Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Different Takes: Mental Illness Not To Blame In Most Mass Shootings; FDA Food Safety System Needs Overhaul
Tribune News Service: Mass Shooters Aren’t Mentally Ill People Who Suddenly ‘Snap.’ They Decide To Kill.
In the aftermath of major mass shootings, politicians and pundits depict the killers as crazed monsters and blame mental illness as the fundamental cause. The same story has played out since the horrific massacres May 24 at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, where police say an 18-year-old gunman, bullied while growing up, killed at least 21 people, 19 of them children, and May 14 at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, where an 18-year-old allegedly motivated by racist ideology is accused of murdering 10 people. But this misleading narrative is not supported by scientific evidence and is counterproductive to solving America’s epidemic of mass shootings. (Follman, 5/25)
The Washington Post: The FDA Must Be Held To Account For The Baby Formula Crisis
The baby formula debacle has taught the nation many lessons. Among the most important is how the Food and Drug Administration failed. The agency did an insufficient job inspecting and monitoring formula factories. It reacted sluggishly to a whistleblower and to reports of sick infants. And it neglected to take timely action to prevent the shortage after a major production plant closed in February. (5/25)
The Tennessean: Connecting Caregivers Of People With Autism
More than 25 years ago, a group of mothers who waiting while their children with autism received therapy created a community of support. What started out as a way to help each other find resources has become Autism Tennessee, an advocacy group that connects caregivers, keeps them up to date on policy issues and organizes social events. Jessica Moore, interim executive director of Autism TN, spoke with me on this episode of the Tennessee Voices video podcast about the group's mission and work. (David Plazas, 5/24)
