Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
@drjenbalkus.bsky.social
Infectious Disease Epidemiologist 🏳️🌈with a focus on sexual health. Former academic, current local public health practitioner. Opinions are my own.
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
➡️ It only takes 5 minutes, and all links are in our bio
1. Sign the petition to #impeachthequack RFK Jr & have him removed from office.
2. Mark your calendar to join us on November 5th as we march on Congress to deliver our petitions.
3. Become a member of our Science Fight Club!
Easy peasy!
1. Sign the petition to #impeachthequack RFK Jr & have him removed from office.
2. Mark your calendar to join us on November 5th as we march on Congress to deliver our petitions.
3. Become a member of our Science Fight Club!
Easy peasy!
October 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
➡️ It only takes 5 minutes, and all links are in our bio
1. Sign the petition to #impeachthequack RFK Jr & have him removed from office.
2. Mark your calendar to join us on November 5th as we march on Congress to deliver our petitions.
3. Become a member of our Science Fight Club!
Easy peasy!
1. Sign the petition to #impeachthequack RFK Jr & have him removed from office.
2. Mark your calendar to join us on November 5th as we march on Congress to deliver our petitions.
3. Become a member of our Science Fight Club!
Easy peasy!
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
"A river doesn't argue with rocks, it flows around them"
Public health, Science and evidence based medicine much like a river will find a way to keep flowing during this time. Sad it's coming to this, but alternatives are important and needed right now.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
Public health, Science and evidence based medicine much like a river will find a way to keep flowing during this time. Sad it's coming to this, but alternatives are important and needed right now.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
NEJM and public health group are launching rival to CDC’s MMWR publication
Two institutions are coming together to create an alternative to the CDC’s vaunted Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
www.statnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:12 PM
"A river doesn't argue with rocks, it flows around them"
Public health, Science and evidence based medicine much like a river will find a way to keep flowing during this time. Sad it's coming to this, but alternatives are important and needed right now.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
Public health, Science and evidence based medicine much like a river will find a way to keep flowing during this time. Sad it's coming to this, but alternatives are important and needed right now.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
The gross harms of this administration permeate every aspect of daily life.
ICE is targeting people in hospitals and clinics, deterring people from accessing essential pregnancy care.
Many patients — nervous about encountering immigration officials — are skipping virtually all of their pregnancy-related health care.
Many patients — nervous about encountering immigration officials — are skipping virtually all of their pregnancy-related health care.
ICE fears put pregnant immigrants and their babies at risk
Fear of deportation is deterring people without permanent legal status from critical care. Doctors are worried for their health — and the health of their pregnancies.
19thnews.org
October 13, 2025 at 5:41 PM
The gross harms of this administration permeate every aspect of daily life.
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
Sea-Tac Airport won't air Kristi Noem's miserable propaganda, and that's a good thing.
Donald Trump is not a king, and dog killer Kristi Noem can't just force our airports to break the law on her behalf.
Donald Trump is not a king, and dog killer Kristi Noem can't just force our airports to break the law on her behalf.
Sea-Tac won’t air Noem video blaming shutdown on Democrats
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport won’t broadcast a video of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem saying Democrats caused the federal government shutdown.
www.seattletimes.com
October 13, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Sea-Tac Airport won't air Kristi Noem's miserable propaganda, and that's a good thing.
Donald Trump is not a king, and dog killer Kristi Noem can't just force our airports to break the law on her behalf.
Donald Trump is not a king, and dog killer Kristi Noem can't just force our airports to break the law on her behalf.
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
Measles, Ebola, major disease outbreak investigators, HIV prevention…we’re f***ed. I’m not trying to be over dramatic here, but we currently have no defense against infectious diseases threats
C.D.C. Layoffs Included 2 Top Measles Experts Amid Rising Cases www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
C.D.C. Layoffs Included 2 Top Measles Experts Amid Rising Cases www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
C.D.C. Layoffs Included 2 Top Measles Experts Amid Rising Cases
www.nytimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Measles, Ebola, major disease outbreak investigators, HIV prevention…we’re f***ed. I’m not trying to be over dramatic here, but we currently have no defense against infectious diseases threats
C.D.C. Layoffs Included 2 Top Measles Experts Amid Rising Cases www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
C.D.C. Layoffs Included 2 Top Measles Experts Amid Rising Cases www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
The specifics of the RIFs I’ve seen in group chats have been staggering. Bracing & reminding myself these are specifically intended to cause fear & distress.
Please share URLs for any good trackers you seen as they emerge. (I want more than OMB’s version) fedscoop.com/trump-federa...
Please share URLs for any good trackers you seen as they emerge. (I want more than OMB’s version) fedscoop.com/trump-federa...
October 11, 2025 at 1:25 PM
The specifics of the RIFs I’ve seen in group chats have been staggering. Bracing & reminding myself these are specifically intended to cause fear & distress.
Please share URLs for any good trackers you seen as they emerge. (I want more than OMB’s version) fedscoop.com/trump-federa...
Please share URLs for any good trackers you seen as they emerge. (I want more than OMB’s version) fedscoop.com/trump-federa...
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
NEW: @CDCgov hit hard by massive firings that several staff describe to me as a “bloodbath.”
Among those RIFd:
—leadership of the center for immunization and respiratory diseases;
—leadership of global health center
—leadership of the measles outbreak response; 1/4
Among those RIFd:
—leadership of the center for immunization and respiratory diseases;
—leadership of global health center
—leadership of the measles outbreak response; 1/4
October 11, 2025 at 12:49 PM
NEW: @CDCgov hit hard by massive firings that several staff describe to me as a “bloodbath.”
Among those RIFd:
—leadership of the center for immunization and respiratory diseases;
—leadership of global health center
—leadership of the measles outbreak response; 1/4
Among those RIFd:
—leadership of the center for immunization and respiratory diseases;
—leadership of global health center
—leadership of the measles outbreak response; 1/4
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
"Black people are tired. Not metaphorically tired—actually tired. The kind of tired that turns every group chat into a mix of gallows humor and emotional triage."
I write about white ignorance and how exhausting it is to hear white ppl insist "this isn't who we are, when it's ALWAYS who we've been.
I write about white ignorance and how exhausting it is to hear white ppl insist "this isn't who we are, when it's ALWAYS who we've been.
White People’s Performative Ignorance Is Exhausting—Opinion
Disbelief over authoritarianism in America isn’t a cutesy personality trait. It’s a confession: You haven’t been paying attention.
rewirenewsgroup.com
October 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"Black people are tired. Not metaphorically tired—actually tired. The kind of tired that turns every group chat into a mix of gallows humor and emotional triage."
I write about white ignorance and how exhausting it is to hear white ppl insist "this isn't who we are, when it's ALWAYS who we've been.
I write about white ignorance and how exhausting it is to hear white ppl insist "this isn't who we are, when it's ALWAYS who we've been.
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
"This is extortion, plain and simple.... The only solution is solidarity and collective action against this effort at federal control over higher education."
A sobering analysis of the illegality of the administration's "compact" and its stakes for higher ed. 🎁🔗
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
A sobering analysis of the illegality of the administration's "compact" and its stakes for higher ed. 🎁🔗
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
Opinion | Trump’s ‘Compact’ With Universities Is Just Extortion
www.nytimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:32 PM
"This is extortion, plain and simple.... The only solution is solidarity and collective action against this effort at federal control over higher education."
A sobering analysis of the illegality of the administration's "compact" and its stakes for higher ed. 🎁🔗
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
A sobering analysis of the illegality of the administration's "compact" and its stakes for higher ed. 🎁🔗
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
Information on sexual and gender identity and health equity is now being erased.
CDC takes down more than a dozen webpages on sexual and gender identity, health equity
Some health equity advocates say removing such resources could create gaps in access to critical health information, especially for marginalized groups.
www.cnbc.com
September 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Information on sexual and gender identity and health equity is now being erased.
These proposed cuts will be devastating. Take a moment to use your voice! (See below).
For context: "House Labor, Health and Human Services proposed $2 billion in federal cuts to domestic HIV programs, including plans that would dismantle the CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention and slash $535 million from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program...."
September 25, 2025 at 7:57 PM
These proposed cuts will be devastating. Take a moment to use your voice! (See below).
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
ACOG reaffirms that acetaminophen is safe for managing pain and fever during pregnancy. No reputable studies support suggestions like those in HHS’s recent announcement linking acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism; in fact, high-quality studies show no such risk. https://bit.ly/47Wxc59
September 22, 2025 at 9:24 PM
ACOG reaffirms that acetaminophen is safe for managing pain and fever during pregnancy. No reputable studies support suggestions like those in HHS’s recent announcement linking acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism; in fact, high-quality studies show no such risk. https://bit.ly/47Wxc59
Thinking of my friends with autism and their families, especially this week as the storm of misinformation and stigma from HHS & RFK Jr swirls again. One of my fav artists on social media @devthepineapple.bsky.social says it best:
September 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Thinking of my friends with autism and their families, especially this week as the storm of misinformation and stigma from HHS & RFK Jr swirls again. One of my fav artists on social media @devthepineapple.bsky.social says it best:
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
Ugh
“Many, if not most, of the removed pages have obvious tie-ins to topics known to be disfavored by the Trump administration……the care of LGBTQ+ people, health equity issues related to a variety of diseases or disabilities, sexually transmitted infections, and related educational resources.”
“Many, if not most, of the removed pages have obvious tie-ins to topics known to be disfavored by the Trump administration……the care of LGBTQ+ people, health equity issues related to a variety of diseases or disabilities, sexually transmitted infections, and related educational resources.”
BREAKING NEWS: Censorship returns to the CDC. At least 22 websites are down.
open.substack.com/pub/insideme...
open.substack.com/pub/insideme...
BREAKING NEWS: Censorship returns to the CDC. At least 22 websites are down.
The Trump administration's HHS is back to its old habits of targeting public health resources deemed too woke.
open.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Ugh
“Many, if not most, of the removed pages have obvious tie-ins to topics known to be disfavored by the Trump administration……the care of LGBTQ+ people, health equity issues related to a variety of diseases or disabilities, sexually transmitted infections, and related educational resources.”
“Many, if not most, of the removed pages have obvious tie-ins to topics known to be disfavored by the Trump administration……the care of LGBTQ+ people, health equity issues related to a variety of diseases or disabilities, sexually transmitted infections, and related educational resources.”
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
The @washingtonpost.com story on Tylenol & autism leaves out a MAJOR 2.5M sibling-controlled study of children in Denmark, which "found no evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy was associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability." jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability
This nationwide cohort study with sibling control analysis examines the association of acetaminophen use during pregnancy with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability.
jamanetwork.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The @washingtonpost.com story on Tylenol & autism leaves out a MAJOR 2.5M sibling-controlled study of children in Denmark, which "found no evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy was associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability." jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
Since apparently this needs to be stated again, a reminder that TWO THIRDS OF THE US VOTERS believe abortions should be legal in all or most cases, making it FAR more popular or unifying than Ezra Klein....
Most U.S. adults think abortion should be legal 3 years after Roe was overturned, poll shows
The new findings from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll show that about two-thirds of U.S. adults think abortion should be legal in all or most cases.
www.pbs.org
September 22, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Since apparently this needs to be stated again, a reminder that TWO THIRDS OF THE US VOTERS believe abortions should be legal in all or most cases, making it FAR more popular or unifying than Ezra Klein....
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
25% of Drs in US are foreign grads. Many are on an H1B visa. This will hit health systems hard especially rural hospitals and hospitals in underserved areas that sponsor these visas through waiver programs. The old cost was about 5000$ a year.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump signs proclamation imposing annual $100,000 fee on H-1B visas
Move deals potentially major blow to US tech industry, which relies heavily on workers from India and China
www.theguardian.com
September 20, 2025 at 11:37 AM
25% of Drs in US are foreign grads. Many are on an H1B visa. This will hit health systems hard especially rural hospitals and hospitals in underserved areas that sponsor these visas through waiver programs. The old cost was about 5000$ a year.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
As a WA resident, very much appreciate the solidarity and evidence-based guidelines, but it shouldn’t have to be this way. Every American deserves this and had this just 8 months ago.
The Democratic governors of Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii released a set of immunization guidelines for their states on Wednesday.
West Coast governors issue Covid-19 vaccine guidance after CDC concerns
The Democratic governors of Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii released a set of immunization guidelines for their states on Wednesday.
www.kuow.org
September 19, 2025 at 3:41 AM
As a WA resident, very much appreciate the solidarity and evidence-based guidelines, but it shouldn’t have to be this way. Every American deserves this and had this just 8 months ago.
PH experts acknowledge "that a baby’s risk of contracting hep B is low if the [birthing parent] is negative... But they say the broad recommendation should be maintained bc of the original reason it was put in place: Many babies slipped through the cracks." www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
CDC advisers to scrutinize vaccines given during pregnancy
The CDC is reviewing guidance for newborns to receive the hepatitis B vaccine, potentially the first major shift on routine childhood shots under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 18, 2025 at 3:51 PM
PH experts acknowledge "that a baby’s risk of contracting hep B is low if the [birthing parent] is negative... But they say the broad recommendation should be maintained bc of the original reason it was put in place: Many babies slipped through the cracks." www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
“The risk of missing a case of hepatitis B is so significant that I just can’t imagine why we would delay a vaccine that is proven to be helpful and efficacious,” Dr. Brenna Hughes @acog.org & @idsog.bsky.social member. Important context for ACIP tomorrow. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/h...
C.D.C. Vaccine Advisers May Limit Hepatitis B Shots for Newborns
www.nytimes.com
September 17, 2025 at 5:53 PM
“The risk of missing a case of hepatitis B is so significant that I just can’t imagine why we would delay a vaccine that is proven to be helpful and efficacious,” Dr. Brenna Hughes @acog.org & @idsog.bsky.social member. Important context for ACIP tomorrow. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/h...
There has been a lot written in the past week. This piece by Ta-Nehisi Coastes is a must read. www.vanityfair.com/news/story/c...
Charlie Kirk, Redeemed: A Political Class Finds Its Lost Cause
By ignoring the rhetoric and actions of the Turning Point USA founder, pundits and politicians are sanitizing his legacy.
www.vanityfair.com
September 17, 2025 at 3:34 PM
There has been a lot written in the past week. This piece by Ta-Nehisi Coastes is a must read. www.vanityfair.com/news/story/c...
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
Happening now!! AVAC is part of 24 Hours to Save AIDS Research – join us NOW as scientists, researchers, and advocates showcase successes in HIV research and call for an end to federal budget cuts and project terminations. #24hourstosaveAIDSresearch #HIV #HIVresearch bit.ly/45Qftts
24 Hours to Save AIDS Research
You've been invited to join this webinar!
bit.ly
September 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Happening now!! AVAC is part of 24 Hours to Save AIDS Research – join us NOW as scientists, researchers, and advocates showcase successes in HIV research and call for an end to federal budget cuts and project terminations. #24hourstosaveAIDSresearch #HIV #HIVresearch bit.ly/45Qftts
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
#DonaldTrump, #RussellVought, #RFKJr & #JayBhattacharya are shutting down the war on cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease and all the rest. As the #NIH is destroyed research on ALL diseases goes with it. There is no coming back. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/m...
Trump Is Shutting Down the War On Cancer
www.nytimes.com
September 14, 2025 at 6:13 PM
#DonaldTrump, #RussellVought, #RFKJr & #JayBhattacharya are shutting down the war on cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease and all the rest. As the #NIH is destroyed research on ALL diseases goes with it. There is no coming back. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/m...
@nwslsoccer.com My heart goes out to @savdemelo @racinglouisvillefc and @reignfc. Please tell me when a player goes off unconscious in an ambulance that the game will be called @nwsl. Nothing is bigger than the physical and mental well-being of the players.
September 15, 2025 at 1:16 AM
@nwslsoccer.com My heart goes out to @savdemelo @racinglouisvillefc and @reignfc. Please tell me when a player goes off unconscious in an ambulance that the game will be called @nwsl. Nothing is bigger than the physical and mental well-being of the players.