Public Health News Round Up, May 16, 2025

by Jon Scaccia May 16, 2025

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Closing the women’s health gap will require a better understanding of the vaginal microbiome

The article underscores the critical need to close the gender health gap by focusing on the vaginal microbiome (VMB), which significantly affects women’s health risks, including cervical cancer, particularly among Hispanic and Latina women. To foster progress, it calls for more inclusive research, enhanced data collection, and increased investment, highlighting the potential impact of better understanding the VMB on women’s health outcomes and public health overall.

DOGE went looking for phone fraud at SSA — and found almost none

The Social Security Administration’s recent anti-fraud efforts for phone benefit claims have stumbled, catching only two suspicious cases out of over 110,000, while significantly slowing claim processing and delaying benefits. Despite sensationalized claims about rampant fraud influencing these measures, the actual issue is remarkably rare, leading to widespread frustration and calls for revised policies as critics highlight the inefficiency of solutions driven by misinformation rather than genuine necessity.

Hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents could lose Medicaid coverage under House Republican proposals

Proposed cuts to federal Medicaid funding by House Republicans could have devastating effects on health care coverage in Illinois, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands uninsured and placing a massive financial strain on health providers who already struggle with uncompensated care. As the bill gains momentum, health care leaders and advocates warn this drastic financial reduction threatens essential services for vulnerable populations, creating a ripple effect that could increase ER wait times, shutter clinics, and ultimately leave many without life-saving treatments.

Illinois is the last state still unlawfully stripping wealth from homeowners in tax foreclosures

Black homeowners in Cook County are losing their homes and generational equity due to an archaic Illinois tax foreclosure law that allows private investors to seize properties over minor tax debts, often exploiting those in predominantly Black communities. Despite Supreme Court rulings and advocacy efforts to reform this system, legal loopholes and powerful lobbying have sustained this practice, leaving vulnerable homeowners like Velma Lewis forced to buy back what should rightfully be theirs. Donations are sought to support investigative journalism and advocacy initiatives that seek to bring about necessary legislative changes and protect homeowners from predatory practices.

RFK Jr. Is Coming for Abortion Pills

The Trump administration’s approach to mifepristone access, alongside a report deemed unreliable by experts, may lead to significant restrictions on the abortion pill, reflecting a push to prioritize political agendas over scientific evidence. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s commitment to reviewing the drug’s safety appears to align more with anti-abortion interests than it does with well-established research, sparking concern among reproductive rights advocates about the integrity of public health policy under political influence.

Rattlesnakes in the Bay Area: Why Parks Officials Are Warning Hikers (Plus, What to Do if You’re Bitten)

With warmer weather increasing human and wildlife activity in the Bay Area, it’s crucial to exercise caution on local trails to avoid encounters with rattlesnakes, ticks, and poison oak, while also respecting the presence of other wildlife like coyotes and deer. Significantly, if you encounter a rattlesnake, give it space and seek immediate medical attention if bitten, avoiding outdated remedies like using snake bite kits.

The US has 1,001 measles cases and 11 states with active outbreaks

The U.S. is grappling with a significant measles outbreak, counting over 1,000 cases across 11 states, with Texas as the epicenter. This surge, fueled by declining vaccination rates in some communities, underscores the critical need for rigorous immunization efforts to prevent the highly contagious virus from spreading further.

Trump’s about to blow massive success story with single move: expert

While drug overdose deaths in the U.S. saw a historic decline in 2024, experts are raising alarms about potential setbacks if proposed federal budget cuts to Medicaid and crucial public health programs, like the CDC and SAMHSA, proceed, potentially undoing hard-won progress in combating the opioid crisis. The proposed cuts risk leaving vulnerable populations without critical treatment and harm reduction services, highlighting the urgent need for continued investment in behavioral health systems to maintain and build on recent successes.