iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Reflecting on this powerful reminder from Dr. Raj Panjabi. All humans share the same biology and face the same health threats, and we each share a responsibility for one another.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Plague is an old disease we know how to stop, and the chances of it spreading widely are low. But the risk of bioterrorism is real and we're clearly not ready for the next pandemic. To protect our health, we need safer laboratories, fewer spillovers from animals and faster detection and response.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

When people stay healthy, everyone benefits. That's why every insurer strongly favors vaccination—because it keeps people healthy. abcnews.com/Health/updat...

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Health insurance companies often prioritize profits over patient care. Denying claims, requiring prior authorizations and creating other hassles boost their bottom line. But in one area, their interests and the interests of the people they insure align: staying healthy.

abcnews.com

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are coming this fall. Will insurance cover them?

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are approved this fall. Here’s what to know about insurance coverage and recommendations for the 2026-27 season.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I’m excited to share that the paperback version of my book, The Formula for Better Health, is out today! The book provides a simple, life-saving formula, see/believe/create, that can save millions of lives—including your own. Order here: mitpress.mit.edu/978026205096...

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

One easy thing you can do to lower your risk of heart attack and stroke is switch to lower-sodium salt. The taste of your food won’t change. Only your heart will know the difference. I explain: tomfrieden.substack.com/p/pass-the-s...

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Two low-cost medicines, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide, can treat most people with high blood pressure effectively, and both can be made on the continent. Progress is possible. resolvetosavelives.org/news/strengt...

resolvetosavelives.org

Strengthening local manufacturing to improve medicine access in Nigeria

Local pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria is helping reduce hypertension medicine costs and expand access to quality-assured treatment.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Working with the government and regulators, local manufacturers are producing quality-assured medications to control blood pressure medicines at low prices.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The Accra Reset and others are right to push for local pharmaceutical manufacturing anchored in Africa. Since 2023, Resolve to Save Lives has supported manufacturers in Nigeria, and early results are encouraging.

resolvetosavelives.org

Strengthening local manufacturing to improve medicine access in Nigeria

Local pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria is helping reduce hypertension medicine costs and expand access to quality-assured treatment.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Public health is about designing systems to make the healthy choice the easy choice. I wrote The Formula for Better Health to show how the invisible work of public health can protect us, our families and our communities.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Honored by the words of colleagues and friends who have found that The Formula for Better Health offers a roadmap to build a healthier future. The paperback version comes out on October 6. All proceeds go to programs working to improve health around the world. mitpress.mit.edu/978026205096...

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

This is exactly the kind of data-driven, country-led process that can accelerate progress, and that global partners should support if and as requested by the country.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I’m deeply impressed with the focus of Sierra Leone, led by Minister Austin Demby and his team, to find and address the causes of preventable maternal and child deaths.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Honored to participate in an event organized by the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health. Sierra Leone is focused on rapidly protecting maternal and child health.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

See/believe/create is a formula to improve health for communities and individuals. My book, The Formula for Better Health, available in Kindle and audiobook forms, is now releasing in paperback on October 6. I describe how to apply the formula to save lives and create a healthier world.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Their success shows that it’s possible to count every death within days, find the cause of most, and use that data to make public health decisions. Other countries can follow their lead. substack.com/@tomfrieden/...

substack.com

To Make Every Life Count, Count Every Life

What Rwanda can teach the world about measuring health

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Public health starts with two questions: what’s killing people, and what can stop these killers? Rwanda created a system to answer these questions.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Analyzing the political landscape is a crucial first step to successful advocacy. If you haven’t mapped out who has the power to affect policy and what levers are available, you may not get far in advocating for change.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

If we support countries to establish effective environmental public health programs that can regulate, inspect, enforce, engage, and analyze, the world can stop lead poisoning, save millions of lives and protect the next generations of children.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Addressing lead sources has an enormous return on investment: The world eliminated lead from gasoline by 2021, saving literally millions of lives and trillions of dollars.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Honored to join @michaelrbloomberg.bsky.social, Dr. Yvan Butera, Dr. Patricia Clark and Adalberto Maluf at an event hosted by @bloombergdotorg.bsky.social, Coefficient Giving, and Partnership for a Lead-Free Future to discuss how countries are taking action to prevent deaths from lead.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I first worked with Dr. Raj Panjabi during the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Watch as we discuss the outbreak in the DRC – and what’s needed to end it.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

CDC hasn't yet ordered their Covid shots. Other families can get the vaccine at a pharmacy today. These 35 million children can't.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

"I'm not going to take away anybody's vaccines.” - Health Secretary Kennedy, November 2024. Covid vaccination cuts a child's risk of hospitalization by about two thirds. Half of American children get their vaccines through the Vaccines for Children Program. www.wsj.com/health/healt...

wsj.com

Exclusive | States Delayed in Getting Covid Shots for Children’s Immunization Program

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn’t opened up the ordering process, raising concerns about delays as vaccination programs kick off.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Learning from the successes and failures of past health emergencies can help us deal with new ones that arise, as Dr. Raj Panjabi and I discussed. The lesson that matters most is that without trust, nothing works. Trust and connection are critical to build community resilience.

tomfrieden.substack.com

Confronting Today's Global Health Threats

A conversation with Dr. Raj Panjabi

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Every death from measles is a preventable tragedy. This outbreak is the largest in the U.S. in decades—proof that when we let down our guard, the virus takes full advantage. We need to see prompt action to engage communities, address parents’ concerns and increase vaccination rates.

abcnews.com

Video Former CDC director on the growing measles outbreak in Pennsylvania

ABC News’ Linsey Davis speaks to former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden on why there’s a rise in measles cases in adults and the current tension between state and CDC health officials.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Funding cuts and upheavals in global health have set back decades-long efforts to eliminate polio. The longer it takes to reinforce weakened health systems, the harder it will be to achieve elimination.

rollingstone.com

Inside the Global Fight to Keep Polio From Making a Comeback

Inside the global fight to keep polio from making a comeback due to humanitarian funding cuts and vaccine skepticism.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I’m excited to talk with Dr. Raj Panjabi on Monday about the threats we face in global health and how to respond to them. Join us live starting at 12:15pm ET on Substack and Instagram!

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Reposted by Dr. Tom Frieden

André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Why Alcohol Is the Forgotten Killer. How the industry undermines health – and what to do about it, by @drtomfrieden.bsky.social substack.com/inbox/post/2...

substack.com

Why Alcohol Is the Forgotten Killer

How the industry undermines health – and what to do about it

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The United States has a hangover from its 14-year experiment with Prohibition: Alcohol is our fourth leading risk factor for death, but we take almost no action to reduce the harms. Alcohol kills an estimated 178,000 Americans a year, one every three minutes. tomfrieden.substack.com/p/why-alcoho...

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Every strong health system must deliver five things: universal coverage, sustainable costs, rising care quality, narrowing disparities and public satisfaction. How many of these does the U.S. have?

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Excited to share that the paperback version of my book The Formula for Better Health will be released on October 6! I share stories of scientists, survivors and system changers based on decades of frontline experience in public health. mitpress.mit.edu/978026205096...

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

The often-invisible work of CDC determines whether the next disease threat stays small or reaches crisis-level. Now is the time to rebuild the public health systems needed to keep us safe from threats that originate anywhere in the world, as I told @susanjaffe.bsky.social in @thelancet.com.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I asked @zekeemanuel.bsky.social for his top tip for a longer life. His answer may surprise you (and may also change your weekend plans).

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Time is lives. Every day this humanitarian crisis grows is a day more mothers, more health workers, more children are at risk. The virus is moving fast and efforts to build trust have to move just as fast.

tomfrieden.substack.com

The Ebola Outbreak is Out of Control in DRC

Vaccines are important, but building trust is most critical now

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

A pregnant woman missed her hospital appointment. Her nurse's worklist flagged it—and she got care in time. Digital tools don't replace clinical judgment, they catch deadly problems that might otherwise fall through the cracks. Rwanda’s digital systems now reach ~70% of the country's health centers.

resolvetosavelives.org

How Rwanda is delivering better health outcomes with digital tools

RTSL partnered with the Rwanda Ministry of Health and health workers to redesign an e-health record that better meets nurses’ needs.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Most of what makes people healthy isn’t what you see in the news or on social media. I spoke with @zekeemanuel.bsky.social about how to live longer. We also touched on the U.S. health care system, AI and the politicization of public health.

tomfrieden.substack.com

Is There A Hack to Live Longer?

A conversation with Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

What can individuals, communities and countries do to help ensure we live longer, healthier lives? Join me this afternoon for a live conversation with @zekeemanuel.bsky.social, starting at 3:15pm ET on Substack and Instagram.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Federal vaccine recommendations may change, but the facts haven’t. Vaccines have saved millions of lives from preventable disease and are essential to children's health.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Parents have to make tough decisions every day to care for their children and need sound, evidence-based guidance. This executive order undermines the ability of doctors and nurses to provide accurate information to their patients.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

For more than 60 years, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was a model for the world in transparent, fact-based decision-making. Replacing that process with a presidential directive and pressuring states to weaken school requirements are giant steps backward.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Doctors don’t engage in shared clinical decision-making about whether to suture a bleeding wound. Parents are always free to accept physician recommendations or not, but failing to recommend something that is proven to be beneficial is an abdication of federal responsibility.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

—"Shared clinical decision-making” for vaccines such as hep B and rotavirus sounds reasonable, but would be a deadly mistake. This is appropriate when risks & benefits of an intervention are equally balanced. For these and other vaccines, the risks are vastly lower than the benefits of vaccination.

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

—There is no evidence that subjecting children to three shots instead of one with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine would do anything to protect children, and it would result in more stressful and painful vaccinations;

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

—Spreading vaccines out over more visits does not reduce any risk of adverse reactions, but is certain to increase the number of children unprotected from serious, preventable illness because vaccine series aren’t completed, and to increase parental days lost from work and patient costs;

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Although concern for the number of childhood vaccine doses is understandable, multiple studies show the plain truth:

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Dr. Tom Frieden @drtomfrieden.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

A new executive order injects disproven claims into the process by which doctors and nurses advise parents and, if followed, will result in more illness, hospitalizations, and deaths of American children.

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