Alison Young
@alisonannyoung.bsky.social
Senior National Reporter Healthbeat.org + investigative reporter + author of Pandora’s Gamble: Lab Leaks, Pandemics, and a World at Risk. ayoung@healthbeat.org Signal: alisonyoungreports.48
Pinned
Some personal news: I’m thrilled to share that I’ve joined @healthbeat.org as a senior national reporter covering #PublicHealth issues + the CDC. Reach out with tips at ayoung@healthbeat.org or Signal: alisonyoungreports.48 #EpiSky #MedSky #IDSky
The baby formula company linked to a growing infant botulism outbreak that has hospitalized children across the US, was previously cited by federal regulators for contamination issues involving a different type of dangerous bacteria www.healthbeat.org/2025/11/11/b... #publichealth #IDsky #medsky
What to know about baby formula maker's safety record amid recall
ByHeart Inc., which on Tuesday morning expanded its infant formula recall to all batches of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula cans and Anywhere Pack, amid the botulism outbreak, was involved in a...
www.healthbeat.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The baby formula company linked to a growing infant botulism outbreak that has hospitalized children across the US, was previously cited by federal regulators for contamination issues involving a different type of dangerous bacteria www.healthbeat.org/2025/11/11/b... #publichealth #IDsky #medsky
5 From the Field: Our Q&A with @nacchoalerts.bsky.social CEO Lori Freeman on how local health departments are dealing with CDC chaos + how #publichealth moves forward #episky #IDSky www.healthbeat.org/2025/11/11/n...
November 11, 2025 at 1:37 PM
5 From the Field: Our Q&A with @nacchoalerts.bsky.social CEO Lori Freeman on how local health departments are dealing with CDC chaos + how #publichealth moves forward #episky #IDSky www.healthbeat.org/2025/11/11/n...
“We may be the only specialty that continues to do major abdominal surgery without a shred of evidence of benefit,” said Dr. Steven L. Clark, an obstetrician at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas who has extensively studied electronic monitoring. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/h...
The ‘Worst Test in Medicine’ is Driving America’s High C-Section Rate
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:39 PM
“We may be the only specialty that continues to do major abdominal surgery without a shred of evidence of benefit,” said Dr. Steven L. Clark, an obstetrician at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas who has extensively studied electronic monitoring. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/h...
Reposted by Alison Young
Thank you to everyone who attended Healthbeat's event in Atlanta about 'Aha' moments in public health! And thank you to those who shared their stories!
Be on the lookout for videos from the event and more stories on healthbeat.org.
Be on the lookout for videos from the event and more stories on healthbeat.org.
November 4, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Thank you to everyone who attended Healthbeat's event in Atlanta about 'Aha' moments in public health! And thank you to those who shared their stories!
Be on the lookout for videos from the event and more stories on healthbeat.org.
Be on the lookout for videos from the event and more stories on healthbeat.org.
Investigators previously cited monkey research facility for lax treatment of wastewater from labs experimenting with anthrax and other deadly bacteria. (4 things to know in my Healthbeat article 👇)
November 2, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Investigators previously cited monkey research facility for lax treatment of wastewater from labs experimenting with anthrax and other deadly bacteria. (4 things to know in my Healthbeat article 👇)
New details on the history of biosafety lapses at the Tulane monkey research facility involved in this week’s truck crash + monkey escape. My latest article for Healthbeat: www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/31/m... #publichealth #IDsky
October 31, 2025 at 6:04 PM
New details on the history of biosafety lapses at the Tulane monkey research facility involved in this week’s truck crash + monkey escape. My latest article for Healthbeat: www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/31/m... #publichealth #IDsky
For those following the Tulane research monkey escape: There is an entire chapter in my book about biosafety breaches in Tulane’s monkey research. Page 160 is only part of what I uncovered in my deep FOIA work for Pandora’s Gamble…
October 30, 2025 at 1:41 PM
For those following the Tulane research monkey escape: There is an entire chapter in my book about biosafety breaches in Tulane’s monkey research. Page 160 is only part of what I uncovered in my deep FOIA work for Pandora’s Gamble…
“The critical violation occurred in November 2014, when three macaques had to be euthanized following a ‘biosecurity breach.’
…when ‘one or more staff members had failed to adhere to established biosafety and infection control procedures.” www.wlbt.com/2025/10/29/u...
…when ‘one or more staff members had failed to adhere to established biosafety and infection control procedures.” www.wlbt.com/2025/10/29/u...
USDA records show just one critical violation at Tulane research lab since 2014
Several monkeys were put down after escaping a truck transporting them from the Tulane facility on Tuesday.
www.wlbt.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:33 PM
“The critical violation occurred in November 2014, when three macaques had to be euthanized following a ‘biosecurity breach.’
…when ‘one or more staff members had failed to adhere to established biosafety and infection control procedures.” www.wlbt.com/2025/10/29/u...
…when ‘one or more staff members had failed to adhere to established biosafety and infection control procedures.” www.wlbt.com/2025/10/29/u...
Four things to know about new mpox alert in Europe + cases spreading in California
www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/28/m...
www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/28/m...
Four things to know about new mpox warning in Europe
Warning by European health agency about mpox strain notes locally spread cases in Spain, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, and California.
www.healthbeat.org
October 28, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Four things to know about new mpox alert in Europe + cases spreading in California
www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/28/m...
www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/28/m...
A malaria mystery in Washington state - and how disease sleuths solved it. www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/27/w... #publichealth #IDsky #episky
How disease sleuths solved a malaria mystery in Washington state
Behind the scenes of how health investigators came to suspect a local mosquito caused a recent malaria case in the Tacoma, Washington, area.
www.healthbeat.org
October 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM
A malaria mystery in Washington state - and how disease sleuths solved it. www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/27/w... #publichealth #IDsky #episky
Reposted by Alison Young
“None of the three Southern California residents hospitalized in the new outbreak were vaccinated against mpox” www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/22/m...
Will new type of mpox virus spread beyond California? Many at-risk people aren’t vaccinated.
New mpox cases in California are the first reported clade I infections in the United States that don’t involve international travel, the California Department of Public Health said. Here's what to kno...
www.healthbeat.org
October 23, 2025 at 12:02 PM
“None of the three Southern California residents hospitalized in the new outbreak were vaccinated against mpox” www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/22/m...
As California health officials investigate an outbreak of a more severe type of mpox virus, federal data indicate that low vaccination rates across the country. In dozens of states, >half of at-risk people remained unvaccinated in wake of 2022-2023 mpox outbreak. www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/22/m...
Will new type of mpox virus spread beyond California? Many at-risk people aren’t vaccinated.
New mpox cases in California are the first reported clade I infections in the United States that don’t involve international travel, the California Department of Public Health said. Here's what to kno...
www.healthbeat.org
October 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
As California health officials investigate an outbreak of a more severe type of mpox virus, federal data indicate that low vaccination rates across the country. In dozens of states, >half of at-risk people remained unvaccinated in wake of 2022-2023 mpox outbreak. www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/22/m...
An unusual series of US malaria outbreaks in 2023 – and now local mosquitoes are suspected of causing malaria infections in two states this summer. What you need to know from @healthbeat.org www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/17/u...
October 17, 2025 at 6:47 PM
An unusual series of US malaria outbreaks in 2023 – and now local mosquitoes are suspected of causing malaria infections in two states this summer. What you need to know from @healthbeat.org www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/17/u...
5 takeaways from new report on obesity in the United States. “The rates of obesity in the nation remain alarmingly high,” said Dr. J. Nadine Gracia of @tfah.bsky.social www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/16/o...
October 16, 2025 at 11:15 AM
5 takeaways from new report on obesity in the United States. “The rates of obesity in the nation remain alarmingly high,” said Dr. J. Nadine Gracia of @tfah.bsky.social www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/16/o...
South Carolina now has 16 confirmed measles cases. Public health tags Greenville gym as one source. www.postandcourier.com/health/south...
South Carolina now has 16 confirmed measles cases. Public health tags Greenville gym as one source.
South Carolina’s measles outbreak in the Upstate now has 16 confirmed cases, most associated with two schools in Spartanburg County.
www.postandcourier.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:27 PM
South Carolina now has 16 confirmed measles cases. Public health tags Greenville gym as one source. www.postandcourier.com/health/south...
Trump Administration Will Rehire Scores of Experts Fired in Error
Friday’s layoffs swept up scientists involved in responding to the measles outbreak and running an influential journal. An official acknowledged the mistakes on Saturday. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
Friday’s layoffs swept up scientists involved in responding to the measles outbreak and running an influential journal. An official acknowledged the mistakes on Saturday. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
Trump Administration Will Rehire Scores of Experts Fired in Error
www.nytimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Trump Administration Will Rehire Scores of Experts Fired in Error
Friday’s layoffs swept up scientists involved in responding to the measles outbreak and running an influential journal. An official acknowledged the mistakes on Saturday. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
Friday’s layoffs swept up scientists involved in responding to the measles outbreak and running an influential journal. An official acknowledged the mistakes on Saturday. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
“The administration told a federal judge in California on Friday night that seven agencies…had issued RIF notices to a total of more than 4,100 workers,” reports @washingtonpost www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
October 11, 2025 at 4:14 PM
“The administration told a federal judge in California on Friday night that seven agencies…had issued RIF notices to a total of more than 4,100 workers,” reports @washingtonpost www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by Alison Young
Alison Young has covered health, science and environmental issues for most of her career, including as a CDC beat reporter during an earlier time of controversial change at the agency. She joins Healthbeat in another period of upheaval.
Meet Alison Young, Healthbeat’s new senior national reporter
Alison Young has covered health, science and environmental issues for most of her career, including as a CDC beat reporter during an earlier time of controversial change at the agency. She joins Healthbeat in another period of upheaval.
bit.ly
October 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Alison Young has covered health, science and environmental issues for most of her career, including as a CDC beat reporter during an earlier time of controversial change at the agency. She joins Healthbeat in another period of upheaval.
The CDC was rocked by another period of leadership exodus and turmoil years ago. It was my introduction to covering public health. www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/09/m... #publichealth #EpiSky #MedSky #IDSky
October 9, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The CDC was rocked by another period of leadership exodus and turmoil years ago. It was my introduction to covering public health. www.healthbeat.org/2025/10/09/m... #publichealth #EpiSky #MedSky #IDSky
“Cats and dogs, which tend to spend a lot of time on or near the ground…Compared to humans, they may have more exposure to cancer-causing chemicals used in lawn care or the heavy metals, like lead, that tend to accumulate in household dust.” www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/s... via @NYTimes
In a Toxic World, Pets Could Be Vital Health Watchdogs
www.nytimes.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:27 AM
“Cats and dogs, which tend to spend a lot of time on or near the ground…Compared to humans, they may have more exposure to cancer-causing chemicals used in lawn care or the heavy metals, like lead, that tend to accumulate in household dust.” www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/s... via @NYTimes
“When the researchers tested two major companies’ biosecurity screening techniques, they found that “up to 100 percent” of the AI-generated ricin-like proteins evaded detection. Because the new proteins no longer looked like ricin, they were not flagged.” www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
AI can design toxic proteins. They’re escaping through biosecurity cracks.
Artificial intelligence can design toxic proteins that escape biosecurity cracks, sparking concerns over potential misuse.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 5, 2025 at 1:55 PM
“When the researchers tested two major companies’ biosecurity screening techniques, they found that “up to 100 percent” of the AI-generated ricin-like proteins evaded detection. Because the new proteins no longer looked like ricin, they were not flagged.” www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
From Post and Courier: Two of the current cases had an unknown source of infection, which “indicates unrecognized community spread…We anticipate more cases will be identified and implore community members to act responsibly.”
www.postandcourier.com/news/sc-sees...
www.postandcourier.com/news/sc-sees...
SC sees first measles outbreak of the year, joining national surge in cases
There are now eight confirmed cases of measles in South Carolina and the first outbreak of linked cases from the highly infectious disease.
www.postandcourier.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:56 PM
From Post and Courier: Two of the current cases had an unknown source of infection, which “indicates unrecognized community spread…We anticipate more cases will be identified and implore community members to act responsibly.”
www.postandcourier.com/news/sc-sees...
www.postandcourier.com/news/sc-sees...
Some personal news: I’m thrilled to share that I’ve joined @healthbeat.org as a senior national reporter covering #PublicHealth issues + the CDC. Reach out with tips at ayoung@healthbeat.org or Signal: alisonyoungreports.48 #EpiSky #MedSky #IDSky
October 1, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Some personal news: I’m thrilled to share that I’ve joined @healthbeat.org as a senior national reporter covering #PublicHealth issues + the CDC. Reach out with tips at ayoung@healthbeat.org or Signal: alisonyoungreports.48 #EpiSky #MedSky #IDSky
I remember being in the @freep.com newsroom when the towers fell.
September 11, 2025 at 1:28 PM
I remember being in the @freep.com newsroom when the towers fell.
“Contaminated metal at an industrial site in Indonesia may be the source of radioactive material that led to massive recalls of imported frozen shrimp, international nuclear safety officials say, as efforts are underway to halt more U.S.-bound shipments.” www.wral.com/story/radioa...
Radioactive metal at an Indonesia industrial site may be linked to shrimp recall
Contaminated metal at an industrial site in Indonesia may be the source of radioactive material that led to massive recalls of imported frozen shrimp, international nuclear safety officials say, as ef...
www.wral.com
September 5, 2025 at 10:39 PM
“Contaminated metal at an industrial site in Indonesia may be the source of radioactive material that led to massive recalls of imported frozen shrimp, international nuclear safety officials say, as efforts are underway to halt more U.S.-bound shipments.” www.wral.com/story/radioa...