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Public Health Policy
- HHS Halts Federal mRNA Vaccine Funding: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a cancellation of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal investment in mRNA vaccine development. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated the move was based on a list of studies that he claims show risks associated with the platforms, a claim disputed by many public health experts. This decision comes as experts warn of increasing threats from zoonotic pathogens, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1).
- CDC Staff Morale Crisis: The ousting of CDC Director Susan Monarez and the subsequent appointment of a new acting director has triggered a crisis of morale at the agency. Several top officials have resigned in protest, with some citing the disregard for scientific evidence and the “intentional eroding of trust” in public health institutions. The news follows mass layoffs and budget cuts at the agency.
- Drug Overdose Deaths at 5-Year Low: Provisional data from the CDC suggests a significant drop in drug overdose deaths, reaching their lowest point since early 2020. The decline has been consistent since mid-2023. This progress comes even as the administration continues to cite fentanyl as a growing threat to justify stricter policies.
Medical Research & Innovation
- Alzheimer’s At-Home Shot Approved: The FDA has approved an injectable, at-home formulation of Leqembi (lecanemab), the Alzheimer’s drug from Eisai and Biogen. Branded as Leqembi IQLIK, this is the first Alzheimer’s medication that patients can take at home via weekly injections after completing an initial 18-month period of IV infusions.
- New Cardiovascular Drug Enters Phase III Trial: Genentech and Alnylam are advancing their investigational RNAi therapeutic, zilebesiran, into a global Phase III cardiovascular outcomes trial. The drug is being studied for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension to reduce cardiovascular risk. The trial will enroll approximately 11,000 patients in over 30 countries.
- Partial Heart Transplants for Children: Surgeons have successfully performed partial heart transplants in 19 children with congenital heart defects. The procedure, which uses donor heart valves, is an innovation because the living valves are able to grow with the patients and require less immunosuppression than full heart transplants.
