra-processed, packaged foods, which are more likely to be made with artificial dyes. Ultra-processed foods are made from substances like added sugars, fats and starches that are extracted from food. You can replace your packaged foods with a greater variety of fruits and vegetables, protein, healthy fats and whole grains to ensure you have a balanced diet.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
'A seismic change': Trump wants LGBTQ+ material axed from sex ed
The federal Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program serves more than 300,000 youth. The Trump administration is telling organizations working to prevent teen pregnancy that they must stop teaching content that doesn't align with the administration's views on transgender people and parental rights or they'll risk losing their federal funding. Seventy-three organizations – including local health departments, community groups and universities – receive a portion of the $101 million budget for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program each year. The groups serve more than 300,000 youth, mostly in school settings. "This is a seismic change," said Adrian Shanker, the former deputy assistant secretary for health policy under President Joe Biden. "This is a program that has been effective at keeping teens across the country from getting pregnant, so this should be a universally appreciated goal." The Department of Health and Human Services policy, announced in a July 1 memo to grantees, bans grant-funded programs from teaching about sex that is not heterosexual vaginal intercourse. It also bans 'the eroticization of birth control methods' and bans any content on creating more pleasurable sexual experiences. The policy goes on to prohibit any discussion of youth experiencing gender dysphoria or expressing transgender identities. "The statute does not require, support, or authorize teaching minors about (ideological) content, including the radical ideological claim that boys can identify as girls and vice versa," the memo to grant recipients says. "Programs must be aimed at reducing teen pregnancy, not instructing in such ideological content." Public health experts say the move could further stigmatize LGBTQ+ youth, who have higher rates of teen pregnancy than their heterosexual peers, and often feel less comfortable speaking to parents or health care providers about sex. Emily Hilliard, the press secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement that the new policy 'ensures that taxpayer dollars no longer support content that undermines parental rights, promotes radical gender ideology, or exposes children to sexually explicit material under the banner of public health.' Corina T. Lelutiu-Weinberger, an associate professor of health sciences research at Columbia University in New York, said teen pregnancy rates are already disproportionately high among bisexual girls, so making it harder to talk about their sexual behavior puts them at higher risk. A 2018 study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that bisexual girls had 'nearly five times the risk of teen pregnancy, and those who identified as mostly heterosexual or lesbian had about twice the risk compared to teens who were completely heterosexual.' Most of the disparity was explained by physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Lelutiu-Weinberger said youth tend to figure out their sexuality alone because they don't want to talk about it with their parents. She said LGBTQ+ people also tend to have a harder time talking about sex with health care providers, who often are not comfortable about talking about sex, or may have their own biases. 'There is a lot of discomfort and mislabeling and often there are no conversations,' Lelutiu-Weinberger said. 'And both parties are uncomfortable bringing it up because of fear of stigma.' Amelia Stanton, a Boston University professor and investigator for the Sexual, Reproductive and Mental Health Disparities Program, said the changes don't align with science or promote the best interest of public health. 'If we're limiting that information, we're not offering tools for planning,' Stanton said. 'We're not offering the opportunity to really learn how to prevent STIs or how to have agency in sexual activity.' Stanton said heterosexual intercourse might align more with traditional values, but failing to teach kids about oral sex, anal sex and other sexual behavior that carries risk for sexually transmitted infections will cause the rates of those infections to increase. Nearly half the nation's cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in 2023 were reported in people 15 to 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Infections were disproportionately high among men who had sex with men. Shanker, the former Biden aide, said that Congress created the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program in 2010 under President Barack Obama to replace an abstinence-only sex education model in place under President George W. Bush. 'We have a comprehensive program that's highly effective, and they're tinkering with it for political purposes instead of trying to achieve public health results for the American people,' Shanker said.
