Rob Stein
Stories
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RFK Jr. calls autism an 'epidemic' and launches effort to find 'environmental' cause
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says autism is "epidemic" and he's launching research to identify an "environmental toxin" for blame. Independent scientists and advocates are skeptical.
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White House orders NIH to research trans 'regret' and 'detransition'
The Trump administration has ordered the National Institutes of Health to study the physical and mental health effects of undergoing gender transition, including regret. The research comes at a time when the administration has cut hundreds of grants for research into health issues affecting the LGBTQ community.
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A biotech company says it has bred three pups with traits of the extinct dire wolf
Colossal Biosciences says it used novel gene-editing technology to alter gray wolf DNA to breed the animals. Dire wolves recently featured prominently in the HBO series Game of Thrones.
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Transfer to Alaska? Offer to health leaders called 'insult' to Indian Health Service
NPR obtained emails that went out last week to leaders at health agencies offering to transfer them to postings in tribal communities. Officials close to Dr. Anthony Fauci got the offer.
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NPR's health reporters catch you up on cuts to agencies and contract spending
It was a chaotic week for the nation's health agencies, as layoff notices rolled in along with an order for deep cuts to contract spending. NPR's health reporters tell us what they've learned.
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On top of layoffs, HHS ordered to cut 35% of spending on contracts
Federal health agencies have to slash their spending by more than a third, on top of the 10,000-person staffing cuts.
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The richest Americans live about as long as the poorest Europeans, study says
Everyone knows that Europeans tend to live longer than Americans. But a new study has a surprising twist: Even the richest Americans only live about as long as the poorest western Europeans. Embargoed until 5 pm April 2.
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Widespread firings start at federal health agencies including many in leadership
Staffers began receiving termination notices this morning as part of a major restructuring at HHS. Some senior leadership are on their way out too.
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FDA vaccine official ousted
The FDA's top vaccine regulator says he was forced out by the Trump administration and criticizes HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "misinformation and lies" about vaccines.
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NIH investigating agency-funded research into mRNA vaccine technology
The Trump administration has ordered the National Institutes of Health to terminate dozens of studies examining why people are hesitant about vaccines and issues related to the LGBTQ community. The NIH is also gathering information about grants that involve the mRNA technology used to create the COVID-19 vaccines.
