Measles outbreaks could fuel rise in fatal complication, physicians warn
Mackenzie Bean / beckershospitalreview - As measles continues spreading across the U.S. at a pace not seen in decades, physicians are warning about a rare but often fatal neurological complication that can emerge years after initial infection, KFF Health News reported March 13. Subacute sclerosi…
AI Summary: Measles is resurging across the United States at levels not seen in decades, and clinicians warn this spike could drive an increase in a rare but often fatal neurological complication. Public‑health experts point to falling vaccination coverage and gaps in outbreak control as the drivers, urging renewed immunization efforts and vigilance.
Flu vaccines didn't work that well in the US, officials find
medicalxpress - As the U.S. flu season winds down, health officials say the flu vaccine didn't work very well, with one of its worst effectiveness rates in more than a decade.
AI Summary: Health officials report this season’s influenza vaccine performed poorly, with effectiveness among the lowest in recent years. A mismatch between vaccine strains and circulating viruses reduced protection, prompting calls for strain updates ahead of the fall program. Public health leaders still urge vaccination for partial protection and to blunt severe outcomes.
RFK Jr. names 2 new members to CDC vaccine panel
Erica Cerutti / beckershospitalreview - HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed two new members to the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee Feb. 27, ahead of a rescheduled meeting in mid-March where members are expected to review COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. Mr. Kennedy said Sean Downing…
AI Summary: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed two clinicians to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices just weeks before a rescheduled session, installing new voting members ahead of vaccine deliberations. The last‑minute nominations aim to ensure the panel is fully staffed for upcoming guidance discussions.
CMS freezes $260M in Medicaid funding to Minnesota, citing fraud concerns
Jakob Emerson / beckershospitalreview - CMS is freezing $259.5 million in federal Medicaid funding to Minnesota, citing unsupported or potentially fraudulent claims in the state’s program. “We have decided to temporarily halt certain amounts of Medicaid funding that are going to the state of Mi…
AI Summary: Officials confirmed avian influenza in elephant seal pups at Año Nuevo State Park, prompting the suspension of seal‑watching tours and an urgent wildlife response. Several pups have died; researchers are testing samples and authorities are warning the public to avoid contact while investigations continue.
CDC confirms 910 measles cases in 2026; South Carolina remains hardest hit
Paige Twenter / beckershospitalreview - Six weeks into 2026, the CDC has confirmed 910 measles cases. If the pace of transmission continues, this year could far outpace the 2,280 cases detected across the U.S. in 2025, as 2026’s total is already 40% of 2025’s. The hardest-hit state is South Car…
AI Summary: The CDC has confirmed a nationwide uptick in measles cases, tallying hundreds of infections and triggering local public-health responses. Hotspots include a large South Carolina outbreak, an over‑40‑case cluster at a Florida college and a Los Angeles County case involving visits to LAX eateries while infectious. Officials urge vaccination and vigilance.
N.I.H. Director Will Temporarily Run C.D.C. in Leadership Shake-Up
Sheryl Gay Stolberg / nytimes - Dr. Jay Bhattacharya will serve as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention until President Trump appoints a permanent director.
AI Summary: Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, currently NIH director, has been appointed acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stepping into leadership amid recent departures. He will oversee CDC operations until a permanent nominee is confirmed, inheriting immediate pandemic and preparedness responsibilities — because who doesn’t love an unexpected federal acting role?
Ama launches independent vaccine review after CDC criticism
medicalxpress - Two major medical groups will begin reviewing vaccine safety and effectiveness after major changes at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have raised alarms among experts.
AI Summary: The American Medical Association announced an independent review of vaccine safety and effectiveness in response to recent CDC changes and criticism, partnering with external researchers to evaluate evidence and restore public trust. The panel aims to provide transparent, expert analysis free of political noise.
Federal judge blocks $602M in CDC cuts to 4 states
Kelly Gooch / beckershospitalreview - A federal judge in the Northern District of Illinois granted a temporary restraining order Feb. 12 blocking the Trump administration from terminating more than $600 million in CDC-administered public health grants to California, Colorado, Illinois and Min…
AI Summary: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order halting the administration’s planned termination of roughly $600M in CDC grants to several states, siding with lawsuits that argued the cuts would impair public-health programs. The order preserves funding while courts consider claims that the move would cause immediate harm.
Public Health Department confirms first 2026 measles case in Los Angeles County
medicalxpress - The Department of Public Health has confirmed the first measles case this year in Los Angeles County. Officials say the person who tested positive for measles had recently traveled outside the country. The department is now working to identify people who …
AI Summary: Los Angeles County health officials confirmed the first measles case of 2026 even as nationwide data reveal that only one month into the year, case numbers have already reached 25% of 2025’s total. Experts warn that if vaccination rates do not improve promptly, an early outbreak could expand and stress public health systems.
US life expectancy hit an all-time high in 2024, CDC says
medicalxpress - U.S. life expectancy rose to 79 years in 2024—the highest mark in American history.
AI Summary: Recent CDC data reveal that U.S. life expectancy reached 79 years in 2024—the highest level in American history. Despite the many challenges the nation continues to face, experts point to improvements in healthcare delivery and preventive measures driving this historic milestone.
Oregon baby is still battling infant botulism after ByHeart formula exposure
go - A Portland, Oregon, baby got sick with infant botulism after drinking contaminated ByHeart formula donated through a program that helps poor and homeless families
AI Summary: Two reports describe how a Portland baby continues to struggle with severe infant botulism after ingesting contaminated ByHeart formula distributed via a charity, raising concerns about quality control and the safety of aid programs.
Colorectal Cancer Is Now the Leading Cause of Cancer Death Under 50 – Fight Colorectal Cancer
oncodaily - Fight Colorectal Cancer shared a post on LinkedIn: “Breaking news: Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for people under 50, according to new data released by […]
AI Summary: Recent research indicates a stark shift in cancer mortality as colorectal cancer now leads as the top killer among Americans under 50. Studies highlight an earlier disease onset with increasing incidence, prompting urgent calls for revised screening guidelines and robust public health interventions to address this alarming trend.
US overdose deaths fell through most of 2025, federal data reveals
go - U.S. overdose deaths fell through the most of last year, suggesting a lasting improvement in an epidemic that had been worsening for decades
AI Summary: New federal data reveal that overdose fatalities in the United States dropped markedly throughout most of 2025, signaling a potential turning point in a decades‐long worsening epidemic. Concerns over opioid misuse remain, but these trends hint at improved outcomes.
US reports 168 new measles cases with outbreak in South Carolina
medicalxpress - The U.S. measles outbreak that drove cases to a 34-year high in 2025 shows no signs of slowing, as 168 more people have become infected since the start of the new year.
AI Summary: Multiple reports indicate a concerning surge in measles cases in South Carolina. One update cites 168 new cases, another confirms 124 new cases, while further news describes the outbreak spreading into neighboring states such as North Carolina and Ohio. Health officials are urging prompt vaccination and coordinated public health interventions to curb the outbreak.
CDC studies show value of nationwide wastewater disease surveillance, as potential funding cut looms
medicalxpress - Wastewater testing can alert public health officials to measles infections days to months before cases are confirmed by doctors, researchers said in two studies published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
AI Summary: New CDC studies reveal that nationwide wastewater testing can detect disease outbreaks days to weeks before clinical diagnoses, offering a critical early warning system. Yet, as potential funding cuts loom, public health officials warn that sustaining this innovative surveillance method is essential for proactive outbreak management.
Nestlé recalls baby formula over toxin risk
medicalxpress - Nestlé has announced a global recall of some baby formula products, saying they may contain a toxin that can cause food poisoning in infants.
AI Summary: Nestlé has initiated a global recall of certain baby formula products after detecting potential toxin contamination that may cause food poisoning in infants. Affected lots are being removed from retail shelves while regulators and the company work to confirm the contamination’s extent and ensure consumer safety.
RFK Jr.'s CDC whacks 6 vaccines from childhood recommendation list after opaque monthlong review
fiercehealthcare - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has upended the immunization schedule for children in the United States, eliminating six of the 17 vaccines that were previously recommended to protect them from disease.
AI Summary: In an unexpected twist to the longstanding immunization program, the CDC has eliminated six previously universal childhood vaccines following a monthlong review—sparking debates and eyebrow raises among healthcare officials. The policy change now tailors recommendations to higher-risk groups while shifting away from a one‐size‐fits‐all approach.
'Don't use them': Tanning beds triple skin cancer risk, study finds
medicalxpress - When Heidi Tarr was a teenager, she used a tanning bed several times a week with her friends because they all wanted to glow like a celebrity.
AI Summary: Recent studies warn that using tanning beds dramatically increases skin cancer risk—one report shows a threefold surge in risk while another links tanning to significant skin mutations and melanoma. Experts urge consumers to steer clear and embrace safer alternatives.
CDC Ends Universal Hepatitis B Newborn Vaccination
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has officially rescinded its long‐standing recommendation for universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth. The change reflects new evidence and a shift toward individualized risk‐based immunization protocols, prompting hospitals and pediatricians nationwide to adjust their preventive strategies accordingly.
Ronan Kelly: Christine Handy’s Award-Winning Breast Cancer Film Premieres in Dallas
oncodaily - Ronan Kelly, Director of Precision Medicine and Scientific Discovery at Baylor University Medical Center, shared a post on LinkedIn: “It was a privilege to meet Christine Handy, executive producer of […]
AI Summary: A recent CDC analysis has reinforced the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination in pediatric care, demonstrating a significant reduction in emergency department and urgent care visits among vaccinated children during the first six months post-vaccination. These findings underscore the critical role of vaccines in safeguarding child health and supporting public health policy.