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Robert Califf

@robcaliff.bsky.social
1K followers 61 following 664 posts
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Sobering viewpoint. We need to build biodefence capabilities, not disassemble them! www.statnews.com/2026/09/28/a...
statnews.com
AI is eroding the barriers that kept biological weapons rare
“Defenses against AI-created bioweapons will take years to build. We don’t have years to spare,” writes Ashish Jha.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Good summary of using words to dodge the definitive question. Of course, nothing is 100% safe, but we have ample evidence that benefits far outweigh risks for approved vaccines if used in accordance with context of use. pauloffit.substack.com/p/the-s-word...
pauloffit.substack.com
The “S” Word
Under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership, public health officials are hesitant to say that the MMR vaccine is safe.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Good summary of a complex situation: insidemedicine.substack.com/p/covid-19-w...
insidemedicine.substack.com
Covid-19 wastewater levels ain’t what they used to be.
That’s good. But it’s still a useful metric.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
It gets worse and worse. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/u...
nytimes.com
RFK Jr. Drew $4 Million in Book Advances From Publisher Who Also Monetized MAHA
A new disclosure also shows $210,000 in consulting fees paid to Cheryl Hines, the health secretary’s wife, by one of several MAHA-affiliated groups capitalizing from his agenda.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I hope we can reclaim the many good elements "under the MAHA hood" and focus on evidence based policies and advice. www.foodpolitics.com/2026/09/how-...
foodpolitics.com
How is MAHA doing so far? Not so great. - Food Politics by Marion Nestle
Recent reports examine the gap between what MAHA promised and what it is actually doing: mostly talk, but not much action.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
this hurts www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
wsj.com
Exclusive | RFK Jr.’s Enhanced Security Was Funded With Money From Minority Health Office
The cost of the health secretary’s security grew from roughly $10 million in fiscal year 2025 to $17 million in fiscal year 2026.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Another well-done, but somewhat depressing update from YLE. Important information about vaccines. yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/where-are-...
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com
Where are the fall vaccines? Plus Covid-19 and norovirus, and what another measles death means
The Dose (Sept 22)
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Forceful statement from Dr Faust. The embedded CNN interview is worth a listen. insidemedicine.substack.com/p/president-...
insidemedicine.substack.com
President Trump has another terrible idea about vaccines. My reaction…
Just a quick dispatch to share my CNN Newsroom appearance yesterday in which I discussed the measles outbreak with Fredricka Whitfield.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Part 2 of this series.. robcaliff272993.substack.com/p/working-to...
robcaliff272993.substack.com
Working Together on Truth: The Story of Coethia, Part II
Toward a Better Understanding of Research and Evidence in Health and Healthcare
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Reposting a substack on the rationale for Coethia, an organization attempting to understand how to produce reliable health information on social media and how to improve communication with individuals in the clinic and public health system. robcaliff272993.substack.com/p/working-to...
robcaliff272993.substack.com
Working Together on Truth: The Story of Coethia, Part I
Coming to Grips with a Complex Challenge
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Yikes www.statnews.com/2026/09/17/r...
statnews.com
Kennedy renews attacks on vaccines at Children’s Health Defense conference
Health secretary RFK Jr. returned to his roots in a keynote address at a conference hosted by the Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine nonprofit he helped start.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
More thoughts on our inefficient evidence generation system in hopes that we can make it better with a more coordinated and effective infrastructure. robcaliff272993.substack.com/p/postmarket...
robcaliff272993.substack.com
Postmarket Evidence Generation, Part 4
Building a ‘Joint Venture’ for Improving the Clinical Research Enterprise
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Took the chance to express my frustration on graphic warnings. With regard to the tobacco industry--watch what it does, not what it says. substack.com/@robcaliff27...
substack.com
Smoke and Mirrors
Graphic Warning Labels for Cigarettes and the Ongoing Challenge to US Health
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
This one hit home. Lost a little brother to Rh incompatibility just as exchange transfusions came in (or just before). Hopefully, we'll regain the balance of thinking we need to prevent these tragedies. theunbiasedscipod.substack.com/p/shots-we-r...
theunbiasedscipod.substack.com
The Shots We Refuse and the Ones We Order Online
Vitamin K, RhoGAM, compounded GLP-1s, and a new Tylenol study taught me a lesson in the way people judge risk.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
"Together, this describes a country that could find out, in real time, exactly how vulnerable and unprepared it is." www.celinegounder.com/p/anthropic-...
celinegounder.com
Anthropic report: could AI + synthetic biology = bioweapons?
Anthropic voluntarily blocked five concerning chats, but there are no legal guardrails to protect against potentially nefarious use.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
For those interested in Duke and DCRI history--a bit whimsical, but fun for me ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5m5...
youtube.com
The Foundation & the Future: 30 Years with Califf & Hernandez
YouTube video by Duke Clinical Research Institute
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Good, spirited interchange. robertwachter.substack.com/p/straw-men-...
robertwachter.substack.com
Straw Men and Doormen, Revisited
Zeke Emanuel and Abe Baker-Butler Respond
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
More thoughts on clinical research and key factors in a much needed reorg of the ecosystem. Alternate concepts are welcome, but we need to overcome the misalignment of incentives and fragmentation. robcaliff272993.substack.com/p/post-marke...
robcaliff272993.substack.com
Post-Market Evidence Generation, Part 3
Countering the Fragmentation and Inefficiency of Our Clinical Research System
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
An ongoing situation with an underappreciated huge effect on how the government functions in regulation and healthcare. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/30/u...
nytimes.com
How Trump’s Policy Agenda Runs Through One Federal Court, in Texas
For years, conservative litigants flocked to Judge Reed O’Connor’s district. Now, North Texas has become a favorite destination of the Justice Department.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Good response from Dr Wachter to the AI as doctor thinking. Mark Cuban also had a good list of reasons. robertwachter.substack.com/p/on-straw-m...
robertwachter.substack.com
On Straw Men and Doormen
(Gently) Rebutting Khosla and Emanuel on Autonomous AI in Medicine
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
This is a good, basic interview with someone who has shaped, and will continue to shape the future. aboutdigitalhealth.com/2026/08/24/o...
aboutdigitalhealth.com
One Med-AI Won’t Fit All
A conversation with Prof. Isaac Kohane, Editor-in-Chief of NEJM AI, on his career, research and what surprises him most about AI in medicine. Continue Reading
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
The link between policy and clinical care. lnkd.in/eMYP3AfB
lnkd.in
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Good advice about the threat from wildfires and how to deal with it for health. yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/when-wildf...
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com
When wildfire smoke hits home
With a son on the fire line, what I’ve learned about protecting the air we breathe.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Harlan captures something important here. Hope it gets read by many people. Also explains in part why I hate the term "provider" and much prefer "clinician". www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/...
jacc.org
Bedside Manner:
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A few thoughts about Singapore and USA. robcaliff272993.substack.com/p/different-...
robcaliff272993.substack.com
Different Priorities, Different Results
What We Can Learn from Singapore’s Investments in Research and Public Health
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Sobering reminder of the work to be done if we are to make America healthier with food. its not as simple as "telling people what they should eat". www.foodpolitics.com/2026/08/a-na...
foodpolitics.com
A national scandal: millions of U.S. workers rely on Medicaid and SNAP - Food Politics by Marion Nestle
The GAO says millions of workers in the food system are paid so little that they must rely on Medicaid and SNAP.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
This is a winner & points out the error of not allowing NIH grants that inform policy--these are evidence based interventions. The evidence comes from research. www.statnews.com/2026/08/17/h...
statnews.com
We proved bipartisan health care reform works in North Carolina. Let’s bring it nationwide
“North Carolina proved that pragmatism can beat partisanship,” write Mandy Cohen and Kody Kinsley.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Derek Lowe lets it fly. Its direct and makes a number of good points.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Good summary--crazy day yesterday. yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/eo-for-rou...
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com
EO for routine childhood vaccines, Covid-19, fire, heat, and more
The Dose (August 11)
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
medpagetoday.com
Opinion | I Led the CDC. Here's My Advice for Erica Schwartz.
Forward thinking, being present, and lessons from clinical practice can help in a tough landscape
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
This is a good intro to the underlying problem and the philosophy of regulation of the food safety system. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehpo...
youtube.com
The Cyclospora Mystery: How Human Poop Got on So Much Lettuce
YouTube video by New York Times Podcasts
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
This is obvious, but if we say it over and over, maybe we'll do it. Thanks to Mike for making it explicit. www.cidrap.umn.edu/anti-science...
cidrap.umn.edu
COMMENTARY: The pandemic debate the US isn't having
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
I don't agree with 100% of this, but some important points made with straight, common language. www.foodpolitics.com/2026/07/the-...
foodpolitics.com
The Cyclospora outbreak: an everyone-is-at-fault system failure: "LettuceGate" - Food Politics by Marion Nestle
The current Cyclospora outbreak represents a failure of companies to follow the rules and of the government to enforce them.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Think about this as it pertains to peptides, which have the added factor of essentially unregulated manufacturing. www.science.org/content/blog...
science.org
Clinical Failure Rates Over the Decades: Yikes
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Good advice from Aaron Carroll: do the research before changing policy--that's evidence based policy as opposed to policy based evidence in which some politician decides the policy, then dispatches the researchers to find evidence that supports the policy. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
washingtonpost.com
Opinion | The problem with RFK Jr.’s crusade against antidepressants
Millions of Americans rely on these medications. This is the wrong way to change policy on them.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Good summary. Agree with advice at the end! open.substack.com/pub/robertwa...
open.substack.com
ChatGPT Health
The Waiting Room is Full of Patients – and a Few Lawyers
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Fox and henhouse! www.statnews.com/2026/07/23/f...
statnews.com
In win for RFK Jr., FDA advisory panel narrowly votes to allow compounding of unapproved peptides
The panel recommended allowing compounding pharmacies to produce popular but unproven BPC-157 and KPV peptides.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Big Food--some tough issues here. www.foodpolitics.com/2026/07/week...
foodpolitics.com
Big Food vs. The People: lawsuits against public health measures - Food Politics by Marion Nestle
Big Food vs. The People documents how food and beverage companies sue governments to block public health measures.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Over time the taking down of the deliberative scientific effort will hurt the health of many people. Glad this came up. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
linkedin.com
"Perhaps the worst blow to food safety science was the administration’s elimination of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods, a group of experts whose recommendati...
"Perhaps the worst blow to food safety science was the administration’s elimination of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods, a group of experts whose recommendations h...
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Turns out there is a reason for comprehensive purposeful government support for health. open.substack.com/pub/drsusanm...
open.substack.com
Real food is vulnerable to real pathogens
Why promoting nutrition while undermining food safety is NOT a recipe for health
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Ouch! www.foodpolitics.com/2026/07/you-...
foodpolitics.com
You think food prices are rising? They are! - Food Politics by Marion Nestle
If you, are chocked by the increasing cost of groceries, The Economist has the data, in this case for a Fourth of July barbecue.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
This is one of many examples that point to the need for a federally funded,large effort to provide unbiased evidence about nutrition and diet. www.foodpolitics.com/2026/07/indu...
foodpolitics.com
Industry-funded study of the week: plant v. animal proteins - Food Politics by Marion Nestle
A study sponsored by the National Pork Board unsurprisingly finds animal proteins to provide more essential amino acids than plant proteins.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Good summary on the outbreak lnkd.in/e6cUWCky
lnkd.in
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Well done video and story. www.statnews.com/2026/07/06/p...
statnews.com
The smart way to regulate the peptide boom
“The FDA should pursue a structured, clinician-guided framework” on popular peptides, writes former surgeon general Jerome Adams.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Important message from new NAM leader! www.linkedin.com/pulse/dont-a...
linkedin.com
Don't abolish the NIH. Fix it.
Scott Atlas wants to abolish the National Institutes of Health and let markets take over ("NIH is a government weapon for political power. Abolish it," Washington Post, July 2).
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Good challenge from BHF. www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/n...
bhf.org.uk
British Heart Foundation calls on researchers worldwide to ‘go above and beyond’ for landmark £10m AI funding scheme
Charity issues call for projects that can deliver 'transformative progress' in heart and circulatory disease
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Some wisdom here. By the way, some spectacular golf courses in northern Michigan. open.substack.com/pub/drjessic...
open.substack.com
Nicotine Pouches Approved, EPA Drops Plans to Test Microplastics, and Supreme Court Loosens Campaign Finance Limits
What Happened This Week?
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Lots of issues to solve in the ADHD/stimulants arena. i'll be writing about this in my substack, but this is a very well thought out description of the personal nature of the problem(s). medium.com/@jsteier_292...
medium.com
Mama Bear Meets the Evidence
My maternal instinct knew something was wrong. It just didn’t know what to do.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
I enjoyed this one. www.foodpolitics.com/2026/07/late...
foodpolitics.com
Latest episode in the yogurt wars: Danone sues Chobani - Food Politics by Marion Nestle
Danone is suing Chobani over its claim that its yogurts have more protein than Danone yogurts. Danone says the amount is manipulated.
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Robert Califf @robcaliff.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Another useful YLE update. This heat is crimping my golf game. open.substack.com/pub/yourloca...
open.substack.com
Heat illnesses, flu outbreak in the military, a new mRNA flu vaccine, and more
The Dose (June 30)
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