Public Health News Round Up, April 14, 2025

by Jon Scaccia April 14, 2025

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Haunted by hopelessness: 12 Zambians share their stories as HIV drugs run out

The abrupt cessation of U.S. foreign aid to Zambia, particularly regarding HIV medications and support, is causing a public health crisis with dire social implications, as clinics have shuttered, depriving individuals of life-saving treatments and leaving communities grappling with illness, uncertainty, and poverty. This decision underscores the essential need for sustainable healthcare solutions and local government engagement to bridge the gaps left by external funding, as the sudden withdrawal has left countless Zambians facing severe health risks and struggling to access basic healthcare services.

How cutting Medicaid would affect long-term care and family caregivers

As Congress debates cutting Medicaid to reduce the federal deficit, the focus is on how these cuts could severely impact family caregivers and those in need of long-term care, potentially leading to hospitalizations and even early deaths. While some argue that tightening eligibility might not drastically affect long-term care, the reality is that many families like Sharon Duchessi’s depend on Medicaid for daily support, and cuts could force them into difficult decisions and financial hardship.

RFK Jr. is wrecking public health — but we can (and will) survive this

The article underscores the critical yet underappreciated role of public health in modern society, warning against the erosion of its foundational elements due to political decisions, misinformation, and funding cuts. It argues that the dismantling of public health systems and the spread of misinformation pose significant threats, leading to preventable disease resurgences and broader health disparities, emphasizing the need for renewed investment and public awareness to counter these trends.

Dr. Peter Marks on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” April 13, 2025

Dr. Peter Marks, former head of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, emphasized on “Face the Nation” that the ongoing measles outbreaks in states like Texas are primarily due to waning vaccine confidence and misinformation, and he advocates for increasing vaccination rates to above 90% to regain control. He highlighted the crucial need for transparent science communication amidst the public health crises and cautioned against the undermining of vaccine efficacy with unfounded links to autism, stressing that vaccines are a cornerstone of public health that prevent unnecessary child deaths.

U.S. measles cases surpass 700 with outbreaks in six states. Here’s what to know

The U.S. is experiencing a significant measles outbreak with over 700 cases, largely fueled by low vaccination rates in certain communities, such as in Texas and Indiana, and linked to outbreaks in Mexico. Despite the Health Secretary’s claim that cases are plateauing, the outbreak highlights the critical importance of vaccinations, as the virus continues to spread primarily among unvaccinated individuals, causing serious health risks and fatalities.

‘Not just measles’: Whooping cough cases are soaring as vaccine rates decline

The alarming rise in pertussis and measles outbreaks across the U.S., coupled with falling vaccination rates and significant cuts to public health funding under the Trump administration, is a ticking time bomb that endangers children and undermines decades of progress in disease prevention. As skepticism towards vaccines grows and support systems dwindle, experts fear that preventable diseases will increasingly claim lives, highlighting the urgent need to bolster our public health infrastructure and vaccination efforts.