Rebekah Nagler
@rebekahnagler.bsky.social
Health communication researcher. Associate professor @HSJMC, UMN. Studying conflict and controversy about health and science in the media. Member @commhsp.org. Reluctant social media user, always and forever. Annenberg Penn alum.
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
New statement: IDSA, APHA and partners call for RFK Jr. to resign: "Our country needs leadership that will promote open, honest dialogue — not disregard decades of lifesaving science, spread misinformation, reverse medical progress and decimate programs that keep us safe." bit.ly/3JOgDya
September 3, 2025 at 11:10 PM
New statement: IDSA, APHA and partners call for RFK Jr. to resign: "Our country needs leadership that will promote open, honest dialogue — not disregard decades of lifesaving science, spread misinformation, reverse medical progress and decimate programs that keep us safe." bit.ly/3JOgDya
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
How have you been impacted by the changes we've seen under the current administration? What would you want to say to those in charge?
I'm launching a new research initiative to collect and share anonymous stories of the human toll. And I'd be very grateful for your help.
tinyurl.com/thehumantoll
I'm launching a new research initiative to collect and share anonymous stories of the human toll. And I'd be very grateful for your help.
tinyurl.com/thehumantoll
![The Human Toll
The US is undergoing rapid social, economic, and policy change.
If you've been impacted, we want to hear your story!
To participate, visit: https://tinyurl.com/thehumantoll
Study sponsored under University of Wisconsin-Madison IRB Protocol #2025-1096. PI: Dr. Jessica Calarco
Participants must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the US
[image of a person with their face in their hands]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dtgy62tymnpbnzozbpgnov56/bafkreifo6kcwiigmkdqcb5ytak6jqwrgnbzka22gdqmcarh4b32saqzdhm@jpeg)
July 30, 2025 at 10:19 AM
How have you been impacted by the changes we've seen under the current administration? What would you want to say to those in charge?
I'm launching a new research initiative to collect and share anonymous stories of the human toll. And I'd be very grateful for your help.
tinyurl.com/thehumantoll
I'm launching a new research initiative to collect and share anonymous stories of the human toll. And I'd be very grateful for your help.
tinyurl.com/thehumantoll
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
NEW: Their NIH grants are back, but nothing is back to normal.
In June, a judge ordered the restoration of 900+ terminated grants. So how's that going? Scientists say they're happy, but also it's been a bumpy road—and they're afraid their funds will get cut again. www.chronicle.com/article/thei...
In June, a judge ordered the restoration of 900+ terminated grants. So how's that going? Scientists say they're happy, but also it's been a bumpy road—and they're afraid their funds will get cut again. www.chronicle.com/article/thei...
Their NIH Grants Are Back. But Nothing Is Back to Normal.
Researchers say that picking up where they left off is complicated — scientifically, financially, and logistically.
www.chronicle.com
July 30, 2025 at 9:41 PM
NEW: Their NIH grants are back, but nothing is back to normal.
In June, a judge ordered the restoration of 900+ terminated grants. So how's that going? Scientists say they're happy, but also it's been a bumpy road—and they're afraid their funds will get cut again. www.chronicle.com/article/thei...
In June, a judge ordered the restoration of 900+ terminated grants. So how's that going? Scientists say they're happy, but also it's been a bumpy road—and they're afraid their funds will get cut again. www.chronicle.com/article/thei...
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
Few Americans actively support the Trump admin's attacks on higher ed. But, our data show that many seem to have no problem with it.
@stecula.bsky.social and I discuss why Americans should *demand* that our elected officials stand up for higher ed.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/atta...
@stecula.bsky.social and I discuss why Americans should *demand* that our elected officials stand up for higher ed.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/atta...
Apathy Over Attacks on Higher Education Needs to Change
If Americans don’t fight back against efforts to dismantle higher education, the U.S. will lose lifesaving medical research, innovation that spurs our economy and the ability to freely study science a...
www.scientificamerican.com
July 10, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Few Americans actively support the Trump admin's attacks on higher ed. But, our data show that many seem to have no problem with it.
@stecula.bsky.social and I discuss why Americans should *demand* that our elected officials stand up for higher ed.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/atta...
@stecula.bsky.social and I discuss why Americans should *demand* that our elected officials stand up for higher ed.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/atta...
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
“I want people to know how bad things are at NIH,” Norton told The Associated Press.
🎤⬇️
apnews.com/article/nih-...
🎤⬇️
apnews.com/article/nih-...
NIH scientists go public to criticize Trump's deep cuts in public health research
Scores of National Institutes of Health researchers and staffers have come forward to send their Trump-appointed leader a letter challenging policies they say undermine the NIH mission.
apnews.com
June 9, 2025 at 12:17 PM
“I want people to know how bad things are at NIH,” Norton told The Associated Press.
🎤⬇️
apnews.com/article/nih-...
🎤⬇️
apnews.com/article/nih-...
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
RFK Jr. promised under oath not to take away vaccine access. He broke that promise again today.
ACIP determines which vaccines are covered by major insurers. Replacing career civil servants w/political appointees (or disbanding ACIP altogether) will reduce access for *millions of Americans*
ACIP determines which vaccines are covered by major insurers. Replacing career civil servants w/political appointees (or disbanding ACIP altogether) will reduce access for *millions of Americans*
BREAKING: RFK Jr. fires ACIP, the panel responsible for advising on vaccines.
This breaks a promise to Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted to advance Kennedy as HHS secretary on the condition that he would, among other things, keep ACIP in place.
www.statnews.com/2025/06/09/r...
This breaks a promise to Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted to advance Kennedy as HHS secretary on the condition that he would, among other things, keep ACIP in place.
www.statnews.com/2025/06/09/r...
Health secretary RFK Jr. abruptly fires CDC vaccine advisory panel
Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken the extraordinary step of firing the expert panel that advises the CDC.
www.statnews.com
June 9, 2025 at 9:48 PM
RFK Jr. promised under oath not to take away vaccine access. He broke that promise again today.
ACIP determines which vaccines are covered by major insurers. Replacing career civil servants w/political appointees (or disbanding ACIP altogether) will reduce access for *millions of Americans*
ACIP determines which vaccines are covered by major insurers. Replacing career civil servants w/political appointees (or disbanding ACIP altogether) will reduce access for *millions of Americans*
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
Joint w/@asinclair.bsky.social and the #SCIMaP team: brief correspondence in @nathumbehav.nature.com on the impact of NIH indirect cost cuts on the economy and employment, impacts that will only worsen given similar proposals for NSF/DOE + overall science proposal.
rdcu.be/eo3Hp
rdcu.be/eo3Hp
NIH indirect cost cuts will affect the economy and employment
Nature Human Behaviour - NIH indirect cost cuts will affect the economy and employment
rdcu.be
June 2, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Joint w/@asinclair.bsky.social and the #SCIMaP team: brief correspondence in @nathumbehav.nature.com on the impact of NIH indirect cost cuts on the economy and employment, impacts that will only worsen given similar proposals for NSF/DOE + overall science proposal.
rdcu.be/eo3Hp
rdcu.be/eo3Hp
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
How bad will it be? Catastrophic.
Proposed cuts to #NSF, #NIH, and #NASA will set the US R&D landscape back 25 yrs+, cause economic and job loss now, and undermine innovations to come.
But, this is the WH's *proposed* budget.
Speak up now before it is too late.
(inflation adjusted $-s below)
Proposed cuts to #NSF, #NIH, and #NASA will set the US R&D landscape back 25 yrs+, cause economic and job loss now, and undermine innovations to come.
But, this is the WH's *proposed* budget.
Speak up now before it is too late.
(inflation adjusted $-s below)
May 31, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
SecState Rubio claims that no on has died because of USAID cuts and suggested that I had lied in my reporting. So here I show him photos of specific children who have died because of the Trump administration's reckless cancelation of aid: www.nytimes.com/2025/05/31/o...
May 31, 2025 at 2:22 PM
SecState Rubio claims that no on has died because of USAID cuts and suggested that I had lied in my reporting. So here I show him photos of specific children who have died because of the Trump administration's reckless cancelation of aid: www.nytimes.com/2025/05/31/o...
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
"If the proposal is enacted, Americans today and tomorrow will be sicker, poorer, and die younger”
an $18 Billion cut
Only 3 NIH Institutes will remain in place, and even they will have their funds markedly reduced
www.statnews.com/2025/05/30/n...
an $18 Billion cut
Only 3 NIH Institutes will remain in place, and even they will have their funds markedly reduced
www.statnews.com/2025/05/30/n...
May 30, 2025 at 11:43 PM
"If the proposal is enacted, Americans today and tomorrow will be sicker, poorer, and die younger”
an $18 Billion cut
Only 3 NIH Institutes will remain in place, and even they will have their funds markedly reduced
www.statnews.com/2025/05/30/n...
an $18 Billion cut
Only 3 NIH Institutes will remain in place, and even they will have their funds markedly reduced
www.statnews.com/2025/05/30/n...
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
I urge everyone to read Unbreaking’s new page on everything the govt is doing to destroy & diminish medical research funding.
It’s the best thing I’ve read on this topic: @lizneeley.bsky.social & co have such done an incredible job.
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
It’s the best thing I’ve read on this topic: @lizneeley.bsky.social & co have such done an incredible job.
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
Medical Research Funding — Unbreaking
How the administration is breaking the government, and what that means for all of us.
unbreaking.org
May 30, 2025 at 9:38 PM
I urge everyone to read Unbreaking’s new page on everything the govt is doing to destroy & diminish medical research funding.
It’s the best thing I’ve read on this topic: @lizneeley.bsky.social & co have such done an incredible job.
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
It’s the best thing I’ve read on this topic: @lizneeley.bsky.social & co have such done an incredible job.
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
Yep. This is what we called for, too: www.milbank.org/quarterly/op...
May 30, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Yep. This is what we called for, too: www.milbank.org/quarterly/op...
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
The NIH Clinical Center is struggling to carry out its mission of running clinical trials for the hardest-to-treat diseases
Trump policies disrupt trials at NIH Clinical Center, researchers say
The NIH Clinical Center is struggling to carry out its mission of running clinical trials for the hardest-to-treat diseases
buff.ly
May 6, 2025 at 1:37 PM
The NIH Clinical Center is struggling to carry out its mission of running clinical trials for the hardest-to-treat diseases
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
Ugh, this is so wrong. Research by @egolberstein.bsky.social and @aaronsojourner.org (see link in thread) showed positive impacts of school-based mental health services. www.npr.org/2025/05/01/n...
Education Department stops $1 billion in funding for school mental health
Congress created the grants in the aftermath of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The goal was to help schools hire mental health professionals, including counselors and social workers.
www.npr.org
May 1, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Ugh, this is so wrong. Research by @egolberstein.bsky.social and @aaronsojourner.org (see link in thread) showed positive impacts of school-based mental health services. www.npr.org/2025/05/01/n...
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
BREAKING: NSF has frozen all grant funding, as of yesterday. It's unclear when they will resume funding awards, or why the pause has been put in place. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones
US science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with ‘agency priorities’.
www.nature.com
May 1, 2025 at 10:58 PM
BREAKING: NSF has frozen all grant funding, as of yesterday. It's unclear when they will resume funding awards, or why the pause has been put in place. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
“However bad everyone on the outside thinks it is, it is a million times worse. They’re dismantling and destroying everything.”
Read, share, respond. Call your representatives.
The health and well-being of Americans & America's innovation economy are at stake.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Read, share, respond. Call your representatives.
The health and well-being of Americans & America's innovation economy are at stake.
www.science.org/content/arti...
NIH insiders: Trump is ‘dismantling and destroying everything’
After just 100 days, agency scientists say U.S. health institutes are demoralized and have lost essential staff and funding
www.science.org
May 1, 2025 at 1:03 AM
“However bad everyone on the outside thinks it is, it is a million times worse. They’re dismantling and destroying everything.”
Read, share, respond. Call your representatives.
The health and well-being of Americans & America's innovation economy are at stake.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Read, share, respond. Call your representatives.
The health and well-being of Americans & America's innovation economy are at stake.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
Next, @rebekahnagler.bsky.social talking about the current moment. Public awareness of threats to public health and science in March 2025. Does the public know what's going on? How do they perceive the consequences of these actions? 14/
www.milbank.org/quarterly/op...
www.milbank.org/quarterly/op...
Public Awareness of Threats to Public Health and Science in March 2025 | Milbank Memorial Fund
Our survey found that a high proportion of the American public (almost 80%) had heard about the firing of federal scientists and health workers, and a substantial number had heard of federal cuts to h...
www.milbank.org
April 26, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Next, @rebekahnagler.bsky.social talking about the current moment. Public awareness of threats to public health and science in March 2025. Does the public know what's going on? How do they perceive the consequences of these actions? 14/
www.milbank.org/quarterly/op...
www.milbank.org/quarterly/op...
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
The Trump administration is "willing to not just slash and burn research that challenges their political ideology but to replace it with shoddy studies designed to support their goals, under the guise of scientific legitimacy," Katherine J. Wu writes.
‘This Is Not How We Do Science, Ever’
The Trump administration is manipulating government-sponsored research to get the answers it wants.
bit.ly
April 24, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The Trump administration is "willing to not just slash and burn research that challenges their political ideology but to replace it with shoddy studies designed to support their goals, under the guise of scientific legitimacy," Katherine J. Wu writes.
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
URGENT ACTION FOR NSF GRANTEES.
For current & recent (since 2020) awards, archive your award history this afternoon/tonight. Screenshot/download/print your work in research.gov & alert your partners.
We have credible threats to integrity of awards tracking systems (via @jeremymberg.bsky.social)
For current & recent (since 2020) awards, archive your award history this afternoon/tonight. Screenshot/download/print your work in research.gov & alert your partners.
We have credible threats to integrity of awards tracking systems (via @jeremymberg.bsky.social)
April 24, 2025 at 10:44 PM
URGENT ACTION FOR NSF GRANTEES.
For current & recent (since 2020) awards, archive your award history this afternoon/tonight. Screenshot/download/print your work in research.gov & alert your partners.
We have credible threats to integrity of awards tracking systems (via @jeremymberg.bsky.social)
For current & recent (since 2020) awards, archive your award history this afternoon/tonight. Screenshot/download/print your work in research.gov & alert your partners.
We have credible threats to integrity of awards tracking systems (via @jeremymberg.bsky.social)
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
New survey on awareness of Trump cuts:
"We found that a high proportion of the American public (almost 80%) had heard about the firing of federal scientists and health workers… undoubtedly an underestimate of current levels."
@rebekahnagler.bsky.social @efranklinfowler.bsky.social et al
"We found that a high proportion of the American public (almost 80%) had heard about the firing of federal scientists and health workers… undoubtedly an underestimate of current levels."
@rebekahnagler.bsky.social @efranklinfowler.bsky.social et al
Public Awareness of Threats to Public Health and Science in March 2025 | Milbank Memorial Fund
Our survey found that a high proportion of the American public (almost 80%) had heard about the firing of federal scientists and health workers, and a substantial number had heard of federal cuts to h...
www.milbank.org
April 22, 2025 at 2:04 PM
New survey on awareness of Trump cuts:
"We found that a high proportion of the American public (almost 80%) had heard about the firing of federal scientists and health workers… undoubtedly an underestimate of current levels."
@rebekahnagler.bsky.social @efranklinfowler.bsky.social et al
"We found that a high proportion of the American public (almost 80%) had heard about the firing of federal scientists and health workers… undoubtedly an underestimate of current levels."
@rebekahnagler.bsky.social @efranklinfowler.bsky.social et al
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
Given the number of federal actions threatening public health and science in the first three months of the Trump administration, @rebekahnagler.bsky.social of the University of Minnesota and colleagues conducted a survey in March 2025 on public awareness of these actions and their consequences.
Public Awareness of Threats to Public Health and Science in March 2025 | Milbank Memorial Fund
Our survey found that a high proportion of the American public (almost 80%) had heard about the firing of federal scientists and health workers, and a substantial number had heard of federal cuts to h...
www.milbank.org
April 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Given the number of federal actions threatening public health and science in the first three months of the Trump administration, @rebekahnagler.bsky.social of the University of Minnesota and colleagues conducted a survey in March 2025 on public awareness of these actions and their consequences.
📣To what extent is the U.S. public aware of firing of federal workers, canceling of research grants, or removal of public data that’s disrupting public health and science? Members of our team fielded a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults in late March. www.milbank.org/quarterly/op... 1/
Public Awareness of Threats to Public Health and Science in March 2025 | Milbank Memorial Fund
Our survey found that a high proportion of the American public (almost 80%) had heard about the firing of federal scientists and health workers, and a substantial number had heard of federal cuts to h...
www.milbank.org
April 22, 2025 at 4:38 PM
📣To what extent is the U.S. public aware of firing of federal workers, canceling of research grants, or removal of public data that’s disrupting public health and science? Members of our team fielded a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults in late March. www.milbank.org/quarterly/op... 1/
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
If the government can pay a foreign state to imprison you and, in so doing, remove you from the protection of US law, the Constitution is worthless.
April 13, 2025 at 12:49 AM
If the government can pay a foreign state to imprison you and, in so doing, remove you from the protection of US law, the Constitution is worthless.
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
Update via #SCIMaP now broken down by house districts
Our interdisciplinary team has expanded efforts to communicate the economic impacts of White House proposed cuts to health research.
Find out how your community may be impacted.
Explore more at SCIMaP: scienceimpacts.org
Our interdisciplinary team has expanded efforts to communicate the economic impacts of White House proposed cuts to health research.
Find out how your community may be impacted.
Explore more at SCIMaP: scienceimpacts.org
April 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Update via #SCIMaP now broken down by house districts
Our interdisciplinary team has expanded efforts to communicate the economic impacts of White House proposed cuts to health research.
Find out how your community may be impacted.
Explore more at SCIMaP: scienceimpacts.org
Our interdisciplinary team has expanded efforts to communicate the economic impacts of White House proposed cuts to health research.
Find out how your community may be impacted.
Explore more at SCIMaP: scienceimpacts.org
Reposted by Rebekah Nagler
ICYMI: You've probably heard about the vast array of agencies the HHS layoffs gutted, but somewhat less focused-on were the communications teams that were laid off. I talked to laid-off workers in the comms offices in 5 divisions of HHS, and all said their offices had been emptied or nearly so. 1/x
Kennedy Guts Teams That Share Health Information With the Public (Gift Article)
The health secretary had promised “radical transparency,” but fired communications teams in the Health and Human Services Department.
www.nytimes.com
April 3, 2025 at 1:46 PM
ICYMI: You've probably heard about the vast array of agencies the HHS layoffs gutted, but somewhat less focused-on were the communications teams that were laid off. I talked to laid-off workers in the comms offices in 5 divisions of HHS, and all said their offices had been emptied or nearly so. 1/x