Disease Prevention and Health Reseach

These are topics of global importance, and discussions need not be limited to changing US policies. But neither should those be excluded. If we veer to far into political we may stumble but let's give it a shot. So to speak.

The general:

Burden of Disease - Our World in Data

and some specifics:

Report: US scientists lost $3 billion in NIH grants since Trump took office - Ars Technica

The CDC buried a measles forecast that stressed the need for vaccinations

 

Focus on measles. Global incidence in 2025 so far:


Measles - number of reported cases

Their map is not loading for me right now, but I believe it shows Democratic Republic of Congo with >300,000. Gosh.

Why are these outbreaks happening?

Episode #133 - Measles: a growing threat

"So measles is on the rise because not enough children have been vaccinated. There was a big fall in the number of children being vaccinated during the Covid-19 pandemic and so, there is a big gap in our immunity. About 22 million children missed out completely on their measles vaccine in 2023."

This link lists top 10 countries so far:
Global Measles Outbreaks | Global Measles Vaccination | CDC

Readers may be most familiar with current US having 530 cases:
Multistate measles outbreak crosses 450 cases, with possible international spread | CNN

But Canada is not far behind with 496:
Measles and Rubella Weekly Monitoring Report — Canada.ca

 

Focus on me

"PriusChat which is predominantly in the US and Canada." So it is. Global Prius are (last I saw) have been 60% N America, 30% Japan 10% Europe. Other markets are smaller, but I see these most days in Sleepy Kunming, China.

"Do you really drive a 2001 Prius?" I really did from 2001 to 2008, then gave it to a friend of mine is US who has since died. It was sold from his estate and I don't know if it persists. I hope that Tochatihu does. When last seen > 120,000 miles on odometer. During those years I must have done something here of note for Toyota Inc, as they funded my travel to Detroit when the Better Prius was introduced. Some of that is in PriusChat's archives. I was a cheerleader, but also advised PriusChatters to push Toyota to pay beyond warranties for some problems faced by early adopters. On balance, it was a pleasant surprise that they threw any money my way.

"Are you a scholar at a Chinese University?" I work with a few of them.

"Or working for the CCP?" It's actually the same thing. In China, all universities are part of 'the government'. All have political officers; none of whom I have met. If "working for" is meant to imply spying or something like that, no, I don't, and have never been asked to. Honest

"How do you get past the Chinese internet sensors?" First answer is, I don't. Second answer is, if I need to access science information blocked here, I go to others who have VPNs. Third answer is, gosh, you may not know that many rest-of-world's websites block access from China. Censors (sometimes called sensors) work both ways! This might not be known to all.

PriusChat is the internet place I bother/enlighten most. Because many folks here are very technical and interested in the future. Also because a few posters clinging to the past teach us all how people detached from science think.

Is there is another internet chat where clever and hobbled minds intersect so interestingly? Tell me, and I'm off, and y'all can talk about your cars.

 

I do not agree that biomedical research or health-care delivery is 'over' in US. Crimped a bit in some ways by new policies; sure. But consider the so many people who dedicate their lifes' work to these areas. It is and will continue to be meaningful for them. If US 'crimps enough', some who see pathways might emigrate. Others will find a way to keep going.

 

Autism:

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/16/syndicate-kennedy-pledges-to-figure-out-which-environmental-toxins-are-causing-autism-00293583

This brings to mind a concept called "catch per unit effort". Originated I guess in studies of fisheries and has spread more widely in ecology. As concepts often do. It means if you put out more nets in more places, you will catch more fish. To use 'fish catch' as a measure of population sizes, catch effort must be corrected for.

It is my understanding that in recent decades, definition of autism has been expanded, and efforts to identify autistic people (children mostly) have also expanded. More nets.

In the link above, RFK Jr,. asserts those thnigs have not happened or are not responsible for more autism found. It might not be that he has read all literature on this topic.

A preconceived certainty that new and novel environmental chemical exposure is not, umm, ideal basis to approach scientific testing. It does suggest a search for an 'animal model' for autism, that could be challenged by various chemicals alone or in combination. That would be science.. NIH and HSS are US Govt agencies well poised to do it, or fund Universities.

If funding were available.

 

There are obvious disadvantages to Universities obliged to act according to Govt control. While feeling dismay over this, readers are asked to consider whether Universities in other countries are being moved in that direction.

 

So, I searched for universities declining all govt assistance and found this:

A list of colleges that don’t take federal money – Dean Clancy

There must be others including in other countries. It's not a 'must' that any are leaders in scientific research, or in preparing students for futures in technology etc.

 

Two FDA food-safety programs are to be discontinued:

FDA suspends quality tests for milk, other dairy products after Trump budget cuts - pennlive.com.

FDA halts key food lab quality program amid HHS staff cuts

We could probably develop a full list of these sunsets as they develop. Might be a bit gloomy though. More pleasant to explore how US ranks among nations in assuring food safety. I reckon it is still pretty high.