RFK Jr.'s Public Health Gamble

What's Happening

Politics

RFK Jr.'s Public Health Gamble

What's going on: The nation’s top health agency is undergoing its biggest staff shakeup in decades. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is cutting 10,000 full-time jobs across key health agencies — on top of 10,000 voluntary departures — as part of a sweeping restructuring plan. The layoffs, which are expected to take effect in late May, will hit the FDA, CDC, NIH, the centers overseeing Medicare and Medicaid, and regional offices. Despite the scale, Kennedy insists critical services will remain intact. “We’re going to eliminate an entire alphabet soup of departments and agencies while preserving their core function,” he said in a video on X. As part of the overhaul, Kennedy is launching a new subdivision: the Administration for a Healthy America — merging offices on addiction, toxic exposure, and workplace safety into a single unit focused on chronic disease prevention and health equity.

What it means: This isn’t just budget trimming. Experts warn it could harm public health. HHS oversees everything from food safety to emergency disease response, and eliminating thousands of positions could leave gaps in essential services. Another major concern? How prevention work moves forward — especially in areas like cancer, maternal health, and chronic disease. (Because who needs that?) Critics say Kennedy’s plan lacks a clear roadmap, with a former FDA chief saying the plan can’t be done “without impairing fundamental services.” Earlier this year, the government laid off thousands of HHS workers, some of whom were quickly rehired after public outcry. While Kennedy doubles down on the cuts, some Republicans are taking a wait-and-see approach, and certain changes may still require Congressional approval. 

Related: RFK Jr.’s SNAP Soda Ban Proposal Sparks Backlash (Politico)

Work

The "Big Boss" Is Back

What's going on: The “girlboss” may have imploded when she famously ventured too close to the sun, but the “big boss” is alive and well. These leaders are known for their no-nonsense, tough-talk approach (read: they’re kind of jerks — and they’re okay with it). Their priority isn’t to be nice, it’s to keep companies in the black, even if it means executing brutal layoffs and delivering harsh truths. They don’t mind being the bad guys (or gals, etc.) when it comes to scrapping work-from-home policies, unions, and DEI initiatives. So… where’d they get the audacity? A perfect storm of economic uncertainty, a return of so-called “masculine energy” in leadership, and a labor market that’s slowing to a crawl. Add a White House that’s been noticeably into ruthless management (see: the deluge of layoffs), and suddenly, CEOs are cosplaying Miranda Priestly. As one labor economist put it: “This is a boss’s administration.”

What it means: Post-pandemic, bosses have reclaimed the upper hand, and they’re not being subtle about it, Axios reports. Once-outspoken employees are now just trying to hang on, while their CEOs aren’t exactly offering reassurances. In what little protest they can manage, some employees are leaking audio of their bosses at their worst. (Though public relations experts say the CEOs could be the leakers themselves as a show of force.) Of course, “big boss energy” isn’t new, and it’s not just a corporate thing — remember when Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) allegedly chewed out her staff for forgetting her utensils, then ate her salad with a comb? We do. One analyst put it bluntly: this vibe shift from bosses “fits the ethos of the moment — which is all about strength, directness, toughness, and what's being called radical transparency.” Too bad “radical promotions” never caught on.

Related: Anyone Ever Tell These Guys That Happier Workers Are More Productive? (Yes, According to Science) (University of Oxford)

Culture

Netflix's 'Adolescence' Is a Hit — and Its Message Hits Hard

What's going on: Netflix’s Adolescence has become the most-watched limited series on the streaming platform, racking up more than 66.3 million views in just two weeks and scoring 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. There’s a reason people can’t stop talking about it. Taking inspiration from news headlines, the British show follows a 13-year-old boy, who is arrested for allegedly murdering his female classmate. (Spoiler alert.) However, the show isn’t about if he did it — it’s about why. It dives deep into how social media and misogynistic ideas are shaping young boys’ outlooks, encouraging toxic and even violent behavior toward girls and women.

What it means: Incel and “red pill” ideologies aren’t just lurking in dark online corners of the internet anymore — they’re now easily accessible to a generation of boys who have a computer in their pockets. The real-world effects can be deadly for girls and women. Last year, police in England and Wales said violence against women was a “national emergency,” warning that young men are being “radicalized” by toxic internet influencers like Andrew Tate. Adolescence’s creators hope the show will push governments to tighten social media access for kids and help parents understand how easily their children can be influenced. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he watched the show with his kids, but so far, lawmakers haven’t taken action to curb social media’s role in spreading this content.

Related: What Those Emojis in Adolescence Actually Mean (USA Today)

TOGETHER WITH ISHARES BY BLACKROCK

By the Numbers

What’s that? You could use some good news this Women’s History Month? Well, you’re in luck because our new survey with iShares by BlackRock also found that…

• 25% of women are more involved in their household’s financial decision-making compared to last year. 

• Only 2% of women defer to their partners on financial decisions.

• Nearly 75% of women have a moderate to aggressive risk tolerance. 

Translation: Despite the many obstacles we face (like earning lower wages than men on average), women are taking charge and investing boldly as we work toward our financial goals. Head here to see the full survey results — and what the pros at iShares have to say about them. 

SPRING FASHION WEEK

It’s the final day of Spring Fashion Week, so let us direct your attention to the clothes to wear when it’s not too hot but not too cold. The one rule to always follow: layers and lots of them: 

• Lighter sweaters and jackets to add to cart

• Our how-to on building an in-between-seasons wardrobe

• Items that can be layered now and worn solo during the summer

Settle This

Classically, Reformation seems to be trolling “Signalgate” in their latest promotional email. What did they say?

Extra Credit

Watch

Combine The Golden Girls with Will & Grace, and you get Mid-Century Modern, the delightful new Hulu comedy. Created by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan (aka the geniuses behind Will & Grace) and directed by the legendary James Burrows (of Cheers fame), the 10-episode series follows Jerry (Matt Bomer), Bunny (Nathan Lane), and Arthur (Nathan Lee Graham) — three gay best friends "of a certain age" who decide to become roommates in sunny Palm Springs. But as the trio quickly learns, just because you’re living with your chosen family, doesn’t mean it’s always smooth sailing.

Game Time

Kick your weekend off with Pile-Up Poker, a brand-new game where poker meets solitaire. Create as many poker hands as possible to earn cash and climb the leaderboard. We’re all in.