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Troy Tassier

@troytassier.bsky.social

8.5K followers 3K following 1.7K posts

Public health, health equity, economic inequality, complex systems, social networks Economist at Fordham Author: The Rich Flee and the Poor Take the Bus: How Our Unequal Society Fails Us during Outbreaks (JHU Press) Book webpage: troytassier.com

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · Nov 10

troytassier.substack.com/p/reflection...

Reflections on Why I Wrote The Rich Flee and the Poor Take the Bus

The Rich Flee and the Poor Take the Bus: How Our Unequal Society Fails Us during Outbreaks officially hit bookshelves last week!

troytassier.substack.com

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 5h

In some states this is possible. California for example. I’m not too familiar with South Carolina. I assume it’s available (bc the AP got it easily for their article) but I’m not sure how accessible it is there.

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 6h

SC has a statewide MMR rate around 92% - not far from the % needed for herd immunity. However, the two schools at the center of the current outbreak have rates of only 17% & 85%. As I've written before, we need school mandates in order to prevent these low vax pockets that fuel these outbreaks.

The History of Vaccines and the Importance of Vaccine Mandates

Part 5: Measles Vaccines and the Importance of School Mandates Today

troytassier.substack.com

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 6h

In the "here we go again dept" the two schools at the center of the current SC measles outbreak have a 17% vaccination rate and an 85% vaccination rate. For reference, Gaines County,TX had a vax rate in the low 80% last year.

South Carolina measles outbreak rises as schools with low vaccination see new cases

One charter school in South Carolina's Upstate region had an immunization rate at just 17%, according to state health data.

www.usatoday.com

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Reposted by Troy Tassier

Leigh Thompson @jennytheroselady.bsky.social · 22h

For profit healthcare seems completely unethical. To make money off the sick and helpless is vile.

Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 2d

When will the GOP finally look to other countries for guidance on health care. Our market based health care system is clearly failing us. Only fools fail by doing the same thing over and over without looking for a better way.

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 22h

😂

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 22h

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 23h

💯!!!!

Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 1d

Spot on.

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 1d

💯

Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 1d

Playing dumb has served him well (and harmed others) all the way back to OSU.

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 1d

Good! I hope every one of these rich cats that supported Trump end up in a soup kitchen line - hopefully one of the ones that Trump forced to close.

Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 1d

An example of why Trump's effect will outlast him. GM and other carmakers are going to be hesitant to buy into future subsidies and opportunities if the know they may evaporate w/ a future admin. The same will be true with a number of economic and international attempts to restore order post-Trump.

GM to take $1.6 billion charge as tax credit blow muddies EV plans

General Motors said on Tuesday it would take a $1.6 billion charge in the third quarter as it reshapes its electric vehicle strategy following the scrapping of a key federal incentive, a move likely to dampen demand.

www.reuters.com

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 2d

True

Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 2d

True.

Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 2d

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 2d

You'd think that when the US spends vastly more on health care per capita than any other country & yet has far worse outcomes that we'd look to what other countries do and copy it. Of course, instead the GOP wants to double down on our outlier market based model that fails us over and over again.

How does health spending in the U.S. compare to other countries? - Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker

This chart collection examines how U.S. health spending compares to health spending in other similarly large, wealthy OECD countries using the OECD Health Statistics database.

www.healthsystemtracker.org

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 2d

Your first sentence is the big problem and it trickles down to other families of affluence as well. Many of the wealthy GOP don’t see the roll that luck and social/ familial connections played in accumulating their wealth and socio-economic standing. They think it’s all been earned individually.

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Reposted by Troy Tassier

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 2d

Thinking this is wrong and untenable isn’t radical.

Thinking it isn’t, is.

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 3d

www.pbs.org/show/the-inv...

The Invisible Shield

Public health saved your life today and you don't even know it.

www.pbs.org

Reposted by Troy Tassier

TTownSue @ttownsue.bsky.social · 4d

This! Troy is 100% correct.

Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 8d

The GOP says the USDA food insecurity survey is “redundant, costly, politicized, and extraneous."

I say cutting it is “remarkably convenient” just as the GOP cuts SNAP benefits.

It’s a lot easier to hide the damage when you don’t collect the statistics!

USDA cancels survey tracking how many Americans struggle to get enough food

The Department of Agriculture said it will end a longstanding annual food insecurity survey. Experts say the move will obscure the effects of recent changes that will lead to people losing food aid.

www.npr.org

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Reposted by Troy Tassier

Prof Gavin Yamey @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 5d

Yes, we argue vociferously, backed by empirical research, that patients’ wellbeing and health outcomes will suffer from the Trump administration’s push to end DEI policies at US medical schools

The BMJ @bmj.com · 5d

The Trump administration and its allies have taken several steps to ensure that medical schools in the US dismantle all diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

It is patients who will be the victims of this, write @gavinyamey.bsky.social and @michaeldgreen.com
www.bmj.com/content/391/...

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 4d

Additional details on cdc rif.

BREAKING NEWS: CDC employees terminated in apparent Friday night massacre.

The Trump administration is using the shutdown to further weaken the our national public health infrastructure.

open.substack.com

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 4d

Many don’t realize the breadth of cdc. They do far more than fight infectious disease and recommend vaccines. They are key to all areas of health: chronic disease, maternal and child health, gun violence, substance abuse, suicidal prevention, on and on. Killing ourselves literally by gutting cdc.

Sheryl Gay Stolberg @sherylnyt.bsky.social · 4d

BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:

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Reposted by Troy Tassier

Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 6d

Even MTG understands how devastating this will be! I wish mass media would stand up and give these straightforward simple examples to demonstrate the forthcoming disaster and allow the people to understand that the GOP just doesn’t give a sh!t about real working people!

Gideon Lukens @gidlukens.bsky.social · 6d

Virginia’s 2026 ACA marketplace window shopping is underway, meaning people are already seeing next year’s premiums spike because of expiring tax credit enhancements. A typical 60-year-old couple making $85,000 in Virginia will face a $18,000 increase in annual premiums. (1/4)

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Troy Tassier @troytassier.bsky.social · 5d

Sad part is that many are tested for free in populations that have no other options (Africa, SE Asia, etc.)