Public Health News Roundup, March 10, 2025

by Mandy Morgan March 10, 2025

We got our eyes on a bunch of things heading into this week, especially with a potential government shutdown and RIF (i.e., “Reduction in Force” an acronymic way of saying, “layoffs and firings.”

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Arizona’s public health feels the weight of federal orders

President Trump’s executive orders in Arizona have resulted in funding freezes, significant cuts to public health programs, and the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, adversely affecting health care access for marginalized communities. These actions risk exacerbating health disparities, particularly among vulnerable groups, by limiting medical research, vaccines, public insurance support, and access to gender-affirming care.

During the last major measles outbreaks in the US, it took extraordinary measures to stop the spread

The article details the resurgence of measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico, drawing parallels to significant outbreaks in New York in 2018-2019. It highlights lessons learned, emphasizing the crucial role of community trust, culturally sensitive communication, and swift vaccination efforts driven by strong local and federal public health interventions. These experiences underscore the ongoing challenge of combating vaccine misinformation and the potential need for robust support systems nationwide to prevent and manage similar public health crises.

Hospital gun-violence prevention programs may be caught in federal funding crossfire

AIM, a hospital-linked violence intervention program in Denver, illustrates the promising public health approach to addressing gun violence by tackling its social determinants. While interventions like AIM have demonstrated success in reducing violent injury recidivism, uncertain federal funding—following executive orders and policy reviews—poses a risk to their sustainability, emphasizing the need for local and alternative financing strategies to ensure their vital work continues.

Republican Medicaid cuts could shutter rural hospitals, maternity care

Rural hospitals face huge challenges from proposed Medicaid cuts in a House budget plan, which could lead to closures or a severe reduction in services, especially maternity care, in areas heavily reliant on Medicaid funding. Such cuts would not only exacerbate healthcare deserts and diminish access for rural Trump-supporting communities, but also cause significant political backlash, underlining the critical role Medicaid plays in maintaining the economic and social fabric of rural America.

The VA Promised DOGE Cuts Won’t Harm Veterans. Employees Say It’s Already Happening.

This article overviews the severe impact of the Trump administration’s campaign to downsize the Department of Veterans Affairs, detailing how job cuts and a climate of fear are jeopardizing the mental health support and overall care available to millions of veterans who rely on the department. (quick editorial aside; we personally know this is happening). Despite claims that these cuts aim to streamline the federal workforce, VA employees and lawmakers express grave concerns that the reductions are undermining essential services, damaging staff morale, and ultimately betraying the very veterans they are meant to serve.