Benjamin Mason Meier
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benjaminmasonmeier.bsky.social
Benjamin Mason Meier
@benjaminmasonmeier.bsky.social
3K followers 190 following 160 posts

Professor of Global Health Policy at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill | Working at the intersection of #GlobalHealth & #HumanRights benjaminmasonmeier.com

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Political science 31%
Sociology 23%
Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

apoorvanyt.bsky.social
Apoorva Mandavilli @apoorvanyt.bsky.social · 21h
BREAKING: Four states led by Democrats sued the Trump administration on Wednesday, aiming to halt deep cuts in federal public health funds that had already been allocated.

Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/h...
Four States Sue Administration Over Loss of Public Health Funds
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier, Lisa Diedrich, Daxton R. Stewart

jayapal.house.gov
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal @jayapal.house.gov · 23h
Too often when discussing trans rights, we’re forced to be on the defensive, as Republicans wage attacks.

Today, we take the opportunity to look forward by introducing my Trans Bill of Rights, a comprehensive vision to provide protections for all trans and nonbinary people.

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

robertmarten.bsky.social
Robert Marten @robertmarten.bsky.social · 3d
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Fossil fuel firms may have to pay for climate damage under proposed UN tax
Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation could also force ultra-rich to pay global wealth tax
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier, Daniel S. Goldberg

bachynski.bsky.social
Kathleen Bachynski @bachynski.bsky.social · 3d
Oh man, the amount of buzzwords in this… It is hilarious to see this introduced as a “data-driven quest” before the actual text of the article acknowledges: “The safety gains are difficult to quantify.” (Are there even any safety gains at all? It’s not clear to me.)
@profgoldberg.bsky.social
science.org Science Magazine @science.org · 3d
The evolution of the football helmet, a critical safety device, has accelerated in recent years, driven by concerns over the long-term effects of concussions, new concepts and materials, and data-driven test protocols.

Learn more: https://scim.ag/4r6nrYQ
How science is driving the quest for a safer football helmet New energy-absorbing designs and materials have revolutionized the iconic safety device

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

science.org
Science Magazine @science.org · 3d
The evolution of the football helmet, a critical safety device, has accelerated in recent years, driven by concerns over the long-term effects of concussions, new concepts and materials, and data-driven test protocols.

Learn more: https://scim.ag/4r6nrYQ
How science is driving the quest for a safer football helmet New energy-absorbing designs and materials have revolutionized the iconic safety device

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

usatodayopinion.usatoday.com
USA TODAY Opinion @usatodayopinion.usatoday.com · 3d
Opinion: Emblazoned on the jumbotron behind Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl 60 halftime show were the words 'THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE IS LOVE.'
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl show cements Latinidad in the mainstream | Opinion
Emblazoned on the jumbotron behind Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl 60 halftime show were the words 'THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE IS LOVE.'
bit.ly

Reposted by Steve Peers, Benjamin Mason Meier, Michael D. McDonald , and 1 more

kylegriffin1.bsky.social
Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 4d
More than half the drugs on the TrumpRx site have a cheaper generic version on the market.

Pristiq, an antidepressant, is available with a TrumpRx coupon for ~$200 for a 30-day supply.

A generic version is on GoodRx for less than $30 and Mark Cuban's CostPlusDrugs for $16.65.
How TrumpRx drug prices compare to generic alternatives
Patients could save more buying non-branded copycat drugs, even if they don't have insurance.
www.axios.com

Reposted by Michael E. Mann, Brendan Nyhan, Benjamin Mason Meier , and 6 more

atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 4d
BASH: Is this measles outbreak a consequence of the administration undermining support for vaccines?

DR OZ: I don't believe so. Secretary Kennedy has been advocating for measles vaccines

BASH: Oh, come on

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

gavinyamey.bsky.social
Prof Gavin Yamey @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 5d
Brilliant legal analysis by my friend Larry Helfer (UN Human Rights Committee member & a law prof who co-directs Duke’s Center for International and Comparative) & Jean Galbraith, Law Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

www.justsecurity.org/129914/us-wi...
Has the U.S. Actually Withdrawn from the World Health Organization?
International law experts analyze the purported US withdrawal from the WHO and conclude it is likely not binding under international law.
www.justsecurity.org

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

joshuasweitz.bsky.social
Joshua Weitz @joshuasweitz.bsky.social · 5d
Documented measles cases in the US

2024: 285
2025: 2,276
2026: 730+ (through Feb 6)

while new documents obtained by @rcfp.org contradict RFK Jr's testimony to Congress about the purpose of his trip to Samoa amidst a deadly measles outbreak.

bsky.app/profile/rcfp...
rcfp.org Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press @rcfp.org · 6d
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that his trip to Samoa in 2019 ahead of a deadly measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines.”

But records obtained by @theguardian.com + @apnews.com — stemming from a FOIA lawsuit filed by @rcfp.org attorneys on the outlets' behalf — tell a different story.
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier, Silvia Secchi

stephy.bsky.social
Stephanie @stephy.bsky.social · 5d
Remember when Emily Oster said listeria isn’t a big deal?

“A newborn baby has died in New Mexico from a Listeria infection that state health officials say was likely contracted from raw (unpasteurized) milk that the baby’s mother drank during pregnancy.” arstechnica.com/health/2026/...
Newborn dies after mother drinks raw milk during pregnancy
Raw milk is promoted by anti-vaccine Health Secretary Kennedy.
arstechnica.com

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

boghuma.bsky.social
BK. Titanji @boghuma.bsky.social · 8d
Quacks who promote raw milk conveniently omit the many infectious pathogens it can contain. Some of these cause infections so severe they can lead to death.
Raw milk has no unique health benefits > pasteurized milk but it sure can make you sick.
Don't drink it!
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
New Mexico warns against consuming raw milk after newborn dies from listeria
While the New Mexico Department of Health said it cannot pinpoint the baby's exact cause of death, officials believe it could have been linked to the mother drinking raw milk during pregnancy.
www.nbcnews.com

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Benjamin Mason Meier, Christian E. Weller , and 3 more

dukesanford.bsky.social
Duke Sanford @dukesanford.bsky.social · 9d
Duke Sanford seeks to hire the inaugural Rosen Family Professor of the Practice, who will also serve as the Director of Sanford’s Polis: Center for Politics.

Applications submitted by Feb. 25 will be guaranteed full consideration.

Job announcement: academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/31604
Exterior of the Sanford Building on Duke's campus.

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

arushlal.bsky.social
Arush Lal, PhD @arushlal.bsky.social · 10d
What began as a crisis of resources now risks becoming a crisis of direction for global health governance.

My latest op-ed argues for the World Health Assembly to initiate a time-bound, member state-led process to unify fragmented global health architecture reforms.

blogs.lse.ac.uk/globalhealth...
It is time for a World Health Assembly resolution on global health architecture reform - LSE Global Health
Ahead of this week’s World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board meeting, Dr Arush Lal (Visiting Fellow, LSE Health) argues for the adoption of a resolution to support coordination of fragmented g...
blogs.lse.ac.uk

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

pauljbelcher.bsky.social
Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧 @pauljbelcher.bsky.social · 11d
🇺🇳 Opinion: ‘Europe has greater responsibility in the World Health Organization without the United States’ - Writes Professor Ilona Kickbusch in @bmj.com

‘Europe must become a proactive system stabiliser as the principal guarantor of @who.int ’s operational continuity’

www.bmj.com/content/392/...
Europe has greater responsibility in the WHO without the United States
The US’s withdrawal from WHO makes Europe the system stabiliser in global health multilateralism, writes Ilona Kickbusch At the upcoming executive board meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO...
www.bmj.com

benjaminmasonmeier.bsky.social
Benjamin Mason Meier @benjaminmasonmeier.bsky.social · 15d
The past year has shaken the foundations of U.S. leadership in global health governance amid:
* attacks on public health science,
* abandonment of U.S. foreign assistance &
* threats to global health governance.
The global health landscape is rapidly shifting — to the exclusion of the United States.
jlme-journal.bsky.social The Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics @jlme-journal.bsky.social · 16d
New Global Health Law column on FirstView: "US Global Health Leadership: The First Year of the Second Trump Administration" by Lawrence O. Gostin, @alexandrafinch.bsky.social , and @benjaminmasonmeier.bsky.social .
#Trump #TrumpAdministration #RFK #HHS #WHO
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

jlme-journal.bsky.social
The Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics @jlme-journal.bsky.social · 16d
New Global Health Law column on FirstView: "US Global Health Leadership: The First Year of the Second Trump Administration" by Lawrence O. Gostin, @alexandrafinch.bsky.social , and @benjaminmasonmeier.bsky.social .
#Trump #TrumpAdministration #RFK #HHS #WHO
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

science.org
Science Magazine @science.org · 16d
Threats to funding and cuts to diversity efforts are putting pressure on the pipeline of new scientists. https://scim.ag/3LIs63S
How Trump's moves could dramatically reshape the scientific workforce
Threats to funding and cuts to diversity efforts are putting pressure on the pipeline of new scientists
www.science.org

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier, Randall A. Kramer

helenbranswell.bsky.social
Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · 16d
The US government has lost more than 10,000 people with PhDs in the STEM or health fields since Trump 2.0 took office — 14% of the federal civil servants with PhDs in those areas, a @ScienceMagazine analysis shows.
What could possibly go wrong? www.science.org/content/arti...
U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office
A Science analysis reveals how many were fired, retired, or quit across 14 agencies
www.science.org

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Joanna Bryson, Tobias Bunde , and 36 more

auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social
Auschwitz Memorial @auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social · 16d
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.

This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.

Auschwitz took time.
A bird's-eye view of a former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp showing a wide dirt pathway flanked by parallel rows of barbed-wire fences. Groups of visitors walk along the path, surrounded by the remnants of brick structures and barracks, now reduced to foundations. Green grass contrasts with the somber history of the site, as the path leads toward a guard tower in the distance.

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

pauljbelcher.bsky.social
Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧 @pauljbelcher.bsky.social · 17d
🇺🇳 US withdrawal from World Health Organization ‘Risks Global Safety’, #WHO says in strong response.

@who.int defends itself against accusations made by the #Trump administration including of ‘failures’ during COVID 19 pandemic.

www.who.int/news/item/24...
WHO statement on notification of withdrawal of the United States
WHO regrets the United States’ notification of withdrawal from WHO – a decision that makes both the United States and the world less safe. The notification of withdrawal raises issues that will be con...
www.who.int

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

healthpolicywatch.bsky.social
Health Policy Watch - Global health news reporting @healthpolicywatch.bsky.social · 17d
⚠️ Health experts warn it is unethical to withhold a proven vaccine from newborns!

🍼 The halted trial would have given only half of 14,000 babies a hepatitis B vaccine at birth — despite strong evidence early vaccination saves lives.

✍️ @kerrycullinan.bsky.social

@by-cjewett.bsky.social
📖⬇️ & 🔁🙏
‘Suspended Or Cancelled’: Guinea-Bissau Health Minister Halts Controversial Hepatitis B Trial - Health Policy Watch
A controversial trial to examine various impacts of the hepatitis B vaccine on newborn babies in Guinea-Bissau has been “suspended or cancelled”, the
healthpolicy-watch.news

benjaminmasonmeier.bsky.social
Benjamin Mason Meier @benjaminmasonmeier.bsky.social · 18d
William Foege (1936-2026)
Offering hope to a world threatened by infectious disease, Bill ensured American public health leadership throughout the world.
We have lost an impactful American leader...at a moment when we are rapidly losing American leadership.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
William H. Foege, Key Figure in the Eradication of Smallpox, Dies at 89
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Diarmid Campbell‐Lendrum, Reiner Leidl, Benjamin Mason Meier , and 4 more

who.int
WHO @who.int · 19d
WHO statement on notification of withdrawal of the United States

WHO regrets the United States’ notification of withdrawal from WHO – a decision that makes both the United States and the world less safe.

Full statement: bit.ly/46dT0HF
Emblem of the World Health Organization on a glass door.

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

scottlgreer.bsky.social
Scott L Greer @scottlgreer.bsky.social · 20d
Stupid headline (the WHO is an international organization, California can’t join). Real content is good news: CA will join GOARN, the WHO-operated outbreak data and surveillance system. Good for everybody’s heath security, good to see US democrats thinking about global health.
thehill.com

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

apoorvanyt.bsky.social
Apoorva Mandavilli @apoorvanyt.bsky.social · 24d
Proving that the Texas measles outbreak that began last January is the source of the current outbreaks in Utah and Arizona or South Carolina is turning out to be more complicated than officials had expected.

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/w...
One Year After Texas Measles Outbreak Began, Experts Consider Another Grim Milestone
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Will Jennings, Benjamin Mason Meier, James Goodwin , and 2 more

bencollins.bsky.social
Tim Onion @bencollins.bsky.social · 24d
Half the battle with this guy is just reiterating government can and already does good things that are so ubiquitous they’ve become invisible. He’s able to remind you in a way that you understand that good government can exist outside of a 24/7 vengeance operation, and in NYC already does.
mayor.nyc.gov Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 25d
Stay warm, stay safe New York.

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

richardpearshouse.bsky.social
Richard Pearshouse @richardpearshouse.bsky.social · 27d
Governments are seldom this brazen when obscuring the true costs of air pollution.

On January 12, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will stop assigning economic value to lives saved and illnesses avoided when considering air pollution controls.

www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
US Will Stop Considering Pollution’s Cost to Health
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on January 12 that it will no longer ascribe an economic value to saving lives and improving public health when considering whether to...
www.hrw.org

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

madhupai.bsky.social
Madhu Pai, MD, PhD @madhupai.bsky.social · 27d
One Year Post-USAID, Global Health Funding Stuck in Limbo

www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/one-...
One Year Post-USAID, Global Health Funding Stuck in Limbo  | Think Global Health
End-of-year estimates convey how much global health funding changed in 2025
www.thinkglobalhealth.org

Reposted by Benjamin Mason Meier

cidrap.bsky.social
CIDRAP @cidrap.bsky.social · 29d
US cuts to #HIV programs in sub-Saharan Africa pose global risk, experts say

Reduced funding will erode decades of progress and impede future advancements, but there is hope for the future with alternative resources.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/h...

Photo: World Bank / Flickr cc