Jonathan Lambert
@jonlambert.bsky.social
Science journalist at NPR covering global health. Used to work at Grid and Science News. jlambert1@npr.org. On signal @jonlambert.12
https://jonathanmlambert.com/
https://jonathanmlambert.com/
Pinned
Jonathan Lambert
@jonlambert.bsky.social
· Apr 21
Some professional news: I'm permanently joining NPR's Science Desk! (My last gig was temporary).
I'll be covering global health, with a special focus on what comes next after the US withdrawal from foreign aid, as well as environmental determinants of health.
If you have ideas or tips, reach out!
I'll be covering global health, with a special focus on what comes next after the US withdrawal from foreign aid, as well as environmental determinants of health.
If you have ideas or tips, reach out!
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
NEW — Bethany Kozma has called gender-affirming care “absolutely infuriating," said “the idea that gender is fluid is evil,” and likened abortion to murder.
This week, she became America's top health diplomat.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
This week, she became America's top health diplomat.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
America's new top health diplomat has strong opinions on abortion and gender
Bethany Kozma leads a key global health office at the Department of Health and Human Services. In past experience in the public eye, she's campaigned against abortion and gender-affirming care.
www.npr.org
December 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
NEW — Bethany Kozma has called gender-affirming care “absolutely infuriating," said “the idea that gender is fluid is evil,” and likened abortion to murder.
This week, she became America's top health diplomat.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
This week, she became America's top health diplomat.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
NEW — Bethany Kozma has called gender-affirming care “absolutely infuriating," said “the idea that gender is fluid is evil,” and likened abortion to murder.
This week, she became America's top health diplomat.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
This week, she became America's top health diplomat.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
America's new top health diplomat has strong opinions on abortion and gender
Bethany Kozma leads a key global health office at the Department of Health and Human Services. In past experience in the public eye, she's campaigned against abortion and gender-affirming care.
www.npr.org
December 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
NEW — Bethany Kozma has called gender-affirming care “absolutely infuriating," said “the idea that gender is fluid is evil,” and likened abortion to murder.
This week, she became America's top health diplomat.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
This week, she became America's top health diplomat.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
As the planet warms, global infrastructure is increasingly imperiled by extreme weather it was never designed to handle.
The fight over a mysterious 130-year-old dam in India -- which one community sees as its salvation and another fears will be its doom -- shows what's at stake.
wapo.st/4qbE70a
The fight over a mysterious 130-year-old dam in India -- which one community sees as its salvation and another fears will be its doom -- shows what's at stake.
wapo.st/4qbE70a
One dam shapes the fate of millions. Extreme rain puts it at risk.
Climate change threatens to push the world’s infrastructure to a breaking point.
wapo.st
December 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
As the planet warms, global infrastructure is increasingly imperiled by extreme weather it was never designed to handle.
The fight over a mysterious 130-year-old dam in India -- which one community sees as its salvation and another fears will be its doom -- shows what's at stake.
wapo.st/4qbE70a
The fight over a mysterious 130-year-old dam in India -- which one community sees as its salvation and another fears will be its doom -- shows what's at stake.
wapo.st/4qbE70a
The most striking official comment I've ever received from a government agency.
Read to the end. NPR asked why the Trump team ended a low-cost program that cured millions of tropical diseases w drugs donated by pharma. The spokesperson replied with an NPR headline—“Farewell to USAID”—and said: “What do you think farewell meant?” www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The fight to beat neglected tropical diseases was going well. 2025 could change that
The campaign to prevent and treat these diseases has seen great success thanks to a USAID program. Now that program is gone.
www.npr.org
December 11, 2025 at 9:26 PM
The most striking official comment I've ever received from a government agency.
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
Read to the end. NPR asked why the Trump team ended a low-cost program that cured millions of tropical diseases w drugs donated by pharma. The spokesperson replied with an NPR headline—“Farewell to USAID”—and said: “What do you think farewell meant?” www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The fight to beat neglected tropical diseases was going well. 2025 could change that
The campaign to prevent and treat these diseases has seen great success thanks to a USAID program. Now that program is gone.
www.npr.org
December 11, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Read to the end. NPR asked why the Trump team ended a low-cost program that cured millions of tropical diseases w drugs donated by pharma. The spokesperson replied with an NPR headline—“Farewell to USAID”—and said: “What do you think farewell meant?” www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
A small, but effective USAID program has played a leading role in driving down the burden of neglected tropical diseases around the world.
The Trump administration cut the program, and countries are scrambling to prevent these debilitating diseases from roaring back.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The Trump administration cut the program, and countries are scrambling to prevent these debilitating diseases from roaring back.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The fight to beat neglected tropical diseases was going well. 2025 could change that
The campaign to prevent and treat these diseases has seen great success thanks to a USAID program. Now that program is gone.
www.npr.org
December 10, 2025 at 2:26 PM
A small, but effective USAID program has played a leading role in driving down the burden of neglected tropical diseases around the world.
The Trump administration cut the program, and countries are scrambling to prevent these debilitating diseases from roaring back.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The Trump administration cut the program, and countries are scrambling to prevent these debilitating diseases from roaring back.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
When I asked the Trump administration about plans to continue funding these NTD programs, I got a screenshot of an NPR story from earlier this year headlined "Farewell to USAID."
Above the screenshot was their official comment: "What do you think farewell means?"
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Above the screenshot was their official comment: "What do you think farewell means?"
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The fight to beat neglected tropical diseases was going well. 2025 could change that
The campaign to prevent and treat these diseases has seen great success thanks to a USAID program. Now that program is gone.
www.npr.org
December 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM
When I asked the Trump administration about plans to continue funding these NTD programs, I got a screenshot of an NPR story from earlier this year headlined "Farewell to USAID."
Above the screenshot was their official comment: "What do you think farewell means?"
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Above the screenshot was their official comment: "What do you think farewell means?"
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
A small, but effective USAID program has played a leading role in driving down the burden of neglected tropical diseases around the world.
The Trump administration cut the program, and countries are scrambling to prevent these debilitating diseases from roaring back.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The Trump administration cut the program, and countries are scrambling to prevent these debilitating diseases from roaring back.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The fight to beat neglected tropical diseases was going well. 2025 could change that
The campaign to prevent and treat these diseases has seen great success thanks to a USAID program. Now that program is gone.
www.npr.org
December 10, 2025 at 2:26 PM
A small, but effective USAID program has played a leading role in driving down the burden of neglected tropical diseases around the world.
The Trump administration cut the program, and countries are scrambling to prevent these debilitating diseases from roaring back.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The Trump administration cut the program, and countries are scrambling to prevent these debilitating diseases from roaring back.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
In addition to all of the other benefits already reported about NYC congestion pricing, "In the first six months of the program, air pollution – in the form of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller – dropped by 22% in the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ)"
news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...
news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...
Congestion pricing improved air quality in NYC and suburbs | Cornell Chronicle
Cornell researchers tallied the environmental benefits of New York City’s congestion pricing program and found air pollution dropped by 22% in Manhattan, with additional declines across the city’s fiv...
news.cornell.edu
December 9, 2025 at 2:19 AM
In addition to all of the other benefits already reported about NYC congestion pricing, "In the first six months of the program, air pollution – in the form of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller – dropped by 22% in the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ)"
news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...
news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
Timely: Did Americans vote in 2024 for major changes to vaccine policy? No.
Only 3% picked vaccines as a top 3 issue in the election.
Our just-published research letter in @jamahealthforum.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Only 3% picked vaccines as a top 3 issue in the election.
Our just-published research letter in @jamahealthforum.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
December 5, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Timely: Did Americans vote in 2024 for major changes to vaccine policy? No.
Only 3% picked vaccines as a top 3 issue in the election.
Our just-published research letter in @jamahealthforum.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Only 3% picked vaccines as a top 3 issue in the election.
Our just-published research letter in @jamahealthforum.com
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
!!!
The Post obtained hot mic comments by the chair of RFK Jr.'s CDC vaccine committee.
"We feel like a little bit like puppets on a string as opposed to really being an independent advisory panel" wapo.st/4atob4M
The Post obtained hot mic comments by the chair of RFK Jr.'s CDC vaccine committee.
"We feel like a little bit like puppets on a string as opposed to really being an independent advisory panel" wapo.st/4atob4M
December 5, 2025 at 8:10 PM
!!!
The Post obtained hot mic comments by the chair of RFK Jr.'s CDC vaccine committee.
"We feel like a little bit like puppets on a string as opposed to really being an independent advisory panel" wapo.st/4atob4M
The Post obtained hot mic comments by the chair of RFK Jr.'s CDC vaccine committee.
"We feel like a little bit like puppets on a string as opposed to really being an independent advisory panel" wapo.st/4atob4M
"The committee meeting was marked by unusual conflict and chaos."
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
CDC advisers delay planned vote on hepatitis B vaccine for infants
After a contentious discussion, the vaccine advisory group pushed the vote to Friday to give members time to study the language of proposed changes longstanding policy on the shots.
www.npr.org
December 4, 2025 at 8:47 PM
"The committee meeting was marked by unusual conflict and chaos."
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
This time last year, I was on the South Lawn of the White House helping to lay out the AIDS Memorial Quilt.
This year the White House did nothing and the State Department instructed empoyees and grant recipients to “refrain from publicly promoting World Aids Day through any communication channels”
This year the White House did nothing and the State Department instructed empoyees and grant recipients to “refrain from publicly promoting World Aids Day through any communication channels”
This morning I had the honor of helping lay out some panels of the #AIDS Memorial Quilt on the South Lawn of the White House. Seeing all these individual lives that were lost and knowing they are just a miniscule part of that great tapestry of loss is haunting.
December 1, 2025 at 5:48 PM
This time last year, I was on the South Lawn of the White House helping to lay out the AIDS Memorial Quilt.
This year the White House did nothing and the State Department instructed empoyees and grant recipients to “refrain from publicly promoting World Aids Day through any communication channels”
This year the White House did nothing and the State Department instructed empoyees and grant recipients to “refrain from publicly promoting World Aids Day through any communication channels”
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
Trump EPA to abandon air pollution rule that would prevent thousands of U.S. deaths www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Trump EPA to abandon air pollution rule that would prevent thousands of U.S. deaths
The Environmental Protection Agency will no longer defend Biden-era limits on fine-particle pollution, which causes heart and lung disease.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Trump EPA to abandon air pollution rule that would prevent thousands of U.S. deaths www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
Books We Love is back with a brand new batch of hand-picked titles. Mix and match tags like “Book Club Ideas” and “Eye-Opening Reads.” Find 380+ new 2025 reads, and stick around to browse more than 4,000 books from the last 13 years.
Books We Love
Here are 380+ great reads from 2025 handpicked just for you by NPR staffers and trusted critics.
n.pr
November 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Books We Love is back with a brand new batch of hand-picked titles. Mix and match tags like “Book Club Ideas” and “Eye-Opening Reads.” Find 380+ new 2025 reads, and stick around to browse more than 4,000 books from the last 13 years.
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
About that exclusive, "closed-to-press" MAHA summit last week with RFK and JD Vance: I got in.
Here's what I saw. 🧵 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Here's what I saw. 🧵 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
November 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
About that exclusive, "closed-to-press" MAHA summit last week with RFK and JD Vance: I got in.
Here's what I saw. 🧵 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Here's what I saw. 🧵 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The first doses of the blockbuster HIV prevention drug lenacapavir have arrived in Africa.
The doses came remarkably fast, just 5 months after approval in the US. But they're entering a system upended by Trump administration aid cuts.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The doses came remarkably fast, just 5 months after approval in the US. But they're entering a system upended by Trump administration aid cuts.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
A 'breakthrough' drug to prevent HIV, an 'unprecedented' rollout
The drug lenacapavir will be distributed to Eswatini and Zambia — the first step toward providing at least 2 million doses to the countries with the highest HIV burden, largely in Africa, by 2028.
www.npr.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:28 PM
The first doses of the blockbuster HIV prevention drug lenacapavir have arrived in Africa.
The doses came remarkably fast, just 5 months after approval in the US. But they're entering a system upended by Trump administration aid cuts.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The doses came remarkably fast, just 5 months after approval in the US. But they're entering a system upended by Trump administration aid cuts.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
Jeffrey Epstein Emails Reveal Depth of Ties to High-Profile Scientists
A trove of emails of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was released Wednesday by a Congressional committee
www.scientificamerican.com/article/jeff...
A trove of emails of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was released Wednesday by a Congressional committee
www.scientificamerican.com/article/jeff...
Jeffrey Epstein Emails Reveal Depth of Ties to High-Profile Scientists
A trove of emails of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was released Wednesday by a Congressional committee.
www.scientificamerican.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Jeffrey Epstein Emails Reveal Depth of Ties to High-Profile Scientists
A trove of emails of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was released Wednesday by a Congressional committee
www.scientificamerican.com/article/jeff...
A trove of emails of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was released Wednesday by a Congressional committee
www.scientificamerican.com/article/jeff...
Promising clinical trial results for what could become the first new antimalarial drug in more than two decades. Comes as resistance to current drugs is on the rise.
“This is a big deal.”
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
“This is a big deal.”
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
New malaria drug could be a life-saver as the standard drug shows signs of weakness
The best drug to fight malaria is facing increased resistance from the parasites it fights. Now there's an alternative in the pipeline and it looks promising.
www.npr.org
November 12, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Promising clinical trial results for what could become the first new antimalarial drug in more than two decades. Comes as resistance to current drugs is on the rise.
“This is a big deal.”
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
“This is a big deal.”
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
The US withdrawal from WHO could impact the flu shot.
Flu samples sent to CDC from around the world are down 60% this year, as of July.
"When those viruses are not coming in, we don't know what to put in the vaccine, and you're going to have less effective vaccines."
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Flu samples sent to CDC from around the world are down 60% this year, as of July.
"When those viruses are not coming in, we don't know what to put in the vaccine, and you're going to have less effective vaccines."
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Why next year's flu shot might not be as good as it should be
America's withdrawal from the World Health Organization is affecting the ability of U.S. scientists to track flu and other pathogens. That could be a blow to the development of the 2025 flu vaccine.
www.npr.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:29 PM
The US withdrawal from WHO could impact the flu shot.
Flu samples sent to CDC from around the world are down 60% this year, as of July.
"When those viruses are not coming in, we don't know what to put in the vaccine, and you're going to have less effective vaccines."
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Flu samples sent to CDC from around the world are down 60% this year, as of July.
"When those viruses are not coming in, we don't know what to put in the vaccine, and you're going to have less effective vaccines."
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The US withdrawal from WHO could impact the flu shot.
Flu samples sent to CDC from around the world are down 60% this year, as of July.
"When those viruses are not coming in, we don't know what to put in the vaccine, and you're going to have less effective vaccines."
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Flu samples sent to CDC from around the world are down 60% this year, as of July.
"When those viruses are not coming in, we don't know what to put in the vaccine, and you're going to have less effective vaccines."
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Why next year's flu shot might not be as good as it should be
America's withdrawal from the World Health Organization is affecting the ability of U.S. scientists to track flu and other pathogens. That could be a blow to the development of the 2025 flu vaccine.
www.npr.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:29 PM
The US withdrawal from WHO could impact the flu shot.
Flu samples sent to CDC from around the world are down 60% this year, as of July.
"When those viruses are not coming in, we don't know what to put in the vaccine, and you're going to have less effective vaccines."
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Flu samples sent to CDC from around the world are down 60% this year, as of July.
"When those viruses are not coming in, we don't know what to put in the vaccine, and you're going to have less effective vaccines."
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Sharing of flu samples from around the world with CDC is down 60% this year as of July, and other WHO labs have seen a dip too in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from WHO.
That patchier view of influenza's evolution could mean a less effective flu shot next year.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
That patchier view of influenza's evolution could mean a less effective flu shot next year.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Why next year's flu shot might not be as good as it should be
America's withdrawal from the World Health Organization is affecting the ability of U.S. scientists to track flu and other pathogens. That could be a blow to the development of the 2025 flu vaccine.
www.npr.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Sharing of flu samples from around the world with CDC is down 60% this year as of July, and other WHO labs have seen a dip too in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from WHO.
That patchier view of influenza's evolution could mean a less effective flu shot next year.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
That patchier view of influenza's evolution could mean a less effective flu shot next year.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
🔔 When Trump posted a video of budget director Russell Vought as the grim reaper, public health workers recognized a kernel of truth.
My latest piece @kffhealthnews.org couldn't be more important. Art by the incredible @oonazenda.bsky.social
🧵
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
My latest piece @kffhealthnews.org couldn't be more important. Art by the incredible @oonazenda.bsky.social
🧵
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:37 PM
🔔 When Trump posted a video of budget director Russell Vought as the grim reaper, public health workers recognized a kernel of truth.
My latest piece @kffhealthnews.org couldn't be more important. Art by the incredible @oonazenda.bsky.social
🧵
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
My latest piece @kffhealthnews.org couldn't be more important. Art by the incredible @oonazenda.bsky.social
🧵
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
Today's the big day — we're officially on strike all day! We'll be picketing from 8am to 8pm at 1776 Massachusetts NW. Come show your support! @wbng.org @newsguild.org
November 5, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Today's the big day — we're officially on strike all day! We'll be picketing from 8am to 8pm at 1776 Massachusetts NW. Come show your support! @wbng.org @newsguild.org
Reposted by Jonathan Lambert
Workers of the Science News Media Guild will conduct a 24-hour #strike on Wednesday, 11/5. This comes after our members voted to reject the Society’s latest contract proposal. Our members previously voted by 92% to authorize a strike against the @society4science.bsky.social, if necessary.
November 3, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Workers of the Science News Media Guild will conduct a 24-hour #strike on Wednesday, 11/5. This comes after our members voted to reject the Society’s latest contract proposal. Our members previously voted by 92% to authorize a strike against the @society4science.bsky.social, if necessary.