Studies

More than 100 figures sign open letter criticising closure, just months after MA was launchedMore than 100 academics, writers and activists from around the world have signed an open letter condemning plans to close an MA in Black studies and global justice at Birmingham City University (BCU), just months after it was first launched.The move follows the controversial closure of BCU’s undergraduate course in Black studies in 2024, and has prompted warnings that Black studies are being erased from UK higher education. Continue reading...

Serious side effects from vaccines were rare, scientists found in studies funded by US taxpayer moneyThe US Food and Drug Administration has blocked the publication of several studies that found Covid-19 and shingles vaccines to be safe, according to a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Human Services.Agency scientists conducted the studies by analyzing millions of patient records and found that serious side effects from the vaccines were rare, the spokesperson confirmed. The studies – funded by taxpayer money and costing several million dollars – included research examining the safety of Covid-19 vaccines in 2023 and 2024. Continue reading...

• Recent research links extreme heat exposure, gaps in obesity coaching, cancer treatment delays, ACA premium cost spikes, and income inequality to widening health disparities across the US. • These factors exacerbate vulnerabilities in underserved populations, with global implications but focused US data. • Findings underscore needs for targeted interventions in public health equity amid rising climate and economic pressures.

Recent research examined by Mad in America reveals significant connections between psychiatric diagnoses, psychotropic drug use, and increased risk factors for obesity and diabetes, highlighting gaps in current screening practices. The studies indicate that individuals receiving psychiatric treatment face elevated metabolic health risks, yet comprehensive screening protocols often fail to adequately address these connections. The findings underscore the need for integrated healthcare approaches that monitor and manage both mental health conditions and associated metabolic complications in psychiatric patients.