Risha Hess
@rishahess.bsky.social
Reproductive rights advocate. Behavioral / health comms expert. Amherst (MA) Board of Health chair and Amherst Survival Center board member🇮🇳 🇰🇪 🇵🇬 🇪🇹
I need you all to see what our embassies abroad are communicating
![US embassy in Addis saying “Using illegal drugs or breaking any US laws while on a [student visitor] visa can make you ineligible for future US visas. A US visa is a privilege, not a right. US visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued - and we may revoke your visa if you break the law.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:foogm3zmdkhplq7enqcah5tj/bafkreiakbwr624spi36vldsqicjskzomtdsjxil6eyshbj2jjv5cne7bxm@jpeg)
September 7, 2025 at 5:32 AM
I need you all to see what our embassies abroad are communicating
This is truly terrifying
A report from the scene of a horrifying kidnapping on the streets of Worcester, MA today by @billshaner.bsky.social www.welcometohellworld.com/they-dont-ne...
They don't need a warrant
A federal kidnapping in Worcester
www.welcometohellworld.com
May 9, 2025 at 1:43 AM
This is truly terrifying
This sort of took my breath away. I last saw her in concert last year. I so appreciated her. RIP
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Jill Sobule, Singer of History-Making 1995 Single 'I Kissed a Girl,' Dies in House Fire at 66
Singer Jill Sobule, who made history with "I Kissed a Girl," which became the first openly gay song to break the Billboard chart's Top 20, died at 66.
www.rollingstone.com
May 2, 2025 at 12:09 AM
This sort of took my breath away. I last saw her in concert last year. I so appreciated her. RIP
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Apologies to all other entrants but The Cutest Cat has been selected
April 5, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Apologies to all other entrants but The Cutest Cat has been selected
I know I point this out every few years but I also have this antibody- but the US will no longer take my blood because of my overseas travel. It frustrates me endlessly
he was afraid of needles! absolute legend www.npr.org/2025/03/03/n...
James Harrison, whose blood donations saved over 2 million babies, has died
Harrison, whose plasma contained a rare antibody, rolled up his sleeve 1,173 times from 1954 to 2018. The Australian is credited with helping 2.4 million babies and advancing scientific research.
www.npr.org
March 4, 2025 at 2:46 AM
I know I point this out every few years but I also have this antibody- but the US will no longer take my blood because of my overseas travel. It frustrates me endlessly
Reposted by Risha Hess
40 years of progress in controlling the HIV epidemic are about to be completely shattered if nothing is done. Keep speaking out and keep education on what is unfolding.
March 1, 2025 at 1:22 PM
40 years of progress in controlling the HIV epidemic are about to be completely shattered if nothing is done. Keep speaking out and keep education on what is unfolding.
Reposted by Risha Hess
📢 New report on #Texas' abortion ban:
- 50%+ rise in sepsis from 2nd-trimester pregnancy loss
- Rise in pregnant and postpartum fatalities
- Delayed care for miscarriages due to healthcare provider legal fears
🚨 Restrictive laws = worse health outcomes.
www.texastribune.org/2025/02/20/t...
- 50%+ rise in sepsis from 2nd-trimester pregnancy loss
- Rise in pregnant and postpartum fatalities
- Delayed care for miscarriages due to healthcare provider legal fears
🚨 Restrictive laws = worse health outcomes.
www.texastribune.org/2025/02/20/t...
Rates of pregnancy-related sepsis and deaths grow in Texas after abortion ban
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.texastribune.org
February 22, 2025 at 1:32 AM
📢 New report on #Texas' abortion ban:
- 50%+ rise in sepsis from 2nd-trimester pregnancy loss
- Rise in pregnant and postpartum fatalities
- Delayed care for miscarriages due to healthcare provider legal fears
🚨 Restrictive laws = worse health outcomes.
www.texastribune.org/2025/02/20/t...
- 50%+ rise in sepsis from 2nd-trimester pregnancy loss
- Rise in pregnant and postpartum fatalities
- Delayed care for miscarriages due to healthcare provider legal fears
🚨 Restrictive laws = worse health outcomes.
www.texastribune.org/2025/02/20/t...
Reposted by Risha Hess
BREAKING: Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier released from prison after nearly 50 years
February 18, 2025 at 4:25 PM
BREAKING: Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier released from prison after nearly 50 years
This is such dangerous misinformation by RFK Jr
RFK Jr: “Gardasil is probably the single worst, mass vaccine that we've ever seen.”
@drneilstone.bsky.social: “The HPV vaccine (Gardasil) is safe, effective, and on the way to ELIMINATING cervical cancer! RFK Jr is an anti-vaccine fanatic who would rather your daughter got cancer than a vaccine.”
@drneilstone.bsky.social: “The HPV vaccine (Gardasil) is safe, effective, and on the way to ELIMINATING cervical cancer! RFK Jr is an anti-vaccine fanatic who would rather your daughter got cancer than a vaccine.”
February 16, 2025 at 10:11 PM
This is such dangerous misinformation by RFK Jr
Hey. USians. Are we paying taxes this year or ….???
February 15, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Hey. USians. Are we paying taxes this year or ….???
Reposted by Risha Hess
Govt closes all HIV clinics in Uganda thanks to Elon Musk and Donald Trump interfering with USAID.
Regardless of your thoughts on countries relying on international aid, this is NOT how you treat poor people.
Shameful.
Regardless of your thoughts on countries relying on international aid, this is NOT how you treat poor people.
Shameful.
February 11, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Govt closes all HIV clinics in Uganda thanks to Elon Musk and Donald Trump interfering with USAID.
Regardless of your thoughts on countries relying on international aid, this is NOT how you treat poor people.
Shameful.
Regardless of your thoughts on countries relying on international aid, this is NOT how you treat poor people.
Shameful.
The woman in the cover photo is an old friend/colleague. It’s devastating to watch this happening to so many I know
“Mieka, who worked on gender-based violence, got a stop-work order at around 6 p.m. on Jan. 27. Four days later, she was furloughed without pay, and shortly after received a notice that her health insurance would be cut off 24 hours later.
She had only two weeks left in medication she needs daily”
She had only two weeks left in medication she needs daily”
Federal Workers Grapple With Trump’s War on Bureaucracy
One thing lost in the Trump administration’s war on the federal bureaucracy is the collective voice of the employees. But some have begun to speak out.
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2025 at 3:02 AM
The woman in the cover photo is an old friend/colleague. It’s devastating to watch this happening to so many I know
The fact sheet for the HPV vaccines also seem to be gone.
February 1, 2025 at 2:47 AM
The fact sheet for the HPV vaccines also seem to be gone.
Reposted by Risha Hess
🧵 THREAD: Trump and Rubio have arrested the international humanitarian aid system and forced lifesaving aid programs to completely halt operations — despite an announcement earlier in the week claiming they had changed course. 1/
February 1, 2025 at 1:07 AM
🧵 THREAD: Trump and Rubio have arrested the international humanitarian aid system and forced lifesaving aid programs to completely halt operations — despite an announcement earlier in the week claiming they had changed course. 1/
Is anyone else seeing the parallels to the Australian govt? Combining aid and diplomacy/security. Offshore immigrant detention?
February 1, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Is anyone else seeing the parallels to the Australian govt? Combining aid and diplomacy/security. Offshore immigrant detention?
Reposted by Risha Hess
"Black people made up half of all births in D.C. but accounted for 90 percent of pregnancy-related deaths between 2014 to 2018...white people constituted 30 percent of births but did not experience a single maternal death."
@urbanbushwoman9.bsky.social for @51st.news
51st.news/study-shows-...
@urbanbushwoman9.bsky.social for @51st.news
51st.news/study-shows-...
Study shows Mamatoto Village’s culturally relevant care can improve birth outcomes for Black people
The non-profit's home-visiting program, Mothers Rising, brings maternal and infant care to the doorsteps of underserved communities.
51st.news
January 24, 2025 at 1:18 PM
"Black people made up half of all births in D.C. but accounted for 90 percent of pregnancy-related deaths between 2014 to 2018...white people constituted 30 percent of births but did not experience a single maternal death."
@urbanbushwoman9.bsky.social for @51st.news
51st.news/study-shows-...
@urbanbushwoman9.bsky.social for @51st.news
51st.news/study-shows-...
This AND withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement will also add to HIV rates (see frontlineaids.org/resources/hi...)
January 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
This AND withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement will also add to HIV rates (see frontlineaids.org/resources/hi...)
I’m a third of the way in and this book is both educational (as an American working in maternal health who has lived most of adult life outside of US) AND an enjoyable, personable read
It’s my pub day! 📚 🎉🥳 The PAPERBACK version of my @newyorktimeshaiku.bsky.social best-seller LEGACY: A BLACK PHYSICIAN RECKONS WITH RACISM IN MEDICINE is out TODAY🩺👩🏾⚕️!
Get your copy here: www.ucheblackstock.com
Get your copy here: www.ucheblackstock.com
January 21, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I’m a third of the way in and this book is both educational (as an American working in maternal health who has lived most of adult life outside of US) AND an enjoyable, personable read
Reposted by Risha Hess
We need your help.
NH Republicans are trying to pass an abortion travel ban & it’s being heard TOMORROW. The bill could criminalize:
1) People who bring a young person to an abortion appt
2) Sharing any info on how to access abortion care
We CANNOT let this pass. Here's what you can do: 🧵
NH Republicans are trying to pass an abortion travel ban & it’s being heard TOMORROW. The bill could criminalize:
1) People who bring a young person to an abortion appt
2) Sharing any info on how to access abortion care
We CANNOT let this pass. Here's what you can do: 🧵
January 21, 2025 at 8:14 PM
We need your help.
NH Republicans are trying to pass an abortion travel ban & it’s being heard TOMORROW. The bill could criminalize:
1) People who bring a young person to an abortion appt
2) Sharing any info on how to access abortion care
We CANNOT let this pass. Here's what you can do: 🧵
NH Republicans are trying to pass an abortion travel ban & it’s being heard TOMORROW. The bill could criminalize:
1) People who bring a young person to an abortion appt
2) Sharing any info on how to access abortion care
We CANNOT let this pass. Here's what you can do: 🧵
Reposted by Risha Hess
Me, a public health person, just sitting over here reflecting on the fact that the US has experienced a 7% increase in infant mortality post-Dobbs.
Like, do you realize what that says about this society from an ethical perspective? That we made policy choices that caused this?
#PHEthx
Like, do you realize what that says about this society from an ethical perspective? That we made policy choices that caused this?
#PHEthx
Infant Mortality Increases Across US Following Dobbs Decision
The Dobbs decision was associated with a 7% absolute increase in overall infant mortality—equivalent to 247 excess deaths—and a 10% increase among infants with congenital anomalies, corresponding to 2...
www.ajmc.com
December 17, 2024 at 6:29 PM
Me, a public health person, just sitting over here reflecting on the fact that the US has experienced a 7% increase in infant mortality post-Dobbs.
Like, do you realize what that says about this society from an ethical perspective? That we made policy choices that caused this?
#PHEthx
Like, do you realize what that says about this society from an ethical perspective? That we made policy choices that caused this?
#PHEthx
This is not going to end well
globalvoices.org/2024/11/27/i...
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has announced the revival of the transmigration program, which encourages citizens to populate the country's eastern region, including Papua. Critics warn that the plan could further displace the Indigenous Papuan population.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has announced the revival of the transmigration program, which encourages citizens to populate the country's eastern region, including Papua. Critics warn that the plan could further displace the Indigenous Papuan population.
Indonesia’s new government pushes transmigration plan, stirring protests in Papua
"Transmigration has produced structural discrimination in education, land rights, and employment. There is high level of income and wealth inequality between Papuans and Indonesians, while migrants do...
globalvoices.org
November 27, 2024 at 12:03 PM
This is not going to end well