Oh thank you Katelyn, for this post and all. I used to be in public health researcher before becoming a minister. Most of my work colleagues were epidemiologists, statisticians or data collection specialists. From 1996 on, the NRA/GOP backed Dickey Amendment, prevented the CDC from using its funding to research gun violence. If people today don't know that public health includes gun violence it is because CDC wasn't allowed to track guns/use/deaths. All the stuff they should have been working hard to understand. And of course that understanding would have led to legislation. YES, thank you for moving this topic forward YLE.
This goes back to the blog that Katelyn did a few months ago, about putting the trust back in the public health institutions. There is a significant lack of trust in the CDC and belief that they have an extreme political bias. I think the CDC "blew it" when it comes to Covid and I am not alone in this regard. Consequently, many, myself included, do not see them as a reliable source. Unfortunately, Covid also got politicized and that politics got in the way off factual information. The topic of guns is even more political and trying to get the CDC to weigh in on the subject will be seen as throwing gasoline on the fire.
Thank you for covering this topic- and frankly any topic you want to cover in YOUR newsletter. Given the fact that gun violence is the number one cause of death amongst children, I think it is pretty much the most important public health topic to cover right now. I always appreciate your insight and expertise, and especially so on this topic.
I am saddened but not surprised about the vitriol hurled at you about the Texas and guns post. I don't agree with your assertion regarding a "poor job" explaining the broad discipline of public health. Rather, you were attacked because you challenged the perceived reality of your attackers by stating facts that were contrary to their belief systems and contrary to what they had been fed by the leaders of the various cults to which they likely belong.
As a retired medical school faculty member, I fear that the patient (in this case the entire country) is in the ICU with a positive "8 tube sign," and I would convey to the family my concern regarding the ultimate outcome.
I am grateful that you take the time to explain and level set for many of us that practice across the country. Creating a space to discuss and acknowledge differences, while presenting validated data helps orient and challenge us to think critically. Thanks again!
Even if violence wasn't part of your field of expertise, you've got the right to talk about it as a mom and a human being. Gun violence affects every single person in this country in one way or another. It's also your Substack... you get to write about what you choose.
Anyhow... Just here to add my support for your awesome efforts.
I was not one of those who responded with "stay in your lane" comments, but I did wonder why the gun violence topic was being covered in your newsletter. Thank you for the insight into your professional background. It all makes a lot more sense to me now.
Like my mom said (or maybe it was Yogi Berra?) "The squiggly roads go through the most interesting places." (when asked why we weren't just taking the freeway)
Many of us have squiggly line careers. I started in infectious disease epidemiology and did that for a third of my career. The rest of my career has been in community and corporate health promotion with a focus on social and behavioral aspects of health.
I would venture to say that most careers these days are squiggly. I tried film production, teaching, and IT support... and ended up in computer programming.
In what sad universe is "stay in your lane" the appropriate response to an epidemic of shootings? As a father and grandfather, I don't need formal training in anything to comment on children being gunned down in their schools. This is not a case of me commenting on the best way to perform brain surgery or how to land an airplane. We're talking about basic humanity and the health--or illness--of our society. Your comments are valuable and your training gives you insights and access to data that we busy regular folks don't have time or expertise to ferret out. Keep up the good work and thank you!
I am grateful for the work you do for the public. I can not even begin to imagine the stress it puts on you and your family. Reading the ideas and opinions of various educated and thoughtful experts, even if we don't agree with them, is what we need to do to challenge our opinions. Violence in many forms seems to be increasing in our culture and we need to understand it.
Sorry you must endure all this abuse. You are doing a great job keeping us aware. I will follow you no matter what direction you go. You can't have too much good information!
Please keep up the great reporting on ALL Public Health Issues. Data Rules.
Agreed. Please, keep up your fine work and reporting.
Thank you for all you do.
Agreed.
Is there a public health sector that studies hate and anger? I'd like more information on that epidemic.
Same here.
Oh thank you Katelyn, for this post and all. I used to be in public health researcher before becoming a minister. Most of my work colleagues were epidemiologists, statisticians or data collection specialists. From 1996 on, the NRA/GOP backed Dickey Amendment, prevented the CDC from using its funding to research gun violence. If people today don't know that public health includes gun violence it is because CDC wasn't allowed to track guns/use/deaths. All the stuff they should have been working hard to understand. And of course that understanding would have led to legislation. YES, thank you for moving this topic forward YLE.
This goes back to the blog that Katelyn did a few months ago, about putting the trust back in the public health institutions. There is a significant lack of trust in the CDC and belief that they have an extreme political bias. I think the CDC "blew it" when it comes to Covid and I am not alone in this regard. Consequently, many, myself included, do not see them as a reliable source. Unfortunately, Covid also got politicized and that politics got in the way off factual information. The topic of guns is even more political and trying to get the CDC to weigh in on the subject will be seen as throwing gasoline on the fire.
Thank you for covering this topic- and frankly any topic you want to cover in YOUR newsletter. Given the fact that gun violence is the number one cause of death amongst children, I think it is pretty much the most important public health topic to cover right now. I always appreciate your insight and expertise, and especially so on this topic.
I am saddened but not surprised about the vitriol hurled at you about the Texas and guns post. I don't agree with your assertion regarding a "poor job" explaining the broad discipline of public health. Rather, you were attacked because you challenged the perceived reality of your attackers by stating facts that were contrary to their belief systems and contrary to what they had been fed by the leaders of the various cults to which they likely belong.
As a retired medical school faculty member, I fear that the patient (in this case the entire country) is in the ICU with a positive "8 tube sign," and I would convey to the family my concern regarding the ultimate outcome.
I am grateful that you take the time to explain and level set for many of us that practice across the country. Creating a space to discuss and acknowledge differences, while presenting validated data helps orient and challenge us to think critically. Thanks again!
Even if violence wasn't part of your field of expertise, you've got the right to talk about it as a mom and a human being. Gun violence affects every single person in this country in one way or another. It's also your Substack... you get to write about what you choose.
Anyhow... Just here to add my support for your awesome efforts.
I was not one of those who responded with "stay in your lane" comments, but I did wonder why the gun violence topic was being covered in your newsletter. Thank you for the insight into your professional background. It all makes a lot more sense to me now.
I don’t think you were alone :) glad this helped! I have a bit squiggly line career
Like my mom said (or maybe it was Yogi Berra?) "The squiggly roads go through the most interesting places." (when asked why we weren't just taking the freeway)
Many of us have squiggly line careers. I started in infectious disease epidemiology and did that for a third of my career. The rest of my career has been in community and corporate health promotion with a focus on social and behavioral aspects of health.
I would venture to say that most careers these days are squiggly. I tried film production, teaching, and IT support... and ended up in computer programming.
In what sad universe is "stay in your lane" the appropriate response to an epidemic of shootings? As a father and grandfather, I don't need formal training in anything to comment on children being gunned down in their schools. This is not a case of me commenting on the best way to perform brain surgery or how to land an airplane. We're talking about basic humanity and the health--or illness--of our society. Your comments are valuable and your training gives you insights and access to data that we busy regular folks don't have time or expertise to ferret out. Keep up the good work and thank you!
So well said Barry Kahn!
Thank you for all the work you do. I'm very concerned about all violence in our country.
If we can understand the causes of violence, we have a better chance of stopping it.
You’re an incredibly patient and graceful writer. I’d have told the lane complainers to go to hell.
Well said. Keep up the good work. Truth is seldom popular.
That last paragraph was an absolute mic drop! Thank you for all your work!
I am grateful for the work you do for the public. I can not even begin to imagine the stress it puts on you and your family. Reading the ideas and opinions of various educated and thoughtful experts, even if we don't agree with them, is what we need to do to challenge our opinions. Violence in many forms seems to be increasing in our culture and we need to understand it.
Sorry you must endure all this abuse. You are doing a great job keeping us aware. I will follow you no matter what direction you go. You can't have too much good information!
I always appreciate your translations. You are so appreciated by so many, and the work you are doing is important and so valued. Keep at it!