July's arrival brought the U.S. Supreme Court's term to a close, a term that will undoubtedly be remembered for its final-day ruling on presidential immunity. Yet a decision made during its penultimate session could have a greater influence on the everyday health of Americans.
In a 6-3 decision, the justices abolished the Chevron doctrine, which, as journalist Tara Haelle explains, could sway how federal agencies carry out public health policy and laws "related to clean air and water, health care, disaster preparedness and response, disease control during outbreaks, workplace safety, food and drug safety, and protections against discrimination over sexual orientation or transgender status." For more on the implications, watch CFR's virtual roundtable from February: What a World Without Chevron Means for U.S. Health.
In case you missed it, health policy took center stage during the recent U.S. presidential debate. CFR's Chloe Searchinger has analyzed where the discussion mentioned or misfired on COVID-19 responses, drug pricing, Medicare, and reproductive health. (Check out CFR's tracker about the U.S. election and foreign policy.)
July also beckons summertime voyages in the Northern Hemisphere, but airplane travelers in search of tampons and pads could be on a never-ending journey. Harvard University's Suhanee Mitragotri explains why global airlines do not offer menstrual products, and the public health consequences.
To wrap up the week, TGH Data Editor Allison Krugman looks at the burden of noncommunicable diseases in India, where chronic conditions like heart disease are now overshadowing infectious pathogens as the leading causes of death.
Until next week!—Nsikan Akpan, Managing Editor
