088: I’ve been a health reporter for 15 years. What RFK just proposed should terrify you.
Earlier this week, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested potentially banning federal scientists from publishing in leading medical journals—a would-be catastrophe for women's and maternal health.
Welcome to Two Truths, a bestselling newsletter & media brand exploring the many truths of motherhood from journalists & maternal health advocates Cassie Shortsleeve & Kelsey Haywood Lucas of Motherspeak. Two Truths is rooted in the healing & affirming principle that two (or more) things can be true. It’s a “best parenting Substack” per Motherly and The Skimm says you should subscribe; also seen in Vox, The Bump, Popsugar & more.
This week, JAMA Internal Medicine published the results of a large new study that tracked mothers’ health from 2016 to 2023. It found that maternal mental health declined significantly over the past seven years. The crisis we regularly write about in Two Truths is now being reported in one of the world's most respected medical journals.
But earlier this week, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested potentially banning federal scientists from publishing in leading medical journals, calling The NEJM, The Lancet, and JAMA “corrupt vessels” of Big Pharma. He proposed creating government-run journals—ones that would “anoint” scientists with funding from the National Institutes of Health.
This morning, I wrote about this news—what it means for all of us, why it’s scary, and why, as a health reporter of 15 years, I know that leading medical journals are an integral part of health, particularly women’s and maternal health—as a part of Two Truths’ partnership with Fast Company.
You can read the piece on Fast Company here: Maternal mental health needs more peer-reviewed research—not RFK’s journal ban.
—Cassie
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Resources and Support For Maternal Mental Health
Emergency assistance is available 24/7 at 911
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA or 1-833-852-6262) provides access to a trained counselor 24/7 and is available in Spanish and English
Postpartum Support International provides educational resources on PMADs, free support groups, webinars, advanced trainings for providers, and more
Postpartum Support International’s provider directory includes a list of thousands of trained professionals organized by state
The Motherhood Center offers counseling, support groups, and webinars
The Postpartum Stress Center offers educational resources, counseling, a referral list of trained providers, and advanced training for providers
SUPPORT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WITH POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL (PSI). PSI is a global champion for perinatal mental health that connects individuals and families to the resources and support needed to give them the strongest and healthiest start possible. Visit postpartum.net for information on perinatal mental health disorders, access to 30+ free, online support groups, an online provider directory, the PSI HelpLine, local support coordinators, a perinatal mental health discussion tool, specialized support resources, and more. Call the PSI HelpLine toll-free at 1-800-944-4773 for basic information, support, and resources. Support via text message is also available at 800-944-4773 (English) and 971-203-2773 (Español). Remember: You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well.