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markpachucki

@markpachucki.bsky.social
562 followers 144 following 61 posts

Professor, UMass Amherst. Studying inequality in culture, networks, health. Focused on prevention, risk mitigation, and community. Often through food. The views expressed here are my own, and not my employer’s.

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Reposted by markpachucki
Times Higher Education (THE) @timeshighered.bsky.social · 11h
Moving research into action requires more than publishing evidence. Stories, images, trusted messengers and examples of uptake can build public acceptance, shift what people see as possible and help evidence become practice and policy: ow.ly/Km5v50ZTsb1 #Highered #Academicsky
ow.ly
What the movement to integrate the arts and health can teach us about making research matter
Moving research into action requires more than publishing evidence. Stories, images, trusted messengers and examples of uptake can build public acceptance, shift what people see as possible and help evidence become practice and policy
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
In this moment of higher ed upheaval, the UMass Amherst Department of Sociology is initiating the Research Scholar Program to offer some safe harbor for recent sociology PhDs launched into an uncertain market. Share widely! (and imitation = sincerest form of flattery). @asanews.bsky.social
This program description details parameters of the UMass Amherst Sociology Department Scholar Program. As the description states, we cannot offer much, but what we can offer prospective Research Scholars is: (1) a listing on our department website, (2) use of our library resources, (3) an @soc.umass.edu email address, (4) permission to use departmental e-letterhead for professional correspondence, and (5) an invitation to any department intellectual events. Research Scholars will meet as a cohort twice over the course of the academic year (once in fall, once in spring). A brief one-page statement of interest, CV, and the names and contact information of 2 references should be sent to the Department Chair (David Cort, dcort@soc.umass.edu) by October 30, 2026. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by mid-November.
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Inside Higher Ed @insidehighered.com · 31/08/2026
Opinion | Faculty Should Lead Way in Responding to Compact 2.0 No university should respond to Secretary McMahon's letter without significant faculty involvement. By Kumble Subbaswamy. bit.ly/4wWQGze #EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
Composite image with a group of people, one of whom has a fist in the air, with the question "How will your institution answer this national call to action?" displayed in the background.
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
From @standhighered.bsky.social: "A decision to make a public declaration about the university’s academic mission, under federal pressure, is not an ordinary administrative matter; shared governance requires faculty involvement before it is made." #Academicsky www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
insidehighered.com
Faculty Should Lead in Responding to Compact 2.0 (opinion)
No university should respond to Secretary McMahon’s letter without significant faculty involvement.
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American Sociological Association @asanews.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
ASA member Ethel L. Mickey @ethelmickey.bsky.social @csusb.bsky.social draws on ethnographic research in a top tech firm to reveal how “ideal” networking practices, such as informal referrals and after-hours schmoozing, exclude women and people of color. @ucpress.bsky.social
bit.ly
Networking to Nowhere by Ethel Mickey - Paper
Scholarship is a powerful tool for changing how people think, plan, and govern. By giving voice to bright minds and bold ideas, we seek to foster understanding and drive progressive change.
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Donald Tomaskovic-Devey @dont-d.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Preserve EEOC data collection | Science www.science.org/eprint/HYMMK...
science.org
Preserve EEOC data collection
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Those who feel the effects of academic freedom most acutely are not us (a small group of educators) but the roughly 340 million members of the general public. We've got to explain the stakes better. @standhighered.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social #AcademicSky sciencepolitics.org/2026/04/27/a...
sciencepolitics.org
Academic Freedom Is a Public Good - Science Politics
The truth-seeking higher education enables is among democracy’s core pillars. Why doesn’t the general public seem to care?
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Kathy Roberts Forde @krforde.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Head coaches and athletic administrators across the U.S. are joining together to support a public letter defending the universities and colleges that form the backbone of the sports we love.
alumni.standforcampusfreedom.org
Stand with Coaches for Campus Freedom: Let universities be free and independent
Head coaches and athletic administrators across the U.S. are joining together to support a public letter defending the universities and colleges that form the backbone of the sports we love. Show supp...
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Dr. Leonard Bright @drleonardbright.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Texas A&M decided to publicly cancel my Ethics class, and share a false statement that I declined to provide information, which made it impossible for [them ] to request an exemption. See for yourself, if this statement is true. They are getting creative!
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Trump threatened Indiana Republicans that if they didn't do what he wanted, he'd block all federal funds to their state but they ignored his threats and told him to pound sand. Take notes, college presidents.
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David Lazer @davidlazer.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Paper out today in @nathumbehav.nature.com: 1) those groups (women, African Americans, lower SES, rural) that are underrepresented in science have been less trusting of science. 2) If you improve representation in science, you improve trust among those groups. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Representation in science and trust in scientists in the USA - Nature Human Behaviour
Druckman et al. document gaps in trust in scientists in the USA. People from groups less represented among scientists (for example, women and those with lower economic status) are less trusting. Incre...
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
“The realization that there is more to know about a particular subject should inspire excitement & curiosity; instead, for the performer or student who wants to seem invulnerable, it might inspire shame.” Beautiful anti-perfection meditation on art/ education/life. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | I’m a Concert Pianist. This Is Why I Seek Imperfection.
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Also: it’s fairly common knowledge, and we already have documentation that the Genesis mission ended with not only the tragic death of Kirk’s son, but the need to reseat Spock‘s katra in his body after some fairly lengthy political and spiritual machinations. So, NOT A GREAT PLAN, White House.
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Jenn Lena @jenniferlena.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Any university programming intended to address the massive faculty mental health crisis that does not include investments to remove organizational stressors is bullshit. Faculty are not weak, they’re underwater for structural reasons ffs.
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
This is such an important initiative from @wearehighered.bsky.social and a great way to stand together and support one another, higher ed. #academicsky @standhighered.bsky.social
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Merlin Chowkwanyun, MPH, PhD @merlinc2.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
My take on the backlash to DEI/health equity in the health sciences in @nejm.org roundtable: www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
nejm.org
Pursuing Health Equity in the United States | NEJM
This video roundtable explores the distinction and relationship between diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and the pursuit of health equity, and the hurdles for improving health equity in...
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Alumni & allies, the federal government is trying to place the U. of California under political control. Join with UC Unbowed before the Board of Regents meeting on 11/18-20: protect UC's independence & stand together with peer institutions. alumni.standforcampusfreedom.org/petitions/un...
alumni.standforcampusfreedom.org
University of California: Reject the federal government's political control
The federal government is trying to place the University of California under political control. Join with UC Unbowed before the Board of Regents meeting on November 18-20 and tell President James B. M...
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American Sociological Association @asanews.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
ASA member Donald Tomaskovic-Devey @dont-d.bsky.social (University of Massachusetts-Amherst) provides comment on Google's removal of its key career resource program for supporting women in tech.
bit.ly
‘Their history is just erased’: Google drops a key program for boosting women in tech | CNN Business
Google is offloading a key career resource program for supporting women in tech, another sign the search giant is unwinding its diversity programs following political pressure over diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Courage is contagious, y'all. Keep it up. @standhighered.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
nytimes.com
Universities Are Standing Up to Trump
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James Sims @simsjames.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
“We must be steadfast in opposition to extortion under the guise of dealmaking, and we must create alliances rooted in a common devotion to freedom of inquiry…We have rejected tyranny before, and we can do it again.” — Wesleyan University President @msroth.bsky.social in @thebulwark.com #HigherEd
open.substack.com
What’s a College President to Do in the Trump Era?
Not going on bended knee to Washington would be a good start.
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Thanks for your eloquence & clarity, @himself.bsky.social ! @standhighered.bsky.social is listening. Join us for a training to equip faculty/staff with practical tools to tell your stories and amplify the value of higher ed in public life. 10/29 @ 2p. Register: www.standtogetherhighered.org#reclaim
standtogetherhighered.org
Stand Together
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Barbara J Risman @drbjrisman.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
#academicsky @academicsky.org . Do Feminist Scholars Still Have Academic Freedom? | Psychology Today The answer is NO, not in America today.... www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/gend...
psychologytoday.com
Do Feminist Scholars Still Have Academic Freedom?
Personal Perspective: Gender matters for teaching about families, workplaces, and even children's literature, but when social science is censored, where does that leave students?
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Jeff Sharlet @jeffsharlet.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
It appears that my employer, Dartmouth, one of the Trump 9, has said no to the compact. All the better given that our president is cited within it. But she’s saying no. Count the small victories when they come.
Office of the President
Dear Dartmouth community,
 
As many of you know, Dartmouth was one of nine universities asked by the White House to give feedback by Oct. 20 on a draft of its “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” 
 
I am deeply committed to Dartmouth’s academic mission and values and will always defend our fierce independence. 
 
You have often heard me say that higher education is not perfect and that we can do better. At the same time, we will never compromise our academic freedom and our ability to govern ourselves. 
 
Best,
Sian Leah Beilock
President
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Brian Soucek @brsoucek.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Strong statement today from UC's Academic Senate:
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
How about it, @massgovernor.bsky.social? Let’s stand with California on this for the future of higher ed. @standhighered.bsky.social
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
@standhighered.bsky.social The administration's 'Compact' is one route to Mutually Assured Destruction in higher ed. But there's another route - which is for faculty and staff to stand together with one another to resist this egregious incursion on academic freedom.
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Jan Fuhse @fuhsejan.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
The #SocialNetworks special issue on duality, honoring the path-breaking concept by R. Breiger is now online. It features an impressive ten contributions by world-class scholars, show-casing the power and wide applicability of the concept. 1/2
sciencedirect.com
Social Networks | Duality in social networks: Current perspectives | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier
For this special issue of Social Networks we aim to continue to expand the space of theoretical, methodological, and empirical possibilities afforded by duality principles
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Systems science is key to identifying/mitigating discrimination in food systems. Fantastic work led by the brilliant @trmoore.bsky.social w/D. Krobath, Y. Chang Chusan, U. Sanga, @patrickwebb.bsky.social, A. Cuevas, H. Roland, B. Grant, C. Economos, V. Nicholson, S. Kumanyika. rdcu.be/eGoGc
rdcu.be
Systems science methods reveal and address links between discrimination and health disparities in US food systems
Nature Food - Discriminatory practices are well documented and deeply rooted in food systems. Systems science methods such as social network analysis, system dynamics modelling and agent-based...
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
“Some faculty, student and alumni groups, however, have begun to stand up and make their voices heard.” Yes we have. Stand with us; we commit to educating for freedom. Thank you, Michael S. Roth. @standhighered.bsky.social
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
@lastweektonight.com“if this administration’s actions have taught us one thing so far, it’s that no capitulation will be enough...I’d argue that to the extent they can, these institutions need to stop yielding, stand firm, and fight back.” Stand with us@standhighered.bsky.social tinyurl.com/49vjwkde
youtube.com
Trump vs. Higher Education: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
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Kathy Roberts Forde @krforde.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
@pennstateuniv.bsky.social Thanks to the Democracy Works team at Penn State's McCourtney Institute for Democracy for highlighting our movement at Stand Together for Higher Ed www.democracyworkspodcast.com/episodes/kat... Join us at standtogetherhighered.org
democracyworkspodcast.com
Democracy Works
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Kathy Roberts Forde @krforde.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Stand Together for Higher Ed is in the news! Mike Nietzel reports on our work in his Forbes higher ed column. Please repost, and if you are higher ed faculty and staff, please join Stand Together for Higher Ed! #academicsky www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
forbes.com
A Grass-Roots Faculty Effort To Advance Higher Education Takes Shape
As college faculty see their role in university decision-making eroded, a new grass-roots organization is taking shape, providing a platform for a stronger faculty voice.
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Daniel Laurison @daniellaurison.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
I have an op-ed at @inquirer.com today. All of us who care about democracy need to decide how we'll respond as we see our institutions, our work, and our communities being attacked. Many of us in academia are standing up for our values and our students. www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...
inquirer.com
Amid Trump’s attacks on higher ed, professors need to keep standing up for our democracy | Opinion
Across the nation, there has been a groundswell of academics who have decided to speak out for their institutions — and we all must keep doing so.
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
Thanks @arneduncan.bsky.social for your vision and this Chronicle article! What you write about every higher ed org coming together is exactly what @standhighered.bsky.social is doing RIGHT NOW. We welcome all faculty and staff nationwide to stand together for the next generation of learners.
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Alondra Nelson @alondra.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
The title is silly. The reformist vs resistance frame is oversimplified. But this piece brings to light higher-ed leadership's collective action problem. Institutions acting individually or in splinter groups can't address threats that require coordinated response www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
theatlantic.com
The Elite University Presidents Who Despise One Another
Inside the civil war between the Ivy League and the South
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
The federal government’s $1B demand is an attack on @UCLA and its mission to serve the public good and higher education. #StandUpForUC here: bit.ly/standuc. But make no mistake - this goes beyond UC/publics - it affects ALL higher ed! We need to @standhighered.bsky.social. #AcademicSky
bit.ly
Stand Up for UC
We must stand together to protect our students, staff, faculty and our mission.
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Sociologists/fans of academic freedom @ #ASA2025, if you’re interested in talking about how to Stand Together for Higher Ed on your campus, reach out! Happy to try to connect. Our work is grounded in shared values–not partisanship. @standhighered.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social #AcademicSky
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Kathy Roberts Forde @krforde.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
Columbia. Harvard. UPenn. George Mason. UVA. UCLA. One by one, universities are being attacked—financially, politically, ideologically. Faculty & staff: don’t wait for it to hit your campus. Join the national movement defending higher ed. standtogetherhighered.org (sign up on homepage)
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Proud of my colleagues! "We must win in the court of public opinion and emphasize that working together can transcend partisanship. We can and must build the local and national infrastructure that allows us to act together in the common defense of academic freedom..." academeblog.org/2025/06/23/w...
academeblog.org
What a Federal Court Brief Can Teach Us About How to Defend Higher Ed
BY KATHY ROBERTS FORDE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE STAND TOGETHER FOR HIGHER ED LEADERSHIP TEAM* In a rare act of institutional solidarity, twenty-four universities have filed a joint amicus brief suppo…
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
This is so important- join us! #AcademicSky
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Anna L. Haley @annahaleysw.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
How many more existential threats will it take before university leaders agree to defend higher education collectively (and publicly so, and with their faculty, staff, and students)? #MADC #AcademicSky
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Halts Harvard’s Ability to Enroll International Students
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Thanks for your solidarity @maddow.msnbc.com ! #AcademicSky
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
I'm proud that UMass' Faculty Senate adopted an important motion yesterday to take a leading role in helping all public institutions statewide and nationwide stand up for academic freedom and more. Motion, FAQ, and what your institution can do to join! #AcademicSky drive.google.com/file/d/1TNDl...
drive.google.com
MADC_ Public & LGUs.pdf
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American Sociological Association @asanews.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Podcast! Former ASA President Joya Misra (UMass-Amherst) discusses her presidential address, “Sociological Solutions: Building Communities of Hope, Justice, and Joy," delivered at the ASA 2024 Annual Meeting in Montreal & published in the Feb 2025 American Sociological Review
bit.ly
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from SAGE Publishing, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
“Craven lickspittles” (Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau). But 3 cheers for the student regent who was the “1” against in the 9-1 vote to authorize. More of that, please. www.adn.com/politics/202...
adn.com
University of Alaska to review programs, strike DEI language in response to Trump administration warning
The Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program has removed the words “Alaska Native” from key websites, based on a review of archived webpages.
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Feel lucky to have met a compatriot in food and life philosophy at a long Oxford, MS weekend at SFA. “The only person I ever knew to use the phrase ‘communal infrastructure’ in the context of friendship was Pableaux Johnson…” (Lolis Eric Elie). Too soon. nola.eater.com/2025/2/4/243...
nola.eater.com
Remembering New Orleans Red Beans and Rice Legend Pableaux Johnson
The writer and photographer died at 59, and Hotel Peter and Paul, among others, will host a celebration of life
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Kim Weeden @weedenkim.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
If/when a new EO threatens to cut funding to any university that doesn't axe gender, area, and ethnic studies research, nearly all social science research, and large swaths of health and natural science research will we see similarly tepid, "our lawyers are monitoring situation closely" responses?
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Rita Hamad @ritahamad.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Sad news: Len Syme, social epidemiology legend (and my mentor @berkeleypublichlth.bsky.social!), has passed. His legacy endures through his legion of trainees and epic scholarship on #healthequity. publichealth.berkeley.edu/news-media/f... #epitwitter @societyforepi.bsky.social @iaphs.bsky.social
publichealth.berkeley.edu
S. Leonard Syme, the father of social epidemiology, dies at 92
The UC Berkeley professor emeritus was beloved by the public health community as a trailblazer and mentor.
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Merlin Chowkwanyun, MPH, PhD @merlinc2.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
I owe my entire career to @rwjf.bsky.social and the support they showed me early on. I'm glad they're taking a strong stance on this, even when the federal government has threatened investigations of private entities, including foundations. I'm seeing more and more powerful organizations roll over.
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markpachucki @markpachucki.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Thought-provoking on the future of obesity and current political winds. And respect for the input/expertise of Drs. Gardner, Burant, Volpp, Lurie, Califf. Sourcing is hard, but none from any fantastic women scientists in obesity/nutrition? (Really? In 2024?) #NoManels www.nytimes.com/2024/12/18/h...
nytimes.com
In Trump World, RFK Jr. and Elon Musk Highlight Debate Over Obesity Treatment
Statements by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk tap into a dispute over whether lifestyle changes or drugs are a better way to treat obesity.
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