Lauren
@laur705.bsky.social
Health Equity | MCH Research | Avid Traveler
Pinned
Lauren
@laur705.bsky.social
· Dec 10
Find Out Why Health Insurance Denied Your Claim
You likely have the right to access records that explain why your insurer denied your claim or prior authorization request. Use ProPublica’s free tool to generate a letter requesting your claim file f...
projects.propublica.org
Pro-Publica developed a tool to help you find out why your insurance claim was denied. I haven't tried this yet but would be interested to hear others experiences. 🩺 🛟
projects.propublica.org/claimfile/?u...
projects.propublica.org/claimfile/?u...
Reposted by Lauren
Rosalind Franklin died at 37 of ovarian cancer attributed to radiation exposure from the methods she & her assistant used to photograph a cross-section of the DNA double helix.
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
DNA scientist James Watson has a remarkably long history of sexist, racist public comments
“People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty,” he said in 2003. “I think it would be great.”
www.vox.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Rosalind Franklin died at 37 of ovarian cancer attributed to radiation exposure from the methods she & her assistant used to photograph a cross-section of the DNA double helix.
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Meanwhile, Watson won a Nobel off that work & survived to the ripe old age of 97 by simply: stealing those notes!
Reposted by Lauren
Update: today, 16.8 million people should have *full* SNAP benefits for November. They don't.
Most states don't issue SNAP all at once. Some distribute SNAP up to the 28th day.
This masks the scale of the problem: 42 million worrying about hunger in the richest country on earth.
🛟 🥗 🩺📊 #econsky
Most states don't issue SNAP all at once. Some distribute SNAP up to the 28th day.
This masks the scale of the problem: 42 million worrying about hunger in the richest country on earth.
🛟 🥗 🩺📊 #econsky
November 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Update: today, 16.8 million people should have *full* SNAP benefits for November. They don't.
Most states don't issue SNAP all at once. Some distribute SNAP up to the 28th day.
This masks the scale of the problem: 42 million worrying about hunger in the richest country on earth.
🛟 🥗 🩺📊 #econsky
Most states don't issue SNAP all at once. Some distribute SNAP up to the 28th day.
This masks the scale of the problem: 42 million worrying about hunger in the richest country on earth.
🛟 🥗 🩺📊 #econsky
How to Help the Millions of Americans Who Are Losing Their Food Assistance 📰🛟🩺
How to Help the Millions of Americans Who Are Losing Their Food Assistance | Cup of Jo
On November 1st — tomorrow — 42 million people, including 16 million…
cupofjo.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:52 PM
How to Help the Millions of Americans Who Are Losing Their Food Assistance 📰🛟🩺
Reposted by Lauren
Racial health disparities could widen as states grapple with Trump cuts, experts warn missouriindependent.com/2025/10/28/r...
Racial health disparities could widen as states grapple with Trump cuts, experts warn • Missouri Independent
Racial health disparities may widen as states, universities and nonprofits grapple with federal funding cuts to programs that were aimed at filling gaps in care, public health experts say.
missouriindependent.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Racial health disparities could widen as states grapple with Trump cuts, experts warn missouriindependent.com/2025/10/28/r...
Are you going to need some help when SNAP benefits are cut off? Are you looking to donate goods or money to help your neighbors?
This website helps you find a local food pantry: foodfinder.us
This website helps you find a local food pantry: foodfinder.us
Food Pantries of America - Welcome to FoodFinder!
At FoodFinder you can search the food pantries that are closer to you. Explore the map and enter your zip code to learn which ones are available.
foodfinder.us
October 28, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Are you going to need some help when SNAP benefits are cut off? Are you looking to donate goods or money to help your neighbors?
This website helps you find a local food pantry: foodfinder.us
This website helps you find a local food pantry: foodfinder.us
Reposted by Lauren
New @npr.org explainer on the threats to food access with SNAP cuts: "The vast majority (of recipients) are children, working people, older Americans, veterans and people with disabilities. If SNAP shuts down, we will have the most mass hunger since the Great Depression." www.npr.org/2025/10/24/n...
'Uncharted territory': Ongoing shutdown threatens food aid for 42 million people
SNAP, the country's largest anti-hunger program, dates back to the Great Depression and has never been disrupted this way. Most recipients are seniors, families with kids, and those with disabilities.
www.npr.org
October 28, 2025 at 2:07 PM
New @npr.org explainer on the threats to food access with SNAP cuts: "The vast majority (of recipients) are children, working people, older Americans, veterans and people with disabilities. If SNAP shuts down, we will have the most mass hunger since the Great Depression." www.npr.org/2025/10/24/n...
What the administration is doing now is more like revenge than renewal, said Dr. Shah, who led Maine’s public health agency during the pandemic. 🛟🩺
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h...
Behind the Dismantling of the C.D.C.: Reform or ‘Humiliation’?
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:23 PM
What the administration is doing now is more like revenge than renewal, said Dr. Shah, who led Maine’s public health agency during the pandemic. 🛟🩺
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h...
Reposted by Lauren
"Our patients are increasingly encountering misinformation about contraception online, and we need to be prepared to address concerns in a way that is respectful and considerate of the patient's values, needs, and goals for contraception"
via acog.org - #MedSky
www.medpagetoday.com/obgyn/genera...
via acog.org - #MedSky
www.medpagetoday.com/obgyn/genera...
Ob/Gyns Urged to Fight Contraception Misinformation
False information about contraception abounds; physicians can help correct the narrative
www.medpagetoday.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:47 PM
"Our patients are increasingly encountering misinformation about contraception online, and we need to be prepared to address concerns in a way that is respectful and considerate of the patient's values, needs, and goals for contraception"
via acog.org - #MedSky
www.medpagetoday.com/obgyn/genera...
via acog.org - #MedSky
www.medpagetoday.com/obgyn/genera...
Restricting access to abortion care increases the risk of severe maternal morbidity particularly among older women and those of lower socioeconomic status 🛟🩺 #Reprosky
The Association Between State Gestational Age Limit Abortion Laws and Severe Maternal Morbidity: United States, 2010–2022 | AJPH | Vol. Issue
Objectives. To investigate the association between state gestational age limit abortion laws, which restrict abortions after a specific point in pregnancy, and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) hospital...
ajph.aphapublications.org
October 26, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Restricting access to abortion care increases the risk of severe maternal morbidity particularly among older women and those of lower socioeconomic status 🛟🩺 #Reprosky
Reposted by Lauren
Bird flu is on the rise again after a summer lull, so we resurfacing some recommendations on what you can do to take precautions.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
Data from: www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-po...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
Data from: www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-po...
October 24, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Bird flu is on the rise again after a summer lull, so we resurfacing some recommendations on what you can do to take precautions.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
Data from: www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-po...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
Data from: www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-po...
Reposted by Lauren
“The CDC, which tracks human cases, & the Dept of Agriculture, which monitors animal outbreaks, have both suspended routine communication with states, leaving many officials without up-to-date guidance on how to detect & contain the disease, or a clear national picture of the surge.”🧪🛟
After a quiet summer, the bird flu virus H5N1 is hitting poultry flocks hard in the run-up to the holidays — and in the midst of a federal government shutdown.
w/ @emilyanthes.bsky.social
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/h...
w/ @emilyanthes.bsky.social
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/h...
Bird Flu Is Back
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:38 PM
“The CDC, which tracks human cases, & the Dept of Agriculture, which monitors animal outbreaks, have both suspended routine communication with states, leaving many officials without up-to-date guidance on how to detect & contain the disease, or a clear national picture of the surge.”🧪🛟
Reposted by Lauren
SNAP Benefits At Risk Due To Government Shutdown, Fueling Public Health Concerns www.forbes.com/sites/omeraw...
SNAP Benefits At Risk Due To Government Shutdown, Fueling Public Health Concerns
SNAP benefits could expire on November 1st for many states throughout the United States. A doctor explains how this could impact public health.
www.forbes.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:02 PM
SNAP Benefits At Risk Due To Government Shutdown, Fueling Public Health Concerns www.forbes.com/sites/omeraw...
Pay attention to your state and local elections
Terrifying. An Associated Press investigation found more than 420 bills attacking longstanding public health protections such as vaccines, milk safety and fluoride have been introduced in statehouses across the US so far this year. Around 30 bills in 12 states have already been enacted or adopted.
October 22, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Pay attention to your state and local elections
Reposted by Lauren
AWS outage seemingly takes down Medicare website during open enrollment...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
October 20, 2025 at 4:27 PM
AWS outage seemingly takes down Medicare website during open enrollment...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Lauren
1. Yesterday, millions showed up to the No Kings Rally.
Perhaps no one Rally was as full of subtext as Boston's, however.
Senator Markey showed up wearing a trans pride flag. His challenger, anti-trans Dem Rep. Seth Moulton showed up to boos and jeers.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Perhaps no one Rally was as full of subtext as Boston's, however.
Senator Markey showed up wearing a trans pride flag. His challenger, anti-trans Dem Rep. Seth Moulton showed up to boos and jeers.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Anti-Trans Democrat Seth Moulton Booed At Boston No Kings Rally After Sen. Markey Wears Trans Flag
Representative Moulton is challenging Senator Markey for his senate seat in 2026.
www.erininthemorning.com
October 19, 2025 at 5:02 PM
1. Yesterday, millions showed up to the No Kings Rally.
Perhaps no one Rally was as full of subtext as Boston's, however.
Senator Markey showed up wearing a trans pride flag. His challenger, anti-trans Dem Rep. Seth Moulton showed up to boos and jeers.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Perhaps no one Rally was as full of subtext as Boston's, however.
Senator Markey showed up wearing a trans pride flag. His challenger, anti-trans Dem Rep. Seth Moulton showed up to boos and jeers.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Reposted by Lauren
Dismantling the Institutional Review Board (IRB), that oversees all human subjects research, is bad. Really bad.
The entire HR department at the CDC is gone. Everyone at the IRB, which makes sure studies are conducted ethically and rigorously, and the ethics office, which oversee conflicts of interest for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Instability and confusion’ as CDC slashes 1,300 jobs before reinstating half
Trump administration says 700 notices were sent in error, while top CDC officer says ‘they didn’t think through what they were doing’
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Dismantling the Institutional Review Board (IRB), that oversees all human subjects research, is bad. Really bad.
Reposted by Lauren
Take note of all these people turning out for protests in small towns in red states.
Remember them the next time you’re inclined to write an area off because “they voted for this.”
Remember them the next time you’re inclined to write an area off because “they voted for this.”
October 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Take note of all these people turning out for protests in small towns in red states.
Remember them the next time you’re inclined to write an area off because “they voted for this.”
Remember them the next time you’re inclined to write an area off because “they voted for this.”
Reposted by Lauren
In 2025, we are losing our measles-free status, just 25 years after we eliminated measles from the US because of vaccines.
It’s not because our sanitation systems have been eliminated.
It’s because people aren’t getting vaccinated.
1/
It’s not because our sanitation systems have been eliminated.
It’s because people aren’t getting vaccinated.
1/
October 18, 2025 at 12:57 AM
In 2025, we are losing our measles-free status, just 25 years after we eliminated measles from the US because of vaccines.
It’s not because our sanitation systems have been eliminated.
It’s because people aren’t getting vaccinated.
1/
It’s not because our sanitation systems have been eliminated.
It’s because people aren’t getting vaccinated.
1/
Reposted by Lauren
Rita Hamad, professor of social epidemiology and public policy, explains why losing the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System puts the health of mothers and infants at risk, and how she hopes to help keep its data accessible. “Without data, we can’t fix problems,” says @ritahamad.bsky.social
With federal maternal health database in limbo, a risk to mother and infant health | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Rita Hamad explains why losing PRAMS puts the health of mothers and infants at risk, and how she hopes to help keep its data accessible.
hsph.harvard.edu
October 17, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Rita Hamad, professor of social epidemiology and public policy, explains why losing the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System puts the health of mothers and infants at risk, and how she hopes to help keep its data accessible. “Without data, we can’t fix problems,” says @ritahamad.bsky.social
Reposted by Lauren
In Connecticut, the health care advocate office — whose services are free — has been able to resolve or overturn insurance denials in the patient’s favor about 80% of the time.
Check to see if your state has a similar consumer assistance program:
Check to see if your state has a similar consumer assistance program:
This Little-Known Appeal Could Force Your Insurer to Pay for Lifesaving Care. Here’s How to File It.
When a health insurer refuses to pay for your treatment, you may have the right to have the denial reviewed — and potentially overturned — by an independent provider. Here are six steps experts sugges...
www.propublica.org
October 18, 2025 at 12:00 AM
In Connecticut, the health care advocate office — whose services are free — has been able to resolve or overturn insurance denials in the patient’s favor about 80% of the time.
Check to see if your state has a similar consumer assistance program:
Check to see if your state has a similar consumer assistance program:
Reposted by Lauren
This is the CDC's list of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. In one way or another, RFK Jr's tenure will be remembered for dismantling or negatively impacting every one of them.
October 17, 2025 at 9:22 PM
This is the CDC's list of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. In one way or another, RFK Jr's tenure will be remembered for dismantling or negatively impacting every one of them.
Reposted by Lauren
NEW: The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did.
We found more than 170 such incidents since the start of the second Trump administration. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes nearly 20 children, two of whom have cancer.
We found more than 170 such incidents since the start of the second Trump administration. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes nearly 20 children, two of whom have cancer.
More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...
www.propublica.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did.
We found more than 170 such incidents since the start of the second Trump administration. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes nearly 20 children, two of whom have cancer.
We found more than 170 such incidents since the start of the second Trump administration. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes nearly 20 children, two of whom have cancer.
Reposted by Lauren
5. Fenway could try to fight federal attacks on funding—other agencies and institutions who have sued over funding held hostage by Trump have secured legal victories, at least for now. Instead, Fenway chose to comply in advance, which is especially jarring given its largely lower-income clientele.
Federal Court Blocks Trump Anti-Equity and Anti-Transgender Executive Orders Targeting LGBTQ and HIV-Serving Nonprofits
Preliminary Injunction from Lambda Legal lawsuit Secures Temporary Lifeline to Nine LGBTQ And HIV Organizations Under Threat by Three Trump Executive Orders Today, the U.S. District Court for the Nort...
lambdalegal.org
October 14, 2025 at 10:19 PM
5. Fenway could try to fight federal attacks on funding—other agencies and institutions who have sued over funding held hostage by Trump have secured legal victories, at least for now. Instead, Fenway chose to comply in advance, which is especially jarring given its largely lower-income clientele.
Read the whole thread. This is devasting to hear about. 🩺🛟
1. In a major capitulation to Trump, Fenway Health, a center ostensibly dedicated to LGBTQ+ healthcare, has ended its trans care program under 19.
It could have fought for its patients. It chose instead to roll over.
Community members are devastated.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
It could have fought for its patients. It chose instead to roll over.
Community members are devastated.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Fenway Health Restricts Treatment for Patients Under 19 In Capitulation To Trump
“This is a fundamental betrayal to the core mission of Fenway and the patients they serve.”
www.erininthemorning.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Read the whole thread. This is devasting to hear about. 🩺🛟
Another round of terminations, combined with previous layoffs and departures, has reduced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workforce by about 3,000 people since January. 🛟🩺
www.wired.com/story/cdc-te...
www.wired.com/story/cdc-te...
A Quarter of the CDC Is Gone
Another round of terminations, combined with previous layoffs and departures, has reduced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workforce by about 3,000 people since January.
www.wired.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Another round of terminations, combined with previous layoffs and departures, has reduced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workforce by about 3,000 people since January. 🛟🩺
www.wired.com/story/cdc-te...
www.wired.com/story/cdc-te...