Clinical algorithm and hardware flaws are not just "tech glitches!" When medical devices perform poorly on darker skin, the real-world consequence is the systematic denial of treatment, benefits, and care for the people who need it most. 1/

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Leadership and clear communication from @WHO Director-General re: Hantavirus, including acknowledgement of the "pain of 2020." Improving post-pandemic means realizing that transparency, clarity, and empathy are part of the cure! Will discuss more in this week's People's Health Briefing.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus@drtedros.who.int · 5mo ago

"A lot of these bureaucratic silos we have are actually killing people." Proud to share our work at @rootsempowers.bsky.social in today's @nytimes.com We must rethink how we fund & deliver care for the most marginalized if we want to see true generational change. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/h...

🚨 3 active + 3 suspected & now 200+ latent TB cases at Riordan high and counting. Concerning timeline starting in September! Now up to 6 young people facing serious illness and 200+ families grappling with treatment risks and decisions. Where was the clinical urgency? Where's the accountability? 🚩

🚨Unusual and alarming! 3 active & 50 latent TB cases at Riordan high, and counting. When a well-resourced school sees this level of spread, it’s a siren for our public health infrastructure everywhere. Hoping for speedy containment & recovery. 🙏🏾

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

California becomes first state to join WHO disease network after US exit

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced just one day after the U.S. officially withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO) that his state would become the first to join the organization&#8…

thehill.com

The US is facing a critical deadline on the measles-free status we've held for over 25 years. Beyond the immediate risk, we have to talk about long-term effects like immune amnesia. ​📺 Watch the full People’s Health Briefing here: www.youtube.com/live/NnUfNce...

Hey East Bay: confirmed measles exposure at several high-traffic spots in Walnut Creek, Dec 17 - 24. ​Fortunately, Contra Costs County has high vax rates, making a large outbreak unlikely. But those who are unprotected (including babies) are still at risk. Stay safe & informed! 🙏🏾

Measles case confirmed in East Bay, possible exposure at shopping mall, health officials warn

If you went shopping at this East Bay shopping plaza in the lead up to Christmas, you may have been exposed to measles, Contra Costa Health officials are warning.

ktvu.com

​"Sirens, Silence, Standby." Whew. Visceral reminder of the constant high-decibel alarm heard in NY, letting us all know our public health infrastructure was crushing under the weight of the pandemic. The sirens have gone silent, facilitating leadership-driven denial while our crises continue.

Noha Aboelata, MD@nohaaboelatamd.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Been looking at this on my shelf for a couple years now saying "it's too soon." Finally ready to dive in, continuing to sharpen the analysis for a fight that has become even more uphill as we try to protect a safety net that was already inadequate. Respect to @thrasherxy for the work. ✊🏾

ICYMI, current contagious illness status update, brief review of 3 long covid articles, pertussis warning signs, worrisome Medicaid changes, and part 3 of 3 with Dr. Khan on Long covid.

Roots Community Health@rootsempowers.bsky.social · 9mo ago

12/13/25-In today's briefing, we review Whooping Cough; 2026 Medicaid Changes; Long COVID w/ Dr. Khan; Contagious Illnesses Update Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXI8... #RootsEmpowers #PHB #PublicHealth #COVID19 #SARSCoV2 #Wastewater #LongCOVID #Medicaid #Measles #Pertussis #WhoopingCough

Been looking at this on my shelf for a couple years now saying "it's too soon." Finally ready to dive in, continuing to sharpen the analysis for a fight that has become even more uphill as we try to protect a safety net that was already inadequate. Respect to @thrasherxy for the work. ✊🏾

ICYMI, last week's briefing: Remembering Coach Beam and the critical importance of solid coaches & mentors (and the potential harm of untrained ones). We also review data which has resumed following the end of the shutdown and Canada's loss of measles-free status.

Roots Community Health@rootsempowers.bsky.social · 11mo ago

11/18/25- In today’s briefing we review, Remembering Coach John Beam; Canada Loses Measles-Free Status; Contagious Illnesses Update Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LosT... #RootsEmpowers #PHB #PublicHealth #COVID19 #CDC #SARSCoV2 #Wastewater #H3N2 #Influenza #Measles #RSV #Flu #H1N1 #FluVaccine

11/18/25- In today’s briefing we review, Remembering Coach John Beam; Canada Loses Measles-Free Status; Contagious Illnesses Update Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LosT... #RootsEmpowers #PHB #PublicHealth #COVID19 #CDC #SARSCoV2 #Wastewater #H3N2 #Influenza #Measles #RSV #Flu #H1N1 #FluVaccine

Remembering Coach John Beam; Canada Loses Measles-Free Status; Contagious Illnesses Update || S6E35

YouTube video by Roots Community Health

youtube.com

Unacceptable! FDA delays in ByHeart formula recall allowed contaminated product to stay on shelves, prioritizing business confidentiality and putting babies at risk. ​Bureaucracy and business interests should never supersede infant safety! More here 👇🏾 www.instagram.com/p/DRaNu0OEmu...

The 1st confirmed human case of H5N5 has lead to death. This is especially alarming given the gutting and destruction of US public health infrastructure. More on my IG (where I'm migrating) 👇🏾 www.instagram.com/p/DRYPZRtEm3...

#PAHO 's regional verification commission for #measles elimination meets this week. The likely outcome: Canada will lose its measles-free status, due to its large & long-running outbreak. If so, the Americas region will also lose elimination status. www.statnews.com/2025/11/03/m...

The Americas, led by Canada, is on the brink of losing measles-elimination status

The Americas is the only region of the world to have stopped endemic transmission of measles. But its victory is on the verge of being rolled back.

statnews.com

The SNAP crisis perfectly demonstrates the Panic-Neglect Cycle we do so well. ​Everywhere folks scrambling to plug the hole with short-term, unsustainable funds, creating budget instability and burnout across the entire safety net. We need a structural commitment to readiness.

'You cannot crowdsource $8 billion.' Here's what to know about the lapse in SNAP benefits

Even if the Trump administration funded the food assistance program immediately, experts tell PBS News that many of the 42 million SNAP recipients are unlikely to get their benefits on time.

pbs.org

"There are too many cliffs that our young people are prone to falling off...They leave the school setting, they graduate...At 18, they fall off with certain benefits, or at 21 or 24. Because of the way our resources and systems are set up, young people fall through the gaps.” 👇🏾

The Oaklandside@oaklandside.org · 11mo ago

The Young People’s Wellness Center expects to open in 2026, serving teens and young adults. It's a project of Roots Community Health.

​I don't know why Tylenol got caught in political crosshairs, but this administration has chosen to ignore medical facts and implicate an important medication based on unwarranted suspicion. Amidst this manufactured controversy, we risk overlooking an actual deadly crisis: acetaminophen overdose. 👇🏾

Roots Community Health@rootsempowers.bsky.social · 11mo ago

10/21/25 - In this week’s episode, we review public health updates, including data gaps, system challenges and their effects on our communities. We also look at new research on Tylenol use during pregnancy and shine a light on substance use prevention. Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k7-...

This week's briefing: COVlD/respiratory surveillance data & telehealth access disrupted due to government shutdown; measles outbreak rages on as the Americas set to lose elimination status; CDC recommendations get further from science & reason. Watch 👇🏾

Roots Community Health@rootsempowers.bsky.social · 12mo ago

10/7/15 - In today's briefing, we review Gov’t Shutdown Stalls CDC Data & Telehealth for Seniors; MD Discretion for COVID Vax; Measles Update Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8Zj... #RootsEmpowers #PHB #PublicHealth #COVID19 #CDC #SARSCoV2 #Wastewater #Measles #Shutdown #Telehealth #CDPH

This week's public health update reviews current covid & measles status, a recent measles-related death, and updates from states stepping up to mitigate the harm to health being caused at the federal level. Grateful for those bright spots! 🙏🏾

Roots Community Health@rootsempowers.bsky.social · last yr.

9/16/25 - In today’s briefing, we review At-Home Flu Vax; CA's $23B Science Bond; Post-Measles Risks; Contagious Illnesses Update Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIDg... #RootsEmpowers #PHB #CommunityHealth #BayArea #PublicHealth #COVID19 #CDC #SARSCoV2 #Wastewater #Measles #FDA #WHO #Flu

"The ACIP is no longer a scientific committee. It is an ideology machine." I can't even bring myself to watch their meetings. Instead, I'm cheering for states and medical associations working to mitigate the damage and fill gaps. But the damage being done is immeasurable.

Smart move! 1st made-in-Canada mRNA vaccines. "By supporting the production of vaccines here at home, we are supporting our economy while strengthening Canada’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to future public health emergencies." -Canadian Minister of Health

A new low! Reports out of SF suggest people are spraying non-overdosing homeless individuals with Narcan to induce painful withdrawal symptoms to get them to move. Another symptom of our society becoming more callous, polarized, and violent by the day. abc7news.com/post/san-fra...

Report: Narcan allegedly being used for harm on SF homeless people who aren't overdosing

SF Standard Reporter David Sjoestedt spoke with ABC7 News to explain how some drug users in San Francisco are saying residents are using Narcan on them when they're sleeping and not overdosing to brin...

abc7news.com

When is the most optimal time to get the Covid vaccine? It depends! But if you haven't had covid in the last 5 months and live in the Northern hemisphere, the best time is right about now. I walk through the evidence in this week's People's Health Briefing 👇🏾

Roots Community Health@rootsempowers.bsky.social · last yr.

9/9/25 - In today’s briefing, we review COVID Antibodies & Booster Timing; WHO Urges Protection of CDC; Contagious Illnesses Update Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt62... #RootsEmpowers #PHB #CommunityHealth #PublicHealth #COVID19 #CDC #SARSCoV2 #Wastewater #Measles #COVIDVaccine #WHO #Booster

Horrific. SSPE, a late complication of measles, is a progressive brain disorder that develops 2-10 yrs after seeming recovery from initial infection. Gradual, worsening loss of all neurological function, 100% fatal, no cure, occurs in ~1 in 600 who get measles as an infant. abc7.com/post/child-d...

Child dies from rare measles-related complication, LA County health officials say

Health officials reported the death of a Los Angeles County child from a complication of measles infection acquired during infancy.

abc7.com

Excellent! The moment I've been waiting for. California, Oregon & Washington will work together on vaccine guidance since we no longer have a credible CDC. Many questions on the authority the alliance will have, but still, a strong and necessary move!

Snubbing Kennedy, States Announce Plans to Coordinate on Vaccines

nytimes.com

Warning & Call to Action from 9 former CDC Directors/Acting Directors serving under Presidents from Carter to Trump: US lives are being endangered due to a political agenda. Worthy scientists are being pushed out when they won't rubber stamp the insanity.

Opinion | We Ran the C.D.C.: Kennedy Is Endangering Every American’s Health

nytimes.com

CDC grant cancellations initially hit blue & red states pretty evenly, and 4 of the 5 jurisdictions with the most terminated grants were led by Democrats (CA, DC, Illinois & Mass). Now, ~80% of the cuts have been restored to blue states, compared with <5% in red states. www.cnn.com/2025/08/26/h...

Blue states that sued kept most CDC grants, while red states feel brunt of Trump clawbacks | CNN

The Trump administration’s cuts of public health funds to state and local health departments had vastly uneven effects depending on the political leanings of where someone lives, a new KFF Health News...

cnn.com

US public health in crisis: infrastructure being gutted, vaccine access being limited, eliminated virus (measles) making a resurgence, falling childhood vax rates making many vulnerable to vax-preventable illness, infant & maternal mortality rates rising & healthcare safety net being cut via HR1. 👇🏾

Roots Community Health@rootsempowers.bsky.social · last yr.

8/26/25 - In today’s briefing, we review New Vaccine Info; Public Health Crises Explained; Contagious Illnesses Update Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkiQ... #RootsEmpowers #PHB #CommunityHealth #PublicHealth #COVID19 #CDC #SARSCoV2 #Wastewater #RSV #RespiratoryIllness #Measles #FDA