Public Health News Round Up, April 28, 2025

by Jon Scaccia April 28, 2025

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Clinician burnout. What’s to be done?

The article highlights the increasing dissatisfaction and challenges faced by physicians in the U.S., including burnout, financial struggles, and a projected shortage of 86,000 doctors by 2036, which contrasts sharply with the enduring popularity of medical school leading to fierce competition among aspiring doctors. Despite high rates of burnout and changing healthcare landscapes, many medical students remain optimistic, driven by passion and a hopeful outlook on work-life balance, although a staggering percentage of medical and nursing students now express interest in pursuing nonclinical careers post-graduation.

Cory Booker and Hakeem Jeffries Are Sitting in to Stand up for Medicaid

Sen. Cory Booker and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are spearheading a sit-in on the Capitol steps to protest a Republican budget proposal aimed at significant cuts to Medicaid, a move they argue would disproportionately impact vulnerable Americans to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. This protest highlights a profound moral debate about federal spending priorities, as the proposed work requirements could potentially disenfranchise millions already fraught with social and economic responsibilities.

Hawaii is ranked low for emergency readiness

Hawaii is grappling with significant challenges in its public health emergency preparedness, as highlighted by its low ranking in the “Ready or Not” report due to issues like lack of accreditation for public health and emergency management programs and non-participation in the nurse licensure compact. Despite these setbacks, Hawaii excels in areas like flu vaccination rates and equitable healthcare distribution, underlining the urgent need for consistent investment in public health infrastructure to bolster its resilience against future disasters.

Best Podcasts for Med Students

Isabella Ntigbu, a Black medical student, highlights how diversifying the healthcare field allows underrepresented voices to reshape the traditional image of a physician, with podcasts offering a crucial platform for these communities to express and empower themselves. As her experiences reveal, such outlets are essential for fostering inclusivity and representation, helping medical students find their voice and navigate the complexities of medical education.

We once rid the US of this nasty parasite. Now it could be coming back

In a troubling development, the parasitic New World screwworm, once eradicated from the U.S., is inching closer due to agricultural expansion, illegal livestock movement, and insufficient cooperation across borders. The USDA is ramping up efforts by reallocating resources for fly sterilization in Mexico, all while navigating diplomatic tensions with Mexico and maintaining regional surveillance to stave off what is both a public health crisis and major threat to livestock.