NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

Trump nominates RFK Jr. to lead HHS, aiming to reshape public health agencies and vaccine policies. RFK Jr. plans to restructure HHS, remove ultra-processed foods, and address environmental factors like fluoridation. He advocates for transparency in vaccine data and opposes legal protections for vaccine makers. His potential influence on vaccine uptake and institutional reforms at health agencies raises concerns among public health experts.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine activist, is set to head the Department of Health and Human Services, overseeing its $1.7 trillion budget. Kennedy has vowed to overhaul the FDA, CDC, and NIH, criticizing their vaccine research and public health policies. His plans include dismissing FDA employees, reversing CDC fluoride recommendations, and reallocating NIH funds to alternative health approaches. Kennedy also opposes Medicare and Medicaid covering weight-loss drugs, advocating for gym memberships and healthier foods instead.

46 polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for coronary heart disease (CHD) with similar population-level performance produced discordant individual-level risk estimates, with 20% of participants having PRSs in both the top and bottom 5th percentile at least once. This variability suggests that CHD PRSs with similar population-level characteristics may not provide consistent individual risk estimates, emphasizing the need for refined statistical methods and strategies to communicate uncertainty in clinical implementation.

Researchers identified immune cell patterns in blood signaling increased RA risk before symptoms. The study, presented at ACR Convergence 2024, aims to develop a blood test for early RA detection.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is Trump's pick for HHS Secretary, with unique policy priorities and a promise from Trump to let him 'go wild' on his ideas. The HHS Secretary has significant power over health regulations, public health emergencies, and shaping public opinion. Kennedy's controversial stance on vaccines, questioning their safety and efficacy, is contradicted by extensive research showing no link to autism. His views on food chemicals and fluoride in water are also discussed, along with potential actions to reduce chronic disease if he becomes HHS Secretary.

Eisai and Biogen received a positive CHMP opinion recommending approval of lecanemab, an Aß monoclonal antibody for early Alzheimer’s disease in ApoE e4 non-carriers or heterozygotes. Lecanemab selectively binds to Aß aggregates, reducing protofibrils and plaques. The CHMP's positive opinion was based on phase 3 Clarity AD trial data, showing significant reduction in clinical decline. Lecanemab has been approved in several countries and is under review in others.