RFK Jr. Says Americans Need More Protein. A 30-second Super Bowl ad featuring boxing legend Mike Tyson and paid for by the nonprofit MAHA Center encourages viewers to avoid processed foods and visit Realfood.gov . The government website, which Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is promoting, provides resources on the administration's new dietary guidelines, released in January, and encourages people to use Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok to "get real answers about real food." I decided to see how Grok's advice aligns with the administration's recommendations, particularly around protein intake. The new guidelines say to get 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day--more than what was previously advised--while the new inverted food pyramid prominently features steak and other animal products.

Among those Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently named to a federal autism committee are people who tout dangerous treatments and say vaccine manufacturers are "poisoning children." US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has filled an autism committee with friends, associates, and former colleagues who believe that autism is caused by vaccines. Autism advocates are now worried the group could pave the way for dangerous pseudoscientific treatments going mainstream. Last week, Kennedy announced an entirely new lineup for the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), a group that recommends what types of autism research the government should fund and provides guidance on the services the autism community requires. The group is typically composed of experts in the area of autism research, along with policy experts and autistic people advocating for their own community.

Amid historically low birth rates and economic pressures from its aging population, China will eliminate a decades-old tax exemption on contraceptives. A visitor looks at condoms during the Beijing International Sex Supplies Exhibition. Amid historically low birth rates and economic pressures from its aging population, China will eliminate a decades-old tax exemption on contraceptives. China aims to impose a unique strategy to address a falling birth rate that threatens its long-term stability. As of January 1, 2026, the government will levy a 13 percent value-added tax (VAT) on various contraceptives, including condoms.

RFK Jr.'s Health Department Is Pondering a National Men's Health Initiative At an FDA discussion of testosterone replacement therapy, a top official called for special health centers to address a "men's health crisis." Others called to ease men's access to hormones. The US Department of Health and Human Services is considering launching a federal men's health initiative, a source at the agency tells WIRED. Brian Christine, who will be sworn in on December 12 as assistant secretary for health at HHS and head of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, called for such an effort Wednesday during a Food and Drug Administration panel on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for men. A spokesperson for HHS declined to comment.

Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. Is RFK Jr. better on women's health than Newsom? We're about to find out Halle Berry speaks Wednesday during the New York Times DealBook Summit, where she criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom for vetoing a bill that would guarantee access to menopause treatment for California women. This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here .

Science How Many Kids Will Have to Die for RFK Jr. to Be Stopped? Enter your email to receive alerts for this author. You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. You're already subscribed to the aa_Mary_Harris newsletter. You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

The vaccine advisory group ACIP, not all members of which seemed to know what the group does, recommended to the CDC that combined MMRV shots not be given before age 4. A federal vaccine advisory committee made of members hand-picked by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recommended in an 8-3 vote on Thursday that the combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine should not be given before age four, citing long-known evidence that shows a slightly increased risk for febrile seizures in that age group. Experts say that while frightening, febrile seizures--which are uncommon after vaccination--are usually short-lived and harmless, and removing the option for parents could cause a decline in immunization rates against measles, mumps, and rubella, some of the most dangerous childhood diseases. Known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, the group provides recommendations to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine usage. These recommendations are typically adopted by CDC and have an impact on state vaccine requirements for school, insurance coverage of vaccines, and pharmacy access--something at least one member of the panel seemed to be unaware of. Thursday's vote is part of a new shift in vaccine policy being spearheaded by Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist.

Speaking at a WIRED event Tuesday, Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said he was "encouraged" by the company's dialogue with the FDA--but acknowledged recent setbacks. Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel prepares to testify before the Senate on March 22, 2023 in Washington, DC. At the WIRED Health summit on Tuesday, Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said the recent changes to Covid-19 vaccine policy made by Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. are a "step backward." Moderna is one of the manufacturers of mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines, and last month the company received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for an updated version of the shot . But as part of that approval, the FDA imposed new restrictions on who can receive the vaccine.

Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. Dozens of cargo containers fall off vessel at Port of Long Beach. A boat uses jets of water to corral shipping containers that fell off a cargo vessel Tuesday at the Port of Long Beach. Voice comes from the use of AI. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here .

Things to Do in L.A. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article. 'Breaking Bad' actor accused of spraying woman with water in L.A. parking dispute Raymond Cruz attends the premiere of Season 2 of "Breaking Bad" at ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood on Feb. 26, 2009. Voice comes from the use of AI. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here . Actor Raymond Cruz was held in custody for five hours on Monday after a sudsy spat with three women in his Los Angeles neighborhood.