Posts Tagged ‘politics’

The new administration in Washington says it wants to Make America Healthy Again by bringing an intense focus on chronic disease. This is a concept we endorse without reservation. But talk is turning into balk when it comes down to following through on the scientific research essential for reducing the burden of chronic disease. A […]

It’s no secret. We have reservations about the expansive use of the label “diet-related” disease for a stunning array of conditions that have many different causes. Even for obesity, that label is problematic. But we’re used to it. We were not ready, though, for the news this week that the most senior health official in […]

For many people who toil in pursuit of insights from scientific research, these are stressful times. Mass firings have decimated U.S. science agencies, according to reporting in Science. The chaos has shattered the careers of many scientists and has been especially harsh for vulnerable early career scientists. As this is happening, a climate of fear […]

A new cancel culture is sweeping through science and research, censoring mentions of bad words under the new administration. The bad words relate to things like equity, bias, and diversity. Openness? Probably not a good thing to talk about if you don’t want your research funding flagged. This is a problem. Three researchers in pulmonary […]

In its modern usage, cynicism has two principal meanings. It is a belief that only self-interest motivates people, an outlook that distrusts human sincerity or integrity. Expressions of contempt and mocking follow from such thinking. The other meaning is to show concern for self-interests while disregarding accepted norms. Under either meaning, the U.S. Senate this […]

Was the multi-million dollar spend by Hims & Hers on a Super Bowl ad the last gasp of a doomed business? Or was it a clever play for regulatory latitude that could keep them going?  Conventional wisdom suggests that GLP-1 compounders should be nearing the end of their rope. But some political observers think they […]

The sincerity and passion of Dariush Mozaffarian is easy to recognize and admire. His deep belief in the opportunity for good food to make us healthier is familiar. It echoes the impassioned pitch of a politician before Senate hearings this week. Too many Americans have too many “diet-related” diseases. Time’s a wastin’! Let them all […]

In case you missed it, we are going through a transition in American government. Unlike four years ago, this one is peaceful and we can look forward to four years of a different approach to government in the United States. One of the most unusual facets of this turning point was an eminent scientist, Anthony […]

Many years of working on obesity has taught us one thing. Success does not come easily. And yet in this new year, it appears that the new administration in Washington will have an opportunity to claim an easy win on obesity. CMS has a new rule for obesity drugs that can become final in the […]

“Yes, by all means, let’s eat more arugula. But let’s not turn our back on the role of human ingenuity in making America healthier.” This is how Rich Lowry, Editor in Chief of the National Review, tried this week to make sense of the coming salad of health policy that we will call arugulazempic. Give […]