Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Fluoride In Drinking Water Does Not Cause IQ Loss, US Study Shows
NBC News: Fluoride In Drinking Water Has No Effect On IQ Or Brain Function, Major Study Shows
Tests of intelligence and brain function showed the same results whether or not people drank fluoridated water growing up, a highly anticipated, long-term study found. The new research, published Monday in the respected Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is the first to measure community water fluoridation exposure during childhood in the U.S. and any potential impact on cognition up to age 80. The results contradict claims made by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that fluoride is “industrial waste” associated with IQ loss. (Edwards and Ozcan, 4/13)
More about MAHA —
MedPage Today: Does Tylenol Increase Autism Risk? A New Study Has Answers
Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen (Tylenol) was not associated with an increased risk of autism in offspring, with or without adjustments for sibling comparisons, nationwide data from Denmark showed. (George, 4/13)
Chalkbeat: New Food Pyramid Is Meat-Heavy. What That Means For School Lunch
The Trump administration loves red meat, and could soon change what students eat in schools. But an unlikely collection of groups that includes key constituents for the president agree on one message: Don’t put kids on the carnivore diet. (Altavena, 4/13)
In related news —
The New York Times: How Lee Zeldin Shifted The Mission — And The Message — Of The E.P.A.
More than any administrator in decades, Lee Zeldin talks about the Environmental Protection Agency's work in economic terms, reflecting President Trump’s desire to boost industry while downplaying environmental consequences. (Friedman and Stevens, 4/12)
The Wall Street Journal: The Boomers Are Turning 80. Now They Want To Change Old Age.
The first of the youth-obsessed baby boomers turn 80 this year, including President Trump, and they want to shake up old age. Having reached octogenarian levels, a generation that shaped much of our past is shaping the future of aging for themselves and those who follow. They want better healthcare and housing, cures for dementia and a say in when to die. New professions and products will appear. Their massive spending will shift and innovators will follow. (Ansberry, 4/13)
