<![CDATA[The Evidence Collective: Briefs]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/s/briefshttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!t7Wp!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6b8369eb-e2c2-47b9-a32f-3e584e742aab_768x768.pngThe Evidence Collective: Briefshttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/s/briefsSubstackTue, 25 Aug 2026 08:24:40 GMT<![CDATA[What is all this talk about explosive diarrhea? ]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/what-is-all-this-talk-about-explosivehttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/what-is-all-this-talk-about-explosiveFri, 10 Jul 2026 20:07:51 GMTThere is a large, ongoing outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, affecting many U.S. states. Michigan has the most cases by far, with 1,251 reported and 44 hospitalizations as of early July 2026. The parasite spreads through food or water contaminated with human feces, and past outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce such as berries, bagged lettuce and other leafy greens, fresh herbs like cilantro, and snow or snap peas. The source of this outbreak has not yet been identified; pinpointing it requires slow, labor-intensive interviews with people who got sick, and extensive traceback efforts, so an answer may take time.

The hallmark symptom is watery, sometimes explosive, diarrhea that can persist for weeks if untreated, often with cramping, low-grade fever, and fatigue. Many people will recover on their own, but it can last a long time and be very unpleasant. It is treatable with a short course of antibiotics, which helps lessen the severity and duration. Dehydration is the main danger, particularly for young children, older adults, and people who are immunocompromised. Those who have had watery diarrhea for more than a few days should consider reaching out to a healthcare provider about Cyclospora testing.

Until the source is identified, the most effective way to lower risk is to cook produce thoroughly. You can also likely reduce risk by sticking to fruits and vegetables that have skin that can be vigorously washed and then peeled. Washing alone reduces risk but doesn’t eliminate it. For concern consumers and immunocompromised individuals, It is reasonable to consider limiting high-risk food categories that have been common sources in past outbreaks (e.g., raspberries, bagged salads, certain fresh herbs) and, when possible/reasonable, sourcing from local farms that are unlikely to be the source of a multi-state outbreak.

The below brief is to help you understand what’s happening and answer common questions we are seeing. This brief is available for immediate access for paid subscribers, the paywall will drop in 24hrs for everyone else. Thank you for supporting our work.

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Cyclosporiasis Brief
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]]><![CDATA[Navigating peptide hype vs. evidence]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/navigating-peptide-hype-vs-evidencehttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/navigating-peptide-hype-vs-evidenceWed, 08 Jul 2026 09:02:45 GMT“Peptides” have become a hot topic in the wellness industry and on social media. Interest recently spiked after HHS Secretary RFK Jr. announced a push to loosen federal restrictions on a group of peptides, making it easier for compounding pharmacies to prepare them. Most of these peptides are currently labeled “research use only” and cannot legally be prescribed.

Peptides are compounds containing a peptide bond. They can be natural or synthetic, and taken orally or by injection. Some classes of peptides—like GLP-1 receptor agonists, which target specific receptors—have real support in the scientific and medical literature. But social media has also fueled a growing set of claims about many other peptide compounds, promoting them for uses like weight loss, “anti-aging,” and muscle growth and recovery. Most of these claims rest on theoretical mechanisms, not human clinical trial data.

This raises safety concerns: many peptides sold online are from the grey-market, and are labeled “for research use only,” yet are being bought and used by the general public.

This brief defines peptides, explains the technological advances that have driven this class of therapeutics, examines specific peptides of interest, and reviews the evidence behind their use. It also discusses the regulatory implications and the lack of approval for emerging peptides.

Early access to this brief is provided for paid supporters. Free subscribers will be notified once the paywall drops.

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]]><![CDATA[Got hantavirus questions?]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/got-hantavirus-questionshttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/got-hantavirus-questionsThu, 07 May 2026 21:25:16 GMTA hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius expedition cruise ship is currently under investigation by the WHO. As of May 7, 2026, there are 8 cases (5 confirmed, 3 suspected) and 3 deaths. The causative agent has been identified as Andes virus, the only hantavirus known to spread between humans.

This situation is evolving rapidly. This document reflects what we know as of May 7, 2026, 5:15PM ET.

We intend for this document to help you understand and talk about what is happening. We will update more as we can.

We’re making this brief openly available, with no early access paywall, so anyone fielding questions right now has the evidence they need at their fingertips. Briefs like this take a volunteer team of experts many hours to produce. If it helps you today, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to The Evidence Collective here.

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Hantavirus Brief as of 05-07-26 5:15PM ET
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]]><![CDATA[HPV vaccine brief]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/hpv-vaccine-briefhttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/hpv-vaccine-briefWed, 06 May 2026 21:05:24 GMTHuman papillomavirus (HPV) causes more than 39,000 cancers annually in the United States and approximately 7,000 deaths each year. The United States has a vaccine that prevents most of them, with overwhelming and consistent evidence across dozens of countries and millions of people that this vaccine series is safe and effective.

At the same time, some important scientific questions remain open, particularly around dosing. The federal infrastructure responsible for independently evaluating vaccine evidence and translating it into policy recommendations has been significantly disrupted. Misinformation about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness continues to spread. In the absence of that ongoing federal leadership, the Vaccine Integrity Project reviewed the evidence on the HPV vaccine. The Evidence Collective is providing this brief as a supplement to that work:

This report:

  • Offers communication guidance for public health leaders, media, and social media influencers

  • Addresses falsehoods and rumors likely to arise or be distorted in regards to HPV vaccination.

  • Summarizes current evidence and,

  • Outlines potential policy implications

We hope this equips you with the tools, details, and in-depth analysis needed to engage in national conversations about HPV vaccines with confidence, clarity, and authority.

Usage note: If you reference or build on this brief in your work, please credit The Evidence Collective and link to the original brief.

HPV Vaccination Brief
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]]><![CDATA[The 2025 dietary guidelines: a resource to help you explain the changes and why they matter]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/the-2025-dietary-guidelines-a-resourcehttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/the-2025-dietary-guidelines-a-resourceFri, 10 Apr 2026 18:15:08 GMTThe Dietary Guideline brief is now available for all subscribers to download for free, but paid subscribers help support the time and effort this work requires. You can upgrade below.

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Dietary Guidelines Brief
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The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) were published on January 7, 2026, marking a significant departure from the established evidence-based process used in prior editions. The release included a 10-page DGA document, a serving size guide, a 90-page scientific foundations document, a 418-page Appendix, and a new Food Pyramid.

The typical development process normally relies on an independent Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) that synthesizes evidence, models food patterns, and conducts systematic reviews. This normal process was not fully followed. Several DGAC recommendations were overridden, and the final guidelines did not appear to undergo standard food pattern modeling, raising concerns about nutritional adequacy for key populations.

The new DGAs, Food Pyramid, and related messaging from USDA and HHS have drawn significant attention due to updated and at times conflicting guidance on several key topics:

  • Protein: Recommended intakes were raised to 1.2–1.6g/kg/day — 1.5–2× the current scientific standard. The imagery and messaging around the Guidelines put a greater emphasis on animal proteins and de-emphasized plant-based sources, despite evidence that protein source (not quantity) most strongly affects chronic disease risk.

  • Fats and oils: Olive oil, butter and beef tallow are now highlighted as preferred cooking fats, while seed oils (e.g., canola, soy) are sidelined. This contradicts available systematic reviews supporting polyunsaturated fats for cardiovascular health.

  • Processed foods: The guidelines advise avoiding “highly processed foods”, but this is not clearly defined. This makes it difficult to enforce across federal nutrition programs. It has potential implications for specific life-stages, as some processed foods (e.g., fortified cereals) are important sources of essential nutrients for infants and young children.

  • Other changes: Milk is recommended without the normal caveats about the importance of pasteurization. They recommend consuming ‘less’ alcohol but specific limits were removed. Vegetarian and vegan diets are portrayed as nutritionally risky based on flawed modeling. Usual folic acid guidance for women of reproductive age was omitted.

  • New Food Pyramid: This new pyramid sends conflicting messages by failing to prioritize foods clearly and depicting oversized animal portions alongside minimal plant proteins. The pyramid’s visual emphasis on an animal-heavy, low-carbohydrate diet seems to exceed the actual written guidelines and serving size recommendations.

The full report below, prepared by members of The Evidence Collective, provides key background, identifies gaps in the development process, and outlines the potential policy implications for federal programs including the National School Lunch Program, WIC, and SNAP. We hope this equips healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and public health communicators with the context needed to interpret and respond to these guidelines with clarity and confidence.

We hope this brief helps as you navigate communications around this topic!

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]]><![CDATA[Your March ACIP prebunk resource here]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/your-march-acip-prebunk-resourcehttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/your-march-acip-prebunk-resourceTue, 17 Mar 2026 04:01:27 GMTGood evening –

You may have heard that the ACIP meeting, originally scheduled for this week, can’t meet, due to the preliminary injunction issued in the AAP vs. HHS court case.

It’s hard to predict what this administration will do next, but the information in this brief is still useful, as these questions and false information are still spreading.

So, below you’ll find the prebunk to support you as a trusted or curious voice in the vaccine space, including:

  • Key background on what was suppose to be each agenda item, informed by insider knowledge and the federal register

  • Communication guidance on key topics

  • Falsehoods and rumors likely to surface

Our goal is to give you the context, tools, and framing to engage confidently and clearly on these issues.

Paid subscribers please note that this brief has been updated since last week due to new information we learned over the weekend.

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Usage note: If you reference or build on this brief in your work, please credit The Evidence Collective and link to the original brief. And, if you find this useful, please share our work!

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Updated Prebunk March Acip Meeting
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]]><![CDATA[Aluminum Adjuvants]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/aluminum-adjuvantshttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/aluminum-adjuvantsSun, 08 Feb 2026 02:36:00 GMTOn December 4–5, 2025, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), now entirely composed of members handpicked by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., devoted significant time to questioning the safety of aluminum adjuvants in childhood vaccines.

This brief synthesizes the current evidence to support healthcare providers and science communicators in addressing public questions about aluminum adjuvant safety. It is a collaboration between The Evidence Collective (TEC) and the Expert Vaccine Analysis Team (EVAT).

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Aluminum Adjuvants Brief
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]]><![CDATA[Summary of 2025 ACIP meetings]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/summary-of-2025-acip-meetingshttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/summary-of-2025-acip-meetingsSun, 18 Jan 2026 02:24:00 GMTLooking across the June, September, and December 2025 ACIP meetings reveals a critical trajectory. Early June discussions tended to focus on individual products or narrow data points. By September, problematic claims increasingly involved clinical trial design, evidence standards, and regulatory processes. By December, multiple statements reflected broad and inaccurate characterizations of the childhood immunization schedule, vaccine safety science, and the legal and ethical frameworks that govern vaccine policy in the United States.

This document consolidates selected examples from ACIP’s 2025 meetings based on their potential relevance to clinical practice, public understanding, or vaccine policy, and was evaluated against primary sources, including peer-reviewed studies, systematic reviews, and broader scientific evidence. Its purpose is to clarify where scientific standards were strained or misapplied, to support transparency and public understanding, and to help anticipate future ACIP meetings, the earliest of which is expected to take place in February 2026.

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Recap of the 2025 ACIP Meetings
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]]><![CDATA[Childhood Vaccine Schedule Change]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/childhood-vaccine-schedule-changehttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/childhood-vaccine-schedule-changeTue, 06 Jan 2026 02:21:00 GMTOn January 5, HHS released a memo stating that the CDC’s recommendations on childhood vaccines will be updated to align more closely with those of other high-income countries. Here we have responded to the announcement.

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Childhood Vaccine Schedule Change
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]]><![CDATA[Anticipation of Childhood Vaccine Schedule Change]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/anticipation-of-childhood-vaccinehttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/anticipation-of-childhood-vaccineFri, 19 Dec 2025 20:29:00 GMTIn early January 2026, RFK Jr. is expected to “Make an announcement on children’s health.” While details remain limited, the New York Times reports that HHS sources indicate the announcement may involve moving the United States vaccine schedule to the Danish schedule.

Whether or not the announcement introduces a new vaccine schedule, President Trump signed an executive order directing federal health agencies to review whether U.S. “core childhood vaccine recommendations” should be “aligned with best practices” from “peer, developed countries,” arguing that the U.S. is an outlier.

The scope of this event could range from a general discussion to significant policy implications. If changes are announced, this document is intended to prepare you with key communication guidance, background on the U.S. and Danish vaccination schedules, potential implications, and common misconceptions. We hope this serves as a practical resource as events unfold.

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Prebunk Childhood vaccine schedule change
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]]><![CDATA[ December 2025 AACV Prebunk]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/december-2025-aacv-prebunkhttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/december-2025-aacv-prebunkThu, 18 Dec 2025 20:27:00 GMTOn December 29, 2025, the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (ACCV) is scheduled to hold four meetings in a single afternoon, despite being chartered to meet quarterly and not having convened since July 2024, with a January 2025 meeting postponed indefinitely. The meeting’s timing, during a period of predictably low attendance and media attention, raises concerns about transparency and oversight. Although no votes are scheduled, the discussions could significantly influence the future of vaccine injury compensation, public trust, and vaccine access. This briefing provides background on the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) and the ACCV, outlines communication guidance, and examines risks posed by changes not grounded in scientific consensus. While public focus remains on turmoil within ACIP, the ACCV represents a quieter but potentially consequential pathway for structural shifts affecting manufacturers, access, and confidence in the vaccination system.

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December 2025 AACV Prebunk
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]]><![CDATA[Fact Check of December 2025 ACIP]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/fact-check-of-december-2025-aciphttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/fact-check-of-december-2025-acipFri, 05 Dec 2025 20:24:00 GMTThe December ACIP meeting was held over December 4th and 5th and resulted in changes to HepB vaccination recommendations and discussions of the childhood vaccine schedule as well as vaccine residual components (i.e. aluminum). Here we have broken the two-day event into themes and responded to the claims/concerns.

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December 2025 ACIP Brief
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]]><![CDATA[Anticipation of December 2025 ACIP]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/anticipation-of-december-2025-aciphttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/anticipation-of-december-2025-acipMon, 01 Dec 2025 20:22:00 GMTIn anticipation of the December ACIP meeting, this report provides key background on each issue, anticipates falsehoods and rumors likely to arise or be distorted, summarizes current evidence, outlines possible policy implications, and offers communication guidance for public health leaders, media, and social media influencers.

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Prebunk December 2025 ACIP
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]]><![CDATA[Fluoride Info Sheet]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/fluoride-info-sheethttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/fluoride-info-sheetWed, 05 Nov 2025 18:55:00 GMTCommunity Water Fluoridation (CWF) is one of the most studied public health interventions, consistently shown to reduce cavities and save money across populations. Large reviews, such as Cochrane’s, find that children and adults in fluoridated areas have fewer cavities, and real-world examples show tooth decay increases when fluoridation stops. The balance point used in the U.S. (about 0.7 mg/L) aims to prevent decay while minimizing cosmetic fluorosis. Economic studies report strong returns on investment, especially in communities with limited dental access. While some prenatal-exposure studies have linked higher fluoride levels to small IQ differences, these typically involve exposures higher than those in U.S. water systems; long-term studies at community fluoridation levels have not found IQ effects.

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Community water fluoridation
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]]><![CDATA[Fact Check of the September 2025 Autism Press Conference]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/fact-check-of-the-september-2025-0c6https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/fact-check-of-the-september-2025-0c6Thu, 25 Sep 2025 17:52:00 GMTThe September 22, 2025 presidential briefing addressed autism causation topics with officials presenting approximately 25 false or misleading claims that were subsequently amplified across media channels. These included misrepresentations about acetaminophen (Tylenol) as an autism cause, folate deficiency theories lacking scientific support, vaccine-autism links contradicted by decades of research, and FDA plans to approve Leucovorin for autism management without meeting typical evidence standards. This fact-check brief documents specific false or misleading claims presented during the briefing, provides scientific corrections with peer-reviewed citations, examines departures from evidence-based regulatory processes, analyzes public health implications of promoting unproven treatments while discouraging safe medical interventions, and offers factual resources for health communicators countering autism misinformation.

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Sept 2025 Autism press conference
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]]><![CDATA[Anticipation of the September 2025 ACIP Meeting]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/anticipation-of-the-september-2025https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/anticipation-of-the-september-2025Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:46:00 GMTThe September ACIP meeting is scheduled for September 18-19. Based on the released agenda, we anticipate three key vaccine safety topics to surface, along with several falsehoods likely to be raised and amplified on social media. These include the safety of the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) combination vaccine and its association with febrile seizures, Hepatitis B vaccine safety and necessity, in particular the birth dose, and both pediatric and adult COVID-19 vaccine safety, focused particularly on deaths. This report provides key background on each issue, anticipates falsehoods and rumors likely to arise or be distorted, summarizes current evidence, outlines possible policy implications, and offers communication guidance for public health leaders, media, and social media influencers.

Download full brief here:

Sept 2025 ACIP Prebunk
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]]><![CDATA[Fact check of the RFK Jr. Senate Hearing]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/fact-check-of-the-rfk-jr-senate-hearinghttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/fact-check-of-the-rfk-jr-senate-hearingThu, 04 Sep 2025 17:43:00 GMTThe Senate Finance Committee convened a hearing to question Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding the administration’s healthcare agenda. This proceeding represented a significant and timely opportunity for members of Congress to evaluate the trajectory of federal health policy and Secretary Kennedy’s early tenure as the nation’s top public health official. Over the course of several hours of testimony, Secretary Kennedy advanced a series of assertions on a wide range of issues—including public health, vaccines, and other areas of medical science. Many of these claims were misleading or demonstrably false, raising concerns about the accuracy of information being communicated from the highest levels of federal health leadership. The following briefing document distills and analyzes the most consequential false or misleading statements made during the hearing about vaccines. It is designed to provide clarity, ensure an accurate understanding of the scientific and policy context, and equip stakeholders with the information necessary to respond effectively.

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RFK Jr Senate Hearing Brief
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]]><![CDATA[June 2025 ACIP Meeting Day 2]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/june-2025-acip-meeting-day-2https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/june-2025-acip-meeting-day-2Thu, 26 Jun 2025 17:21:00 GMTDay two of the newly restructured ACIP committee concluded with discussions on RSV, influenza, and MMRV vaccines, focusing on disease burden, safety, and effectiveness. The meeting was marked by significant procedural irregularities and concerning misinformation. Most notably, the committee voted to remove thimerosal from flu vaccines despite a lack of evidence of harm and decades of safety data, setting a troubling precedent for policy decisions based on hypothetical risks rather than evidence. The meeting featured a controversial presentation by Lyn Redwood that bypassed normal review processes and contained cherry-picked, outdated data with clear anti-vaccine bias. We documented over 50 inaccuracies across both days, with at least 22 occurring today alone, requiring extensive real-time fact-checking. This debrief provides comprehensive fact-checking of claims made, contextualizes discussions within current scientific evidence, and offers guidance for public health leaders and media responding to the meeting's outcomes.

Download the full day 2 brief here:

June 2025 ACIP Brief Day 2
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]]><![CDATA[June 2025 ACIP Meeting Day 1]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/june-2025-acip-meeting-day-1https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/june-2025-acip-meeting-day-1Wed, 25 Jun 2025 17:19:00 GMTDay one of the newly restructured ACIP committee focused on COVID-19 and RSV discussions, covering ongoing disease burden, vaccine safety, and effectiveness. While CDC presentations were thorough and professional, the meeting was disrupted by significant misinformation; we documented at least 28 falsehoods requiring real-time fact-checking. This debrief provides rapid fact-checking of falsehoods raised, contextualizes the discussions within current evidence, and offers communications guidance for public health leaders and media responding to meeting coverage and social media amplification of misinformation.

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June 2025 ACIP Day 1 Brief
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]]><![CDATA[Anticipation of the June 2025 ACIP Meeting]]>https://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/anticipation-of-the-june-2025-aciphttps://evidencecollective.substack.com/p/anticipation-of-the-june-2025-acipMon, 23 Jun 2025 17:10:00 GMTThe June ACIP meeting, the first with the newly appointed committee, is scheduled for June 25-26, 2025. Based on the makeup of the committee and last-minute changes to the agenda, we anticipated four key vaccine safety topics to surface, along with several falsehoods likely to be raised and amplified on social media: The MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) combination vaccine and its association with febrile seizures, Thimerosal in flu vaccines, RSV protection during pregnancy and a new monoclonal antibody introduced without a placebo-controlled trial, and Covid-19 vaccines and spontaneous abortion, including a preprint released Friday, authored by a new ACIP member with a history of anti-vaccine rhetoric, a timing we believe is strategic, given its release just days ahead of the meeting.

This report provides key background on each issue, anticipates falsehoods and rumors likely to arise or be distorted, summarizes current evidence, outlines possible policy implications, and offers communication guidance for public health leaders, media, and social media influencers.

Download the full prebunk here:

Prebunk ACIP June 2025
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