Liz Szabo
@lizszabo.bsky.social
She/her. Award-winning health and science journalist. Investigative reporter at CIDRAP News. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/all-news
Pinned
Liz Szabo
@lizszabo.bsky.social
· Apr 1
Transgender patients and their health providers fear worsening discrimination
Surveys show that mistreatment of transgender patients is common, sometimes leading them to delay or avoid seeking health care.
www.nbcnews.com
In his first term, Trump reversed an Obama-era nondiscrimination rule for transgender patients. Although Trump hasn’t yet issued a new rule, a web page created by the Biden administration, which explained legal protections for transgender patients, is now blank.
www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-...
www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-...
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Vaccines save lives.
And no, they do not cause autism.
And no, they do not cause autism.
November 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Vaccines save lives.
And no, they do not cause autism.
And no, they do not cause autism.
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Public understanding of antibiotics is insufficient, global study finds
Only 42% of respondents from 98 countries knew that antibiotics aren't effective against viruses.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Only 42% of respondents from 98 countries knew that antibiotics aren't effective against viruses.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
November 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Public understanding of antibiotics is insufficient, global study finds
Only 42% of respondents from 98 countries knew that antibiotics aren't effective against viruses.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Only 42% of respondents from 98 countries knew that antibiotics aren't effective against viruses.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Reposted by Liz Szabo
California identifies infant botulism cases tied to powdered formula from months before current outbreak
California health officials say the cases, which occurred from November 2024 to June 2025, have not been connected to the current outbreak.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/b...
California health officials say the cases, which occurred from November 2024 to June 2025, have not been connected to the current outbreak.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/b...
November 24, 2025 at 8:28 PM
California identifies infant botulism cases tied to powdered formula from months before current outbreak
California health officials say the cases, which occurred from November 2024 to June 2025, have not been connected to the current outbreak.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/b...
California health officials say the cases, which occurred from November 2024 to June 2025, have not been connected to the current outbreak.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/b...
Reposted by Liz Szabo
US #COVID, #flu, and #RSV levels low but rising in many regions
Only 3 states report moderate levels of acute respiratory illnesses.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Only 3 states report moderate levels of acute respiratory illnesses.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
November 24, 2025 at 8:51 PM
US #COVID, #flu, and #RSV levels low but rising in many regions
Only 3 states report moderate levels of acute respiratory illnesses.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Only 3 states report moderate levels of acute respiratory illnesses.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Traveling for Christmas? Vaccinate your baby two weeks before you board the plane. Babies can be vaccinated as early as 6 months old during a measles outbreak. They will still need their regularly scheduled measles shot again at 1 year.
Utah, South Carolina see more measles cases ahead of Thanksgiving
Officials reported exposures at a high school and an international airport.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/m...
Photo: CDC
Officials reported exposures at a high school and an international airport.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/m...
Photo: CDC
November 25, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Traveling for Christmas? Vaccinate your baby two weeks before you board the plane. Babies can be vaccinated as early as 6 months old during a measles outbreak. They will still need their regularly scheduled measles shot again at 1 year.
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Long #COVID takes $1 trillion global economic toll each year, analysis suggests
Study looks at COVID’s impact on national economies, healthcare systems, labor markets, and quality of life.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Study looks at COVID’s impact on national economies, healthcare systems, labor markets, and quality of life.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
November 24, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Long #COVID takes $1 trillion global economic toll each year, analysis suggests
Study looks at COVID’s impact on national economies, healthcare systems, labor markets, and quality of life.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Study looks at COVID’s impact on national economies, healthcare systems, labor markets, and quality of life.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Washington state officials confirm H5N5 avian flu patient has died from infection
All previous human avian influenza infections had been caused by H5N1 and were relatively mild.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
All previous human avian influenza infections had been caused by H5N1 and were relatively mild.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
November 24, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Washington state officials confirm H5N5 avian flu patient has died from infection
All previous human avian influenza infections had been caused by H5N1 and were relatively mild.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
All previous human avian influenza infections had been caused by H5N1 and were relatively mild.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
This drug is a lab-made antibody (not a vaccine) that can protect newborns during their first RSV season, when they are most are risk from the respiratory virus
3 studies: Nirsevimab highly effective against severe #RSV in infants; intervention boosts uptake
The analyses suggest 80% to 89% effectiveness in protecting infants against hospitalization and intensive care unit admission.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/r...
The analyses suggest 80% to 89% effectiveness in protecting infants against hospitalization and intensive care unit admission.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/r...
November 25, 2025 at 10:56 PM
This drug is a lab-made antibody (not a vaccine) that can protect newborns during their first RSV season, when they are most are risk from the respiratory virus
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Estimate: US city-level #COVID indoor vaccine mandates had uneven, marginal effects
The requirements didn't increase weekly vaccination rates or cut cases and deaths in adults or children, despite their success in other countries.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
The requirements didn't increase weekly vaccination rates or cut cases and deaths in adults or children, despite their success in other countries.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
November 25, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Estimate: US city-level #COVID indoor vaccine mandates had uneven, marginal effects
The requirements didn't increase weekly vaccination rates or cut cases and deaths in adults or children, despite their success in other countries.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
The requirements didn't increase weekly vaccination rates or cut cases and deaths in adults or children, despite their success in other countries.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Ethiopia’s Marburg death toll rises to 5
The World Health Organization (WHO) said the source of the outbreak has not yet been identified.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/m...
Photo: James Joel/Flickr cc
The World Health Organization (WHO) said the source of the outbreak has not yet been identified.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/m...
Photo: James Joel/Flickr cc
November 25, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Ethiopia’s Marburg death toll rises to 5
The World Health Organization (WHO) said the source of the outbreak has not yet been identified.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/m...
Photo: James Joel/Flickr cc
The World Health Organization (WHO) said the source of the outbreak has not yet been identified.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/m...
Photo: James Joel/Flickr cc
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Study maps 8 long-COVID symptom patterns in adults
The findings highlight the condition’s diverse manifestations and lays the groundwork for future research.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
The findings highlight the condition’s diverse manifestations and lays the groundwork for future research.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
November 25, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Study maps 8 long-COVID symptom patterns in adults
The findings highlight the condition’s diverse manifestations and lays the groundwork for future research.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
The findings highlight the condition’s diverse manifestations and lays the groundwork for future research.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
That poor baby.
Infants can’t get their first pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine until 2 months (they just don’t work before that). But vaccination during pregnancy can protect both mom and baby for those first 2 months. Also, vaccinate everyone around the baby — dad, sibs, babysitter, etc
Infants can’t get their first pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine until 2 months (they just don’t work before that). But vaccination during pregnancy can protect both mom and baby for those first 2 months. Also, vaccinate everyone around the baby — dad, sibs, babysitter, etc
Third infant in Kentucky dies of whooping cough as national cases stay high for second year in a row
There are more than 25,000 cases of whopping cough reported so far in 2025.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/t...
Photo: Dan Higgins/CDC
There are more than 25,000 cases of whopping cough reported so far in 2025.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/t...
Photo: Dan Higgins/CDC
November 25, 2025 at 10:54 PM
That poor baby.
Infants can’t get their first pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine until 2 months (they just don’t work before that). But vaccination during pregnancy can protect both mom and baby for those first 2 months. Also, vaccinate everyone around the baby — dad, sibs, babysitter, etc
Infants can’t get their first pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine until 2 months (they just don’t work before that). But vaccination during pregnancy can protect both mom and baby for those first 2 months. Also, vaccinate everyone around the baby — dad, sibs, babysitter, etc
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Experimental mRNA #flu vaccine shows superior efficacy against symptomatic illness
The vaccine is 100% effective against both symptomatic and febrile flu, compared with 85% and 100% with the conventional 4-strain vaccine.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...
Photo: Penn State / Flickr cc
The vaccine is 100% effective against both symptomatic and febrile flu, compared with 85% and 100% with the conventional 4-strain vaccine.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...
Photo: Penn State / Flickr cc
November 25, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Experimental mRNA #flu vaccine shows superior efficacy against symptomatic illness
The vaccine is 100% effective against both symptomatic and febrile flu, compared with 85% and 100% with the conventional 4-strain vaccine.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...
Photo: Penn State / Flickr cc
The vaccine is 100% effective against both symptomatic and febrile flu, compared with 85% and 100% with the conventional 4-strain vaccine.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...
Photo: Penn State / Flickr cc
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Common antibiotic linked to risk of acute respiratory failure in kids, young adults
Although the overall risk was low, Canadian researchers found a higher risk of acute respiratory failure in 10- to 25-year-olds who took trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Although the overall risk was low, Canadian researchers found a higher risk of acute respiratory failure in 10- to 25-year-olds who took trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
November 25, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Common antibiotic linked to risk of acute respiratory failure in kids, young adults
Although the overall risk was low, Canadian researchers found a higher risk of acute respiratory failure in 10- to 25-year-olds who took trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Although the overall risk was low, Canadian researchers found a higher risk of acute respiratory failure in 10- to 25-year-olds who took trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Reposted by Liz Szabo
New WHO framework aims to tackle rising resistance to HIV, STI, and hepatitis treatments
Officials warn rising drug resistance could undo decades of progress in controlling HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Officials warn rising drug resistance could undo decades of progress in controlling HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
November 25, 2025 at 10:42 PM
New WHO framework aims to tackle rising resistance to HIV, STI, and hepatitis treatments
Officials warn rising drug resistance could undo decades of progress in controlling HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Officials warn rising drug resistance could undo decades of progress in controlling HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Yo DC peoples:
Did you love the City Paper?
Did you subscribe to DCist?
Wanna get more of that in your life?
Subscribe to @51st.news!
5 stars. Do recommend.
Link: 51st.news/membership/?...
Did you love the City Paper?
Did you subscribe to DCist?
Wanna get more of that in your life?
Subscribe to @51st.news!
5 stars. Do recommend.
Link: 51st.news/membership/?...
Join The 51st
The 51st is a worker-led nonprofit news source for D.C. Our reporting is rooted in our conviction that local journalism is meant to make people’s lives better — no paywalls, ever. But that's only poss...
51st.news
November 25, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Yo DC peoples:
Did you love the City Paper?
Did you subscribe to DCist?
Wanna get more of that in your life?
Subscribe to @51st.news!
5 stars. Do recommend.
Link: 51st.news/membership/?...
Did you love the City Paper?
Did you subscribe to DCist?
Wanna get more of that in your life?
Subscribe to @51st.news!
5 stars. Do recommend.
Link: 51st.news/membership/?...
Reposted by Liz Szabo
BBC confirms it edited out historian's criticism of president: 'Trump’s threats worked'
www.rawstory.com/donald-trump...
www.rawstory.com/donald-trump...
BBC confirms it edited out historian's criticism of president: 'Trump’s threats worked'
The BBC confirmed it edited a section of a historian's speech to remove criticism of President Donald Trump after he threatened to sue the company over a separate issue.Dutch author and historian Rutg...
www.rawstory.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:47 PM
BBC confirms it edited out historian's criticism of president: 'Trump’s threats worked'
www.rawstory.com/donald-trump...
www.rawstory.com/donald-trump...
Reposted by Liz Szabo
I really wish we'd stop calling them climate "skeptics" or "vaccine skeptics", if you jump off a cliff we don't call you a "gravity skeptic"
November 25, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I really wish we'd stop calling them climate "skeptics" or "vaccine skeptics", if you jump off a cliff we don't call you a "gravity skeptic"
CDC Quietly Turned Off Its Vaccine Search Tool. It’s Not Clear When It’s Coming Back
www.notus.org/health-scien...
www.notus.org/health-scien...
CDC Quietly Turned Off Its Vaccine Search Tool. It’s Not Clear When It’s Coming Back.
“I have heard that they are planning to ‘update it’ and shudder to think what that will mean,” Demetre Daskalakis, a former member of CDC leadership, told NOTUS.
www.notus.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:24 PM
CDC Quietly Turned Off Its Vaccine Search Tool. It’s Not Clear When It’s Coming Back
www.notus.org/health-scien...
www.notus.org/health-scien...
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Scoop: Park Service staff at 24 parks and offices are petitioning to unionize. Federal employees at a dozen including Grand Canyon filed for an election today, following staff at a dozen others including Joshua Tree who recently did same www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Parks Service Union Movement Spreads to Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree
Employees in dozens of park units are organizing to fight attempts by the Trump administration to downsize the agency.
www.bloomberg.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Scoop: Park Service staff at 24 parks and offices are petitioning to unionize. Federal employees at a dozen including Grand Canyon filed for an election today, following staff at a dozen others including Joshua Tree who recently did same www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Pregnant women who are jailed, often for petty crimes, are miscarrying or giving birth in excruciating pain and into cell toilets or on filthy jail floors, according to an investigation from @bloomberglaw.com and NBC News.
'Why won't you help me?' Pregnant women and their babies endure inhumane conditions in jails
Dozens of pregnant women locked up in county jails described excruciating pain, saying their cries for help were ignored as they miscarried or gave birth into cell toilets or on filthy jail floors.
nbcnews.to
November 20, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Pregnant women who are jailed, often for petty crimes, are miscarrying or giving birth in excruciating pain and into cell toilets or on filthy jail floors, according to an investigation from @bloomberglaw.com and NBC News.
Reposted by Liz Szabo
Trump was going to unveil his proposal today for extending Obamacare subsidies. A backlash from Republicans derailed that plan.
Now... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Now... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Trump’s health care plan in flux amid GOP backlash
Lawmakers just have a few weeks left to reach a deal to avoid a massive premium spike for ACA enrollees.
www.politico.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Trump was going to unveil his proposal today for extending Obamacare subsidies. A backlash from Republicans derailed that plan.
Now... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Now... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Reposted by Liz Szabo
ICE arrests, detains British woman with US husband and newborn when she shows up for her green card interview. She’s now in a detention center, separated from her 6-month-old. No criminal record. She had overstayed her visa.
www.lbc.co.uk/article/brit...
www.lbc.co.uk/article/brit...
British mum detained by ICE agents in California as six-month old baby and stunned husband watch on | LBC
Katie Paul, 33, was in the process of applying for a green card when she was ambushed by immigration agents
www.lbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 11:13 AM
ICE arrests, detains British woman with US husband and newborn when she shows up for her green card interview. She’s now in a detention center, separated from her 6-month-old. No criminal record. She had overstayed her visa.
www.lbc.co.uk/article/brit...
www.lbc.co.uk/article/brit...