Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
@petersuwondo.bsky.social
Resident physician, epidemiologist, and health policy researcher. Previously #globalhealth strategy for CDC, USAID, and others via @YaleEMD.bsky.social and @ColumbiaMed.bsky.social. Views my own. #ATL
#medSky #episky #IDsky
#medSky #episky #IDsky
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
RFK Jr "the nation’s leading public health official does not have any real interest in — or possibly any real understanding of — public health"
@jeneeninterlandi.bsky.social @nytopinion.nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/o...
@jeneeninterlandi.bsky.social @nytopinion.nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/o...
Opinion | The Public Health Disaster Everyone Saw Coming
www.nytimes.com
August 29, 2025 at 12:47 AM
RFK Jr "the nation’s leading public health official does not have any real interest in — or possibly any real understanding of — public health"
@jeneeninterlandi.bsky.social @nytopinion.nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/o...
@jeneeninterlandi.bsky.social @nytopinion.nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/o...
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
🚨BREAKING: IDSA, along with AAP, APHA, ACP and others, has filed a lawsuit against HHS/Secretary Kennedy to stop unlawful changes to vaccine policy and defend public health.
We refuse to stand by while America’s public health safeguards are torn apart. bit.ly/4lm7UkW
We refuse to stand by while America’s public health safeguards are torn apart. bit.ly/4lm7UkW
July 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
🚨BREAKING: IDSA, along with AAP, APHA, ACP and others, has filed a lawsuit against HHS/Secretary Kennedy to stop unlawful changes to vaccine policy and defend public health.
We refuse to stand by while America’s public health safeguards are torn apart. bit.ly/4lm7UkW
We refuse to stand by while America’s public health safeguards are torn apart. bit.ly/4lm7UkW
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
Clear and actionable points by my brilliant friend and colleague Dr. @jncherabiemd.bsky.social on ways to keep standing up against the attacks on health and science. Seems especially relevant today.
"Silence = Death Is Real Now More Than Ever, but Words Aren’t Enough—Action Is Needed!"
"Silence = Death Is Real Now More Than Ever, but Words Aren’t Enough—Action Is Needed!"
July 3, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Clear and actionable points by my brilliant friend and colleague Dr. @jncherabiemd.bsky.social on ways to keep standing up against the attacks on health and science. Seems especially relevant today.
"Silence = Death Is Real Now More Than Ever, but Words Aren’t Enough—Action Is Needed!"
"Silence = Death Is Real Now More Than Ever, but Words Aren’t Enough—Action Is Needed!"
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
Today, what’s left of USAID is being transferred to the State Dept, which is gutting that development work. Ending USAID will go down in history as a colossal failure and mistake. bsky.app/profile/ddia...
Please read this @khoureld.bsky.social story about the consequences of USAID cuts.
Children are dying from starvation on the streets of Sudan — and the food that could save them, already paid for by our government, is languishing in U.S. warehouses.
(No paywall)
Children are dying from starvation on the streets of Sudan — and the food that could save them, already paid for by our government, is languishing in U.S. warehouses.
(No paywall)
In Sudan, where children clung to life, doctors say USAID cuts have been fatal
The Trump administration’s cuts to USAID had an immediate and deadly impact in war-ravaged Sudan, according to civilians, doctors and aid officials.
wapo.st
July 1, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Today, what’s left of USAID is being transferred to the State Dept, which is gutting that development work. Ending USAID will go down in history as a colossal failure and mistake. bsky.app/profile/ddia...
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
A new paper in The Lancet, one of the world’s foremost peer reviewed medical journals, estimates that USAID prevented 91 million deaths across 133 countries over 20 years.
The paper estimates that Elon Musk’s DOGE funding cuts to USAID will lead to 14 million deaths by 2030 (4.5 million children).
The paper estimates that Elon Musk’s DOGE funding cuts to USAID will lead to 14 million deaths by 2030 (4.5 million children).
Evaluating the impact of two decades of USAID interventions and projecting the effects of defunding on mortality up to 2030: a retrospective impact evaluation and forecasting analysis
USAID funding has significantly contributed to the reduction in adult and child mortality
across low-income and middle-income countries over the past two decades. Our estimates
show that, unless the a...
www.thelancet.com
July 1, 2025 at 10:43 AM
A new paper in The Lancet, one of the world’s foremost peer reviewed medical journals, estimates that USAID prevented 91 million deaths across 133 countries over 20 years.
The paper estimates that Elon Musk’s DOGE funding cuts to USAID will lead to 14 million deaths by 2030 (4.5 million children).
The paper estimates that Elon Musk’s DOGE funding cuts to USAID will lead to 14 million deaths by 2030 (4.5 million children).
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
A new study estimates that USAID saved 92 million lives from 2001 to 2021, and that its demolition could kill 14 million people in only five years through 2030.
That would make the end of USAID by far the most impactful action Trump has taken this year. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
That would make the end of USAID by far the most impactful action Trump has taken this year. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
USAID cuts could lead to 14 million deaths over the next five years, researchers say
An analysis published Monday in the medical journal The Lancet projects that cuts to the agency will lead to more deaths from diseases like AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
www.nbcnews.com
July 1, 2025 at 10:40 PM
A new study estimates that USAID saved 92 million lives from 2001 to 2021, and that its demolition could kill 14 million people in only five years through 2030.
That would make the end of USAID by far the most impactful action Trump has taken this year. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
That would make the end of USAID by far the most impactful action Trump has taken this year. www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
New from 404 Media: ICE is using a new facial recognition app to identify people, leaked emails show. Point camera at person, reveal their identity. It uses the CBP system that records peoples' faces as they enter or exit the U.S. Now, turned inwards to be used by ICE www.404media.co/ice-is-using...
ICE Is Using a New Facial Recognition App to Identify People, Leaked Emails Show
The new tool, called Mobile Fortify, uses the CBP system which ordinarily takes photos of people when they enter or exit the U.S., according to internal ICE emails viewed by 404 Media. Now ICE is usin...
www.404media.co
June 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
New from 404 Media: ICE is using a new facial recognition app to identify people, leaked emails show. Point camera at person, reveal their identity. It uses the CBP system that records peoples' faces as they enter or exit the U.S. Now, turned inwards to be used by ICE www.404media.co/ice-is-using...
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
“The U.S. may be doing more than simply failing to aid global vaccination efforts. The domestic stoking of anti-vaccine sentiment is itself infectious—a disease-carrying rat population on the ships exporting American culture.” @jackiantonovich.bsky.social
Calculating the Damage of Vaccine Skepticism
It’s clear that we’re on the precipice of a surge in preventable diseases. But how bad will it get?
www.newyorker.com
June 27, 2025 at 11:28 AM
“The U.S. may be doing more than simply failing to aid global vaccination efforts. The domestic stoking of anti-vaccine sentiment is itself infectious—a disease-carrying rat population on the ships exporting American culture.” @jackiantonovich.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
This is a travesty & a nightmare. The US was a founder of @gavi.org. It lowers global vaccine costs, has vaccinated 1B children, & averted 19M deaths. This pull out will cost 100s of thousands of children's lives a year - and RFK Jr will be personally responsible.
www.politico.com/news/2025/06...
www.politico.com/news/2025/06...
RFK Jr. says US won’t donate to global vaccine effort
Kennedy ripped into Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in a video address at its pledging summit.
www.politico.com
June 25, 2025 at 1:59 PM
This is a travesty & a nightmare. The US was a founder of @gavi.org. It lowers global vaccine costs, has vaccinated 1B children, & averted 19M deaths. This pull out will cost 100s of thousands of children's lives a year - and RFK Jr will be personally responsible.
www.politico.com/news/2025/06...
www.politico.com/news/2025/06...
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
Thank you Bill Cassidy (R-LA). www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/h...
Why a Vaccine Expert Left the C.D.C.: ‘Americans Are Going to Die’
www.nytimes.com
June 18, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Thank you Bill Cassidy (R-LA). www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/h...
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
Feeling a lot like I did in early days of the pandemic these days. It is so clear what’s coming: The people that will die because of cuts in global health, because of cuts to research, because of the concerted anti-vaccine push.
It’s clear what’s coming, but we will have to wait to count the dead.🧪
It’s clear what’s coming, but we will have to wait to count the dead.🧪
June 11, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Feeling a lot like I did in early days of the pandemic these days. It is so clear what’s coming: The people that will die because of cuts in global health, because of cuts to research, because of the concerted anti-vaccine push.
It’s clear what’s coming, but we will have to wait to count the dead.🧪
It’s clear what’s coming, but we will have to wait to count the dead.🧪
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
Helen Chu is one of the ousted #ACIP members. She spoke to me today about her grave concerns for future vaccination policy and vaccine access in the United States. www.statnews.com/2025/06/10/c...
Ousted CDC vaccine adviser says RFK Jr.'s message is clear: ‘Scientific expertise is no longer of use’
Terminated CDC vaccine adviser Helen Chu spoke with STAT about her fears for the future of vaccine policy
www.statnews.com
June 11, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Helen Chu is one of the ousted #ACIP members. She spoke to me today about her grave concerns for future vaccination policy and vaccine access in the United States. www.statnews.com/2025/06/10/c...
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
Rewording my earlier post.
RFK Jr will be testifying before Congress.
I am interested in what experts and others think would be the best way to leverage this time and opportunity for the public good.
If you were behind the dais for this hearing, what would you do? What do you want to see asked?
RFK Jr will be testifying before Congress.
I am interested in what experts and others think would be the best way to leverage this time and opportunity for the public good.
If you were behind the dais for this hearing, what would you do? What do you want to see asked?
June 11, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Rewording my earlier post.
RFK Jr will be testifying before Congress.
I am interested in what experts and others think would be the best way to leverage this time and opportunity for the public good.
If you were behind the dais for this hearing, what would you do? What do you want to see asked?
RFK Jr will be testifying before Congress.
I am interested in what experts and others think would be the best way to leverage this time and opportunity for the public good.
If you were behind the dais for this hearing, what would you do? What do you want to see asked?
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
The CDC sent a forecast for the measles outbreak to HHS for approval, but it has not been publicly released.
And there are more ways this federal response to measles is unusual. Gift link: wapo.st/4i3sKmn
And there are more ways this federal response to measles is unusual. Gift link: wapo.st/4i3sKmn
April 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The CDC sent a forecast for the measles outbreak to HHS for approval, but it has not been publicly released.
And there are more ways this federal response to measles is unusual. Gift link: wapo.st/4i3sKmn
And there are more ways this federal response to measles is unusual. Gift link: wapo.st/4i3sKmn
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
USA led the world in expertise stopping HIV, incl preventing mother to child transmission. But DOGE has now dismissed every global prevention expert at USAID, CDC, & State Dept.
The risk is insane: Resurgent HIV & 500K child deaths by 2030. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/h...
The risk is insane: Resurgent HIV & 500K child deaths by 2030. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/h...
Who Will Care for Infants With H.I.V. Overseas? (Gift Article)
The consequences of mother-to-child transmission can be enormous, a new study suggests. But the U.S. has dismissed experts working to solve the problem.
www.nytimes.com
April 8, 2025 at 3:21 PM
USA led the world in expertise stopping HIV, incl preventing mother to child transmission. But DOGE has now dismissed every global prevention expert at USAID, CDC, & State Dept.
The risk is insane: Resurgent HIV & 500K child deaths by 2030. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/h...
The risk is insane: Resurgent HIV & 500K child deaths by 2030. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/h...
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
Thousands of the best experts at FDA, NIH, and all across HHS are being terminated right now.
These are the people who make sure the medications you and your children take are safe.
These are the people who perform and oversee research on cancer, infant health, and so so so much more.
These are the people who make sure the medications you and your children take are safe.
These are the people who perform and oversee research on cancer, infant health, and so so so much more.
April 1, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Thousands of the best experts at FDA, NIH, and all across HHS are being terminated right now.
These are the people who make sure the medications you and your children take are safe.
These are the people who perform and oversee research on cancer, infant health, and so so so much more.
These are the people who make sure the medications you and your children take are safe.
These are the people who perform and oversee research on cancer, infant health, and so so so much more.
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
At some point in the future, a Democratic President and Secretary of HHS will probably try to rebuild the department following the major staffing cuts happening now. It won't be easy, and will likely require Congress.
www.kff.org/from-drew-al...
www.kff.org/from-drew-al...
Decoding the HHS Reorganization
In his latest column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman examines the implications of Secretary Kennedy’s reorganization of HHS and why it’s a sharp break from past efforts to reorganize the department...
www.kff.org
April 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
At some point in the future, a Democratic President and Secretary of HHS will probably try to rebuild the department following the major staffing cuts happening now. It won't be easy, and will likely require Congress.
www.kff.org/from-drew-al...
www.kff.org/from-drew-al...
Administration pledges radical and unprecedented transparency—then shunts down all the FOIA offices across HHS...
Bloomberg reporting that *all* #FOIA staff at CDC, NIH, and FDA are gone. Absolutely gobsmacking stuff:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
RFK Jr. Pushes Out Top Officials in Health Agency Overhaul
First came Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s ouster of a top official at the Department of Health and Human Services’ vaccine division. Then, the HHS chief pushed out the people overseeing new drug reviews and ...
www.bloomberg.com
April 1, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Administration pledges radical and unprecedented transparency—then shunts down all the FOIA offices across HHS...
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
SCOOP: New FDA commissioner Martin Makary was sworn in Friday before HHS tried to push Peter Marks out, knew it was going to happen and did not stop it. #healthpolicy #biosky #medsky
insights.citeline.com/pink-sheet/g...
insights.citeline.com/pink-sheet/g...
New US FDA Commissioner Makary Was Sworn In, Knew Of Plan to Push Out Marks, Sources Say
FDA Commissioner Martin Makary was sworn in Friday and knew of the plan that ultimately lead to CBER director Peter Marks' resignation on 28 March.
insights.citeline.com
March 31, 2025 at 4:48 PM
SCOOP: New FDA commissioner Martin Makary was sworn in Friday before HHS tried to push Peter Marks out, knew it was going to happen and did not stop it. #healthpolicy #biosky #medsky
insights.citeline.com/pink-sheet/g...
insights.citeline.com/pink-sheet/g...
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
Jay Bhattacharya said in his confirmation hearing that he plans to restore NIH to its former glory & repair public distrust of science.
Would love to hear how rescinding the NIH policy on scientific integrity accomplishes that goal.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Would love to hear how rescinding the NIH policy on scientific integrity accomplishes that goal.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
March 30, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Jay Bhattacharya said in his confirmation hearing that he plans to restore NIH to its former glory & repair public distrust of science.
Would love to hear how rescinding the NIH policy on scientific integrity accomplishes that goal.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Would love to hear how rescinding the NIH policy on scientific integrity accomplishes that goal.
grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
The first randomized trial comparing fecal occult blood testing (every other year) testing and (one-time) colonoscopy. No significant difference in colon cancer mortality among >56,000 participants
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... @thelancet.bsky.social
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... @thelancet.bsky.social
March 29, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The first randomized trial comparing fecal occult blood testing (every other year) testing and (one-time) colonoscopy. No significant difference in colon cancer mortality among >56,000 participants
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... @thelancet.bsky.social
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan... @thelancet.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
Peter Marks’s resignation letter. Everyone should read this.
March 29, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Peter Marks’s resignation letter. Everyone should read this.
Reposted by Peter Suwondo, MD MPH
Texas measles outbreak now at 400 cases and 41 hospitalizations.
It was at 327 cases 3 days ago. Unclear how many of the hospitalizations are due to Vitamin A liver toxicity, as promoted by RFK Jr. The number of actual cases surely exceeds 1,000 at this point
www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/...
It was at 327 cases 3 days ago. Unclear how many of the hospitalizations are due to Vitamin A liver toxicity, as promoted by RFK Jr. The number of actual cases surely exceeds 1,000 at this point
www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/...
Measles Outbreak – March 28, 2025 | Texas DSHS
www.dshs.texas.gov
March 28, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Texas measles outbreak now at 400 cases and 41 hospitalizations.
It was at 327 cases 3 days ago. Unclear how many of the hospitalizations are due to Vitamin A liver toxicity, as promoted by RFK Jr. The number of actual cases surely exceeds 1,000 at this point
www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/...
It was at 327 cases 3 days ago. Unclear how many of the hospitalizations are due to Vitamin A liver toxicity, as promoted by RFK Jr. The number of actual cases surely exceeds 1,000 at this point
www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/...
Dr Marks, one of FDA’s most senior officials and the country’s top vaccine regulator, has been forced out by RFK Jr. “It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.”
March 29, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Dr Marks, one of FDA’s most senior officials and the country’s top vaccine regulator, has been forced out by RFK Jr. “It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.”