Latest news with #DavidCutler
Medical News Today
30-06-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
How to stay safe against measles while traveling: Expert advice
Measles is an airborne disease that is very transmissible and may spread easily and rapidly on a plane, bus, or United States and some other countries have recently seen a rise in measles cases and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged people traveling internationally to ensure they are vaccinated against travelers may need boosters if they received inactivated forms of the measles vaccine or only one cases have been on the rise in recent months, and infection poses serious health risks, yet discussion about how to protect more vulnerable groups has been a highly contagious viral disease, measles poses a particular risk to children, older adults, people who are unvaccinated, and immunocompromised individuals. However, another group that is at high risk is of the closed space and recycled air breathing, travelers can be at heightened risk of contracting viruses, such as in the case of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued updated advice to people traveling internationally, urging everyone to get fully vaccinated and monitor their health to prevent further spread of the News Today spoke to two experts — Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, an infectious disease specialist with the University of California, SF, and David Cutler, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, to learn more about how measles spreads and what measures travelers can take to stay safe and minimize their risk of measles infectious is measles?Much like COVID-19, measles spreads via respiratory droplets expelled when a person with a measles infection coughs or sneezes. It can also spread via touch, with a person touching their mouth, nose, or eyes after having touched surfaces contaminated with these virus that causes measles can also remain active and contagious in the air or on surfaces for up to 2 hours.'Measles is one of the most infectious viruses known. After being exposed, 90% of susceptible people become infected. However, since infection offers lifelong protection, and immunization is 93–97% effective, there has always been the hope that this disease could be eradicated,' Cutler how does one determine how much at risk they are for measles?'The risk of an individual acquiring measles depends on their susceptibility, the presence of active measles cases, and gaining proximity to someone with measles,' Cutler may help travelers to determine their individual risk is considering their vaccination status, health conditions, as well as knowing current global hotspots for measles high risk areas can help minimize infection risk. CDC Travel Health Notices and WHO Disease Outbreak News could be good sources to traveling via plane or bus constitute a big risk?Considering how measles is transmitted, we asked our experts how much of a risk traveling via bus, train, or plane told MNT that, since the measles virus is airborne, it can remain in the air for a substantial amount of time 'after the person infected with measles has left.''Therefore, traveling during an outbreak can constitute a risk since these modes of transportation are most often sealed off without ventilation,' she pointed of all classic modes of transport, planes may be associated with the highest risk of infection due to the fact that travelers have to remain in close quarters to each other for prolonged periods of time.'Traveling by bus, train, plane, or automobile could expose you to measles if you are in close proximity to someone who is infected. Keeping distant from other people, avoiding those who might be infected, and staying away from communities with known measles outbreaks may reduce the risk of infection,' Cutler measures can travelers take to protect themselves?Both experts agreed on one measure that is scientifically proven to protect people against infection with measles: getting vaccinated.'The best way to protect yourself from measles is to be vaccinated,' Gandhi MMR vaccine has been proven to offer lifelong protection against measles with two doses, and breakthrough cases are rare and should aim to carry evidence of their vaccination status, especially if they are traveling to a high-risk area. In terms of timing, they should aim to get vaccinated at least two weeks before their travel.1. MMR vaccine: When to get vaccinated against measlesInfants ages 6–11 months should receive an early dose of the vaccine before they travel, and then follow the routine vaccination schedule. Children older than 12 months should receive their first dose now, and the second dose at least 28 days later. Teenagers or adults without immunity against measles should get two doses of the MMR vaccine, 28 days apart.2. Face masks and personal hygieneCutler said that as measles is spread by airborne transmission, one way people can protect themselves is by wearing an N95 mask, especially indoors or in places of good hygiene such as washing hands thoroughly, avoiding touching one's face, and using hand sanitizer can also minimize the risk of also touched on the importance of proper ventilation and personal safety measures such as masking, as additional layers of protection after getting vaccinated.'Since measles is airborne, ventilation is very protective so sitting next to open window on a bus or train is also [somewhat] protective. For those who are vulnerable, a tight-fitting and filtering mask, such as an N95 or K95 mask, can protect from measles,' she to do if you've been exposed to measles during travelPeople with measles typically experience high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash that starts to develop about three to five days after the initial symptoms appear. The incubation period for measles is generally between seven and 14 days from exposure, though this can go up to 21 days. Experts recommend that people who have been in contact with someone with measles should get in touch healthcare providers as soon as possible and isolate themselves to prevent the disease from spreading local health clinics and learning a few basic phrases to describe symptoms may help travelers feel more at ease if they start feeling unwell.'People with measles should isolate themselves, wear a strong fit and filtered mask and present to a medical facility so that supportive care can be provided if needed and contact tracing initiated to trace the origin of the infection (and to ensure that others who were exposed to measles do not get infected or are treated),' said measles can lead to various health complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), ear infections and, in severe cases, long-term neurological issues or even death if left untreated, experts advise people to seek immediate medical explained for MNT that:'Once infected with measles there is no effective cure. Treatment for someone with measles is simply supportive: maintaining adequate hydration, good nutrition and control of fever. There is about a 1 [in] 1,000 risk of dying if infected with measles. So, while hospitalization may not be necessary, it is a good idea to seek medical attention if you might have measles to confirm the diagnosis, eliminate the possibility of an infection which might mimic measles, and to assure that anyone you have exposed has the opportunity to gain appropriate protection,' Vitamin A, when administered by healthcare professionals, can help lessen the severity of disease. However, experts agree that it is not a substitute for people who are unvaccinated, the first 72 hours may also be crucial in terms of disease progression. To that extent, Cutler talked about two strategies that may help reduce risk.'For individuals who are not protected by vaccination or prior infection, infection after exposure can best be prevented by administering the vaccine within three days of exposure,' Cutler said.'Intramuscular or intravenous immune globulin is another option. This is generally reserved for infants under 6 months of age, pregnant women, and those who are 3–6 days after exposure. For these people, vaccination to prevent infection is not recommended,' he should also monitor their health for three weeks after they return home from their travels, and watch out for symptoms such as a rash, fever, confusion, and breathing problems.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
David Cutler educational qualification: How Harvard and MIT paved this economist's way to the front lines of US health reforms
In a world of think-tank resumes and siloed expertise, David Cutler has carved a career that defies academic convention. He's not just one of the most respected health economists in the US—he's a builder of policy, an architect of reform, and, as of 2025, the interim dean of Social Sciences at Harvard University. Cutler stepped into the role in June 2025, following the departure of longtime dean Lawrence Bobo. It's not his first time leading the division—he held the same position from 2003 to 2008—but this time, the stakes are even higher. With AI transforming the workforce, inequality growing deeper, and public trust in institutions at a breaking point, the social sciences need a leader who understands both the data and the urgency. Enter David Cutler. But before he was dean, before the policy papers and the White House briefings, Cutler was just another Harvard student with big questions—and a growing belief that economics could be more than charts and models. It could be a tool for change. An Ivy League start, but not a predictable path Cutler's academic journey began at Harvard College, where he graduated summa cum laude in economics. It was a start that promised prestige—but he didn't chase Wall Street. Instead, he pursued the deeper question: How do you build an economic system that works for people, not just profit? He earned his Ph.D. in economics from MIT in 1991, solidifying his reputation as one of the top young minds in the field. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo But rather than disappearing into academic theory, he doubled down on public impact. From classrooms to cabinet rooms After earning his Ph.D., Cutler returned to Harvard — this time as a professor. Over the years, he took on roles that most academics only dream about. He became the Otto Eckstein Professor of Applied Economics, held joint appointments across Harvard's Economics Department, the Kennedy School, and the School of Public Health, and served as Dean of the Social Sciences Division — not once, but twice, most recently stepping back into the role in 2025 after Lawrence Bobo's departure. Yet for all his campus credentials, Cutler's impact stretches far beyond Cambridge. He was a key advisor in the Clinton administration, shaping national economic strategy, and later served as Senior Health Care Advisor to Barack Obama, helping craft ideas that would shape the Affordable Care Act. Where most economists publish papers, Cutler drafted policy. Where many stayed in theory, he moved into action. Rewriting the system Cutler's influence didn't just come from policy memos — it came from publishing work that made complex problems readable, solvable, and deeply human. His 2004 book Your Money or Your Life was one of the first to frame U.S. health care not just as broken, but fixable — if only we focused on quality instead of cost-cutting. The book was later profiled in a New York Times Magazine feature, The Quality Cure , making Cutler one of the rare economists whose ideas actually reached the public. He followed that up with The Quality Cure in 2014 and, more recently, Survival of the City (co-authored with Edward Glaeser), a deep dive into how cities must adapt to pandemics and inequality in a time of climate change and isolation. But even his most technical work — like his 2003 study on the economics of obesity — has always centered people, not just numbers. He argued that America's weight crisis wasn't a moral failing but a market distortion, where frozen pizza and soda were made cheaper and easier than healthy alternatives. Cutler's classroom is everywhere What sets Cutler apart isn't just the brilliance of his models or the reach of his appointments. It's his ability to teach — to make complicated economic systems understandable, and to make students believe they can change them. Honored as a Harvard College Professor for his excellence in undergraduate teaching, Cutler's legacy includes not just laws and legislation but generations of students who now lead in health, economics, and public policy. He's also a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, a member of the National Academy of Medicine, and a commissioner on the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, where he continues to push for smarter, more equitable care. Educated to reform, not just report David Cutler's education wasn't just about credentials — it was a launchpad for reimagining what economics could be. He didn't stop at diagnosing the dysfunction in U.S. health care — he helped design the blueprints for reform. And he did it not by shouting from the sidelines but by writing the playbook from within. At a time when the public is more skeptical than ever of elite institutions, Cutler is a reminder that the right kind of expertise — grounded, public-minded, relentlessly curious — still matters. He didn't just attend Harvard. He built Harvard's next chapter. And now, as he once again leads the university's social sciences division, he's not just looking backward at his own education — he's shaping the future of what education, and economics, can do for society. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Medical News Today
09-06-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
Autism: What to know about increasing diagnoses
A family medicine physician helps Medical News Today fact-check recent claims about the prevalence of autism and its risk factors. Image credit: Jennifer Bogle/Stocksy. Recently, there has been increasing awareness about autism diagnoses and their complexity. At the same time, the United States federal health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made several debated claims about autism prevalence. He has claimed that autism cases are on the rise, and that autism has become 'an epidemic'. He also claimed that environmental toxins are to blame for autism. A board certified family medicine physician helps Medical News Today fact-check these claims. Posts on social media platforms have recently boosted awareness and acceptance of autism, as users report their own experiences of receiving a diagnosis for, and living with this neurodevelopmental condition. Some of the buzz around this topic, however, has also fed discussions around an apparent rise in autism diagnoses in the United States. U.S. Federal Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has recently made a series of claims regarding this apparent rise. These claims seem to suggest that autism has become a public health emergency in the U.S. What exactly did the federal health secretary claim, and how do those claims stack up against existing scientific evidence? Medical News Today set out to fact-check them with the help of one of our trusted experts, David Cutler, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. According to the new CDC report, one out of every 36 children in the U.S. has a diagnosis of autism, up from an estimated one in 44 children in 2021. However, 'the apparent rise in autism diagnoses in the U.S. is primarily due to improved awareness, expanded diagnostic criteria, and enhanced screening practices, rather than a true increase in prevalence,' Cutler told MNT . The family medicine physician offered a breakdown of the key factors that are most likely contributing to the observed rise in autism diagnoses. 'This change has led to more individuals, particularly those with milder symptoms, receiving an autism diagnosis,' Cutler pointed out. Other factors have also contributed to an increase in autism diagnoses over the years, including: improved screening and earlier diagnosis increased awareness and advocacy diagnostic substitution. According to him, 'this proactive approach has resulted in earlier identification of children with autism, including those with less pronounced symptoms, thereby increasing the number of diagnoses.' In short, autistic individuals with lower support needs who would not, historically, have been considered for an autism diagnosis, are now recognized thanks to improved screening for symptoms. 'Greater awareness among parents, educators, and healthcare providers has led to more children being evaluated and diagnosed,' the expert also told us. 'This is particularly evident in historically underdiagnosed groups, such as females and racial minorities, who are now more likely to be identified and receive appropriate services,' he added. In other words, historically marginalised groups and individuals assigned female at birth, who were previously less likely to be considered for an autism diagnosis, now encounter fewer obstacles in accessing neurodevelopmental assessments. 'In the past, children with milder developmental issues might have been diagnosed with intellectual disabilities or learning disorders,' explained Cutler. 'As understanding of autism has evolved, many of these children are now being diagnosed with ASD, a phenomenon known as diagnostic substitution,' he told us. In the press release, Kennedy suggested that autism 'has to be' caused by 'environmental exposure' to toxins. Doubling down on the autism epidemic claim, he also downplayed the role of genetic heritability in this neurodevelopmental condition. How much of this is really true, though? According to Cutler, 'genetic factors play a significant role in autism,' and several large studies have shown that, in many cases, autism seems to run in families. Nevertheless, Cutler did not dismiss the notion that environmental factors also play a role, pointing out that some 'studies suggest that environmental influences during pregnancy and early childhood may also contribute to the risk.' ' Factors such as parental age, exposure to certain chemicals, and complications during birth have been associated with an increased likelihood of developing autism,' he noted. In brief, while autism diagnoses may be on the rise, the reasons for this are most likely to be found in improvements to official diagnostic criteria, heightened awareness of the complex presentation of autism among medical professionals, and better advocacy and self-advocacy among populations that have traditionally had poorer access to healthcare. And while some environmental factors may play a role in autism, as they do in most aspects of health and development, there is no evidence right now that they are the main drivers when it comes to neurodiversity. 'The increase in autism diagnoses reflects advancements in understanding, diagnosing, and recognizing autism across diverse populations. While environmental and genetic factors are under investigation, the primary drivers of the apparent rise are changes in diagnostic criteria, enhanced screening, and heightened awareness.' — David Cutler, MD Autism Genetics Neurology / Neuroscience Environment / Water / Pollution
Reuters
30-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Avian flu steamrolls at penny-grabbing Uncle Sam
NEW YORK, May 30 (Reuters Breakingviews) - There's more to defending the United States than supplying the military, but the country's budget priorities have been thrown badly out of whack. The Trump administration just canceled a $770 million contract with Moderna (MRNA.O), opens new tabto develop, opens new tab an avian flu vaccine and the rights to buy the jabs. For the price of seven F-35 fighter jets, the government is taking a big risk against a formidable foe. Pandemics are no longer the long-shot threat that many politicians once believed. The last one killed more Americans than all the country's wars combined. It also cost some $14 trillion, mostly from lost business revenue, according to research, opens new tab from the University of Southern California. Lingering health effects add $4 trillion to the tab, Harvard University economist David Cutler estimated, opens new tab. The H5N1 virus already has caused egg prices to rise. Flu is also notorious for its ability to mutate and spread to humans. A deadly infectious disease similar to the one in 1918 might lead to 70 million deaths worldwide. Yanking money for Moderna's research follows a bad pattern. Trump appointed a man who champions debunked anti-vaccine science to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He also has proposed slashing the already shrunken, opens new tab $45 billion budget for the National Institutes of Health by about 40%. Moreover, the president cut billions of funding for Harvard University, one of the world's biggest medical researchers. Other curious decisions abound. The government, for example, recently awarded $500 million to develop so-called universal vaccines that target multiple strains of a virus, but it's all going to a single project linked, opens new tab to Trump's former NIH chief, according to CBS News. It also uses old technology, clinical trials won't start until next year, and the target for Food and Drug Administration approval is 2029. Moderna's use of messenger RNA to trigger immune responses is far more promising and more easily put into wider production. The company was aiming for a greenlight on its H5 vaccine by early 2026. From there, it's easier to match a circulating strain and produce millions of doses. The effort probably will be slowed rather than stopped. Moderna might secure funding from abroad or use its own cash. Even so, if an avian flu starts to spread, the United States may have to get in line behind other countries scrambling for limited production. As far as cost-benefit analyses go, this one is dangerously bird-brained. Follow Robert Cyran on Bluesky, opens new tab.
Medical News Today
28-05-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
Vitamin D supplements may help slow down aging by 3 years
Vitmain D supplements may impact etelemore length and helo slow down aging, according to new research. Bowery Image Group Inc./Stocksy Telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, are an important component of healthy aging. One study found that vitamin D supplementation helps to minimize the shortening of telomeres, which happens as people get older, and thus may protect against diseases tied to age and biological aging. This data adds to the potential protective components of vitamin D, which experts should consider alongside potential risks and additional research. As the authors of this study explained, telomeres help protect the ends of chromosomes. Telomere shortening might increase the risk of death and certain diseases. David Cutler, MD, a board certified family medicine physician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, who was not involved in the study, told Medical News Today that 'When telomeres become too short, cells enter senescence (a non-dividing state) or apoptosis (programmed cell death). Either condition of cell inactivity or death is thought to contribute to aging and age-related diseases.' The researchers found that vitamin D supplementation helped minimize telomere shortening in white blood cells, which could help slow down biological aging. For this study, researchers used data from the VITAL trial. This trial included a representative sample of adults in the United States who received vitamin D3 supplements, omega-3 fatty acid supplements, or both for around five years. It was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, so some participants received the supplements while others received the placebo. All female participants were at least fifty-five years old, and all male participants were at least fifty. This data specifically examined a cohort that visited the Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Centre. At baseline and follow-up visits, participants participated in in-person assessments and provided fasting blood samples. Researchers examined telomere length in leukocytes , which are the body's white blood cells, among participants who received supplements and those who received the placebo. Researchers were able to analyze over 2,500 samples from over 1,000 participants. They examined telomere length at baseline and at two- and four-year follow-up, though some data was missing. They conducted a statistical analysis using models to adjust for various covariates. They also did an exploratory subgroup analysis to see how different factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, impacted results. Aside from a higher body mass index in the omega-3 fatty acid supplement group, the placebo and intervention groups had similar baseline characteristics. Missing data was also similar between the two groups. Vitamin D appeared to have a positive impact on telomere length. Among participants who received vitamin D, there was only minimal shortening of telomere length at two and four years. In contrast, there was substantial telomere shortening in the placebo group at both time points. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation appeared to have no significant impact on telomere length. The subgroup analysis further suggested that the effects of vitamin D on telomere length were significant for participants not taking medication for cholesterol, but not for participants who were taking cholesterol medication. Vitamin D also minimized telomere shortening at a statistically significant level for non-white participants. There was no significant interaction with body mass index, but researchers did observe that participants who were not obese had significantly minimized telomere shortening. Also, taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements did not appear to impact the role of vitamin D on telomere length. This analysis of telomere length in this study population does have some limitations. First, most participants were white, and all participants were at least fifty, so it may not be possible to generalize the findings to other groups. Researchers acknowledge that this was a post-hoc analysis of an already completed study and that the study was not originally designed to look at the effects of supplements on leukocyte telomere length. The analysis also excluded participants who did not have data on leukocyte telomere length. It's possible that unaccounted-for factors influenced the results, and the study also has any other limitations found in the original study. Regarding exploratory subgroup analysis results, researchers encourage caution, note limited power, and say people should look at the data as 'hypothesis-generating.' After four years, there were about 37% missing cases. Researchers acknowledge that this reduced power and could be why they did not find omega-3 fatty acid supplementation affected leukocyte telomere length. Future research can explore why vitamin D may have these effects on telomere length. For example, it could be related to an enzyme called telomerase that helps to lengthen telomeres and how vitamin D may protect against DNA damage. Cutler also noted the following limitations of the study: 'The present study involved only a relatively small number of people, looked only at telomeres in white blood cells, and did not look extensively at the health impact of these telomere changes. So, the clinical implications one can derive from this study are quite limited.' This study suggests the potential benefits of vitamin D in relation to aging. The authors suggest that the preservation of telomere length in this study 'could mean a 3-year decrease in aging.' 'As we know already, vitamin D supports bone, immune system and reduces inflammation, but this study is linked directly with telomere preservation which ties into aging and disease prevention. This [study] gives more of a general idea that vitamin D3 could do more than just helping your bones but actually slowing down the cellular age, impressive!' 'If this is confirmed in future studies, this could mean that daily [vitamin D} supplements could actually help reduce risks for age-related diseases. This is a door for new medical guidelines in the future and will be a huge deal for preventive medicine.' — Yoshua Quinones, MD However, it's also important to note the potential risks of vitamin D supplementation. 'While 2,000 units of vitamin D is unlikely to have any negative effects, there may be some risk to vitamin D supplements as they can cause kidney damage and other adverse effects in excessive quantities. Since vitamin D is fat soluble, it can accumulate in our bodies, causing toxicity. So, any potential, as yet unproven benefits of vitamin D need to be weighed against its known risks,' Cutler said. Supplements Nutrition / Diet Seniors / Aging antiaging
