Leana S. Wen

Baltimore

Contributing Columnist at The Washington Post

Public health professor @GWPublicHealth. Emergency physician. Opinions columnist @WashingtonPost & author of the Post's #TheCheckup newsletter. Mom.

Featured in: Favicon

washingtonpost.com Favicon

cnn.com (+1) Favicon

medium.com Favicon

msn.com

nytimes.com Favicon

huffpost.com Favicon

wsj.com

time.com

usatoday.com Favicon

webmd.com + 102 more

Articles

The hypocrisy behind Kennedy’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement

2 days ago | washingtonpost.com | Leana S. Wen

The hypocrisy behind Kennedy’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement (washingtonpost.com) The hypocrisy behind Kennedy’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement By Leana S. Wen 2025051310455600 At the core of the "Make America Healthy Again" movement is a fatal contradiction. On the surface, it purports to favor the prevention of diseases over the treatment of them.
What I learned from autistic people and their families

2 days ago | phillytrib.com | Leana S. Wen

I received an outpouring of responses after my column last correcting statements from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about autism. This column features reader comments and what I learned from speaking with autistic people and their families. Some readers weighed in with passion on how Kennedy spoke about autism. “RFK Jr. seems to think that autism is an ‘epidemic’ of disease that must be stopped,” wrote Ethan from Ohio.
What I learned from autistic people and their families

1 week ago | washingtonpost.com | Leana S. Wen

What I learned from autistic people and their families (washingtonpost.com) What I learned from autistic people and their families By Leana S. Wen 2025050820301200 You're reading The Checkup With Dr. Wen, a newsletter on how to navigate medical and public health challenges. Click here to get the full newsletter in your inbox , including answers to reader questions and a summary of new scientific research.
Anyone can learn with dignity. I’ve seen it.

1 week ago | washingtonpost.com | Leana S. Wen

Anyone can learn with dignity. I’ve seen it. (washingtonpost.com) Anyone can learn with dignity. I’ve seen it. By Leana S. Wen 2025050608155000 Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in response to backlash regarding his inaccurate statements about the "tragedy" of autism, clarified that he was only referring to children with profound autism.
Opinion | Yes, even kids profoundly affected by autism can thrive

1 week ago | flipboard.com | Leana S. Wen

3 hours agoThe "Daily Show" host tore into the president over a single answer to a question during an interview over the weekend. “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart said President Donald Trump uses outrageous claims, statements and memes to help cover up the worst parts of his policies. “To get to substantive policy …
RFK Jr. gets a lot wrong about autism

1 week ago | phillytrib.com | Leana S. Wen

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made autism a centerpiece of his agenda.
What Kennedy gets wrong about autism’s causes

2 weeks ago | washingtonpost.com | Leana S. Wen

What Kennedy gets wrong about autism’s causes (washingtonpost.com) What Kennedy gets wrong about autism’s causes By Leana S. Wen 2025042911300000 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made autism a centerpiece of his agenda.
Who should get the COVID booster? The advice might soon change.

2 weeks ago | phillytrib.com | Leana S. Wen

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention might soon limit its guidance for who should receive a coronavirus booster shot. Such a change would be evidence-based and, if implemented correctly, might even boost uptake among vulnerable populations. The potential shift was signaled by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which convened last week after its February meeting was suddenly called off. To the relief of many public health experts, it was business as usual.
Should you get the shingles vaccine? Answering reader questions.

3 weeks ago | washingtonpost.com | Leana S. Wen

Should you get the shingles vaccine? Answering reader questions. (washingtonpost.com) Should you get the shingles vaccine? Answering reader questions. By Leana S. Wen 2025042420303800 You're reading The Checkup With Dr. Wen, a newsletter on how to navigate medical and public health challenges. Click here to get the full newsletter in your inbox , including answers to reader questions and a summary of new scientific research.
Who should get the covid booster? The advice might soon change.

3 weeks ago | washingtonpost.com | Leana S. Wen

Who should get the covid booster? The advice might soon change. (washingtonpost.com) Who should get the covid booster? The advice might soon change. By Leana S. Wen 2025042210300000 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention might soon limit its guidance for who should receive a coronavirus booster shot. Such a change would be evidence-based and, if implemented correctly, might even boost uptake among vulnerable populations.