Sara Silverstein
@sarasilverstein.bsky.social
Historian. Writer. Public & global health, rights, internationalism, migration, citizenship & statelessness, Modern & Eastern Europe. Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut, Department of History and Human Rights Institute. Views my own.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
Happy news: My new book -- Humanitarianism: A Very Short Introduction -- now has a cover and is available for preorder! The book is a concise history of humanitarianism in an international and global perspective, from the 18th century to the present. More info here: global.oup.com/academic/pro...
November 10, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Happy news: My new book -- Humanitarianism: A Very Short Introduction -- now has a cover and is available for preorder! The book is a concise history of humanitarianism in an international and global perspective, from the 18th century to the present. More info here: global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
Last night, eight Dems in the Senate broke ranks and acquiesced to Republicans in the shutdown fight.
November 11, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Last night, eight Dems in the Senate broke ranks and acquiesced to Republicans in the shutdown fight.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
Last month, El Fasher, in Sudan’s Darfur region, fell to rebel forces. “The world hasn’t caught up to what a big deal El Fasher is,” a humanitarian researcher at Yale said. “We are talking tens upon tens of thousands of potential dead in five days.” https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/ePchw0
Rebels Post Videos of Mass Killings in Darfur as the World Watches
After the fall of El Fasher to the R.S.F., observers fear for the next target in the war.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 8, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Last month, El Fasher, in Sudan’s Darfur region, fell to rebel forces. “The world hasn’t caught up to what a big deal El Fasher is,” a humanitarian researcher at Yale said. “We are talking tens upon tens of thousands of potential dead in five days.” https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/ePchw0
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
Yesterday, hundreds of scientists, physicians, health workers, patients, leaders, and advocates spoke together with one voice, RFK Jr. is not fit to lead HHS and has got to go. Thanks to @apha.org @standupforscience.bsky.social, and others for organizing.
November 6, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Yesterday, hundreds of scientists, physicians, health workers, patients, leaders, and advocates spoke together with one voice, RFK Jr. is not fit to lead HHS and has got to go. Thanks to @apha.org @standupforscience.bsky.social, and others for organizing.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
it is darkly humorous that after all these years, the Republican health insurance plan ends up being to end health insurance
Trump: "I am recommending to Senate Republicans that the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars currently being sent to money sucking Insurance Companies in order to save the bad Healthcare provided by ObamaCare, BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN, MUCH BETTER, HEALTHCARE."
November 8, 2025 at 4:15 PM
it is darkly humorous that after all these years, the Republican health insurance plan ends up being to end health insurance
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
This is murder. It is social engineering by oligarchs and politicians doing the will of oligarchs. It is cruel and brutal and results in death as surely as other forms of violence.
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 9:46 PM
This is murder. It is social engineering by oligarchs and politicians doing the will of oligarchs. It is cruel and brutal and results in death as surely as other forms of violence.
I’m very pleased to have written the chapter on health and to be in fantastic company in this volume.
November 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I’m very pleased to have written the chapter on health and to be in fantastic company in this volume.
This is murder. It is social engineering by oligarchs and politicians doing the will of oligarchs. It is cruel and brutal and results in death as surely as other forms of violence.
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 9:46 PM
This is murder. It is social engineering by oligarchs and politicians doing the will of oligarchs. It is cruel and brutal and results in death as surely as other forms of violence.
Thread. Strongly recommend reading the whole thread.
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
November 7, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Thread. Strongly recommend reading the whole thread.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
I'm delighted to give a pre-launch book talk at Dartmouth on 11/10.
Why is eastern Europe necessary for understanding global health and health as a right?
Come hear my talk and look for my book in the spring!
"For Your Health and Ours"
history.dartmouth.edu/events/event...
Why is eastern Europe necessary for understanding global health and health as a right?
Come hear my talk and look for my book in the spring!
"For Your Health and Ours"
history.dartmouth.edu/events/event...
For Your Health and Ours: An Eastern European History of Global Health
history.dartmouth.edu
November 4, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I'm delighted to give a pre-launch book talk at Dartmouth on 11/10.
Why is eastern Europe necessary for understanding global health and health as a right?
Come hear my talk and look for my book in the spring!
"For Your Health and Ours"
history.dartmouth.edu/events/event...
Why is eastern Europe necessary for understanding global health and health as a right?
Come hear my talk and look for my book in the spring!
"For Your Health and Ours"
history.dartmouth.edu/events/event...
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
Hundreds of thousands of people, dead because of a decision made by the world's richest man
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Hundreds of thousands of people, dead because of a decision made by the world's richest man
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
And let's name names. #ElonMusk #MarcoRubio #RussellVought and #DonaldTrump (with help from #JohnRoberts). This is premeditated murder--of children. You can spin it anyway you like but you cannot escape this fact.
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 12:25 PM
And let's name names. #ElonMusk #MarcoRubio #RussellVought and #DonaldTrump (with help from #JohnRoberts). This is premeditated murder--of children. You can spin it anyway you like but you cannot escape this fact.
Cuts to the NIH imperil health today and in the future.
As though that’s not enough, there’s also this: “The overall domestic impact of the cuts to NIH funding is currently estimated at $11 billion in economic losses and 49,000 jobs, with $17 billion in future economic losses predicted annually.”
As though that’s not enough, there’s also this: “The overall domestic impact of the cuts to NIH funding is currently estimated at $11 billion in economic losses and 49,000 jobs, with $17 billion in future economic losses predicted annually.”
We have a new timeline up today on our Medical Research Funding page, documenting the onslaught of political, legal, and bureaucratic attacks on medical research since January:
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
Medical Research Funding: Timeline — Unbreaking
How the administration is breaking the government, and what that means for all of us.
unbreaking.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Cuts to the NIH imperil health today and in the future.
As though that’s not enough, there’s also this: “The overall domestic impact of the cuts to NIH funding is currently estimated at $11 billion in economic losses and 49,000 jobs, with $17 billion in future economic losses predicted annually.”
As though that’s not enough, there’s also this: “The overall domestic impact of the cuts to NIH funding is currently estimated at $11 billion in economic losses and 49,000 jobs, with $17 billion in future economic losses predicted annually.”
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
🧵1/5 Article a few weeks old and no less devastating.
It is *tragic*, morally repugnant, and simply *dangerous* that DOGE/this admin have fired the experts working on fighting outbreaks.
We cannot protect ourselves if we remove the infrastructure and staff working tirelessly to keep us safe.
🎁🔗👇
It is *tragic*, morally repugnant, and simply *dangerous* that DOGE/this admin have fired the experts working on fighting outbreaks.
We cannot protect ourselves if we remove the infrastructure and staff working tirelessly to keep us safe.
🎁🔗👇
They Fought Outbreaks Worldwide. Now They’re Fighting for New Lives.
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:55 AM
🧵1/5 Article a few weeks old and no less devastating.
It is *tragic*, morally repugnant, and simply *dangerous* that DOGE/this admin have fired the experts working on fighting outbreaks.
We cannot protect ourselves if we remove the infrastructure and staff working tirelessly to keep us safe.
🎁🔗👇
It is *tragic*, morally repugnant, and simply *dangerous* that DOGE/this admin have fired the experts working on fighting outbreaks.
We cannot protect ourselves if we remove the infrastructure and staff working tirelessly to keep us safe.
🎁🔗👇
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
This story comes out the same day the architect of this monstrous policy gets approval for a near-trillion-dollar payout from his government-subsidized company.
Utterly despicable.
Utterly despicable.
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 2:35 AM
This story comes out the same day the architect of this monstrous policy gets approval for a near-trillion-dollar payout from his government-subsidized company.
Utterly despicable.
Utterly despicable.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
“Puryear recalls a recent meeting that consisted entirely of her colleagues announcing they'd had to halt their studies related to H5N1 in humans because of the administration's funding cuts.”
Migrating wild birds are spreading the virus to domesticated flocks, increasing the risk of eventually seeing a human outbreak. Scientists are troubled by the muted federal response. n.pr/4913a0E
Bird flu surges among poultry amid a scaled back federal response
Migrating wild birds are spreading the virus to domesticated flocks, increasing the risk of eventually seeing a human outbreak. Scientists are troubled by the muted federal response.
n.pr
November 6, 2025 at 12:16 PM
“Puryear recalls a recent meeting that consisted entirely of her colleagues announcing they'd had to halt their studies related to H5N1 in humans because of the administration's funding cuts.”
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
By this time next week, the estimated deaths due to the illegal destruction of USAID and the shuttering of its aid efforts will breach 400,000.
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
Tracking Anticipated Deaths from USAID Funding Cuts
Brooke Nichols has launched online tracking tools that capture estimated increases in mortality and disease spread for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other diseases as a result of the near-total...
www.bu.edu
November 5, 2025 at 10:28 PM
By this time next week, the estimated deaths due to the illegal destruction of USAID and the shuttering of its aid efforts will breach 400,000.
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
Pregnancy became far more dangerous in Texas after the state banned abortion, according to our analysis, which found the sepsis rate for women hospitalized as they miscarried in the 2nd trimester shot up by more than 50%.
(Published February)
(Published February)
Texas Banned Abortion. Then Sepsis Rates Soared.
ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind analysis is the most detailed look yet into a rise in life-threatening complications for women experiencing pregnancy loss under Texas’ abortion ban.
www.propublica.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Pregnancy became far more dangerous in Texas after the state banned abortion, according to our analysis, which found the sepsis rate for women hospitalized as they miscarried in the 2nd trimester shot up by more than 50%.
(Published February)
(Published February)
Join us tomorrow!
I’m delighted to host David Petruccelli at the University of Connecticut on November 6th for a talk about how a 1968 Vienna trial over pornography sparked national and international debates on morality, law, and identity. Join us!
events.uconn.edu/human-rights...
events.uconn.edu/human-rights...
Trying Porn in 1960s Austria
How did a 1968 Vienna trial over pornography spark global debates on morality, law, and identity? Join Dartmouth historian David Petruccelli as he ...
events.uconn.edu
November 5, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Join us tomorrow!
I'm delighted to give a pre-launch book talk at Dartmouth on 11/10.
Why is eastern Europe necessary for understanding global health and health as a right?
Come hear my talk and look for my book in the spring!
"For Your Health and Ours"
history.dartmouth.edu/events/event...
Why is eastern Europe necessary for understanding global health and health as a right?
Come hear my talk and look for my book in the spring!
"For Your Health and Ours"
history.dartmouth.edu/events/event...
For Your Health and Ours: An Eastern European History of Global Health
history.dartmouth.edu
November 4, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I'm delighted to give a pre-launch book talk at Dartmouth on 11/10.
Why is eastern Europe necessary for understanding global health and health as a right?
Come hear my talk and look for my book in the spring!
"For Your Health and Ours"
history.dartmouth.edu/events/event...
Why is eastern Europe necessary for understanding global health and health as a right?
Come hear my talk and look for my book in the spring!
"For Your Health and Ours"
history.dartmouth.edu/events/event...
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
I love my town’s voting stickers — designed by local school kids. Make the kids proud and go vote! Even if it’s the most local of elections, even if there’s no real contest. All politics is ultimately local. And the act of participating in democracy matters. Also a way to check your registration.
November 4, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I love my town’s voting stickers — designed by local school kids. Make the kids proud and go vote! Even if it’s the most local of elections, even if there’s no real contest. All politics is ultimately local. And the act of participating in democracy matters. Also a way to check your registration.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
SNAP is not a luxury, and food banks lack the resources to make up this deficit. SNAP is a literal lifeline for 42 million people who Trump is saying he will literally break the law to see poor people starve while he remodels his bathroom and holds Gatsby-themed parties.
NEWS: Trump says he will refuse to follow a court order demanding that he provide SNAP benefits to millions of Americans, choosing instead to force people to starve
November 4, 2025 at 4:26 PM
SNAP is not a luxury, and food banks lack the resources to make up this deficit. SNAP is a literal lifeline for 42 million people who Trump is saying he will literally break the law to see poor people starve while he remodels his bathroom and holds Gatsby-themed parties.
Reposted by Sara Silverstein
If in DC area on Wed, Nov 5, join us, APHA, and many others for a rally.
Where: National Mall, 7th Street, N.W. between Madison and Jefferson (near the Hirshhorn Museum)
When: Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 2:30-4 p.m.
Why: Rally for critical public health issues and initiatives.
More: APHA.org/rally
Where: National Mall, 7th Street, N.W. between Madison and Jefferson (near the Hirshhorn Museum)
When: Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 2:30-4 p.m.
Why: Rally for critical public health issues and initiatives.
More: APHA.org/rally
Join APHA & our partners Nov. 5 @ 2:30-4 p.m. ET on the National Mall to Rally for the Public’s Health. Be inspired & energized by powerful stories & bold ideas as we highlight urgent public health priorities. More info: www.APHA.org/Rally #SpeakForHealth @bradyunited.org @publiccitizen.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 4:08 PM
If in DC area on Wed, Nov 5, join us, APHA, and many others for a rally.
Where: National Mall, 7th Street, N.W. between Madison and Jefferson (near the Hirshhorn Museum)
When: Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 2:30-4 p.m.
Why: Rally for critical public health issues and initiatives.
More: APHA.org/rally
Where: National Mall, 7th Street, N.W. between Madison and Jefferson (near the Hirshhorn Museum)
When: Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 2:30-4 p.m.
Why: Rally for critical public health issues and initiatives.
More: APHA.org/rally
I love my town’s voting stickers — designed by local school kids. Make the kids proud and go vote! Even if it’s the most local of elections, even if there’s no real contest. All politics is ultimately local. And the act of participating in democracy matters. Also a way to check your registration.
November 4, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I love my town’s voting stickers — designed by local school kids. Make the kids proud and go vote! Even if it’s the most local of elections, even if there’s no real contest. All politics is ultimately local. And the act of participating in democracy matters. Also a way to check your registration.