In several countries this year, members of the demographic group born between the late 1990s and early 2010s have organized protests against inequality, democratic backsliding and corruption. The largest "Gen Z" protests took place in Nepal in September, following a ban on social media, and led to the resignation of that nation's prime minister. In Mexico, many young people say they are frustrated with systemic problems like corruption and impunity for violent crimes.
The anti-vaccine policies of Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy have rightfully caused great distress among many parents, public health professionals and primary care physicians, given the efficacy of vaccines in preventing measles, mumps, polio, influenza, and COVID-19, among many debilitating infectious diseases. In contrast to these policies, Kennedy's apparent aim of reducing exposure to toxic pesticides, herbicides and food additives has been treated, even by some public health advocates, as a positive turn toward regulation.
"There are funding limitations in light of COVID-19 funding dissipating," Sugerman said, referring to $11.4 billion in coronavirus-related funds that the Department of Health and Human Services ordered pulled back from state and local health departments and community organizations late last month.