Rita Rubin
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ritarubin.bsky.social
Rita Rubin
@ritarubin.bsky.social
160 followers 82 following 42 posts

Lead senior staff writer, Medical News @jamacurrent.bsky.social. Mountain Mama, short story author, Medill & Hopkins alum.

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Economics 45%
Public Health 28%
Posts Replies Media Videos

ritarubin.bsky.social
Rita Rubin @ritarubin.bsky.social · 9h
Wowsers.
retractionwatch.com Retraction Watch @retractionwatch.com · 10h
Last August, a reader alerted the editor of a medical journal to a recent case report “riddled with irreconcilable contradictions, medically impossible claims, fictional terminology, and ethical lapses.”
Journal tags ‘impossible’ case report with short erratum
Last August, a reader alerted the editor of a medical journal to a recent case report “riddled with irreconcilable contradictions, medically impossible claims, fictional terminology, and ethical la…
retractionwatch.com

Reposted by Rita Rubin

jama.com
JAMA @jama.com · 10h
💬 Perspective: Aluminum exposure from routine vaccines is significantly lower than dietary sources, and current evidence supports vaccine safety with no identified health risks.

bit.ly/4r5e63l
Table details maximum potential aluminum exposure from vaccination, using January 2025's recommended schedules. Includes age, vaccine, schedule, doses, aluminum per dose, total aluminum, and max aluminum by age.

Reposted by Dorothy Bishop, Rita Rubin

retractionwatch.com
Retraction Watch @retractionwatch.com · 10h
Last August, a reader alerted the editor of a medical journal to a recent case report “riddled with irreconcilable contradictions, medically impossible claims, fictional terminology, and ethical lapses.”
Journal tags ‘impossible’ case report with short erratum
Last August, a reader alerted the editor of a medical journal to a recent case report “riddled with irreconcilable contradictions, medically impossible claims, fictional terminology, and ethical la…
retractionwatch.com

Reposted by Rita Rubin

jama.com
JAMA @jama.com · 10h
Cesarean delivery on maternal request accounts for 2.5% of US births and is linked to lower rates of #PelvicFloorDisorders, but increased future risks such as placenta accreta and hysterectomy.

💡 Learn more in this JAMA Insights:
bit.ly/4rIIlgK
JAMA Insights | WOMEN'S HEALTH: Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request. Published online February 9, 2026. CME at jamacmelookup.com. Discusses cesarean deliveries, maternal outcomes, and risks associated with vaginal and cesarean delivery.

Reposted by Rita Rubin

jama.com
JAMA @jama.com · 11h
Moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee or tea was linked to reduced #dementia risk and modest improvements in cognitive outcomes; no benefit was seen for decaffeinated coffee in an observational study of US adults.

bit.ly/4bEUa2F
Line graph titled 'Incident dementia' shows hazard ratio (95% CI) vs. caffeinated coffee intake. The curve starts at 1.0, declines until about 3 c/d intake, then slightly rises. Intake c/d ranges from 0 to >5. No. of cases and person-years are also provided.

Reposted by Rita Rubin

aliciaault.bsky.social
Alicia Ault @aliciaault.bsky.social · 12h
ICYMI: Dr. Oz goes off-message from RFK.

#IDsky #publichealth #measles #vaccines #MMR #outbreak #immunization
'Take the vaccine, please,' a top US health official says in an appeal as measles cases rise
A leading U.S. health official is urging people to get inoculated against the measles at a time of outbreaks across several states
abcnews.go.com

Reposted by Michael E. Mann, Brendan Nyhan, Benjamin Mason Meier , and 6 more

atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d
BASH: Is this measles outbreak a consequence of the administration undermining support for vaccines?

DR OZ: I don't believe so. Secretary Kennedy has been advocating for measles vaccines

BASH: Oh, come on

Reposted by Jennifer Bussell, Rosemary A. Joyce, Rita Rubin , and 8 more

nome.bsky.social
Nome @nome.bsky.social · 3d
Just because good news is worth celebrating:

There is now a Prep medication that is an *every six month* injection.

HIV has, effectively, a vaccination.

Reposted by Rita Rubin

kennylinafp.bsky.social
Kenny Lin, MD, MPH @kennylinafp.bsky.social · 3d
Federal Vaccine Advisers Take Aim at Covid Shots www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/h... Of course they weren't going to stop at just taking children's vaccines away.
Federal Vaccine Advisers Take Aim at Covid Shots
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Rita Rubin

cnn.com
CNN @cnn.com · 3d
"...Even by the standards Trump has set for himself, his bid to rename this train station and airport are on another level." | Analysis https://cnn.it/4ce0IFy

Reposted by Rita Rubin

chrishendel.bsky.social
Chris Hendel @chrishendel.bsky.social · 3d
Laughable.

Just a glorified book of coupons. 🤡

"Consumers can redeem a coupon provided though the service to receive a discount on their out-of-pocket costs."

"...it's unclear whether the majority of US consumers...will see significant savings as part of the program."
www.dw.com/en/trumprx-p...
TrumpRx promises cheap drugs for the US ― but how cheap?
Donald Trump's latest pitch to voters ahead of critical midterm elections is that he's bringing drug prices down. But amid cost-of-living challenges, many Americans may only see modest savings.
www.dw.com

Reposted by Rita Rubin

burningbird.net
Shelley Powers @burningbird.net · 3d
#giftarticle

wapo.st/4qjFtWk
Opinion | A viral infection can have devastating effects. I experienced this firsthand.
The consequences of the anti-vaccine movement reach beyond today’s controversies.
wapo.st

Reposted by Rita Rubin

doritreiss.bsky.social
Dorit Reiss @doritreiss.bsky.social · 3d
No, they did not increase trust in vaccines and CDC.

"..following the Trump administration’s announcement of changes to the recommended childhood vaccine schedule, the public’s trust in the CDC remains at its lowest point since the COVID-19 pandemic..."
www.kff.org/health-infor...
KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: Trust in the CDC and Views of Federal Childhood Vaccine Schedule Changes | KFF
Weeks after the Trump administration reduced the number of childhood vaccine recommended for routine use, public trust in the CDC is at its lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic, and less than half are c...
www.kff.org

Reposted by Rita Rubin, Karen Benjamin Guzzo, Dana Howard

autonomynews.co
Autonomy News @autonomynews.co · 3d
The FDA recently approved the birth control implant Nexplanon for use up to five years, instead of three. But to providers' surprise, it also placed the device under a special monitoring protocol called REMS, which is infamous for the way it has limited access to medication abortion.
The FDA Quietly Slapped More Restrictions on the Birth Control Implant
The agency recently approved Nexplanon for up to five years of use—but it also imposed extra regulations that leave some providers worried.
www.autonomynews.co

Reposted by Rita Rubin

smcgrath.phd
Scott McGrath @smcgrath.phd · 3d
NIH research is in the red zone. $561M in grants for cancer and heart disease is frozen, and 304 trials are defunded. Vacancies in 15 director roles create a leadership gap that stalls medical progress here in the US.
#MedSky 🛟 #AcademicSky
Trump admin is "destroying medical research," Senate report finds
In a Senate hearing Tuesday, NIH director dismissed concern about research chaos.
arstechnica.com

Reposted by Rita Rubin

wsj.com
The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com · 4d
Novo Nordisk said it plans to take legal and regulatory action against Hims & Hers. on.wsj.com/4aek0b9
Novo Nordisk Accuses Hims & Hers of ‘Illegal Mass Compounding’ Over Cheaper Wegovy Version
Novo Nordisk said it plans to take legal and regulatory action against Hims & Hers.
on.wsj.com

Reposted by Jonathan Wolff, Rita Rubin

wired.com
WIRED @wired.com · 5d
In the ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina that has infected more than 800 people, some children have developed a rare but serious complication called encephalitis. www.wired.com/story/measle...
Measles Is Causing Brain Swelling in Children in South Carolina
In the ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina that has infected more than 800 people, some children have developed a rare but serious complication called encephalitis.
www.wired.com

ritarubin.bsky.social
Rita Rubin @ritarubin.bsky.social · 5d
My latest for @jama.com:
jama.com JAMA @jama.com · 6d
Three new #GLP-1 drugs for obesity treatment—2 injectables and 1 pill—may receive FDA approval this year. Here’s how the investigational weight-loss medications performed in trials.

ja.ma/3NTnCrW
New GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Expected This Year
This Medical News article discusses clinical trial data for weight-loss medications, in both injectable and pill formations, that are currently under review with US Food and Drug Administration.
ja.ma

Reposted by Rita Rubin

cnn.com
CNN @cnn.com · 6d
Three US Olympic bodies have changed the name of their shared athlete hospitality space at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics from “Ice House” to “Winter House,” following widespread protests in both Italy and the US over the role and conduct of ICE agents. https://cnn.it/3M12uPR

Reposted by Rita Rubin

jama.com
JAMA @jama.com · 6d
Three new #GLP-1 drugs for obesity treatment—2 injectables and 1 pill—may receive FDA approval this year. Here’s how the investigational weight-loss medications performed in trials.

ja.ma/3NTnCrW
New GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Expected This Year
This Medical News article discusses clinical trial data for weight-loss medications, in both injectable and pill formations, that are currently under review with US Food and Drug Administration.
ja.ma

Reposted by Rita Rubin

cnn.com
CNN @cnn.com · 9d
A Kentucky family battling extreme cold temperatures on their farm over the weekend opened their home to a newborn calf that was struggling in the deep freeze.

Hours later, the calf, fed and fluffed, took a spot on the couch with the Sorrell family's two children.
https://cnn.it/4taPoQx

Reposted by Elizabeth Saunders, Caroline Krafft, Rita Rubin , and 7 more

startribune.com
Minnesota Star Tribune @startribune.com · 10d
The Minnesota Star Tribune, @mprnews.org @minnesotareformer.com , @spokesmanrecorder.bsky.social, @sahanjournal.bsky.social, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association today released the following statement:
The Minnesota Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, the Minnesota Reformer, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Sahan Journal, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association today released the following statement: “We strongly condemn the arrest of journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon, as well as any attempt to intimidate members of the press. The First Amendment recognizes the press as holding a distinct and protected role in our democracy. In America, we do not arrest journalists for doing their jobs. The Minnesota journalism community stands united in defense of press freedom and the essential role reporting plays in holding power to account.”

Reposted by Rita Rubin

picardonhealth.bsky.social
André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 15d
My journey from foreign correspondent (Reuters bureau chief in Ottawa) to Uber driver in Trump's America. I once documented human displacement and desperation; now I am living it, by Steve Scherer
stevescherer.substack.com/p/my-journey... via @tomhawthorn.bsky.social #journalism
My journey from foreign correspondent to Uber driver in Trump's America
I once documented human displacement and desperation; now I am living it
stevescherer.substack.com

Reposted by Joshua S. Weitz, Rita Rubin, Ameet Sarpatwari , and 1 more

krutikakuppalli.bsky.social
Krutika Kuppalli, MD FIDSA @krutikakuppalli.bsky.social · 15d
We lost a giant in public health today.

Dr. William H. Foege helped eradicate #smallpox - the only human disease ever eliminated—through science, surveillance, and vaccines.

His legacy is the antidote to today’s antiscience, anti-vaccine rhetoric.

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
William H. Foege, Key Figure in the Eradication of Smallpox, Dies at 89
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Rita Rubin

gavinyamey.bsky.social
Prof Gavin Yamey @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 16d
Dr Bhattacharya—the MAGA/MAHA hero who campaigned for RFK Jr, praises Trump’s approach to science & cowrote the Great Barrington Declaration—has been a firehouse of Fox News disinformation talking points since 2020

Ofc he says he’s delighted Trump pulled the US out of the WHO 🤯
youtu.be/FuBUu6AsaUA
Jay Bhattacharya blames lockdowns for withdrawing from the WHO
YouTube video by Jonathan Howard
youtu.be

Reposted by Rita Rubin

sabohashem.bsky.social
Shady Abohashem, MD MPH FESC @sabohashem.bsky.social · 16d
📰 Recently, I had fun discussion with @ritarubin.bsky.social @jama.com, about our latest research exploring how stress may link depression to cardiovascular disease.
[https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2844453]
Mental health is not separate from Cardiovascular health.

ritarubin.bsky.social
Rita Rubin @ritarubin.bsky.social · 17d
My latest for @jama.com

Reposted by Rita Rubin

jama.com
JAMA @jama.com · 17d
🫀 New research explores how chronic stress may link depression and anxiety to higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

Find out more:

#Cardiology #MentalHealth @ritarubin.bsky.social
New Insight on Stress and Cardiovascular Disease
This Medical News article examines research suggesting that stress may mediate the observed association of depression and anxiety with major cardiovascular events.
jamanetwork.com

Reposted by Rita Rubin

hastingscenter.bsky.social
The Hastings Center for Bioethics @hastingscenter.bsky.social · 18d
📖 New Hastings Bioethics Forum essay: in a powerful reflection, author Vladyslava Kachkovska, M.D. shares how life and work in #Ukraine during the ongoing invasion have revealed the profound necessity of #bioethics


🔗: https://lnkd.in/g9YJj2Md

#UkraineWar #EthicsInCrisis

Reposted by Richard E. Lenski, Rita Rubin, Michael H. Fox , and 1 more

erictopol.bsky.social
Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 18d
The Shingles vaccine has outperformed all expectations. Why?
erictopol.substack.com/p/spotlight-...