Isabella Cueto
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isabellacueto.bsky.social
Isabella Cueto
@isabellacueto.bsky.social
2K followers 170 following 130 posts
Reporter covering chronic disease, MAHA and more for STAT.

🔗 https://www.statnews.com/staff/isabella-cueto/
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isabellacueto.bsky.social
Isabella Cueto @isabellacueto.bsky.social · May 20
How do you solve a chronic disease crisis? It depends on what you care about most. That's what RFK Jr. will have to decide soon.

Our new project splits the nation's health into 9 "priorities." Choose your adventure based on your top concerns.

Dive in: www.statnews.com/2025/05/20/k...
A Mike Reddy illustration-collage of the priorities.
Reposted by Isabella Cueto
propublica.org
8/ For more on what kids are experiencing inside the Dilley detention center, read the full story by reporter @micarosenberg.bsky.social:
The Kids Trump Sent to ICE’s Dilley Detention Center
ProPublica went inside the immigrant detention center for families in Dilley, Texas. Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of...
www.propublica.org
February 9, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Reposted by Isabella Cueto
propublica.org
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken.

Hundreds of kids are still detained.

We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
February 9, 2026 at 12:25 PM
isabellacueto.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2026/02/02/m...
As male birth control gets closer to reality, men are lining up for clinical trials
It was long believed that men wouldn't reliably use birth control, but many are signing up for clinical trials of experimental male contraceptives.
www.statnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Isabella Cueto
danielpayne.bsky.social
With a new U.S. vaccine schedule in hand, RFK Jr. allies aim for a bigger prize: changing state law

If they're successful, vaccine requirements for schools and daycares could be a thing of the past

w/ @isabellacueto.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2026/01/29/v...
With new vaccine schedule secured, RFK Jr. allies head to statehouses
The overhaul of the federal vaccine schedule sent shockwaves through American health care. Now battles over vaccine laws are moving to statehouses across the country.
www.statnews.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Isabella Cueto
bradheath.bsky.social
NEW: President Donald Trump’s top immigration officials have repeatedly made statements after violent encounters involving agents - including two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens in Minneapolis this month - that were later contradicted by evidence, Reuters found.

www.reuters.com/world/us/evi...
January 27, 2026 at 8:15 PM
isabellacueto.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/a...
Alex Pretti remembered by health care workers at a Minneapolis vigil as a ‘stand-up guy’
Health care workers brought flowers and wreaths, lit candles, and draped stethoscopes over a wooden cross as a makeshift memorial to nurse Alex Pretti.
www.statnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Reposted by Isabella Cueto
sarah-todd.bsky.social
Turns out there's a lot of historical precedent for the government's new milk mustache campaign! Dive in for some early 20th century eugenics history + 1990s throwback trivia:

www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/n...
What RFK Jr.’s milk mustache says about the historic power of dairy in the U.S.
Milk is getting an AI-assisted push from federal officials. Will other foods favored by MAHA get similar treatment?
www.statnews.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:19 PM
isabellacueto.bsky.social
A deeper look at how new US dietary guidelines were shaped reveals rushed scientific reviews, industry-funded studies, and unanswered questions that are of great consequence to the American people.

Exclusive: www.statnews.com/2026/01/17/n...
Behind new dietary guidelines: Industry-funded studies, opaque science, crushing deadline pressure
A look at the "outrageous" timeline and influence issues on the scientific panel that led to a new food pyramid.
www.statnews.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:02 PM
isabellacueto.bsky.social
"Cuts affect organizations providing a broad array of services, including comprehensive opioid treatment; addiction care for people experiencing homelessness; helping adults transition out of prison," and more.

www.statnews.com/2026/01/14/s...
Trump administration cuts up to $1.9 billion from mental health and addiction treatment programs
SAMHSA canceled up to $1.9 billion in grants without staff consultation, accelerating the mental health agency's deterioration under President Trump.
www.statnews.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:17 PM
isabellacueto.bsky.social
A reminder that we're tracking Sec. Kennedy and MAHA's promises, with regular updates, here: www.statnews.com/2025/09/10/r...
Tracking RFK Jr.’s promises to remake health in America
STAT introduces a goals and promises tracker for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again movement — successes, incompletes, and fails.
www.statnews.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:49 PM
isabellacueto.bsky.social
How saturated fats lost ..and won in new dietary guidelines. @sarah-todd.bsky.social's smart piece:

www.statnews.com/2026/01/08/s...
How saturated fats lost, and won, on new food pyramid
New dietary guidelines limit saturated fats to 10% of total calories, but also encourage full-fat dairy, red meat, and beef tallow. How will that work?
www.statnews.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:10 PM
isabellacueto.bsky.social
Nearly half of Trump-appointed experts involved in shaping the new dietary guidelines have financial ties to meat and dairy industries.

Exclusive with @sarah-todd.bsky.social and @elizabethcooney.bsky.social -->

www.statnews.com/2026/01/07/n...
Panel behind new dietary guidelines had financial ties to beef, dairy industries
The industry connections of an advisory panel for the new dietary guidelines are notable, especially in light Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s criticism of corporate influence.
www.statnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Reposted by Isabella Cueto
sarah-todd.bsky.social
We've got a new food pyramid, emphasis on limiting ultra-processed foods and eating more protein, and a lot more. Story with @isabellacueto.bsky.social & @elizabethcooney.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2026/01/07/d...
Dietary guidelines declare war on processed foods and sugar, encourage more protein and dairy
The MAHA movement claims wins — fewer processed foods and seed oils, more beef and dairy products — as Kennedy discards 421 pages of scientific recommendations.
www.statnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by Isabella Cueto
sarah-todd.bsky.social
“Our kids are going to die from some of these diseases that we have resources against,” Elizabeth Choma, a D.C. pediatric nurse practitioner, said. New from @isabellacueto.bsky.social:

www.statnews.com/2026/01/06/w...
New vaccine schedule adds near- and long-term risks for children, experts warn
Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to improve children’s health. But his sweeping changes to the nation’s childhood vaccine schedule will do the opposite, health experts warn.
www.statnews.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:19 PM
isabellacueto.bsky.social
If you haven't cloned yourself to be able to see every cool session at AASLD's #TLM25, maybe read our (free) newsletter?

We'll be sending out letters with interesting studies + tidbits from the conference tomorrow and Tuesday AM. Sign up here: www.statnews.com/signup/aasld...
Sign up for AASLD in 30 Seconds
The latest from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Reposted by Isabella Cueto
jasonukman.bsky.social
7 burning questions about Trump’s big deal for cheaper weight loss drugs.

Via @statnews.com

www.statnews.com/2025/11/06/t...
7 burning questions about Trump’s big deal for cheaper weight loss drugs
Trump's weight loss drug announcement raises questions from the commercial market to Medicare.
www.statnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:55 AM
isabellacueto.bsky.social
I'll be covering #TLM25 for @statnews.com this weekend. Say hi if you see me, or lmk what you're most looking forward to learning about!
November 7, 2025 at 4:06 PM
isabellacueto.bsky.social
RFK Jr., a longtime pharma critic, embraced Trump's deal to lower obesity medication prices yesterday — despite MAHA's opposition to the drugs. ICYMI: www.statnews.com/2025/11/06/r...
Kennedy, a longtime pharma critic, embraces Trump deal to expand access to obesity drugs
RFK Jr. has railed against drugmakers but he struck a different tone in commenting on President Trump's deal to expand access to obesity drugs
www.statnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:32 PM
isabellacueto.bsky.social
New: I spent a week in Texas to see what people thought of MAHA, Secretary Kennedy and health care. To some, this state is the heart of the movement.

I was consistently surprised by what I heard, and moved by how Texans are grappling with poor health. Come w/ me: www.statnews.com/2025/11/03/m...
In Texas, the nation's MAHA capital, many are frustrated with the status quo in health care
Texas is the MAHA capital of the country — offering a look at health policies that may soon roll across the country.
www.statnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted by Isabella Cueto
jeremymberg.bsky.social
New story up on the non-existent banned words from NIH grants (based on my grant title, word cloud analysis)

www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/n...

1/3
Scientists had to change more than 700 grant titles to receive NIH funding. Health disparities researchers fear what’s next
The titles of more than 700 multi-year NIH grants have been changed this year, according to an analysis by Jeremy Berg, a former agency official
www.statnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Reposted by Isabella Cueto
foodfixco.bsky.social
The Trump administration has prepared to weather a shutdown for a long time, but SNAP benefits for November are at risk as the dysfunction in Washington continues.

foodfix.co/why-snap-ben...
Why SNAP benefits are at risk as shutdown drags on
The Trump administration has prepared to weather a shutdown for a long time, but SNAP benefits for November are at risk as the dysfunction in Washington continues.
foodfix.co
October 17, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by Isabella Cueto
sarah-todd.bsky.social
Come for the captivating details like a $5k portrait of RFK Jr with no bidders, stay for @isabellacueto.bsky.social's nuanced portrait of MAHA-friendly regenerative farming in Texas

www.statnews.com/2025/10/16/m...
In Texas, ex-vegan restaurateurs put MAHA's vision for farming to the test
A former vegan chef is trying to execute MAHA's dream of a utopian future based on small-scale, family-owned farms.
www.statnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:27 PM
isabellacueto.bsky.social
Near a tiny Texas town known as the "cowboy capital of the world," siblings who ran popular vegan restaurants in L.A. are trying to make a 200-acre "regenerative" ranch work.

It's an experiment that could serve as a proof-of-concept for MAHA. NEW:
www.statnews.com/2025/10/16/m...
In Texas, ex-vegan restaurateurs put MAHA's vision for farming to the test
A former vegan chef is trying to execute MAHA's dream of a utopian future based on small-scale, family-owned farms.
www.statnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Reposted by Isabella Cueto
paris.nyc
my latest investigation for @consumerreports.org is based on months of reporting and 60+ lab tests of leading protein supplements

we found that most protein powders and shakes have more lead in one serving than our experts say is safe to have in a day (🧵)

www.consumerreports.org/lead/protein...
Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead - Consumer Reports
CR tests of 23 popular protein powders and shakes found that most contain high levels of lead.
www.consumerreports.org
October 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by Isabella Cueto
jasonukman.bsky.social
At a time when conflict and cynicism seem to be shadowing much of health and medicine, @statnews.com is recognizing some of the brightest young minds in their fields this morning.

www.statnews.com/wunderkinds/
Meet the 2025 STAT Wunderkinds
This year, as in past years, we've found inspiring stories and innovative research. All are blazing new trails as they attempt to answer some of the
www.statnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:23 PM