Science Quickly America’s Children Face a New Era of Health Risk
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Jan 7, 2026 Dan Vergano, a senior editor at Scientific American and expert in public health policy, discusses alarming federal changes impacting children's health. He highlights the reduction of recommended childhood vaccines and the repercussions of these shifts. Vergano also examines the politicization of youth gender-affirming care and its potential implications. He warns about the long-term risk of eroding vaccine trust among families and pushes for proactive conversations to combat misinformation in healthcare.
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Federal Health Oversight Is Shrinking
- RFK Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' aims to reduce federal health involvement and oversight.
- Dan Vergano warns this shift undermines longstanding public-health infrastructure and norms.
Vaccine Panels And Trust Are At Risk
- RFK Jr.'s appointments have shifted CDC vaccine advisory panels toward vaccine-skeptical members.
- Vergano says that change erodes confidence in vaccine review and public-health responses.
Politics Driving Cuts To Trans Youth Care
- Gender-affirming care became a political wedge and now faces federal funding cuts.
- Vergano explains those cuts rely on a contested 300-page report and contradict mainstream medical guidance.