CDC enforces sweeping censorship under Trump
The CDC has frozen all publication and submission of research manuscripts across all journals, mandating removal of forbidden terms.
Why it's important: This is already sparking a chilling effect on all public health research. CDC staff are scrambling to interpret vague diktats as they face unprecedented censorship in the Land of the Free.
The research ban includes STEM-y topics such as infectious disease, if demographic terms appear anywhere within a manuscript. This kneecaps efforts to address health disparities and prepare for emergent threats. Amid the chaos, some excellent people archived every CDC page available before the purge.
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Alberta’s COVID report may shape policy — elsewhere
Alberta released a pandemic-response report urging restrictions on COVID vaccines and the rollback of regulations for health professions in what may be a case of decision-based evidence-making.
Why it's important: While condemned by experts across Canada, the report seems almost engineered for export, offering a pseudo-scientific framework for jurisdictions seeking to pull vaccine funding, ban masks, and dismantle public health.
Avian flu is out of control, the U.S. CDC is under a data blackout, and Alberta has spent $2 million on a blueprint to block future pandemic responses. Trump’s pick to lead the NIH is among the dozen names listed as contributors to the report. Strap in.
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Pharmacare’s liftoff depends on government’s lifespan
Health Minister Mark Holland urged NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to delay his plan to vote down the government, citing ongoing pharmacare negotiations with provinces.
Why it’s important: Singh said last week he’ll bring down the government (March 24 was the scuttlebutt). If he follows through, pharmacare dies before it even begins.
Holland addressed Singh directly in a news conference, saying, “Why are you in such a rush for an election? If pharmacare is the priority that you say it is, then why don't you wait until October…" Before Saturday’s tariff announcement, the Liberals seemed to be on their last legs. But with “CERB 2.0” on the menu to blunt the impoverishing effects of Trump’s trade war, all bets are off.
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Arrest warrant issued for NY doctor who prescribed abortion pill to a patient in Louisiana
A New York doctor faces criminal charges for prescribing abortion pills online to someone in Louisiana, which has an abortion ban.
Why it's important: This sets a precedent for whether states can criminalize actions taken beyond their borders. It will likely end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Medical abortions account for two-thirds of U.S. pregnancy terminations. If I were a doctor communicating with other providers through unsecured channels — in the U.S. or Canada — this would give me pause. Since November, Meta’s terms of service (which includes WhatsApp), allow it to share your messages with U.S. governments.
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RFK cites fake “vaccine-autism” science in hearings
Kennedy, nominated for HHS Secretary, defended discredited vaccine-autism claims by citing a new study with extensive links to his own anti-vax network.
Why it's important: The study, published in a fringe journal tied to Kennedy’s allies, faces criticism for flawed methods and funding from anti-vaccine groups.
The journal’s board includes key figures from the anti-vax ecosystem. It is possibly the “most retracted” editorial board in academia. Misinfo artists are increasingly adept at producing fake science with a veneer of academic credibility. Sometimes, as in this case, it’s easy to spot. Sometimes not. We need to get better at it.
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Trump tariffs will raise medical costs on both sides of the border
Canadians and Americans should expect higher health care costs as Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian imports come into effect.
Why it’s important: Medical devices including pacemakers, ventilators, insulin pumps, and artificial hip joints could all see big price hikes in a full-blown trade war.
Medical device exports to the U.S. account for 74 per cent of our medical device trade. Nearly 40 per cent of our medical device imports are from the U.S. Medtech Canada, an industry group, says retaliatory tariffs on medical devices will have “immense” impacts and is urging the government not to target this sector.
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