The Examination

An investigation by The Examination uncovered a well-trodden path of lawyers leaving their government jobs for high-paying positions working on behalf of tobacco and vaping industry clients who want an insider’s view on how to navigate the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, or in some cases, on how to dismantle or weaken FDA regulations they don’t like. In the last 15 years, nearly two dozen FDA lawyers have left the agency and its Center for Tobacco Products and gone on to leverage their FDA experience to advise, litigate for or work with the tobacco and vaping industry. The stakes are high as the tobacco industry makes products linked to more than 8 million deaths a year worldwide — and as the industry steps up its legal challenges to regulations on e-cigarettes and other next-generation nicotine products. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eWMDrpAR

Can you tell an investigative story in 14,000 words; no nut graph; 36 short chapters, all based on scenes? Join Investigative Reporters and Editors virtually Friday morning, October 18th at AccessFest 2024 for a session from The Examination investigation editor Raquel Rutledge and co-author Ken Armstrong to talk inspiration and structure; what makes a successful partnership; and how to keep a narrative rolling without sacrificing your investigative findings. 36 chapters and no nut graph: A case study in merging investigative and narrative https://lnkd.in/erkq-335 Time: Friday, October 18, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET (1h) Location: Zoom

Kasey Oliver, we are grateful to have you join and look forward to continuing our work with your support and input!

I'm very surprised to share that I've joined the Board of The Examination. They’re award-winning #journalists. (I’m not.) They’re investigating inequities in global health. (Still not me.) They’re 1 year old. (Not me!) They’re funny, smart folks on a mission. (ME TOO!) It’s the first Board I’ve served on, and it’s truly a huge surprise and honor to join such a high-caliber nonprofit. I hope I live up to their high expectations. If you’re curious, here’s what I wrote in my letter of interest: > I’m a deep believer in the value of #globalhealth. For the duration of my career, I’ve work in or alongside global health organizations, but my role has not been that of a scientist, researcher, or practitioner. Instead, I have worked with these groups to be able to explain their work and persuade others to join. > I’m also a #philanthropy nerd. At Geneva Global, I lead a team of 20+ philanthropy advisors at supporting donors from and working in countries around the world. I’ve seen many nonprofits like The Examination that have a smart concept, seed support from 1-2 donors, and a chance to build something new. I think I have something to offer in how TE can continue to build relationships with prominent funders of this type of work and what pitfalls have looked like for similar organizations. > Finally, I like how business works. I sit on the executive team of Global Impact Ventures and have a (rarely mentioned) MBA in public and nonprofit management. I know my way around a #budget, people #management, and the challenges of growing a nonprofit. I’d be honored to join the advisory council (and future Board) in The Examination’s fledging stage. Thank you to Nathaniel Heller for making the introduction, to Tricia Puskar for walking me through the process so kindly, and to Ben Hallman for not holding to traditional (and useless) standards of requiring Board members to have held previous Board positions.

NEW: A report by OK International details how U.S. private equity firms have bought up distributors of a lead chromate, a toxic powder – widely used in paint on roads and machinery, and even in food – that has been long known to cause brain damage, cancer and other illnesses. While the chemical compound has been restricted in many wealthier nations, such limits do not exist in more than half of the world’s countries. Health experts say private equity’s expansion into the lead chromate industry is concerning –  as studies have shown declines in safety practices following private equity investment. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ezMq7rvx

We are excited to announce the addition of three new Advisory Council members to The Examination. Please join us in welcoming Claire Chaumont, Dwayne Montaque, and Kasey Oliver. As we embark on our second year of publishing fearless global health journalism that creates real-world impact, we could not be more grateful to add this group of passionate and experienced leaders to our organization!

As the Sacklers negotiate a new bankruptcy settlement for Purdue Pharma over the opioids crisis in the U.S., some members continue to benefit from the sale of opioids abroad through an international web of companies known as Mundipharma, an investigation by journalists in eight countries has found. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eAUrhXDk

It’s The Examination’s birthday! Over the past year, our team has sought to bring about a healthier world through independent investigative journalism. We’ve published 19 investigations, partnering with 37 media outlets, big and small, reporting from communities worldwide, too often ignored by the media and policymakers. Challenging industries with practices or products that threaten public health is part of The Examination’s DNA. And in one year, our reporting has already been making waves and having an impact. See executive director and founder Ben Hallman’s anniversary reflections here: https://lnkd.in/eu5XZ8ry If you believe, like we do, that holding accountable individuals, institutions and industries responsible for vast death and planetary damage is absolutely vital, please consider making a donation today. Support our journalism: https://lnkd.in/eWaRTUni Subscribe to follow our work: https://lnkd.in/eSfEjq-8 Meet our team: https://lnkd.in/e6jTk4-n

Two U.S. lawmakers who have long pushed for tougher chemical regulation respond to The Examination’s investigation on ‘forever chemicals’ used to produce lithium-ion batteries – needed in the surging demand for electric vehicles – and the companies behind them. “These are toxic, dangerous chemicals and they have absolutely no business going unrestricted,” said New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. Learn more about the Environmental Protection Agency’s track record on regulating PFAS here: https://lnkd.in/gm3JVnkS

This week at Harvard Public Health, we mark the 60th anniversary of the SNAP program—often colloquially referred to as “food stamps”—with a feature by Leah Samuel on efforts to improve the program and an op-ed by Christopher Bosso celebrating its successes. Plus, The Examination takes us inside the alcohol industry’s efforts to stay relevant as more Americans challenge the value of alcohol in adult life. #PublicHealthMatters #SNAP #FoodStamps #Alcohol