Dr Ellie Murray, ScD
@epiellie.bsky.social
Epidemiologist and science communicator | newsletter: epiellie.substack.com | cohost @casualinfer podcast | Causal inference for public health #epitwitter | Canadian in US 🇨🇦 | she/her/Dr
Pinned
Finally, a well-done study about autism and Tylenol!
We have read a LOT of bad research over the past few weeks, as we explore what RFK Jr thinks about the causes of autism. Finally, we get to read some good research!
open.substack.com
I took a whole week to read and write about this paper because I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t just rubber-stamping some results I liked. And now I can confidently say, this paper is very well-done and very well-written.
And I believe their results.
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
And I believe their results.
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
Reposted by Dr Ellie Murray, ScD
I am a f*ing health economist and I approve this message.
I have a f*ing doctorate in epidemiology and I’m still so confused about how to pick a health insurance plan. Open enrollment should not be this hard!
November 9, 2025 at 4:35 PM
I am a f*ing health economist and I approve this message.
Reposted by Dr Ellie Murray, ScD
I have a f*ing M.B.A. and I’m still so confused about how to pick a health insurance plan. Open enrollment should not be this hard!
I have a f*ing doctorate in epidemiology and I’m still so confused about how to pick a health insurance plan. Open enrollment should not be this hard!
November 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I have a f*ing M.B.A. and I’m still so confused about how to pick a health insurance plan. Open enrollment should not be this hard!
I have a f*ing doctorate in epidemiology and I’m still so confused about how to pick a health insurance plan. Open enrollment should not be this hard!
November 9, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I have a f*ing doctorate in epidemiology and I’m still so confused about how to pick a health insurance plan. Open enrollment should not be this hard!
Everything is awful but I’ve started taking ballet classes again for the first time since college and wow it is amazing how much joy being this bad at something can bring me!
November 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Everything is awful but I’ve started taking ballet classes again for the first time since college and wow it is amazing how much joy being this bad at something can bring me!
Reposted by Dr Ellie Murray, ScD
We’ve lived with microbes for millions of years. They built our immune systems, rewired our DNA, and killed billions along the way.
I tried to tally their bill: Humanity’s Deadliest Companions.
#EpiSky #MedSky #History #Anthropology #Archaeology #IDSky
open.substack.com/pub/theedgeo...
I tried to tally their bill: Humanity’s Deadliest Companions.
#EpiSky #MedSky #History #Anthropology #Archaeology #IDSky
open.substack.com/pub/theedgeo...
Humanity’s Deadliest Companions: Checking the Till on the Deadliest Microbes in History
I was reorganizing parts of my bookshelf the other day when I came across my copy of Deadly Companions by Dorothy Crawford.
open.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:44 PM
We’ve lived with microbes for millions of years. They built our immune systems, rewired our DNA, and killed billions along the way.
I tried to tally their bill: Humanity’s Deadliest Companions.
#EpiSky #MedSky #History #Anthropology #Archaeology #IDSky
open.substack.com/pub/theedgeo...
I tried to tally their bill: Humanity’s Deadliest Companions.
#EpiSky #MedSky #History #Anthropology #Archaeology #IDSky
open.substack.com/pub/theedgeo...
Reposted by Dr Ellie Murray, ScD
What was life really like before vaccines? The story of what happened to 8-year old George Williams in August 1852 gives us a glimpse.
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
Here's what life before vaccines was really like
The morning of August 2nd 1852 promised a lovely summer’s day in London. But not for 8 year old George Williams.
open.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
What was life really like before vaccines? The story of what happened to 8-year old George Williams in August 1852 gives us a glimpse.
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
What was life really like before vaccines? The story of what happened to 8-year old George Williams in August 1852 gives us a glimpse.
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
Here's what life before vaccines was really like
The morning of August 2nd 1852 promised a lovely summer’s day in London. But not for 8 year old George Williams.
open.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
What was life really like before vaccines? The story of what happened to 8-year old George Williams in August 1852 gives us a glimpse.
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
A short history of children's hospitals in case anyone you know thinks like Rob Schneider:
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
A Short History of Children's Hospitals
The MAHA claim that there was “no autism when we were kids” has apparently now evolved into the even more nonsensical idea that “kids weren’t sick” at all.
open.substack.com
October 25, 2025 at 3:22 PM
A short history of children's hospitals in case anyone you know thinks like Rob Schneider:
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
Having a bad pain day today & nerve weakness made me drop and smash my favorite coffee mug😭😭 send gifs plz
October 22, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Having a bad pain day today & nerve weakness made me drop and smash my favorite coffee mug😭😭 send gifs plz
I need more people to know about this nonsense happening in my comments…
Me: here’s a detailed review of this study.
Them: My AI says it’s trending towards significance, tho
Me: here’s a detailed review of this study.
Them: My AI says it’s trending towards significance, tho
October 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM
I need more people to know about this nonsense happening in my comments…
Me: here’s a detailed review of this study.
Them: My AI says it’s trending towards significance, tho
Me: here’s a detailed review of this study.
Them: My AI says it’s trending towards significance, tho
Reposted by Dr Ellie Murray, ScD
Dr. Ellie Murray (THE @epiellie.bsky.social!) is our featured guest at The Pom today, cutting through the chaos for answers to some of our most pressing public health and parenting questions. Don't miss this free piece, nor the opportunity to ask your own questions!
www.the-pom.com/p/kids-and-p...
www.the-pom.com/p/kids-and-p...
Kids & Public Health: Q&A with Dr Ellie Murray
Cutting through the chaos for answers to our public health parenting questions
www.the-pom.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Dr. Ellie Murray (THE @epiellie.bsky.social!) is our featured guest at The Pom today, cutting through the chaos for answers to some of our most pressing public health and parenting questions. Don't miss this free piece, nor the opportunity to ask your own questions!
www.the-pom.com/p/kids-and-p...
www.the-pom.com/p/kids-and-p...
Reposted by Dr Ellie Murray, ScD
So excited to have my sister @epiellie.bsky.social on The Pom today, talking about how to discern good public health information so we can make the right choices for our kids www.the-pom.com/p/kids-and-p...
Kids & Public Health: Q&A with Dr Ellie Murray
Cutting through the chaos for answers to our public health parenting questions
open.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:48 PM
So excited to have my sister @epiellie.bsky.social on The Pom today, talking about how to discern good public health information so we can make the right choices for our kids www.the-pom.com/p/kids-and-p...
Reposted by Dr Ellie Murray, ScD
Want to read something from a public figure who *actually* wants to help children and parents with research, evidence-based practices, and intelligent consideration of risks and benefits? Go follow @epiellie.bsky.social. Not RFK Jr.
So excited to have my sister @epiellie.bsky.social on The Pom today, talking about how to discern good public health information so we can make the right choices for our kids www.the-pom.com/p/kids-and-p...
Kids & Public Health: Q&A with Dr Ellie Murray
Cutting through the chaos for answers to our public health parenting questions
open.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Want to read something from a public figure who *actually* wants to help children and parents with research, evidence-based practices, and intelligent consideration of risks and benefits? Go follow @epiellie.bsky.social. Not RFK Jr.
Reposted by Dr Ellie Murray, ScD
I’ve followed @epiellie.bsky.social since 2020 for her plain spoken, evidence based advice on keeping our family healthy. I am THRILLED to have her team up with @sarahradz.bsky.social at @thepom.bsky.social today! (Bonus toddler pics of Sarah included)
Kids & Public Health: Q&A with Dr Ellie Murray
Cutting through the chaos for answers to our public health parenting questions
open.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:32 PM
I’ve followed @epiellie.bsky.social since 2020 for her plain spoken, evidence based advice on keeping our family healthy. I am THRILLED to have her team up with @sarahradz.bsky.social at @thepom.bsky.social today! (Bonus toddler pics of Sarah included)
Reposted by Dr Ellie Murray, ScD
Check out my new article: vitalstatistics.kareemcarr.com/p/a-simple-e...
October 15, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Check out my new article: vitalstatistics.kareemcarr.com/p/a-simple-e...
I took a whole week to read and write about this paper because I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t just rubber-stamping some results I liked. And now I can confidently say, this paper is very well-done and very well-written.
And I believe their results.
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
And I believe their results.
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
Finally, a well-done study about autism and Tylenol!
We have read a LOT of bad research over the past few weeks, as we explore what RFK Jr thinks about the causes of autism. Finally, we get to read some good research!
open.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I took a whole week to read and write about this paper because I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t just rubber-stamping some results I liked. And now I can confidently say, this paper is very well-done and very well-written.
And I believe their results.
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
And I believe their results.
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
Not to pick on Per, but I’ve never understood the snark about “self citation”.
If, as an academic, you aren’t creating an inter-related body of work that builds towards some larger understanding of a problem, what even is the point?
If, as an academic, you aren’t creating an inter-related body of work that builds towards some larger understanding of a problem, what even is the point?
The true academic method: overthink, underdeliver, cite yourself.
October 14, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Not to pick on Per, but I’ve never understood the snark about “self citation”.
If, as an academic, you aren’t creating an inter-related body of work that builds towards some larger understanding of a problem, what even is the point?
If, as an academic, you aren’t creating an inter-related body of work that builds towards some larger understanding of a problem, what even is the point?
Reposted by Dr Ellie Murray, ScD
Some of these people have now been fired and rehired TWICE since January. The current state of dysfunction is mind boggling.
OOOPS! UPDATE: Two HHS officials tell me that disease detectives, measles response officers, global health officials and the MMWR staff were laid off by mistake and will be reinstated. But Washington office is still RIFed
BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:
October 12, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Some of these people have now been fired and rehired TWICE since January. The current state of dysfunction is mind boggling.
Reposted by Dr Ellie Murray, ScD
“Workers continued to see elevated health-related absences linked to COVID-19…
[which] has likely raised the value to workers of paid-leave policies & existing social safety net programs.
Measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission in the workplace may also mitigate these new exposure risks”
[which] has likely raised the value to workers of paid-leave policies & existing social safety net programs.
Measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission in the workplace may also mitigate these new exposure risks”
Enduring Outcomes of COVID-19 Work Absences on the US Labor Market
This cohort study examines the extent to which COVID-19 continues to generate work absences and decrease labor force participation beyond the pandemic period in the US.
jamanetwork.com
October 11, 2025 at 2:45 PM
“Workers continued to see elevated health-related absences linked to COVID-19…
[which] has likely raised the value to workers of paid-leave policies & existing social safety net programs.
Measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission in the workplace may also mitigate these new exposure risks”
[which] has likely raised the value to workers of paid-leave policies & existing social safety net programs.
Measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission in the workplace may also mitigate these new exposure risks”
This is a massive deal. But it’s not a done deal. Workers have been barred from their offices, but there is still time to protect their jobs. Only your Reps can do it though. Don’t let up!
RIFs at CDC.
Destroying the Epidemic Intelligence Service, NCIRD, NCIPC & a dozen other areas/divisions/branches will cause enormous harm and suffering to America, and indeed to the whole world.
Call your Reps about it.
Then call them again.
Destroying the Epidemic Intelligence Service, NCIRD, NCIPC & a dozen other areas/divisions/branches will cause enormous harm and suffering to America, and indeed to the whole world.
Call your Reps about it.
Then call them again.
October 11, 2025 at 4:16 PM
This is a massive deal. But it’s not a done deal. Workers have been barred from their offices, but there is still time to protect their jobs. Only your Reps can do it though. Don’t let up!
Reposted by Dr Ellie Murray, ScD
RIFs at CDC.
Destroying the Epidemic Intelligence Service, NCIRD, NCIPC & a dozen other areas/divisions/branches will cause enormous harm and suffering to America, and indeed to the whole world.
Call your Reps about it.
Then call them again.
Destroying the Epidemic Intelligence Service, NCIRD, NCIPC & a dozen other areas/divisions/branches will cause enormous harm and suffering to America, and indeed to the whole world.
Call your Reps about it.
Then call them again.
October 11, 2025 at 4:09 PM
RIFs at CDC.
Destroying the Epidemic Intelligence Service, NCIRD, NCIPC & a dozen other areas/divisions/branches will cause enormous harm and suffering to America, and indeed to the whole world.
Call your Reps about it.
Then call them again.
Destroying the Epidemic Intelligence Service, NCIRD, NCIPC & a dozen other areas/divisions/branches will cause enormous harm and suffering to America, and indeed to the whole world.
Call your Reps about it.
Then call them again.
make. the. proof.
cool cool cool
cool cool cool
RFK Jr on Tylenol and autism: "It is not proof. We're doing the studies to make the proof."
October 10, 2025 at 12:26 PM
make. the. proof.
cool cool cool
cool cool cool
If Sunday's summary left you hungry for more, today I've posted the full 20 minute read of all my thoughts about this paper.
epiellie.substack.com/p/all-the-go...
epiellie.substack.com/p/all-the-go...
October 8, 2025 at 4:05 PM
If Sunday's summary left you hungry for more, today I've posted the full 20 minute read of all my thoughts about this paper.
epiellie.substack.com/p/all-the-go...
epiellie.substack.com/p/all-the-go...
My review of the third autism-Tylenol study RFK Jr mentioned is out now.
If you weighed in on "what proportion of kids have neurodevelopmental disorders" yesterday, this paper is why I asked the question. Most of you will be very surprised by their answer!
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
If you weighed in on "what proportion of kids have neurodevelopmental disorders" yesterday, this paper is why I asked the question. Most of you will be very surprised by their answer!
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
RFK Jr's third Tylenol-autism study is just run-of-the-mill bad research
I’m reading through RFK Jr’s supposed evidence that Tylenol causes autism and it’s not looking good for his conclusions.
open.substack.com
October 5, 2025 at 1:49 PM
My review of the third autism-Tylenol study RFK Jr mentioned is out now.
If you weighed in on "what proportion of kids have neurodevelopmental disorders" yesterday, this paper is why I asked the question. Most of you will be very surprised by their answer!
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
If you weighed in on "what proportion of kids have neurodevelopmental disorders" yesterday, this paper is why I asked the question. Most of you will be very surprised by their answer!
open.substack.com/pub/epiellie...
Quick question: if you had to guess, what would you expect the prevalence of “any neurodevelopmental disorder” to be in a random sample of young people?
October 3, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Quick question: if you had to guess, what would you expect the prevalence of “any neurodevelopmental disorder” to be in a random sample of young people?