Julia Raifman, ScD
@juliaraifman.bsky.social
Evidence-based posts about public health & equity. All views are my own.
Pinned
Minneapolis church has delivered more than 12,000 boxes of groceries to families in hiding
DHH church has hundreds of volunteers packing and delivering groceries to families who have been too scared to leave their homes during the immigration operation.
www.mprnews.org
I grew up in Minnesota
Right now nearly every person I know there is doing all they can to support their community
This is who we are in the United States as much or more so than the violence in headlines
May our leaders lead on an alternative future where we lean into the best of ourselves
Right now nearly every person I know there is doing all they can to support their community
This is who we are in the United States as much or more so than the violence in headlines
May our leaders lead on an alternative future where we lean into the best of ourselves
Reposted by Julia Raifman, ScD
Walz: "We've got children that a core memory for them will be their classmate being taken away. That will stick with them the rest of their lives. My hope is what sticks with them is human decency wins out, rule of law matters ... "
February 12, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Walz: "We've got children that a core memory for them will be their classmate being taken away. That will stick with them the rest of their lives. My hope is what sticks with them is human decency wins out, rule of law matters ... "
Grateful to everyone in Minnesota who showed what it means to show up for each other in hard times
May this spirit lead us forward
And may we call on Congressional leaders to ensure the harms are not perpetuated in any other communities 
May this spirit lead us forward
And may we call on Congressional leaders to ensure the harms are not perpetuated in any other communities 
I grew up in Minnesota
Right now nearly every person I know there is doing all they can to support their community
This is who we are in the United States as much or more so than the violence in headlines
May our leaders lead on an alternative future where we lean into the best of ourselves
Right now nearly every person I know there is doing all they can to support their community
This is who we are in the United States as much or more so than the violence in headlines
May our leaders lead on an alternative future where we lean into the best of ourselves
Minneapolis church has delivered more than 12,000 boxes of groceries to families in hiding
DHH church has hundreds of volunteers packing and delivering groceries to families who have been too scared to leave their homes during the immigration operation.
www.mprnews.org
February 12, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Grateful to everyone in Minnesota who showed what it means to show up for each other in hard times
May this spirit lead us forward
And may we call on Congressional leaders to ensure the harms are not perpetuated in any other communities 
May this spirit lead us forward
And may we call on Congressional leaders to ensure the harms are not perpetuated in any other communities 
Some good news in public health thanks to RSV vaccines
Infant RSV hospitalizations are 79% lower than the same week in 2023-24 & 57% lower than 2024-25
Yet racial inequities persist, with 1.8x hospitalization rate among Black people vs total population
Supporting equitable access is critical
Infant RSV hospitalizations are 79% lower than the same week in 2023-24 & 57% lower than 2024-25
Yet racial inequities persist, with 1.8x hospitalization rate among Black people vs total population
Supporting equitable access is critical
February 11, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Some good news in public health thanks to RSV vaccines
Infant RSV hospitalizations are 79% lower than the same week in 2023-24 & 57% lower than 2024-25
Yet racial inequities persist, with 1.8x hospitalization rate among Black people vs total population
Supporting equitable access is critical
Infant RSV hospitalizations are 79% lower than the same week in 2023-24 & 57% lower than 2024-25
Yet racial inequities persist, with 1.8x hospitalization rate among Black people vs total population
Supporting equitable access is critical
Journalism is a public good, as are public health, education, & good governance. Grateful to everyone continuing the work in whatever ways we can in hard times & hope it may lead us through to better times
Thinking of everyone affected from USAID a year ago to the Washington Post today
Thinking of everyone affected from USAID a year ago to the Washington Post today
Bezos orders deep job cuts at 'Washington Post'
The Washington Post embarked on severe cuts despite appeals by the newsroom to owner Jeff Bezos. The paper is to narrow its focus largely to politics and national security.
www.npr.org
February 4, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Journalism is a public good, as are public health, education, & good governance. Grateful to everyone continuing the work in whatever ways we can in hard times & hope it may lead us through to better times
Thinking of everyone affected from USAID a year ago to the Washington Post today
Thinking of everyone affected from USAID a year ago to the Washington Post today
Reposted by Julia Raifman, ScD
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
February 1, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
“What concerns me is maybe we get rid of some people & then say ‘oh good enough’
The bottom line is our democracy was not working well for at least 40 years
This is our moment to rebuild it in a fairer, more economically just way
Or we will lose this moment & it will crop up again way too soon”
The bottom line is our democracy was not working well for at least 40 years
This is our moment to rebuild it in a fairer, more economically just way
Or we will lose this moment & it will crop up again way too soon”
Heather Cox Richardson on Trump's Impact on Democracy | KQED
Airdate: Monday, January 26 at 9 AM Calling out ICE and the National Guard to police Los Angeles, Portland and Minneapolis. DOGE and the evisceration of government institutions. Invading Venezuela. Th...
www.kqed.org
January 27, 2026 at 1:06 AM
“What concerns me is maybe we get rid of some people & then say ‘oh good enough’
The bottom line is our democracy was not working well for at least 40 years
This is our moment to rebuild it in a fairer, more economically just way
Or we will lose this moment & it will crop up again way too soon”
The bottom line is our democracy was not working well for at least 40 years
This is our moment to rebuild it in a fairer, more economically just way
Or we will lose this moment & it will crop up again way too soon”
Reposted by Julia Raifman, ScD
Alex Pretti's coworkers taking a moment of silence in his memory this morning
January 26, 2026 at 10:48 PM
Alex Pretti's coworkers taking a moment of silence in his memory this morning
Reposted by Julia Raifman, ScD
January is almost over and there have only been 3 homicides in Minneapolis so far this year
2 of them were committed by ICE agents.
2 of them were committed by ICE agents.
January 24, 2026 at 7:06 PM
January is almost over and there have only been 3 homicides in Minneapolis so far this year
2 of them were committed by ICE agents.
2 of them were committed by ICE agents.
Reposted by Julia Raifman, ScD
Minnesota is standing up together. We can try to protect each other. We can witness and alert you.
But this is the federal govt. This is a national issue.
We need YOU to stand up with us. Read @naomikritzer.bsky.social. Act with compassion & immense urgency.
naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
But this is the federal govt. This is a national issue.
We need YOU to stand up with us. Read @naomikritzer.bsky.social. Act with compassion & immense urgency.
naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
How To Help if You are Outside Minnesota
Last edited January 22, 2026 I’m going to assume that if you’re reading this, you more or less understand the situation in Minnesota and I don’t have to explain it to you! That sa…
naomikritzer.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Minnesota is standing up together. We can try to protect each other. We can witness and alert you.
But this is the federal govt. This is a national issue.
We need YOU to stand up with us. Read @naomikritzer.bsky.social. Act with compassion & immense urgency.
naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
But this is the federal govt. This is a national issue.
We need YOU to stand up with us. Read @naomikritzer.bsky.social. Act with compassion & immense urgency.
naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
Tomorrow is #MaternalHealthAwarenessDay
Our new Alameda County report mark progress & a need to keep up the work, especially on inequities
acphd-web-media.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/media/data-r... @publichealthac.bsky.social
Our new Alameda County report mark progress & a need to keep up the work, especially on inequities
acphd-web-media.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/media/data-r... @publichealthac.bsky.social
January 22, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Tomorrow is #MaternalHealthAwarenessDay
Our new Alameda County report mark progress & a need to keep up the work, especially on inequities
acphd-web-media.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/media/data-r... @publichealthac.bsky.social
Our new Alameda County report mark progress & a need to keep up the work, especially on inequities
acphd-web-media.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/media/data-r... @publichealthac.bsky.social
Grateful to Lisa Cook for leading research on distributional aspects of the economy & implications for the economy as a whole
From the importance of women’s economic inclusion in Rwanda to how racial discrimination harms the economy, much appreciate her work
m.youtube.com/watch?v=D7ft... #EconSky
From the importance of women’s economic inclusion in Rwanda to how racial discrimination harms the economy, much appreciate her work
m.youtube.com/watch?v=D7ft... #EconSky
New Thinking at Berkeley Haas | Laura Tyson & Lisa Cook | The Cost of Racism
YouTube video by UC Berkeley Haas
m.youtube.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:21 AM
Grateful to Lisa Cook for leading research on distributional aspects of the economy & implications for the economy as a whole
From the importance of women’s economic inclusion in Rwanda to how racial discrimination harms the economy, much appreciate her work
m.youtube.com/watch?v=D7ft... #EconSky
From the importance of women’s economic inclusion in Rwanda to how racial discrimination harms the economy, much appreciate her work
m.youtube.com/watch?v=D7ft... #EconSky
Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Grateful for his legacy & words that inspire us
May we keep up the work to shape a more just, equitable, joyful country that brings people together
Grateful for his legacy & words that inspire us
May we keep up the work to shape a more just, equitable, joyful country that brings people together
January 19, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Grateful for his legacy & words that inspire us
May we keep up the work to shape a more just, equitable, joyful country that brings people together
Grateful for his legacy & words that inspire us
May we keep up the work to shape a more just, equitable, joyful country that brings people together
I grew up in Minnesota
Right now nearly every person I know there is doing all they can to support their community
This is who we are in the United States as much or more so than the violence in headlines
May our leaders lead on an alternative future where we lean into the best of ourselves
Right now nearly every person I know there is doing all they can to support their community
This is who we are in the United States as much or more so than the violence in headlines
May our leaders lead on an alternative future where we lean into the best of ourselves
Minneapolis church has delivered more than 12,000 boxes of groceries to families in hiding
DHH church has hundreds of volunteers packing and delivering groceries to families who have been too scared to leave their homes during the immigration operation.
www.mprnews.org
January 17, 2026 at 4:08 PM
I grew up in Minnesota
Right now nearly every person I know there is doing all they can to support their community
This is who we are in the United States as much or more so than the violence in headlines
May our leaders lead on an alternative future where we lean into the best of ourselves
Right now nearly every person I know there is doing all they can to support their community
This is who we are in the United States as much or more so than the violence in headlines
May our leaders lead on an alternative future where we lean into the best of ourselves
Reposted by Julia Raifman, ScD
Panel behind new dietary guidelines had financial ties to beef, dairy industries, via @statnews.com
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 of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s criticism of corporate influence.
www.statnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Panel behind new dietary guidelines had financial ties to beef, dairy industries, via @statnews.com
“We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism”
Thank you @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social for leading on better
May we stand together on better — from ourselves, from our government, for each of us & our communities
Happy 2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/n...
Thank you @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social for leading on better
May we stand together on better — from ourselves, from our government, for each of us & our communities
Happy 2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/n...
The Full Transcript of Zohran Mamdani’s Inauguration Speech
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:29 PM
“We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism”
Thank you @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social for leading on better
May we stand together on better — from ourselves, from our government, for each of us & our communities
Happy 2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/n...
Thank you @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social for leading on better
May we stand together on better — from ourselves, from our government, for each of us & our communities
Happy 2026
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/n...
Happy new year! Before kids head back to school is a good time to get flu vaccines for kids who don’t have them yet
Flu hospitalizations trending up for all, & kids <5 especially at risk
Home flu tests also help with rapid detection to start Tamiflu & to reduce spread
gis.cdc.gov/GRASP/Fluvie...
Flu hospitalizations trending up for all, & kids <5 especially at risk
Home flu tests also help with rapid detection to start Tamiflu & to reduce spread
gis.cdc.gov/GRASP/Fluvie...
January 2, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Happy new year! Before kids head back to school is a good time to get flu vaccines for kids who don’t have them yet
Flu hospitalizations trending up for all, & kids <5 especially at risk
Home flu tests also help with rapid detection to start Tamiflu & to reduce spread
gis.cdc.gov/GRASP/Fluvie...
Flu hospitalizations trending up for all, & kids <5 especially at risk
Home flu tests also help with rapid detection to start Tamiflu & to reduce spread
gis.cdc.gov/GRASP/Fluvie...
Reposted by Julia Raifman, ScD
If the US invested in child care and had national policies like paid leave comparable to other industrialized countries, we would generate $775 billion of economic activity a year. The question should not be, “how can we afford to do this?” The question is, “how can we afford not to?” Let’s do this.
December 25, 2025 at 3:36 AM
If the US invested in child care and had national policies like paid leave comparable to other industrialized countries, we would generate $775 billion of economic activity a year. The question should not be, “how can we afford to do this?” The question is, “how can we afford not to?” Let’s do this.
Excellent piece by @sarahd1.bsky.social on costs of “medical freedom”
“No state has ever completely eliminated vaccine requirements…
Policymakers… can look to research that has shown that areas with greater numbers of exemptions to vaccine requirements do see more disease.”
“No state has ever completely eliminated vaccine requirements…
Policymakers… can look to research that has shown that areas with greater numbers of exemptions to vaccine requirements do see more disease.”
4 questions to understand the costs of ‘medical freedom’
The choice that one person makes not to vaccinate has real costs — financial and otherwise — for their neighbors.
www.statnews.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Excellent piece by @sarahd1.bsky.social on costs of “medical freedom”
“No state has ever completely eliminated vaccine requirements…
Policymakers… can look to research that has shown that areas with greater numbers of exemptions to vaccine requirements do see more disease.”
“No state has ever completely eliminated vaccine requirements…
Policymakers… can look to research that has shown that areas with greater numbers of exemptions to vaccine requirements do see more disease.”
“I have never met an infectious diseases physician who wasn’t also an advocate
The nature of the work demands it bc pathogens do not exist in a vacuum, & neither do the people they affect.”
Grateful to learn from @boghuma.bsky.social & ID physicians, patients, & epidemiologists
The nature of the work demands it bc pathogens do not exist in a vacuum, & neither do the people they affect.”
Grateful to learn from @boghuma.bsky.social & ID physicians, patients, & epidemiologists
How I Experienced This Year
Living through 2025 as a Physician, Scientist and Advocate
bktitanji.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 3:52 PM
“I have never met an infectious diseases physician who wasn’t also an advocate
The nature of the work demands it bc pathogens do not exist in a vacuum, & neither do the people they affect.”
Grateful to learn from @boghuma.bsky.social & ID physicians, patients, & epidemiologists
The nature of the work demands it bc pathogens do not exist in a vacuum, & neither do the people they affect.”
Grateful to learn from @boghuma.bsky.social & ID physicians, patients, & epidemiologists
Did you know?
CDC has an RSV dashboard
As we roll out monoclonal antibodies for infant RSV, the rate of infant hospitalizations is under 10% what it was 2 years ago & 34% vs last year
Many more kids home & healthy for the holidays
Still early but hope it continues
www.cdc.gov/resp-net/das...
CDC has an RSV dashboard
As we roll out monoclonal antibodies for infant RSV, the rate of infant hospitalizations is under 10% what it was 2 years ago & 34% vs last year
Many more kids home & healthy for the holidays
Still early but hope it continues
www.cdc.gov/resp-net/das...
December 21, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Did you know?
CDC has an RSV dashboard
As we roll out monoclonal antibodies for infant RSV, the rate of infant hospitalizations is under 10% what it was 2 years ago & 34% vs last year
Many more kids home & healthy for the holidays
Still early but hope it continues
www.cdc.gov/resp-net/das...
CDC has an RSV dashboard
As we roll out monoclonal antibodies for infant RSV, the rate of infant hospitalizations is under 10% what it was 2 years ago & 34% vs last year
Many more kids home & healthy for the holidays
Still early but hope it continues
www.cdc.gov/resp-net/das...
A story that stays with me
A child nearly survived his cancer
But he contracted chickenpox & died
This is far less common after the chickenpox vaccine reduced the chance of individuals having severe disease & reduced community spread
Thanks for sharing @drjoshs.bsky.social & @sanders.senate.gov
A child nearly survived his cancer
But he contracted chickenpox & died
This is far less common after the chickenpox vaccine reduced the chance of individuals having severe disease & reduced community spread
Thanks for sharing @drjoshs.bsky.social & @sanders.senate.gov
LIVE: Roundtable on Vaccines and Public Health
YouTube video by Senator Bernie Sanders
m.youtube.com
December 20, 2025 at 11:10 PM
A story that stays with me
A child nearly survived his cancer
But he contracted chickenpox & died
This is far less common after the chickenpox vaccine reduced the chance of individuals having severe disease & reduced community spread
Thanks for sharing @drjoshs.bsky.social & @sanders.senate.gov
A child nearly survived his cancer
But he contracted chickenpox & died
This is far less common after the chickenpox vaccine reduced the chance of individuals having severe disease & reduced community spread
Thanks for sharing @drjoshs.bsky.social & @sanders.senate.gov
“This action contradicts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is framed inside the FXB Building and
handed to every HSPH graduate at Commencement.”
handed to every HSPH graduate at Commencement.”
By Removing Bassett, Harvard Chan Is Abandoning Its Mission | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson
To remove Bassett and “focus” FXB on children’s health suggests a chilling reversal: Harvard has moved from naming structural inequities to disciplining anyone who insists on exposing them.
www.thecrimson.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:32 PM
“This action contradicts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is framed inside the FXB Building and
handed to every HSPH graduate at Commencement.”
handed to every HSPH graduate at Commencement.”
Thinking about everyone affected by rising health insurance premiums that compound high grocery & gift costs this holiday season
The family in this story will pay an additional $1300 per month
May we aspire to policies that support universal economic security & access to health care
The family in this story will pay an additional $1300 per month
May we aspire to policies that support universal economic security & access to health care
Americans facing unaffordable healthcare costs if ACA subsidies end share concerns
Millions of Americans could see their healthcare costs skyrocket if the ACA subsidies aren't extended. NPR spoke with residents of New Jersey, Virginia and Georgia about their concerns.
www.npr.org
December 15, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Thinking about everyone affected by rising health insurance premiums that compound high grocery & gift costs this holiday season
The family in this story will pay an additional $1300 per month
May we aspire to policies that support universal economic security & access to health care
The family in this story will pay an additional $1300 per month
May we aspire to policies that support universal economic security & access to health care
“Dr. Bassett, a distinguished public health physician recruited to Harvard specifically to direct the FXB Center… will remain as Professor
But this summary dismissal from her leadership position as center director continues a pattern at Harvard
With grave implications for academic freedom”
But this summary dismissal from her leadership position as center director continues a pattern at Harvard
With grave implications for academic freedom”
On the Termination of the Director of the Harvard FXB Center for Health and Human Rights — AAUP - Harvard Faculty Chapter
The Executive Committee of AAUP-Harvard Faculty Chapter is alarmed by the abrupt termination of Professor Mary T. Bassett as Director of the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights ...
www.aaup-hfc.org
December 13, 2025 at 12:23 AM
“Dr. Bassett, a distinguished public health physician recruited to Harvard specifically to direct the FXB Center… will remain as Professor
But this summary dismissal from her leadership position as center director continues a pattern at Harvard
With grave implications for academic freedom”
But this summary dismissal from her leadership position as center director continues a pattern at Harvard
With grave implications for academic freedom”
What direction will we take the future of our field of public health?
We are at a crossroads
Dr. Mary Bassett represents the best of us, and I hope will continue to be supported in leading the way forward
Heartened to see much support for her on this petition
docs.google.com/document/d/e...
We are at a crossroads
Dr. Mary Bassett represents the best of us, and I hope will continue to be supported in leading the way forward
Heartened to see much support for her on this petition
docs.google.com/document/d/e...
Petition to Reinstate Dr. Mary Bassett as the FXB Center Director
docs.google.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:29 PM
What direction will we take the future of our field of public health?
We are at a crossroads
Dr. Mary Bassett represents the best of us, and I hope will continue to be supported in leading the way forward
Heartened to see much support for her on this petition
docs.google.com/document/d/e...
We are at a crossroads
Dr. Mary Bassett represents the best of us, and I hope will continue to be supported in leading the way forward
Heartened to see much support for her on this petition
docs.google.com/document/d/e...