"Made a bad decision and had a couple of High Noons"
— The woman from the Coldplay kiss cam scandal explaining what she told her kids about that night. Not your average “teachable moment.”
What's Happening
Health
Pediatricians vs. the Administration
What's going on: Health experts are raising questions after the Department of Health and Human Services abruptly terminated seven federal grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) this week. The money, which totaled millions of dollars, funded work to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), improve adolescent health, prevent birth defects, and identify autism early. HHS said the grants no longer align with the department’s “mission or priorities.” An administration official also told The Washington Post that the cuts stemmed from the AAP’s use of what it called “identity-based language,” including terms like “pregnant people” and references to racial disparities. But the timing matters. The AAP has recently criticized — and earlier this year sued — Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his vaccine policies, leading many in public health to see the cuts as no coincidence.
What it means: If you’ve ever panic-searched the AAP website at 2 am, this probably feels unsettling. While it’s too early to know the full impact, the AAP said: “The sudden withdrawal of these funds will directly impact and potentially harm infants, children, youth, and their families in communities across the United States.” That’s especially concerning as studies show SIDS rates have risen in recent years. If you’re worried about SIDS specifically, here’s the AAP’s guide. More broadly, this moment reflects how confusing parenting can feel right now — especially when public officials, health experts, and social media all send different messages about vaccines, autism, and children’s health. When you’re unsure, your pediatrician or family doctor remains your best source.
