Public Health News Roundup, March 17, 2025

by Jon Scaccia March 17, 2025

Top o’the morning to you. What fresh hells await us this week?

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Funding top of mind for new chief of Southern Nevada Health District

Cassius Lockett, the new leader of the Southern Nevada Health District, is focused on navigating the challenges of limited federal funding and evolving public health threats through data-driven decision-making and innovative programs, such as a “Nurse with a Backpack” initiative for the homeless. As he steps into his role against a backdrop of leadership changes at the national level, including the controversial appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Lockett emphasizes the importance of strengthening local health infrastructure to address emerging diseases and environmental health impacts amid uncertain political landscapes.

Georgia considers stiffer penalties for fentanyl possession and trafficking

A new bill backed by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and carried by state Sen. Russ Goodman proposes harsher penalties for fentanyl possession and trafficking in Georgia, marking a shift towards a criminal justice approach to tackling the fentanyl epidemic. While some lawmakers believe the increased penalties could deter illicit drug trade, public health experts caution that focusing solely on supply reduction without addressing treatment and harm reduction could repeat past mistakes of the war on drugs, underscoring the importance of a balanced approach that includes expanded access to drug treatment and opioid reversal medications.

Johns Hopkins doctor urges protection from measles, especially for children

The resurgence of measles cases in the U.S., currently affecting more than 300 individuals across 13 states, highlights the critical importance of vaccination, as emphasized by Johns Hopkins doctors and the CDC. With cases linked to international travel and the potential for severe complications in vulnerable groups, maintaining high MMR vaccination coverage and contacting healthcare providers before visiting medical facilities are vital measures to curb the spread and protect at-risk populations.

Measles remains a danger to health even years after an infection

The recent measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico has highlighted the dire consequences of waning vaccination rates, with nearly 300 cases surpassing the entire U.S. total for 2024 and demonstrating the potential severity of measles complications such as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) and immune amnesia. Despite the CDC’s assurance that nationwide risk remains low, pediatric specialists are raising alarms about the heightened danger of severe, long-term health repercussions from measles, urging a resurgence in vaccination efforts as a critical defense against this highly contagious virus and its extensive complications, which include loss of immune memory that can heighten vulnerability to other infections.

Indiana legislature could explore limiting use of public health fund

The Health First Indiana program, designed to boost local public health departments with $225 million over two years, is facing scrutiny from state lawmakers who are questioning its effectiveness and use of funds, particularly over services provided to undocumented immigrants. Despite criticisms over the pace of results and budgetary constraints, state officials emphasize the long-term benefits and improvements in health metrics, such as maternal and infant mortality rates, as evidence of the program’s value and urge continued investment.

‘Partners and brothers:’ After a big donor sought care from a Dana-Farber doctor, things went awry

The case of Marc Cohen, a major donor to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, highlights complex ethical and legal questions about informal medical advice provided by star physicians to influential donors and VIPs, challenging the boundaries of patient-doctor relationships. The lack of formal medical records due to a purportedly informal advisory role by oncologist Dr. Kenneth C. Anderson has raised serious concerns and a legal complaint, underscoring the need for clear institutional policies on VIP treatment and the essential role of meticulous record-keeping in patient care.