Julia Raifman, ScD
@juliaraifman.bsky.social
Evidence-based posts about public health & equity. All views are my own.
The US would be a real outlier if Hep B vaccines were delayed until age 12, especially among high-income countries.
And babies born in the US would be affected, as they were before ACIP recommended a universal birth dose of the Hep B vaccine in 1991
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1734395/
And babies born in the US would be affected, as they were before ACIP recommended a universal birth dose of the Hep B vaccine in 1991
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1734395/
![Horizontal transmission of hepatitis B virus infection to United States-born children of Hmong refugees
M B Hurie et al. Pediatrics. 1992 Feb.
There is evidence that hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission continues among Southeast Asian refugees after resettlement. To determine the prevalence of HBV infection (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] positive or core antibody positive) and modes of transmission in Hmong refugee households in Wisconsin, results of serologic tests were reviewed for 429 US-born children not previously vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine and 754 of their Asian-born household members. The prevalence of HBV infection was 14% (62/429) among all US-born children, 30% (21/69) among children whose mothers were HBsAg-positive, and 11% (41/360) among children whose mothers were HBsAg-negative. Among children whose mothers were HBsAg-negative, the prevalence of HBV infection increased with increasing age (chi 2 test for trend = 5.6, P = .02) and was related to the household presence of HBsAg-positive sibling(s) (relative risk = 4.0; 95% confidence interval = 1.5, 9.3; P less than .001). Of the 62 infected children, 13 (21%) lived in households with no HBsAg-positive household members. US-born children of Hmong refugees apparently acquire HBV infection through both horizontal and perinatal transmission. These findings emphasize the importance of routinely integrating hepatitis B vaccine doses into the childhood vaccination schedule for all infants whose parents are from areas where HBV infection is highly endemic. In addition, the findings support the need for pediatricians to consider vaccinating older children (up to age 7 years) whose parents are from HBV-endemic areas.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ry6nz3msmniq24fqaqdcdayf/bafkreihe3d4kky6dllnusg6y5t7hhl4e7yfuhllmc2qsniqfwwjtyjl77q@jpeg)
November 23, 2025 at 10:55 PM
The US would be a real outlier if Hep B vaccines were delayed until age 12, especially among high-income countries.
And babies born in the US would be affected, as they were before ACIP recommended a universal birth dose of the Hep B vaccine in 1991
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1734395/
And babies born in the US would be affected, as they were before ACIP recommended a universal birth dose of the Hep B vaccine in 1991
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1734395/
Did you know?
190 countries have infant immunization schedules that include the Hep B vaccine
115 countries recommend a universal birth-dose of the Hep B vaccine, one of the key actions WHO recommends to reduce Hep B prevalence
Read more in the WHO Hep B Report ➡️
iris.who.int/server/api/c...
190 countries have infant immunization schedules that include the Hep B vaccine
115 countries recommend a universal birth-dose of the Hep B vaccine, one of the key actions WHO recommends to reduce Hep B prevalence
Read more in the WHO Hep B Report ➡️
iris.who.int/server/api/c...
November 23, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Did you know?
190 countries have infant immunization schedules that include the Hep B vaccine
115 countries recommend a universal birth-dose of the Hep B vaccine, one of the key actions WHO recommends to reduce Hep B prevalence
Read more in the WHO Hep B Report ➡️
iris.who.int/server/api/c...
190 countries have infant immunization schedules that include the Hep B vaccine
115 countries recommend a universal birth-dose of the Hep B vaccine, one of the key actions WHO recommends to reduce Hep B prevalence
Read more in the WHO Hep B Report ➡️
iris.who.int/server/api/c...
From Mamdani’s victory speech,
Supporting economic security &
Supporting minority/human rights
Go hand in hand
In a compelling set of values
(& campaign message)
Supporting economic security &
Supporting minority/human rights
Go hand in hand
In a compelling set of values
(& campaign message)
November 5, 2025 at 7:52 AM
From Mamdani’s victory speech,
Supporting economic security &
Supporting minority/human rights
Go hand in hand
In a compelling set of values
(& campaign message)
Supporting economic security &
Supporting minority/human rights
Go hand in hand
In a compelling set of values
(& campaign message)
Thanks to @feedingamerica.org for helping families have food on the table this holiday season
Regardless of what happens next with SNAP, many people are losing jobs at the same time as health insurance premiums are rising & Medicaid coverage is set to decline
We can support those most affected
Regardless of what happens next with SNAP, many people are losing jobs at the same time as health insurance premiums are rising & Medicaid coverage is set to decline
We can support those most affected
November 1, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Thanks to @feedingamerica.org for helping families have food on the table this holiday season
Regardless of what happens next with SNAP, many people are losing jobs at the same time as health insurance premiums are rising & Medicaid coverage is set to decline
We can support those most affected
Regardless of what happens next with SNAP, many people are losing jobs at the same time as health insurance premiums are rising & Medicaid coverage is set to decline
We can support those most affected
Did you know? The US has one of the highest child poverty rates of OECD countries.
The average child poverty rate across OECD countries is 12.2%
In the US, it’s over 20%
It’s partly why many children rely on SNAP
High rates of child poverty warrant a national conversation.
The average child poverty rate across OECD countries is 12.2%
In the US, it’s over 20%
It’s partly why many children rely on SNAP
High rates of child poverty warrant a national conversation.
October 31, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Did you know? The US has one of the highest child poverty rates of OECD countries.
The average child poverty rate across OECD countries is 12.2%
In the US, it’s over 20%
It’s partly why many children rely on SNAP
High rates of child poverty warrant a national conversation.
The average child poverty rate across OECD countries is 12.2%
In the US, it’s over 20%
It’s partly why many children rely on SNAP
High rates of child poverty warrant a national conversation.
Food is essential to survival.
People of all ages deserve to have enough food to eat.
Grateful for SNAP & hope we may find ways to continue providing it.
www.cnn.com/2025/10/24/p...
People of all ages deserve to have enough food to eat.
Grateful for SNAP & hope we may find ways to continue providing it.
www.cnn.com/2025/10/24/p...
October 27, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Food is essential to survival.
People of all ages deserve to have enough food to eat.
Grateful for SNAP & hope we may find ways to continue providing it.
www.cnn.com/2025/10/24/p...
People of all ages deserve to have enough food to eat.
Grateful for SNAP & hope we may find ways to continue providing it.
www.cnn.com/2025/10/24/p...
Did you know?
About 4.5 million SNAP recipients are babies and toddlers under age 5.
About 11.1 million SNAP recipients are kids aged 5 to 17 years, who need food for healthy growth, learning, & development.
The federal government has the capacity to continue funding SNAP during a shutdown.
About 4.5 million SNAP recipients are babies and toddlers under age 5.
About 11.1 million SNAP recipients are kids aged 5 to 17 years, who need food for healthy growth, learning, & development.
The federal government has the capacity to continue funding SNAP during a shutdown.
October 27, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Did you know?
About 4.5 million SNAP recipients are babies and toddlers under age 5.
About 11.1 million SNAP recipients are kids aged 5 to 17 years, who need food for healthy growth, learning, & development.
The federal government has the capacity to continue funding SNAP during a shutdown.
About 4.5 million SNAP recipients are babies and toddlers under age 5.
About 11.1 million SNAP recipients are kids aged 5 to 17 years, who need food for healthy growth, learning, & development.
The federal government has the capacity to continue funding SNAP during a shutdown.
Good morning, California
It’s a good day to Vote
Yes on 50
It’s a good day to Vote
Yes on 50
October 23, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Good morning, California
It’s a good day to Vote
Yes on 50
It’s a good day to Vote
Yes on 50
We can take good governance for granted until it’s gone — but it’s worth reflecting on what was working well
ACIP had
- Rigorous vetting of expertise by civil servants
- Rolling 4-year appointments providing continuity across administrations
This led to strong, credible vaccine recommendations
ACIP had
- Rigorous vetting of expertise by civil servants
- Rolling 4-year appointments providing continuity across administrations
This led to strong, credible vaccine recommendations
September 21, 2025 at 8:33 PM
We can take good governance for granted until it’s gone — but it’s worth reflecting on what was working well
ACIP had
- Rigorous vetting of expertise by civil servants
- Rolling 4-year appointments providing continuity across administrations
This led to strong, credible vaccine recommendations
ACIP had
- Rigorous vetting of expertise by civil servants
- Rolling 4-year appointments providing continuity across administrations
This led to strong, credible vaccine recommendations
Evidence-based public health policy is something to celebrate 🎉
And we must persist in this work. There continue to be preventable cases of Hepatitis B & inequities in the burden of disease. Continuing universal infant vaccination can help.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
And we must persist in this work. There continue to be preventable cases of Hepatitis B & inequities in the burden of disease. Continuing universal infant vaccination can help.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
September 15, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Evidence-based public health policy is something to celebrate 🎉
And we must persist in this work. There continue to be preventable cases of Hepatitis B & inequities in the burden of disease. Continuing universal infant vaccination can help.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
And we must persist in this work. There continue to be preventable cases of Hepatitis B & inequities in the burden of disease. Continuing universal infant vaccination can help.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
In 1991, ACIP transitioned to a universal recommendation that made all the difference
Within 10-15 years, prevalence of Hepatitis B among children decreased by 68%
Millions have avoided chronic liver inflammation that could lead to liver disease & liver cancer
academic.oup.com/jid/article-...
U
Within 10-15 years, prevalence of Hepatitis B among children decreased by 68%
Millions have avoided chronic liver inflammation that could lead to liver disease & liver cancer
academic.oup.com/jid/article-...
U
September 15, 2025 at 5:27 PM
In 1991, ACIP transitioned to a universal recommendation that made all the difference
Within 10-15 years, prevalence of Hepatitis B among children decreased by 68%
Millions have avoided chronic liver inflammation that could lead to liver disease & liver cancer
academic.oup.com/jid/article-...
U
Within 10-15 years, prevalence of Hepatitis B among children decreased by 68%
Millions have avoided chronic liver inflammation that could lead to liver disease & liver cancer
academic.oup.com/jid/article-...
U
Did you know? Universal Infant Hepatitis B vaccination is a public health policy success story.
The US initially tried a risk-based approach to Hepatitis B vaccination in the 1980s.
But vaccination rates remained low.
New cases continued to increase.
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview....
The US initially tried a risk-based approach to Hepatitis B vaccination in the 1980s.
But vaccination rates remained low.
New cases continued to increase.
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview....
September 15, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Did you know? Universal Infant Hepatitis B vaccination is a public health policy success story.
The US initially tried a risk-based approach to Hepatitis B vaccination in the 1980s.
But vaccination rates remained low.
New cases continued to increase.
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview....
The US initially tried a risk-based approach to Hepatitis B vaccination in the 1980s.
But vaccination rates remained low.
New cases continued to increase.
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview....
Circling back with a visual on how leadership & activism made a difference after the darkest days of HIV: A 40% decline in global HIV deaths. May we make the heartbreaking interruption that happens next brief
May we keep going on rebuilding stronger institutions in the US & around the world
May we keep going on rebuilding stronger institutions in the US & around the world
July 5, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Circling back with a visual on how leadership & activism made a difference after the darkest days of HIV: A 40% decline in global HIV deaths. May we make the heartbreaking interruption that happens next brief
May we keep going on rebuilding stronger institutions in the US & around the world
May we keep going on rebuilding stronger institutions in the US & around the world
Whatever comes next, our community is here for each other.
We hope this report is not just a resource, but a starting point to deepen collaboration & build stronger, community-driven solutions to gun violence
acphd.org/programs-and...
We hope this report is not just a resource, but a starting point to deepen collaboration & build stronger, community-driven solutions to gun violence
acphd.org/programs-and...
June 26, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Whatever comes next, our community is here for each other.
We hope this report is not just a resource, but a starting point to deepen collaboration & build stronger, community-driven solutions to gun violence
acphd.org/programs-and...
We hope this report is not just a resource, but a starting point to deepen collaboration & build stronger, community-driven solutions to gun violence
acphd.org/programs-and...
The report speaks to a key point:
➡️ Poverty is a driver of gun violence
As policymakers consider whether to retract Medicaid & anti-poverty programs, those who count on the programs will be deeply affected — & ramifications will be felt by our whole community
acphd.org/programs-and...
➡️ Poverty is a driver of gun violence
As policymakers consider whether to retract Medicaid & anti-poverty programs, those who count on the programs will be deeply affected — & ramifications will be felt by our whole community
acphd.org/programs-and...
June 26, 2025 at 12:08 AM
The report speaks to a key point:
➡️ Poverty is a driver of gun violence
As policymakers consider whether to retract Medicaid & anti-poverty programs, those who count on the programs will be deeply affected — & ramifications will be felt by our whole community
acphd.org/programs-and...
➡️ Poverty is a driver of gun violence
As policymakers consider whether to retract Medicaid & anti-poverty programs, those who count on the programs will be deeply affected — & ramifications will be felt by our whole community
acphd.org/programs-and...
Gun violence is a leading cause of death for young people in Alameda County.
It affects our whole community. Structural inequities drive disproportionate impacts among Black & Pacific Islander populations in Alameda County.
It affects our whole community. Structural inequities drive disproportionate impacts among Black & Pacific Islander populations in Alameda County.
June 26, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Gun violence is a leading cause of death for young people in Alameda County.
It affects our whole community. Structural inequities drive disproportionate impacts among Black & Pacific Islander populations in Alameda County.
It affects our whole community. Structural inequities drive disproportionate impacts among Black & Pacific Islander populations in Alameda County.
Gun violence is a community challenge that calls for community solutions
In a new report from @publichealthac.bsky.social, we describe drivers of gun violence & strategies for change
Report & brief ➡️ acphd.org/programs-and...
In a new report from @publichealthac.bsky.social, we describe drivers of gun violence & strategies for change
Report & brief ➡️ acphd.org/programs-and...
June 26, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Gun violence is a community challenge that calls for community solutions
In a new report from @publichealthac.bsky.social, we describe drivers of gun violence & strategies for change
Report & brief ➡️ acphd.org/programs-and...
In a new report from @publichealthac.bsky.social, we describe drivers of gun violence & strategies for change
Report & brief ➡️ acphd.org/programs-and...
Last week, the administration published new Covid vaccine guidelines restricting access <65 to people with high risk conditions
Pregnancy was on the list of high risk conditions
But this week, the administration withdrew recommendations for pregnant people to get the Covid vaccine
Pregnancy was on the list of high risk conditions
But this week, the administration withdrew recommendations for pregnant people to get the Covid vaccine
May 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Last week, the administration published new Covid vaccine guidelines restricting access <65 to people with high risk conditions
Pregnancy was on the list of high risk conditions
But this week, the administration withdrew recommendations for pregnant people to get the Covid vaccine
Pregnancy was on the list of high risk conditions
But this week, the administration withdrew recommendations for pregnant people to get the Covid vaccine
The US has the highest rate of firearm homicide of high-income countries
A last minute addition to the Republican budget bill lifts regulations on silencers
Gun deaths: www.healthdata.org/news-events/...
Bill: www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05...
A last minute addition to the Republican budget bill lifts regulations on silencers
Gun deaths: www.healthdata.org/news-events/...
Bill: www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05...
May 22, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The US has the highest rate of firearm homicide of high-income countries
A last minute addition to the Republican budget bill lifts regulations on silencers
Gun deaths: www.healthdata.org/news-events/...
Bill: www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05...
A last minute addition to the Republican budget bill lifts regulations on silencers
Gun deaths: www.healthdata.org/news-events/...
Bill: www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05...
This is great background on the exclusion of pregnant people from randomized trials & whether exclusion should be reconsidered especially when there are high risks from diseases
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37903681/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37903681/
May 20, 2025 at 2:01 PM
This is great background on the exclusion of pregnant people from randomized trials & whether exclusion should be reconsidered especially when there are high risks from diseases
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37903681/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37903681/
The stories of the pregnant people who have died of Covid are tragic.
Many leave behind young kids, like this mom of 6.
We want to prevent every one of these deaths & hospitalizations that we can.
abc13.com/pasadena-tex...
Many leave behind young kids, like this mom of 6.
We want to prevent every one of these deaths & hospitalizations that we can.
abc13.com/pasadena-tex...
May 17, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The stories of the pregnant people who have died of Covid are tragic.
Many leave behind young kids, like this mom of 6.
We want to prevent every one of these deaths & hospitalizations that we can.
abc13.com/pasadena-tex...
Many leave behind young kids, like this mom of 6.
We want to prevent every one of these deaths & hospitalizations that we can.
abc13.com/pasadena-tex...
“The risk [of death or pneumonia associated with COVID-19] was highest among older pregnant women [Figure, parts A & B]
The highest relative risks appeared among both younger & older pregnant women (Figure, parts B & D).”
www.ajog.org/article/S000...
The highest relative risks appeared among both younger & older pregnant women (Figure, parts B & D).”
www.ajog.org/article/S000...
May 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM
“The risk [of death or pneumonia associated with COVID-19] was highest among older pregnant women [Figure, parts A & B]
The highest relative risks appeared among both younger & older pregnant women (Figure, parts B & D).”
www.ajog.org/article/S000...
The highest relative risks appeared among both younger & older pregnant women (Figure, parts B & D).”
www.ajog.org/article/S000...
Households with children are disproportionately affected by poverty, food insufficiency, & housing insecurity — especially in Southern states
Programs to support economic security for children — such as Head Start, WIC, & SNAP — are especially important to maintain
www.census.gov/library/stor...
Programs to support economic security for children — such as Head Start, WIC, & SNAP — are especially important to maintain
www.census.gov/library/stor...
April 30, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Households with children are disproportionately affected by poverty, food insufficiency, & housing insecurity — especially in Southern states
Programs to support economic security for children — such as Head Start, WIC, & SNAP — are especially important to maintain
www.census.gov/library/stor...
Programs to support economic security for children — such as Head Start, WIC, & SNAP — are especially important to maintain
www.census.gov/library/stor...
US investments in HIV prevention & treatment make a big difference
New HIV diagnoses declined from 46,703 in 2008 to 38,539 in 2023. The most new infections are in TX, CA, FL, & GA
➡️ Call your Members of Congress & ask not to cut CDC HIV & put progress in jeopardy
gis.cdc.gov/grasp/nchhst...
New HIV diagnoses declined from 46,703 in 2008 to 38,539 in 2023. The most new infections are in TX, CA, FL, & GA
➡️ Call your Members of Congress & ask not to cut CDC HIV & put progress in jeopardy
gis.cdc.gov/grasp/nchhst...
March 19, 2025 at 12:26 AM
US investments in HIV prevention & treatment make a big difference
New HIV diagnoses declined from 46,703 in 2008 to 38,539 in 2023. The most new infections are in TX, CA, FL, & GA
➡️ Call your Members of Congress & ask not to cut CDC HIV & put progress in jeopardy
gis.cdc.gov/grasp/nchhst...
New HIV diagnoses declined from 46,703 in 2008 to 38,539 in 2023. The most new infections are in TX, CA, FL, & GA
➡️ Call your Members of Congress & ask not to cut CDC HIV & put progress in jeopardy
gis.cdc.gov/grasp/nchhst...
Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in the US & affects many people at young ages.
Cancer trials are often the best hope for survival for people who currently have cancer as well as those who will subsequently develop cancer
It is critically important for these trials to continue
Cancer trials are often the best hope for survival for people who currently have cancer as well as those who will subsequently develop cancer
It is critically important for these trials to continue
January 25, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in the US & affects many people at young ages.
Cancer trials are often the best hope for survival for people who currently have cancer as well as those who will subsequently develop cancer
It is critically important for these trials to continue
Cancer trials are often the best hope for survival for people who currently have cancer as well as those who will subsequently develop cancer
It is critically important for these trials to continue