public health policy
Coverage of public health policy in the Nexus archive.
- RFK Jr. fires back at Sen. Bill Cassidy over broken promises claim: ‘I’ve kept them all’
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. responded to Senator Bill Cassidy's claims that he broke promises regarding a government health website's description of vaccines and autism and public health policy guardrails, asserting he has kept all promises.
- EU court says anti-vaccine views are opinions, not protected beliefs
The EU's highest court ruled that anti-vaccine views do not qualify as protected beliefs under EU law, citing a case involving an Italian Army officer suspended for refusing a mandatory Covid-19 vaccine. The court determined the officer's objections to Italy's public health policy were mere opinions, not protected philosophical or religious beliefs, and dismissed comparisons to civilian staff exemptions.
- Millions lose SNAP benefits as stricter requirements kick in
SNAP enrollment has sharply declined nationwide since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed last summer, resulting in over 3.5 million people losing food assistance. States are implementing new eligibility requirements and stricter application processes, as reported by William Brangham and analyzed by Harvard professor Sara Naomi Bleich.
- 'Incredible' milestone reached as Sweden becomes a smoke-free country
Sweden has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the world's first smoke-free country, marking a significant public health victory. This transition, reported on May 25, 2026, highlights Sweden's successful tobacco control policies and widespread adoption of smoke-free alternatives.
- RFK Jr. won't back CDC director on vaccines as agency scraps positive data
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal anti-vaccine advocate, refuses to support evidence-based vaccine policies from the next CDC director and has removed scientific data conflicting with his views. Trump-nominated CDC director Erica Schwartz, a respected public health official, faces challenges under Kennedy, who previously ousted the prior CDC director, Susan Monarez, for resisting his anti-vaccine agenda.