Matt Motta
@mattmotta.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Health Law, Policy, & Management. Boston University School of Public Health.
Author of Anti-Scientific Americans: https://a.co/d/7oSVhwP
Author of Anti-Scientific Americans: https://a.co/d/7oSVhwP
Washington's decision to require smallpox inoculation (variolation) for his troops was controversial. It was also the single most important strategic decision he ever made.
One of many reasons to watch Ken Burns' fantastic docuseries retelling the story of The American Revolution.
One of many reasons to watch Ken Burns' fantastic docuseries retelling the story of The American Revolution.
November 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Washington's decision to require smallpox inoculation (variolation) for his troops was controversial. It was also the single most important strategic decision he ever made.
One of many reasons to watch Ken Burns' fantastic docuseries retelling the story of The American Revolution.
One of many reasons to watch Ken Burns' fantastic docuseries retelling the story of The American Revolution.
A maddening double standard from Kennedy's CDC.
RFK Jr. believes that NO studies are good enough to show that vaccines do not cause autism.
But he'll cite just about *anything* showing that vaccines might cause injury.
CDC exploits sci. uncertainty when convenient, and ignores it otherwise.
RFK Jr. believes that NO studies are good enough to show that vaccines do not cause autism.
But he'll cite just about *anything* showing that vaccines might cause injury.
CDC exploits sci. uncertainty when convenient, and ignores it otherwise.
November 20, 2025 at 1:36 PM
A maddening double standard from Kennedy's CDC.
RFK Jr. believes that NO studies are good enough to show that vaccines do not cause autism.
But he'll cite just about *anything* showing that vaccines might cause injury.
CDC exploits sci. uncertainty when convenient, and ignores it otherwise.
RFK Jr. believes that NO studies are good enough to show that vaccines do not cause autism.
But he'll cite just about *anything* showing that vaccines might cause injury.
CDC exploits sci. uncertainty when convenient, and ignores it otherwise.
Political expedience doesn't magically transform correlation into causation.
November 18, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Political expedience doesn't magically transform correlation into causation.
"The deal would include a promised vote on extending Obamacare tax credits in December, the sources said."
November 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM
"The deal would include a promised vote on extending Obamacare tax credits in December, the sources said."
This is how Pres. Obama responded when Karmel Allison fainted on stage.
He caught her and said: “You’re OK. I’m right here. I got you."
The idea that the president could -- as a natural impulse -- display genuine concern and empathy for another person feels completely unrecognizable today.
He caught her and said: “You’re OK. I’m right here. I got you."
The idea that the president could -- as a natural impulse -- display genuine concern and empathy for another person feels completely unrecognizable today.
November 7, 2025 at 2:04 PM
This is how Pres. Obama responded when Karmel Allison fainted on stage.
He caught her and said: “You’re OK. I’m right here. I got you."
The idea that the president could -- as a natural impulse -- display genuine concern and empathy for another person feels completely unrecognizable today.
He caught her and said: “You’re OK. I’m right here. I got you."
The idea that the president could -- as a natural impulse -- display genuine concern and empathy for another person feels completely unrecognizable today.
I can't believe that this needs to be said, but...
Oz's confident assertion that Americans will lose 125 *billion* pounds (up from 125 million, just moments before!) is why we need people running HHS who actually know what they're doing.
Oz's confident assertion that Americans will lose 125 *billion* pounds (up from 125 million, just moments before!) is why we need people running HHS who actually know what they're doing.
November 7, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I can't believe that this needs to be said, but...
Oz's confident assertion that Americans will lose 125 *billion* pounds (up from 125 million, just moments before!) is why we need people running HHS who actually know what they're doing.
Oz's confident assertion that Americans will lose 125 *billion* pounds (up from 125 million, just moments before!) is why we need people running HHS who actually know what they're doing.
The reality TV star who runs NASA for the reality TV star in the White House is pushing back on the reality TV star who thinks that we didn't land on the moon. 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
October 31, 2025 at 10:31 PM
The reality TV star who runs NASA for the reality TV star in the White House is pushing back on the reality TV star who thinks that we didn't land on the moon. 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
Policymakers are spreading misinformation about mRNA vaccine safety. That could have dangerous health policy consequences.
I'll provide new data about the rise of "mRNA vaccine stigmatization" at @shorensteinctr.bsky.social -- 11/20 from 12-1pm.
Registration link below!
tinyurl.com/53k96aaz
I'll provide new data about the rise of "mRNA vaccine stigmatization" at @shorensteinctr.bsky.social -- 11/20 from 12-1pm.
Registration link below!
tinyurl.com/53k96aaz
September 29, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Policymakers are spreading misinformation about mRNA vaccine safety. That could have dangerous health policy consequences.
I'll provide new data about the rise of "mRNA vaccine stigmatization" at @shorensteinctr.bsky.social -- 11/20 from 12-1pm.
Registration link below!
tinyurl.com/53k96aaz
I'll provide new data about the rise of "mRNA vaccine stigmatization" at @shorensteinctr.bsky.social -- 11/20 from 12-1pm.
Registration link below!
tinyurl.com/53k96aaz
I was promoted to Associate Professor today at @busph.bsky.social. This means so much to me. I can't thank you all enough for your support, mentorship, and friendship over the years.
June 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
I was promoted to Associate Professor today at @busph.bsky.social. This means so much to me. I can't thank you all enough for your support, mentorship, and friendship over the years.
JD Vance's first bsky posts were all aimed at attacking scientific expertise and the people who produce it.
Yet another reminder of how central ideologically motivated attacks on science have become in the second Trump admin.
(Screen grabbing the posts to avoid polluting your timelines).
Yet another reminder of how central ideologically motivated attacks on science have become in the second Trump admin.
(Screen grabbing the posts to avoid polluting your timelines).
June 18, 2025 at 10:52 PM
JD Vance's first bsky posts were all aimed at attacking scientific expertise and the people who produce it.
Yet another reminder of how central ideologically motivated attacks on science have become in the second Trump admin.
(Screen grabbing the posts to avoid polluting your timelines).
Yet another reminder of how central ideologically motivated attacks on science have become in the second Trump admin.
(Screen grabbing the posts to avoid polluting your timelines).
When it comes to vaccine promotion, Massachusetts is falling behind. That could hurt some of the Commonwealth's most vulnerable people.
I was honored to testify today in support of @repandyvargas.bsky.social 's proposed legislation to close the vaccine exemption loophole.
My testimony, below:
I was honored to testify today in support of @repandyvargas.bsky.social 's proposed legislation to close the vaccine exemption loophole.
My testimony, below:
June 6, 2025 at 5:52 PM
When it comes to vaccine promotion, Massachusetts is falling behind. That could hurt some of the Commonwealth's most vulnerable people.
I was honored to testify today in support of @repandyvargas.bsky.social 's proposed legislation to close the vaccine exemption loophole.
My testimony, below:
I was honored to testify today in support of @repandyvargas.bsky.social 's proposed legislation to close the vaccine exemption loophole.
My testimony, below:
Google Gemini -- clearly auditioning for a pundit role on "First Take with Stephen AI" -- claims that the 3-game series is currently tied at 2-2. 😂😂
May 27, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Google Gemini -- clearly auditioning for a pundit role on "First Take with Stephen AI" -- claims that the 3-game series is currently tied at 2-2. 😂😂
Every news outlet that fails to refer to this as an ILLEGAL revocation is engaging in editorial malpractice.
Trump's efforts to issue unconstitutional bills of attainder against his political enemies aren't just an attack on academia; they're a deeply personal attack on *academics.*
Trump's efforts to issue unconstitutional bills of attainder against his political enemies aren't just an attack on academia; they're a deeply personal attack on *academics.*
May 23, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Every news outlet that fails to refer to this as an ILLEGAL revocation is engaging in editorial malpractice.
Trump's efforts to issue unconstitutional bills of attainder against his political enemies aren't just an attack on academia; they're a deeply personal attack on *academics.*
Trump's efforts to issue unconstitutional bills of attainder against his political enemies aren't just an attack on academia; they're a deeply personal attack on *academics.*
Tonight at the Brookline Public Library! 📚💉
I'm looking forward to having a conversation about the prevalence, causes, and public health consequences of vaccine politicization in the US.
If you happen to be in town, come on by! (Also streamed virtually on Zoom!)
I'm looking forward to having a conversation about the prevalence, causes, and public health consequences of vaccine politicization in the US.
If you happen to be in town, come on by! (Also streamed virtually on Zoom!)
May 22, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Tonight at the Brookline Public Library! 📚💉
I'm looking forward to having a conversation about the prevalence, causes, and public health consequences of vaccine politicization in the US.
If you happen to be in town, come on by! (Also streamed virtually on Zoom!)
I'm looking forward to having a conversation about the prevalence, causes, and public health consequences of vaccine politicization in the US.
If you happen to be in town, come on by! (Also streamed virtually on Zoom!)
I think this AP poll finds more apathy about attacks on science than the headline suggests.
E.g.; *most* either support or have no issue with ideologically-motivated grant cancellations.
If Americans don't send clear signals to our elected officials to stand up for science... they likely won't.
E.g.; *most* either support or have no issue with ideologically-motivated grant cancellations.
If Americans don't send clear signals to our elected officials to stand up for science... they likely won't.
May 16, 2025 at 12:22 AM
I think this AP poll finds more apathy about attacks on science than the headline suggests.
E.g.; *most* either support or have no issue with ideologically-motivated grant cancellations.
If Americans don't send clear signals to our elected officials to stand up for science... they likely won't.
E.g.; *most* either support or have no issue with ideologically-motivated grant cancellations.
If Americans don't send clear signals to our elected officials to stand up for science... they likely won't.
Indirect rates are supposed to be negotiated; not dictated.
The Trump administration's illegal efforts to unilaterally renegotiate those costs will devastate universities, the people who work at them, the communities they support, and the people who attend them.
The Trump administration's illegal efforts to unilaterally renegotiate those costs will devastate universities, the people who work at them, the communities they support, and the people who attend them.
May 2, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Indirect rates are supposed to be negotiated; not dictated.
The Trump administration's illegal efforts to unilaterally renegotiate those costs will devastate universities, the people who work at them, the communities they support, and the people who attend them.
The Trump administration's illegal efforts to unilaterally renegotiate those costs will devastate universities, the people who work at them, the communities they support, and the people who attend them.
Feeling like we live in an autocracy is a pretty good indicator that we actually live in one.
April 30, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Feeling like we live in an autocracy is a pretty good indicator that we actually live in one.
Big news from SVPP at @busph.bsky.social !
Our new working paper (w/public data!) shows that anti-vaccine state policymaking nearly doubled following COVID-19. Republican state lawmakers are overwhelmingly responsible for this trend.
With: @thcallaghan.bsky.social
osf.io/preprints/so...
Our new working paper (w/public data!) shows that anti-vaccine state policymaking nearly doubled following COVID-19. Republican state lawmakers are overwhelmingly responsible for this trend.
With: @thcallaghan.bsky.social
osf.io/preprints/so...
April 26, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Big news from SVPP at @busph.bsky.social !
Our new working paper (w/public data!) shows that anti-vaccine state policymaking nearly doubled following COVID-19. Republican state lawmakers are overwhelmingly responsible for this trend.
With: @thcallaghan.bsky.social
osf.io/preprints/so...
Our new working paper (w/public data!) shows that anti-vaccine state policymaking nearly doubled following COVID-19. Republican state lawmakers are overwhelmingly responsible for this trend.
With: @thcallaghan.bsky.social
osf.io/preprints/so...
A full-blown breakdown of separated powers. We cannot act like this is normal.
April 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
A full-blown breakdown of separated powers. We cannot act like this is normal.
I can't thank @polipsyprof.bsky.social enough for organizing this roundtable about my book at #MPSA2025.
Thanks so much @brendannyhan.bsky.social @adamberinsky.bsky.social @klunztrujillo.bsky.social & @alexanderfurnas.com for an incredible discussion.
Thanks so much @brendannyhan.bsky.social @adamberinsky.bsky.social @klunztrujillo.bsky.social & @alexanderfurnas.com for an incredible discussion.
April 6, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I can't thank @polipsyprof.bsky.social enough for organizing this roundtable about my book at #MPSA2025.
Thanks so much @brendannyhan.bsky.social @adamberinsky.bsky.social @klunztrujillo.bsky.social & @alexanderfurnas.com for an incredible discussion.
Thanks so much @brendannyhan.bsky.social @adamberinsky.bsky.social @klunztrujillo.bsky.social & @alexanderfurnas.com for an incredible discussion.
"Let them eat eggs."
April 3, 2025 at 12:06 PM
"Let them eat eggs."
Thursday at #MPSA2025!
We quantify the effects of Biden's drop out decision, in a pre-registered nat. experiment in a nat. representative panel study.
@stecula.bsky.social @klunztrujillo.bsky.social @thcallaghan.bsky.social @ophiryotam.bsky.social @drorwalter.bsky.social
osf.io/preprints/so...
We quantify the effects of Biden's drop out decision, in a pre-registered nat. experiment in a nat. representative panel study.
@stecula.bsky.social @klunztrujillo.bsky.social @thcallaghan.bsky.social @ophiryotam.bsky.social @drorwalter.bsky.social
osf.io/preprints/so...
April 2, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Thursday at #MPSA2025!
We quantify the effects of Biden's drop out decision, in a pre-registered nat. experiment in a nat. representative panel study.
@stecula.bsky.social @klunztrujillo.bsky.social @thcallaghan.bsky.social @ophiryotam.bsky.social @drorwalter.bsky.social
osf.io/preprints/so...
We quantify the effects of Biden's drop out decision, in a pre-registered nat. experiment in a nat. representative panel study.
@stecula.bsky.social @klunztrujillo.bsky.social @thcallaghan.bsky.social @ophiryotam.bsky.social @drorwalter.bsky.social
osf.io/preprints/so...
Yes!
This is tough -- because COVID-19 vax only enters the scene in 2020; but, plenty of evidence for a split before COVID (e.g., childhood vax) that then worsened as COVID vax hesitancy "spilled over."
Some examples + papers attached!
shib.bu.edu/idp/profile/...
This is tough -- because COVID-19 vax only enters the scene in 2020; but, plenty of evidence for a split before COVID (e.g., childhood vax) that then worsened as COVID vax hesitancy "spilled over."
Some examples + papers attached!
shib.bu.edu/idp/profile/...
March 23, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Yes!
This is tough -- because COVID-19 vax only enters the scene in 2020; but, plenty of evidence for a split before COVID (e.g., childhood vax) that then worsened as COVID vax hesitancy "spilled over."
Some examples + papers attached!
shib.bu.edu/idp/profile/...
This is tough -- because COVID-19 vax only enters the scene in 2020; but, plenty of evidence for a split before COVID (e.g., childhood vax) that then worsened as COVID vax hesitancy "spilled over."
Some examples + papers attached!
shib.bu.edu/idp/profile/...
Mark your calendars #MPSA2025!
APLS' "conference-within-a-conference" is on Friday 4/4. We've got wine, snacks, and lots of great discussion about emerging issues in politics & the life sciences.
Keynote: Dr. Jennifer Hochshield
Featuring talks from . . . 🧵
CC: @melissabaker.bsky.social
APLS' "conference-within-a-conference" is on Friday 4/4. We've got wine, snacks, and lots of great discussion about emerging issues in politics & the life sciences.
Keynote: Dr. Jennifer Hochshield
Featuring talks from . . . 🧵
CC: @melissabaker.bsky.social
March 22, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Mark your calendars #MPSA2025!
APLS' "conference-within-a-conference" is on Friday 4/4. We've got wine, snacks, and lots of great discussion about emerging issues in politics & the life sciences.
Keynote: Dr. Jennifer Hochshield
Featuring talks from . . . 🧵
CC: @melissabaker.bsky.social
APLS' "conference-within-a-conference" is on Friday 4/4. We've got wine, snacks, and lots of great discussion about emerging issues in politics & the life sciences.
Keynote: Dr. Jennifer Hochshield
Featuring talks from . . . 🧵
CC: @melissabaker.bsky.social