Robert M. Califf | Lightnews

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 1d

This is an important article for "real world evidence" advocates. Time zero estimation is often an Achilles heal of observational studies trying to draw causal inference on effects of treatment. These experts offer helpful insight into methods.

www.bmj.com/content/392/...

Starting right: aligning eligibility and treatment assignment at time zero when emulating a target trial

This article provides methodological guidance when emulating a target trial with longitudinal observational data by showing how to align eligibility criteria and treatment assignment at the start of f...

www.bmj.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 7d

Quite an extraordinary effort to provide sunlight into decision making at HHS.

open.substack.com/pub/insideme...

Scoop: “Nobody in senior leadership at NCIRD saw the revised vaccine schedule," CDC scientist says.

Plus, an exclusive look at the slide deck an NCIRD scientist presented comparing the US pediatric vaccine schedule with those of peer nations. Spoiler: Denmark is the outlier.

open.substack.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 8d

Important reading for medical ethicists and students in the health professions.

open.substack.com/pub/pauloffi...

RFK Jr.’s Tuskegee Experiment

RFK Jr. recently directed the CDC to fund a study in West Africa that lays bare his cruelty and dishonesty

open.substack.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 9d

Oh, my!

www.foodpolitics.com/2026/01/http...

Industry-funded studies of the week: Beef - Food Politics by Marion Nestle

Two recent studies sponsored by the Cattlemen's Beef Association link beef consumption to reduced risk for inflammation and cancer.

www.foodpolitics.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 9d

Some thoughts on interpreting post-vaccination data.

robcaliff272993.substack.com/p/judging-ri...

Judging Risk and Benefit in COVID Vaccination

Adjudicating Cause of Death and the Death of Children

robcaliff272993.substack.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 10d

Dr Shaffner closes the article with a statement that is too mild for the situation.

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/h...

Vaccines Are Helping Older People More Than We Knew

www.nytimes.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 12d

The scoop on aspirin and primary prevention

open.substack.com/pub/erictopo...

The Lowdown on Low-Dose Aspirin for Primary Prevention

Pivotal Randomized Trials and Guidelines

open.substack.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 12d

Good reference document.

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Magical thinking will not prevent future pandemics or improve public health

For much of human history, infectious diseases were the main causes of morbidity and mortality. The sciences of public health, epidemiology, microbiology, and vaccine and drug development have dramati...

www.science.org

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 13d

Concise summary--a fork in the road is coming up for food policy. Hoping for the best in the new year.

www.foodpolitics.com/2025/12/a-fo...

A food politics round up of sorts - Food Politics by Marion Nestle

MAHA has induced food companies to make small changes but these will not improve health without a functioning public health system.

www.foodpolitics.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 13d

Happy New Year--Dr Offit has written a concise summary that makes so much sense. Wishing the best for this year.

open.substack.com/pub/pauloffi...

On Being Denmark

President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order asking the United States to align itself with other countries and give fewer vaccines. Why?

open.substack.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 14d

Hopefully, the incentives for "big food" will change with the ongoing pressure from multiple fronts.

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 14d

Its been fascinating to watch football, a sport that seems to bring America together. Almost 100% of advertising on food is for the ultraprocessed type. And the Bowl games that don't have the traditional names like Rose, Orange, Gator are named after ultraprocessed food.

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 18d

Well done and important to digest. There is plenty of human failing in any human endeavor, but the narrative and the reality in this specific situation needs sunlight.

substack.com/home/post/p-...

The Pharma Shill Paradox: Who Actually Profits from Vaccine Mistrust

A physician examines the financial anatomy of an insult

substack.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 21d

It took a lot of imagination to maximize the human suffering while not saving any money when the dust settled. Hope this is wisely read.

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...

How Did DOGE Disrupt So Much While Saving So Little?

www.nytimes.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 21d

The straight scoop.

www.foodpolitics.com/2025/12/cong...

Congress actually passes a bill: whole milk for schools - Food Politics by Marion Nestle

Our otherwise dysfunctional congress passed a bill permitting more kinds of milk, dairy and non-dairy, in schools than previously allowed.

www.foodpolitics.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 23d

Great article. Needs to be said over and over. Nice graphic too.

www.statnews.com/2025/12/18/r...

New York Giants team doctor: Clinics offering ‘miracle injections,' ‘next generation cell therapies’ are selling false hope

“As head team physician for the New York Giants, I routinely have athletes asking about supposed ‘breakthrough’ stem cell treatments,” writes Scott Rodeo.

www.statnews.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 23d

So glad to see this article. Needs to be said over and over. Nice graphic also!

www.statnews.com/2025/12/18/r...

New York Giants team doctor: Clinics offering ‘miracle injections,' ‘next generation cell therapies’ are selling false hope

“As head team physician for the New York Giants, I routinely have athletes asking about supposed ‘breakthrough’ stem cell treatments,” writes Scott Rodeo.

www.statnews.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 23d

Good summary from YLE.

open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...

We dodged a vaccine disaster (for now). And a quick virus weather report before the break.

The Dose (December 22)

open.substack.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 27d

I hope health systems and AMC's will embrace primary care--CMS is moving in that direction, but leaders of our systems could be a lot more aggressive and it would make a difference (in my humble opinion-realizing I'm a cardiologist!).

robcaliff272993.substack.com/p/a-challeng...

A Challenge for Our Nation’s Academic Institutions & Healthcare Systems: Part 3

One Path Forward

robcaliff272993.substack.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 28d

This is an excellent post.

F. Perry Wilson, MD @fperrywilson.bsky.social · 28d

I was lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, surviving on a waiter's salary. My diet was basically wine, baguettes, and goat cheese.
Turns out that might've been good for my brain?

A new study says high-fat cheese prevents dementia. Let's talk about it. 🧀🧵
(1/10)

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 28d

So I expect that AI, while reducing administrative jobs, will shine a light on our willful ignorance of the unmet medical need. Then we'll have to decide--do we ADD to the clinician workforce or somehow try to ignore the obvious?

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 28d

But I do think there is another factor-as of now we're only dealing with a fraction of people's health problems (probably more than needed for the wealthy, but much, much less than needed for those with less money--think assisted living and nursing homes).

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 28d

As usual, I agree with Dr. Wachter's analysis-always learn from his work.
substack.com/home/post/p-...

Will The AI Jobpocalypse Hit Healthcare?

It Depends on Which Jobs You’re Talking About

substack.com

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 28d

Passionate and well written note. The gap in longevity and functional status as a product of social policies is increasingly striking.

open.substack.com/pub/insideme...

Two mass shootings, two countries, two futures.

In response to tragedy, Australia is already moving to act. In the US, the data show firearm mortality isn’t inevitable—but only where policy keeps up with reality.

open.substack.com

F. Perry Wilson, MD @fperrywilson.bsky.social · 28d

I was lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, surviving on a waiter's salary. My diet was basically wine, baguettes, and goat cheese.
Turns out that might've been good for my brain?

A new study says high-fat cheese prevents dementia. Let's talk about it. 🧀🧵
(1/10)

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 29d

An important piece of the puzzle.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/pre...

Pregnant women vaccinated against COVID-19 less likely to be hospitalized or deliver prematurely, new data show

www.cidrap.umn.edu

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 29d

I hope a lot of people read this report from the DiResta for the Carnegie Endowment.

Renee DiResta @noupside.bsky.social · 29d

TBC I can’t even remember to post my writing on LNKD and have “Make reel” on the top of my to do list every time I write something and do it Iike 1 out of every 5 times.

carnegieendowment.org/research/202...

For Expertise to Matter, Nonpartisan Institutions Need New Communications Strategies

To avoid irrelevance when they are needed most, experts and nonpartisan analysts must rethink not just their channels of communication but also their theory of influence.

carnegieendowment.org

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 29d

I agree with Dr Offit on the debate issue--this is not a matter for performative displays. But we need to keep working on ways to communicate outside of the scienctists/clinicians bubble.

open.substack.com/pub/pauloffi...

Debating Science: No Thanks

Anti-vaccine activists RFK Jr., Aaron Siri, and Steve Kirsch have asked that I debate them on vaccine safety. One of them offered me $1 million to do it. Here’s why I declined.

open.substack.com

Renee DiResta @noupside.bsky.social · 29d

TBC I can’t even remember to post my writing on LNKD and have “Make reel” on the top of my to do list every time I write something and do it Iike 1 out of every 5 times.

carnegieendowment.org/research/202...

For Expertise to Matter, Nonpartisan Institutions Need New Communications Strategies

To avoid irrelevance when they are needed most, experts and nonpartisan analysts must rethink not just their channels of communication but also their theory of influence.

carnegieendowment.org

Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · Dec 15

Another good YLE summary. The tripledemic is on the way.

open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...

Mass shootings outnumber annual days in U.S., children are missing school due to measles, Covid-19 is peeping around the corner, and some hope

The Dose (December 15)

open.substack.com

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