Justin Gero
@justingero.com
Public health communications professional writing about health, politics, and media: https://contagion.ghost.io/
"Once men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them."
First published in 1965 and still so relevant today. #DUNE
First published in 1965 and still so relevant today. #DUNE
January 18, 2026 at 2:55 PM
"Once men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them."
First published in 1965 and still so relevant today. #DUNE
First published in 1965 and still so relevant today. #DUNE
Finally reading this sci-fi classic.
January 18, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Finally reading this sci-fi classic.
Reposted by Justin Gero
The Administration for a Healthy America is RFK Jr.'s plan to tackle chronic disease, addiction and other persistent problems. But so far it's not being set up like previous new agencies. n.pr/49qdzTp
Is RFK Jr.'s Administration for a Healthy America — AHA — in the works or not?
The Administration for a Healthy America is RFK Jr.'s plan to tackle chronic disease, addiction and other persistent problems. But so far it's not being set up like previous new agencies.
n.pr
January 17, 2026 at 12:14 PM
The Administration for a Healthy America is RFK Jr.'s plan to tackle chronic disease, addiction and other persistent problems. But so far it's not being set up like previous new agencies. n.pr/49qdzTp
The @workingfamilies.org site: www.primaryfetterman.com
Primary John Fetterman
We supported John Fetterman in 2022.
Since then, he's sold us out.
It's time to replace him and elect real leadership.
www.primaryfetterman.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:56 PM
The @workingfamilies.org site: www.primaryfetterman.com
No Democrat more deserving of a primary.
This guy needs to retire for his health and ours.
This guy needs to retire for his health and ours.
GOOD:
"Progressive effort to primary Sen. John Fetterman ramps up:
The Working Families Party launched a website where, among other efforts, voters can request refunds from Fetterman’s campaign."
"Progressive effort to primary Sen. John Fetterman ramps up:
The Working Families Party launched a website where, among other efforts, voters can request refunds from Fetterman’s campaign."
Progressive effort to primary Sen. John Fetterman ramps up
The Working Families Party launched a website where, among other efforts, voters can request refunds from Fetterman’s campaign.
www.nbcnews.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:55 PM
No Democrat more deserving of a primary.
This guy needs to retire for his health and ours.
This guy needs to retire for his health and ours.
"Content is governing and governing is content."
As President Trump approaches one year back in office, the policies his administration pursues — and how those policies are communicated — have been increasingly shaped by social media. n.pr/4qUDk43
Minnesota shows what happens when governing and content creation merge
As President Trump approaches one year back in office, the policies his administration pursues — and how those policies are communicated — have been increasingly shaped by social media.
n.pr
January 16, 2026 at 11:35 AM
"Content is governing and governing is content."
My takeaway: public health is inherently political. If we accept that we can build coalitions and win these fights.
January 15, 2026 at 7:36 PM
My takeaway: public health is inherently political. If we accept that we can build coalitions and win these fights.
The Trump admin faced immediate pushback from national health leaders and lawmakers in both parties, who just authorized funding for addiction and mental health services last month.
January 15, 2026 at 7:36 PM
The Trump admin faced immediate pushback from national health leaders and lawmakers in both parties, who just authorized funding for addiction and mental health services last month.
WHIPLASH
On Wed, thousands of nonprofits were facing $2 billion in cuts without notice or a plan for what's next.
Less than 24 hours later, those cuts were reversed as abruptly as they were made.
contagion.ghost.io/trump-admin-...
On Wed, thousands of nonprofits were facing $2 billion in cuts without notice or a plan for what's next.
Less than 24 hours later, those cuts were reversed as abruptly as they were made.
contagion.ghost.io/trump-admin-...
Trump Admin. Reverses $2 Billion Cuts to Behavioral Health After Fierce 24-Hour Backlash
Devastating cuts to over 2,000 organizations were reversed in less than a day thanks to strong pushback from activists and lawmakers.
contagion.ghost.io
January 15, 2026 at 7:36 PM
WHIPLASH
On Wed, thousands of nonprofits were facing $2 billion in cuts without notice or a plan for what's next.
Less than 24 hours later, those cuts were reversed as abruptly as they were made.
contagion.ghost.io/trump-admin-...
On Wed, thousands of nonprofits were facing $2 billion in cuts without notice or a plan for what's next.
Less than 24 hours later, those cuts were reversed as abruptly as they were made.
contagion.ghost.io/trump-admin-...
January 15, 2026 at 12:53 PM
It's not one or the other with this group.
January 14, 2026 at 9:55 PM
It's not one or the other with this group.
Last June, RFK Jr. testified to Congress that he planned on moving SAMHSA into his new Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). Congresswoman Madeline Dean asked: "Why would we, when we are finally seeing some success?"
NPR reports that he "didn't answer her question."
NPR reports that he "didn't answer her question."
January 14, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Last June, RFK Jr. testified to Congress that he planned on moving SAMHSA into his new Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). Congresswoman Madeline Dean asked: "Why would we, when we are finally seeing some success?"
NPR reports that he "didn't answer her question."
NPR reports that he "didn't answer her question."
There's a lot we don't know right now, but at the moment it looks like overnight the Trump admin abruptly cut $2B in funding for addiction, mental health, and homelessness - reportedly 2,800 grant programs.
This sucks!
From my newsletter: contagion.ghost.io/trump-admin-...
This sucks!
From my newsletter: contagion.ghost.io/trump-admin-...
Trump Admin. Abruptly Slashes Funding for Addiction, Homelessness, and Mental Health
The news hit the public health community like a shockwave, instantly shuttering lifesaving services and leaving many more people out of work.
contagion.ghost.io
January 14, 2026 at 9:52 PM
There's a lot we don't know right now, but at the moment it looks like overnight the Trump admin abruptly cut $2B in funding for addiction, mental health, and homelessness - reportedly 2,800 grant programs.
This sucks!
From my newsletter: contagion.ghost.io/trump-admin-...
This sucks!
From my newsletter: contagion.ghost.io/trump-admin-...
Est. up to $2 billion cut overnight for addiction, homelessness, and mental health services.
Whole organizations are being wiped out. A friend of mine started a job on Monday and was let go by Wednesday. No warning. No plan. No statement from SAMHSA.
Whole organizations are being wiped out. A friend of mine started a job on Monday and was let go by Wednesday. No warning. No plan. No statement from SAMHSA.
Just in: The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services.
Trump administration sends letter wiping out addiction, mental health grants
The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services.
n.pr
January 14, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Est. up to $2 billion cut overnight for addiction, homelessness, and mental health services.
Whole organizations are being wiped out. A friend of mine started a job on Monday and was let go by Wednesday. No warning. No plan. No statement from SAMHSA.
Whole organizations are being wiped out. A friend of mine started a job on Monday and was let go by Wednesday. No warning. No plan. No statement from SAMHSA.
This is awesome! Can we please connect Mostafavi with @ie-care.org? They are a great organization working to improve healthcare for neurodivergent people. They have programs to train clinicians and improve direct care in EDs and other clinical settings.
January 13, 2026 at 6:12 PM
This is awesome! Can we please connect Mostafavi with @ie-care.org? They are a great organization working to improve healthcare for neurodivergent people. They have programs to train clinicians and improve direct care in EDs and other clinical settings.
It's not that AI doesn't have a place in healthcare. There are a lot of interesting ideas, projects, and even currently helpful implementations. It's that LLMs can never give reliable medical advice because they do not understand what they are saying. They are word guessing machines.
January 13, 2026 at 1:49 PM
It's not that AI doesn't have a place in healthcare. There are a lot of interesting ideas, projects, and even currently helpful implementations. It's that LLMs can never give reliable medical advice because they do not understand what they are saying. They are word guessing machines.
The word guessing machine would like access to your personal medical records and apps.
What do you get?
- No privacy guarantee (not HIPAA compliant)
- Shouldn't use it for "diagnosis or treatment (OpenAI's warning)
- Has already given people dangerous medical advice that has left them hospitalized
What do you get?
- No privacy guarantee (not HIPAA compliant)
- Shouldn't use it for "diagnosis or treatment (OpenAI's warning)
- Has already given people dangerous medical advice that has left them hospitalized
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health, encouraging users to connect their medical records
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health, encouraging users to connect their medical records
But it’s “not intended for diagnosis or treatment.”
buff.ly
January 13, 2026 at 1:49 PM
The word guessing machine would like access to your personal medical records and apps.
What do you get?
- No privacy guarantee (not HIPAA compliant)
- Shouldn't use it for "diagnosis or treatment (OpenAI's warning)
- Has already given people dangerous medical advice that has left them hospitalized
What do you get?
- No privacy guarantee (not HIPAA compliant)
- Shouldn't use it for "diagnosis or treatment (OpenAI's warning)
- Has already given people dangerous medical advice that has left them hospitalized
Reposted by Justin Gero
@jordanklepper.bsky.social on the Trump administration's real-time reaction to the Minnesota ICE shooting, ditching empathy for a victim-blaming narrative
January 12, 2026 at 10:33 PM
@jordanklepper.bsky.social on the Trump administration's real-time reaction to the Minnesota ICE shooting, ditching empathy for a victim-blaming narrative
CONTAGION is my new publication covering public health, politics, and media. If you're interested in this type of content, please subscribe! contagion.ghost.io#/portal/signup
Contagion
A publication covering the intersection of public health, media, and politics
contagion.ghost.io
January 12, 2026 at 2:49 PM
CONTAGION is my new publication covering public health, politics, and media. If you're interested in this type of content, please subscribe! contagion.ghost.io#/portal/signup
As someone who has worked in public health for 15 years, it's astonishing to see medical experts across the board urging patients to ignore CDC recommendations. I don't think people outside the field understand how huge that is.
January 12, 2026 at 2:49 PM
As someone who has worked in public health for 15 years, it's astonishing to see medical experts across the board urging patients to ignore CDC recommendations. I don't think people outside the field understand how huge that is.
"Dangerous and unnecessary"
"Health policy malpractice"
"Reckless"
Health leaders, including professional medical associations, patient advocacy groups, and pediatric healthcare providers, are reacting to the CDC's new vaccine schedule. The tldr? They hate it.
contagion.ghost.io/dangerous-an...
"Health policy malpractice"
"Reckless"
Health leaders, including professional medical associations, patient advocacy groups, and pediatric healthcare providers, are reacting to the CDC's new vaccine schedule. The tldr? They hate it.
contagion.ghost.io/dangerous-an...
“Dangerous and Unnecessary;” How Health Leaders Are Reacting to CDC’s New Vaccine Schedule
RFK Jr. abruptly changed the number of recommended vaccines for children from 17 to 11, which health experts have called "dangerous and unnecessary."
contagion.ghost.io
January 12, 2026 at 2:49 PM
"Dangerous and unnecessary"
"Health policy malpractice"
"Reckless"
Health leaders, including professional medical associations, patient advocacy groups, and pediatric healthcare providers, are reacting to the CDC's new vaccine schedule. The tldr? They hate it.
contagion.ghost.io/dangerous-an...
"Health policy malpractice"
"Reckless"
Health leaders, including professional medical associations, patient advocacy groups, and pediatric healthcare providers, are reacting to the CDC's new vaccine schedule. The tldr? They hate it.
contagion.ghost.io/dangerous-an...
Vaccines are victims of their own success. In countries like the U.S. where we've had access to vaccines for decades, it's like we've lost our collective memory of the horrors of infectious disease.
I'm a firm believer that better public health literacy must include public health history.
I'm a firm believer that better public health literacy must include public health history.
The first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is delivered to newborns for maximum protection. The U.S. has taken the vaccine off its list of recommended vaccines while other countries are racing to try to secure the lifesaving vaccine.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
RFK Jr. cast doubt on a key vaccine. This country can't wait to get it
The U.S. is cutting the Hepatitis B vaccine from its recommended list. But here's a place where the medical establishment — and a rapper — are eager to obtain it.
www.npr.org
January 11, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Vaccines are victims of their own success. In countries like the U.S. where we've had access to vaccines for decades, it's like we've lost our collective memory of the horrors of infectious disease.
I'm a firm believer that better public health literacy must include public health history.
I'm a firm believer that better public health literacy must include public health history.
Unfortunately, yes. It would be foolish to think the man who has crusaded against vaccines for 2 decades is done now.
January 11, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Unfortunately, yes. It would be foolish to think the man who has crusaded against vaccines for 2 decades is done now.
Is the data a lagging indicator here? I've been saying for close to a year that this is the worst job market in my 15-year career, all while TV pundits incredulously ask, "Are we in a recession?"
January 11, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Is the data a lagging indicator here? I've been saying for close to a year that this is the worst job market in my 15-year career, all while TV pundits incredulously ask, "Are we in a recession?"