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WHO releases US$150 000 emergency funds to support Nepal’s flood response
The World Health Organization has released US$150 000 from the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to support urgent health and other needs of the communities impacted by the devastating flash floods in Nepal, one of the worst tragedies in the country in recent times. “The emergency funds will support immediate response priorities. WHO is committed to supporting Nepal through the response and recovery efforts,” said Dr Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office. Earlier, within hours of the flash floods on 26 August, WHO mobilized and dispatched essential emergency medical supplies, including an Interagency Emergency Health Kit that can cater to the health needs of nearly 10 000 people for 3 months, along with multipurpose tents.
San Antonio closures after storm damage, power outages
One restaurant said its dining room flooded during the storms.
Flood-Ravaged Nepal on Alert as Scientists Warn of Additional Risk
Earth scientists are in the early stages of analyzing the devastating debris flow but say it fits a pattern fueled by global warming.
Nepal Floods Took Away His Home, Business. At 71, He Is Left With Just Debt
Govind Prasad Dahal is one of the thousands of people who lost their homes and businesses in the Nepal flash floods.
Peter Gabriel guest stars on “Silo ”— as himself — and performs ‘Here Comes the Flood’ (exclusive photos)
The legendary singer popped up on the Apple TV dystopian series after his music was featured in its season 3 premiere.
Prioritizing Quality Before Synthesis in Paleoenvironmental Hazard Science
The field needs methodological and workforce development. A proposed new center should invest there first.
Glacier collapse that caused Nepal floods was linked to climate change, scientists say
Climate change is making the Himalayas more dangerous, creating a slew of increasing hazards in Nepal.
This winter, New England scientists will track snowpack like never before
A new collection of automated sensors will help scientists get a never before seen picture of snowpack across the region, which researchers say will help them better predict floods.
Nepal floods highlight increased risks of melting glaciers as Himalayas warm
The deadly flash flood in Nepal on Wednesday was likely caused by a huge chunk of a glacier that broke off and temporarily dammed a river, according to preliminary investigations by scientists.
China's short-drama producers flood the market with cheap bets — and let audiences pick the winners
Short dramas' model posits a new alternative to traditional entertainment models, but distribution poses rising cost and audience retention challenges.
Trace Gallagher: LA has perfected political math
The CSD thinks if LA Mayor Karen Bass plans to flood her campaign with taxpayer cash, can’t she at least add a little water to the Palisades reservoir?
Orchestra Iowa returns to Brucemore lawn after 5-year hiatus
After flood, pandemic, and a five-year hiatus, Orchestra Iowa's beloved Brucemorchestra is back. This Saturday on the Brucemore lawn, hear patriotic favorites, American classics, and music director Tim Hankewich's mystery “seismic announcement.”
Howey: When disaster strikes, Hoosiers need FEMA, not politics
In not a single instance did one of our first responders ask these folks whether they were a Republican or Democrat before stepping onto the boat.
15 years after Irene, plucky business owners recall the monster storm and its aftermath
Residents remembered the destructive power of the storm as it drove the North Branch of the Deerfield River well over its banks and into homes and businesses.
Ringgold business owners demand solutions as recovery from flash flooding continues
As Ringgold businesses continue cleaning up from last week’s flash flooding, owners are pressing city leaders for answers on what can be done to prevent similar
A deep dive into climate change
Some policymakers continue to question the science of climate change, despite the growing evidence of significant damage to life on land and in the ocean.Katja Matthes, director of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel in Germany, believes the ongoing attempts to politicise climate science and discredit researchers are hindering international cooperation and public understanding. The ocean provides clear evidence of the extent to which changes are occurring, she says.“We are seeing severe, unprecedented and accelerating changes in the ocean — warming ocean temperatures, acidification and oxygen depletion — that are destabilising the most important system that makes life on this planet possible,” Matthes explains. Visible signs of these changes include the melting of ice sheets in the Arctic and Greenland. Deeper down, the growing frequency of hypoxia — or oxygen-deprived “dead zones”, where marine life can no longer survive — in the Baltic and record-high Mediterranean surface temperatures are indicators of the “dramatic warming” of the ocean, she adds.The ocean, which covers around 70% of the Earth’s surface, acts as a vital carbon sink, absorbing around 30% of the planet’s carbon dioxide (CO2) and 90% of the excess heat. However, the global ocean surface temperature has risen by an average of half a degree Celsius since 1982, according to the EU Copernicus observatory. More significant rises have been recorded in the Mediterranean, Black, Baltic and other shallower seas.Some ocean temperature increases do occur naturally, such as during El Niño events. But sustained rises can trigger extreme weather on land — including droughts, floods and catastrophic storms — while also harming marine ecosystems. Only 10% of marine species have been studied, Matthes notes, “so the consequences might be even more severe than we know.”Fostering European cooperation amid uncertaintyMatthes, who holds a doctorate in meteorology, is a professor of atmospheric physics as well as director of GEOMAR. She serves as one of Kiel’s ambassadors to Science Comes to Town (SCTT), an EU-funded programme that aims to promote science’s role in society and strengthen cross-border collaboration in research, innovation and sustainability. SCTT is hosted by the coastal cities of Kiel, Brest (in France) and Split (in Croatia).The SCTT project also provides a platform for raising awareness and understanding between scientists and the public about major issues, such as climate change. Having worked on both sides of the Atlantic, Matthes is frustrated by recent attempts to erode decades of international climate collaboration and question the credibility of research. Earlier this year, the US administration delivered a major blow to global cooperation by withdrawing from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and other global climate organisations, claiming they were “contrary to the interests of the United States.”In addition, a US Department of Energy (DOE) report cast doubt on the latest IPCC climate assessment, which was published in 2024. As a contributing author to the IPCC study, Matthes says the DOE sought to discredit scientists like herself. “Climate change is not a matter of opinion, it really exists and we are witnessing dramatic changes,” she notes. “It’s not climate change as a whole that is being targeted, but scientists and their research.”Other US actions have also hit home for Matthes, who spent three years at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. The White House has announced plans to close the facility, a move that was “pretty tough” due to the German scientist’s personal connections with the staff and their reputation for excellence.Changing the narrative on climate changeEurope’s scientific community remains a driving force on climate research and collaboration. As one of the world’s leading marine research institutions, GEOMAR attracts students from more than 50 countries and plays an important role in global observation initiatives that contribute to understanding and protecting the ocean basins. At a European level, GEOMAR works closely with other top marine research facilities, including France’s Ifremer, an SCTT partner in Brest. GEOMAR has also developed innovative and safe strategies for removing unexploded wartime munitions from the seabed, which release toxic substances that pose a danger to humans and the marine environment. Through the Horizon Europe MMinE-SwEEPER project, this knowledge has been transferred to the European level.These initiatives are examples of how local action can have a global impact, Matthes says, and how Europe can strengthen climate research and partnerships. “This is a chance for Europe to step up and work on climate cooperation and agreements,” she notes. “Climate change is an international problem and a real threat, and we need more speed on climate action than we have now.”Matthes believes her fellow scientists need to communicate that climate change is not only a threat, but an opportunity to find solutions. “We need to change our narrative and expand our strategic alliances with those who are willing,” she says, “and luckily there are a lot of willing people and countries.”Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
A deep dive into climate change
Some policymakers continue to question the science of climate change, despite the growing evidence of significant damage to life on land and in the ocean.Katja Matthes, director of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel in Germany, believes the ongoing attempts to politicise climate science and discredit researchers are hindering international cooperation and public understanding. The ocean provides clear evidence of the extent to which changes are occurring, she says.“We are seeing severe, unprecedented and accelerating changes in the ocean — warming ocean temperatures, acidification and oxygen depletion — that are destabilising the most important system that makes life on this planet possible,” Matthes explains. Visible signs of these changes include the melting of ice sheets in the Arctic and Greenland. Deeper down, the growing frequency of hypoxia — or oxygen-deprived “dead zones”, where marine life can no longer survive — in the Baltic and record-high Mediterranean surface temperatures are indicators of the “dramatic warming” of the ocean, she adds.The ocean, which covers around 70% of the Earth’s surface, acts as a vital carbon sink, absorbing around 30% of the planet’s carbon dioxide (CO2) and 90% of the excess heat. However, the global ocean surface temperature has risen by an average of half a degree Celsius since 1982, according to the EU Copernicus observatory. More significant rises have been recorded in the Mediterranean, Black, Baltic and other shallower seas.Some ocean temperature increases do occur naturally, such as during El Niño events. But sustained rises can trigger extreme weather on land — including droughts, floods and catastrophic storms — while also harming marine ecosystems. Only 10% of marine species have been studied, Matthes notes, “so the consequences might be even more severe than we know.”Fostering European cooperation amid uncertaintyMatthes, who holds a doctorate in meteorology, is a professor of atmospheric physics as well as director of GEOMAR. She serves as one of Kiel’s ambassadors to Science Comes to Town (SCTT), an EU-funded programme that aims to promote science’s role in society and strengthen cross-border collaboration in research, innovation and sustainability. SCTT is hosted by the coastal cities of Kiel, Brest (in France) and Split (in Croatia).The SCTT project also provides a platform for raising awareness and understanding between scientists and the public about major issues, such as climate change. Having worked on both sides of the Atlantic, Matthes is frustrated by recent attempts to erode decades of international climate collaboration and question the credibility of research. Earlier this year, the US administration delivered a major blow to global cooperation by withdrawing from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and other global climate organisations, claiming they were “contrary to the interests of the United States.”In addition, a US Department of Energy (DOE) report cast doubt on the latest IPCC climate assessment, which was published in 2024. As a contributing author to the IPCC study, Matthes says the DOE sought to discredit scientists like herself. “Climate change is not a matter of opinion, it really exists and we are witnessing dramatic changes,” she notes. “It’s not climate change as a whole that is being targeted, but scientists and their research.”Other US actions have also hit home for Matthes, who spent three years at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. The White House has announced plans to close the facility, a move that was “pretty tough” due to the German scientist’s personal connections with the staff and their reputation for excellence.Changing the narrative on climate changeEurope’s scientific community remains a driving force on climate research and collaboration. As one of the world’s leading marine research institutions, GEOMAR attracts students from more than 50 countries and plays an important role in global observation initiatives that contribute to understanding and protecting the ocean basins. At a European level, GEOMAR works closely with other top marine research facilities, including France’s Ifremer, an SCTT partner in Brest. GEOMAR has also developed innovative and safe strategies for removing unexploded wartime munitions from the seabed, which release toxic substances that pose a danger to humans and the marine environment. Through the Horizon Europe MMinE-SwEEPER project, this knowledge has been transferred to the European level.These initiatives are examples of how local action can have a global impact, Matthes says, and how Europe can strengthen climate research and partnerships. “This is a chance for Europe to step up and work on climate cooperation and agreements,” she notes. “Climate change is an international problem and a real threat, and we need more speed on climate action than we have now.”Matthes believes her fellow scientists need to communicate that climate change is not only a threat, but an opportunity to find solutions. “We need to change our narrative and expand our strategic alliances with those who are willing,” she says, “and luckily there are a lot of willing people and countries.”Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
Ringgold community honors late business owner through service after flooding
By sunrise, owners and employees of the auto shop could see the extent of the damage.
Metropolis business remains closed 2 months after storm flooded store
More than two months after a storm flooded Cheri’s Berries Café & Play, the business remains closed. The owner, Cherish Matias, attributes the flood to an improper roof installation.
Hawaii Island Community Health Center brings health care back to Nā‘ālehu with a mobile clinic
Even as its main facility remains closed due to severe flood damage, tbe Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center is spearheading efforts to restore healthcare access by deploying a mobile clinic next week.
'It's unbelievable' | Harrison small business bounced back from historic floods to host music festival
Jake's River Landing will welcome customers for a two-day music festival a week after floodwaters from the Whitewater River tossed their buildings into the woods.
Gahanna businesses, city crews clean up after widespread flooding
Cleanup efforts continued across Gahanna Friday after widespread flooding sent water rushing through roads, businesses and public spaces.The city saw about 6 in
Storms, days of heavy rain upend businesses, nonprofits statewide
Cleanup has only just begun for the thousands of Hoosier residents and businesses affected by widespread power outages and flooding.
Why have private equity firms taken an interest in buying professional sports teams?
The booming business of sports has attracted a flood of private equity investment and even the most notable franchises require the influx of cash to keep up in the arms race.
Why do private equity firms take interest in buying pro sports teams?
The booming business of sports has attracted a flood of private equity investment and even the most notable franchises require the influx of cash to keep up in the arms race.
Iowa Writers’ Workshop professor explores forgotten history
Matthew Neill Null, an Iowa Writers' Workshop professor, has a new novel, “Floodgate,” which centers on the 1960s construction of West Virginia's Summersville Dam and explores themes of labor unions, resource extraction, and the lives of working-class people left behind by progress.
Local river business ends kayaking season, live music schedule after damaging floods
Jake's River Landing said kayaking is done for the season and the rest of its regular live music schedule has been canceled.
It's finally raining, but the drought's not over
After a summer that has seen England and Wales experience the driest July since records began, rain is finally on the horizon. But with reservoirs at ‘exceptionally low’ levels, will there be enough rain to replenish stocks? Madeleine Finlay hears from Dr Anna Murgatroyd, a lecturer in hydrology at Newcastle University, about how much rain we need to see us through next summer, why we’re now at increased risk of floods, and what we can all be doing to take better care of our water supplies
Gloucestershire canoe hire says Thames drought impacting business
A canoe hire business says the lack of rain has left soil on the flood plains "like concrete".
Indy-area businesses grapple with flooding, look to support each other
While personal residences appeared to take the brunt of Indiana's recent storm surge, multiple businesses are also dealing with damage.
Politics could endanger Mississippi’s disaster response in jeopary- Mississippi Today
If FEMA disappears, as the Trump administration has proposed, what happens to your community, especially in Mississippi, after the next disaster, watchdog asks?
Harrison small business begins cleanup after historic flooding, faces costly damage
After historic flooding last week, many businesses and homeowners along the Whitewater River are still cleaning up the damage left behind.
Your business has flooded. What do you do now?
IBJ spoke with Jacob Houk, president of Indianapolis-based Hays & Sons, a property restoration company, about the first steps to take — from documenting damage to contacting insurers and finding a qualified restoration company.
Business owner vows to rebuild after catastrophic Indiana flooding
Business owner Cyndee Gillmore joins 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss the devastating impact of historic floods in Indiana, which have left at least seven people dead and caused widespread damage.
Severe thunderstorms cause flooding concerns for business
Heavy rain and storm runoff are creating recurring flooding issues for a farm market in Lancaster County, with the owner expressing concerns about nearby construction and its impact on his business.
Canonsburg businesses flooded again as recurring culvert problem causes more damage
Flooding caused by a clogged culvert on McBurney Street continues to disrupt operations for businesses on West Pike Street in Canonsburg, leaving owners frustrated and seeking solutions.
The Scientists Who Want to Steer Hurricanes
Over the weekend, Hawaii was lashed by Hurricane Lala, which has washed away homes, left more than 125,000 people without power, shut down two of the state’s busiest airports, threatened dangerous flash flooding and, at time of writing, has killed one person. What if we could’ve steered the storm away from Hawaii, into the vast expanse of the empty Pacific Ocean that lies all around the islands—where no one could get hurt? This scenario might sound like the stuff of science fiction. But earlier this year, a peer-reviewed study published by the Public Library of Science found that it might be possible, and sooner than we think. The study was titled: “Weather Jiu-Jitsu: Prospects for atmospheric nudging to defuse the impact of catastrophic weather extremes.” According to the paper, the controversial practice of cloud seeding could enable human beings to make hurricanes change direction. The potential results could be astounding: The authors suggested that Hurricane Sandy, which in New York City alone killed 44 people and caused $19 billion of damage in 2012, could’ve been diverted by 200 miles, missing the metropolis entirely. Cloud seeding, which first succeeded in the U.S. in 1946, is a practice whereby small particles—for example, dry ice, silver iodide, or salt—are dropped into clouds, causing moisture to condense into precipitation. In the 1960s, the U.S. government launched Project Stormfury, an experiment that saw Navy pilots flying into the heart of a hurricane, dodging winds over a hundred miles per hour, to cloud-seed inside it, in the hope of reducing the storm’s power. “The seeding,” the theory went, “would stimulate the formation of a new eyewall that would surround the existing eyewall. The new eyewall would contract, strangling the old eyewall and reducing the intensity of the hurricane.”
Pacers Sports and Entertainment, Indianapolis Colts donate $250,000 to flood relief effort in central Indiana
INDIANPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Noblesville Boom and Indiana Fever are teaming up with the American Red Cross to help support those impacted by historic flooding seen in the H…
Indianapolis Colts and Pacers Sports and Entertainment donate 250K for flood relief
Harrison business cleaning up after being hit hard by flooding
Jake's River Landing is still closed, but crews worked all day Saturday to move everything back into place.
Evergreen business sees flooding three times in two months, with more rain on the way
Heavy rainfall this week caused significant flooding in downtown Evergreen, where businesses are again bracing for impact as wet weather continues through the weekend.
Colorado business dealing with repeated flooding, suspects nearby construction could be factor
A downtown Evergreen business is preparing for another round of rain after repeated flooding forced it to close and caused tens of thousands of dollars in losses.
Inside Phoebe Bridgers’ Lost Weekend Planetarium Experience at Liberty Science Center
The largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere in Jersey City was transformed into an immersive, kaleidoscopic light and sound experience.
Immune cells flood into the aging brain, Stanford scientists discover
Scientists have discovered that the aging human brain may be far less isolated from the rest of the body than once believed. Stanford researchers found that large numbers of immune cells from the blood begin entering the brain as early as middle age, where they can transform into microglia, the brain’s specialized immune cells. The finding overturns a long-standing assumption that these cells remain largely separate from the body’s immune system throughout life.
How money actually works in American elections
The midterms are flooded with cash, but donors don’t always get what they want. A political scientist explains where the money matters most.
‘Someone’s getting their road torn up’: Businesses, city at odds over SoHo flood plan
The design plans for the South Howard Flood Relief Project are at about 60%. But 100% of the business owners 8 On Your Side spoke with at an open house said they want the city to rethink this befor…
Patients Wary of Governments, Companies Pushing AI as a Rural Healthcare Solution
The $50 billion federal Rural Health Transformation Program is set to flood rural America with new AI health tools. That’s despite little evidence on whether health-related AI can improve access to care and patient health in those communities.
Blocked storm drains blamed for Ringgold flooding, but some businesses remain uncertain
Downtown Ringgold business owners were able to get some answers Monday night as they continue to recover from two flooding incidents last week.Questions remain
Niagara County asks home, business owners to report flood damage
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Clean up continues in Niagara County after last week’s flooding caused damage in the area, with the county asking home and business owners to report damage. This …
Communities Deserve Access to Inclusive and Climate-Conscious Doula Care
Doula care can drastically improve the quality of care and birth experience for pregnant people facing the climate crisis’s increasing incidences of hurricanes, flooding, and extreme heat. The changing climate directly affects pregnancy health through discrete environmental disasters (such as wildfires, extreme heat, hurricanes, flooding, and droughts) and indirectly through long-term changes in the natural and social environment (such as air quality and forced migration). Environmental disasters can cause psychological distress for pregnant and post-pregnant people due to financial and personal loss, as well as the disruption of infrastructure that they rely on such as housing, health care, work, communication, and transportation. Potential adverse pregnancy outcomes include low birthweight, preterm birth, miscarriage, and neonatal mortality.
Google Play Store starts distributing third-party Android app stores – here’s how it works [Gallery]
Google has opened the floodgates, with third-party app stores on Android now showing up in the Play Store in the US.
Strengthening Indonesia’s health emergency response through after action review of disaster response in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra
Severe floods and landslides that struck Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra in late 2025 exposed both the strengths and gaps in Indonesia’s health emergency response, prompting a nation-wide effort to strengthen preparedness for future crises. In the early phase, the scale and speed of the crisis challenged coordination, data systems and surge capacity. To assess the response, the World Health Organization (WHO) Indonesia supported the Ministry of Health’s Center for Health Crisis in conducting a multi-stakeholder after-action review (AAR). The review brought together government agencies, health sub-clusters, NGOs, and partners. “The AAR is a critical process for strengthening our collective response capacity,” said Agus Jamaludin, Head of the Center for Health Crisis at the Ministry of Health. “It provides valuable lessons not only for the Health Crisis Center but also for all stakeholders involved and serves as an important reference for improving future responses across regions.” After Action Review (AAR) brought together key stakeholders to reflect on the emergency response, identify lessons learned, and strengthen preparedness for future health crises. (WHO/Resty Armis)Through structured discussions across four pillars – leadership and governance, information-based decision-making, service delivery and resource management – the AAR identified several strengths. These included the rapid mobilization of national surge capacity, such as health reserve workforce (tenaga cadangan kesehatan) and emergency medical teams (EMT) and the continued provision of essential health services in affected areas. At the same time, the review highlighted challenges. Among them were uneven functionality of Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC), fragmented early data reporting and reactive logistics deployment. The findings informed five strategic priorities for strengthening the system, including HEOC standardization, integration of the One Crisis Data system, establishing disaster-resilient hospitals and reforming surge capacity mechanisms. The AAR demonstrates that Indonesia’s health emergency response has strong foundations but requires system-level strengthening to shift from reactive to proactive preparedness. By mainstreaming the strengths and recommendations identified, Indonesia can build a faster, more coordinated and more resilient health system – better equipped to protect communities during future crises. Written by Lintang Sibarani, NPO Emergency and Humanitarian Actions, WHO Indonesia
Ergin 'Batman' Tek calls for small business push to rebuild middle class, construction of Tampa Bay Flood Barrier
'While we have the best healthcare in the world, what good does it make if we can’t afford it?'
Low-interest disaster loans available to area small businesses, nonprofits
Local small businesses and nonprofits impacted by severe storms July 4 may apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses
Verizon suffers outage in 'some parts of the US' with thousands of reports
Downdetector showed more than 12,000 reports by 4:30 p.m. ET as Verizon users flooded social media saying phone calls were not going through nationwide.
Chinese scientists find some Yangtze flood controls may do more harm than good
By compressing rivers and stripping away natural defences, human engineering may be worsening flood impacts, prompting a global rethink.
Surry County health officials urge residents to check wells, septic systems after flooding
Flooding raises concerns over contaminated wells in Surry County
Surveillance video shows floodwater rushing through Hopewell business
Surveillance video from James River Tackle Co. shows floodwaters rushing into the business from both the front and back doors quickly filling the store with more than a foot of water.
Fountain Square businesses plead for support as $14M project enters final phase
A $14 million drainage project in Indianapolis's Fountain Square neighborhood aims to reduce flooding, though local business owners report significant losses in foot traffic and sales during the ongoi...
Here’s the first Asus Googlebook as the floodgates start to open
Another Googlebook has surfaced online just a day after images of a separate PC maker’s version made an appearance. This...
Flash flooding closes roads, impacts businesses across northern Connecticut
Flash flooding hit northern Connecticut hard Monday morning, closing roads, filling basements and sending restoration crews scrambling across the region.
MUST WATCH | Surveillance footage shows flooding inside of Luxe Tan in Mount Airy, North Carolina
Surveillance footage captured flooding inside a Mount Airy business during the major flash flooding event that occurred Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Judge lets DHS proceed with border wall through a Texas town’s levee system
The town of Presidio argued that the wall could cause flooding and that the administration isn’t following the law as it rushes forward with its plans.
Athens library to reopen with regular business hours after flooding
Your Local News Leader
The best new science-fiction novels of August 2026
Fascist empires and deadly sea monsters are on offer in the science fiction out this month, says Alison Flood
‘Now or never’ mindset opens the M&A floodgates for Corporate America
U.S. companies are pursuing large mergers and acquisitions as they seek to capitalize on what many view as the most business-friendly regulatory environment in years under the Trump administration, The New York Times reports. High-profile deals include NextEra Energy’s proposed $67 billion combination with Dominion Energy, Sysco’s $29 billion acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot and […]
Watchdog unleashes database to expose 'loopholes' as $5B in foreign cash floods US nonprofits
A new database tracks over $5 billion in foreign spending flowing into 523 politically active U.S. nonprofits not required to disclose donors.
Does public health *need* MAHA?
Last week, our friend Dr. Craig Spencer sparked an ongoing volatile discussion with his Atlantic article “Public Health Needs MAHA.” Some have come out in strong dissent, others are cheering, and others are simply lamenting that we find ourselves in such a divided world to begin with. We will dare to dip our toes in these controversial waters, too. Does public health need MAHA? We think in some ways yes, and in other ways, no. MAHA leaders versus the everyday MAHA supporter The vitriol in this debate mostly comes from one collapsed distinction: the leadership of MAHA is not necessarily the same as the people who support it. Say “MAHA” and most people picture RFK Jr. Fair enough, as he coined the term and holds most of the power. And, yes, some MAHA followers treat Kennedy as something close to a saint. But talk to the grassroots, and it’s not a monolith. They’re Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. People who distrust vaccines and vaccine supporters. It’s a wide, eclectic coalition. The data backs this too: 4 in 10 Americans support the movement—that’s a lot of people! But according to polls, vaccines and medical choice (the issues most tied to Kennedy personally) are cited by only 4% as their reason for supporting the movement. For many, the motivations are much broader. Many MAHA supporters are signing up for the idea that “something needs to change” with health in this country. They’re asking good-faith questions about corporate influence on our health systems, health care costs, nutrition, chemicals, and clean air and water. These are all questions that plenty of public health professionals recognize as legitimate and also care about very deeply. Blurring the lines between the leadership and grassroots does real damage in two important ways: It hands the 4 in 10 exactly the narrative already fed—that the health ecosystem doesn’t listen, doesn’t care, and paints every critic with the same brush. It gives the actual bad actor more power. RFK Jr. has done irreparable damage and can’t be trusted. What the MAHA movement gets right A healthy population is something the public health field was literally built on, and many of these topics are things we have dedicated our lives to. Yet the MAHA movement has captivated nearly half the country in a way the public health establishment has failed to achieve. So that means MAHA is doing something right. Some of it may be timing (after a Covid-19 pandemic and deep frustration and mistrust with institutions). The movement also does three other things really well: 1. It gives a new, louder voice to system failures. While MAHA is not a monolith, one theme stays consistent across their stories: the system failed them. For some, it was the system that flooded their communities with opioids and then walked away. For others, it was the system that let their business collapse during Covid with no safety net in sight. For others still, it was the system that failed to help them manage a complex chronic illness, bouncing them from physician to physician without any real answers. And in many ways, our health ecosystems are failing Americans. Why are medical bills so incomprehensible? Why do some kids get a healthy school lunch and others don’t? Why do an epidemiologist and a MD/PhD student have to start newsletters in the middle of the biggest public health emergency in a century, just so people can get straight information? Because the systems failed. This deep-seated frustration driving many Americans to search for solutions elsewhere needs to be recognized. 2. MAHA has brilliant comms central to their efforts. MAHA figured out something most health institutions still have not: the information landscape changed. It’s participatory now, not top-down; influence runs through many nodes in a community, not one institution; and storytelling and telling audiences “what you really think” moves people more than data dumps do. MAHA goes where audiences are listening, using podcasts, social media, and memes in ways most health institutions would scoff at—but it works. 3. They are very good at organizing. A MAHA meeting feels like a rally: energy, speakers, music, and most importantly, an action for everyone. Someone’s writing the next policy brief, someone’s seeding a narrative, someone knows the next legislative deadline, someone’s sending the text messages for a campaign. None of this is new (ask the civil rights movement), but MAHA knows it works and has capitalized on it. What MAHA gets wrong This list could be much longer, and this newsletter has spent a lot of time covering it, but here are a few things: Poor use of scientific evidence. This is the fundamental problem with many MAHA policies: the hype outpaces the science, and experts are often villainized for pointing this out. MAHA leadership has traded real solutions for cheap wins. For example, instead of taking on the powerful food industry and passing real reforms, it has celebrated french fries made of beef tallow and taken out artificial dyes from still very sugary children’s cereal. These changes won’t move the needle on America’s diet. MAHA leadership has tried to dismantle vaccine access in the U.S. While many MAHA supporters emphasize other issues, the effort to change vaccine policy has become MAHA’s signature effort. This is not surprising given RFK Jr.’s extensive track record campaigning against vaccines. It has rallied behind the wrong leader. RFK Jr. has a decades-long track record of villifying doctors, scientists, and public health workers, well before he became HHS secretary. He is known for his decades-long work sowing distrust in vaccines as well as life-saving treatments like antiretroviral therapy for HIV. This is not a serious person who can move the needle on health in the U.S, and he has already done serious damage. Public health needs more than defense Defending the evidence is absolutely necessary so health in the U.S. doesn’t move further backward. The public health establishment is very good at defense. The problem is this defense often sounds like defending the status quo, which has failed many people. Public health needs to offer an alternative to RFK Jr.’s MAHA—one that is rooted in evidence, truly listens to and addresses people’s frustrations, and has innovative solutions and the courage to change the systems. How do we get there? Find common ground. Do you know what most people care most about? The abysmal cost of healthcare. Start there. Fight for the human loudly. Too often, communications and engagement center on science with a capital S, funding mechanisms, or the CDC/FDA/NIH. Not the person. So the public doesn’t see themselves in it. Instead, they see people fighting for the very powerful systems that they feel negatively impact their health and well-being. Let the public feel and hear that you see their frustrations, you get it, and you’re fighting for them within the system. Recognize when pro-science messages are alienating people. Facts absolutely matter, but angrily venting only alienates people further. Our friend Elisabeth Marnik recently wrote a New York Times article about her experience growing up unvaccinated and how listening and empathetic conversation are the only ways to reach people that really work (a position backed by communication science). Her comments section was full of hateful comments from pro-vaccine individuals attacking her for daring to suggest we approach vaccine-hesitant individuals with empathy. It is possible to both stand firm behind scientific evidence and empathize with people who don’t trust it. Lean into politics smartly. Often, public health has shied away from politics: Don’t touch it, lest you get burned. But this fails to recognize that the third rail is what fuels the train: who is elected determines our budgets, our priorities, and our authority. Being political means being very savvy in strategy on both sides of the aisle, knowing your audience, and recognizing that political capital is as scarce as financial resources and needs to be allocated accordingly. Bottom line So does public health need MAHA? That’s not really the right question. Public health has a responsibility not to dismiss 40% of the country who feel heard by this movement and are frustrated that the system has failed them. And it has a responsibility to stick to the evidence and recognize MAHA leadership for what it is: a danger to our nation’s health. Both can, and should, be done. Love, YLE and KP A big thanks to Craig Spencer, who had the courage to put his neck out there to start a much-needed discussion at such a critical moment—one that is determining the identity of an entire field. Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD is completing an emergency medicine residency and research fellowship focusing on health literacy and communication. In her free time, she writes the newsletters You Can Know Things debunking health myths and rumors and The Public Health Roundup. Views expressed belong to KP, not her employer. Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) comprises a team of experts, ranging from physicians to immunologists to epidemiologists to nutritionists, working together with one goal: to “translate” ever-evolving public health science so that people are well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. The YLE suite of newsletters reaches over 475,000 people across more than 132 countries. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below: Subscribe
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