Public Health News Round Up, Friday April 4, 2025

by Jon Scaccia April 4, 2025

Just an interesting bit of reflection today, I quit smoking on this day back in 2008. 16 years ago! I also quit drinking in 2017. What I also think is interesting is that I still get cravings for cigarettes, but nothing for alcohol.

I’m sure a neuropsych person could tell me why my brain has been rewired this way.

Here’s what we have next week.

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COVID Conspiracies, RFK Jr. Discussed by Christian Frei as ‘Blame’ Opens Visions du Réel: ‘In a World Where Nothing Is True, Everything Becomes Possible’

“Blame,” a documentary by Swiss director Christian Frei, delves into the paradox where scientists warning of pandemics, like COVID-19, face backlash amid conspiracy theories and misinformation. The film highlights the human side of researchers often misunderstood and scapegoated, while commenting on the global rise of far-right narratives and the erosion of evidence-based discourse.

HHS cuts, closure of regional offices are a blow to public health

The Trump administration’s decision to close regional offices of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has sparked concern over a weakened connection between federal resources and local health needs, especially in addressing issues like rural healthcare access and urban health disparities. Critics argue that the restructuring poses a severe threat to public health by eliminating essential infrastructure and experienced workforce, potentially rolling back decades of progress.

Measles spreads to central Texas; 5 states have active outbreaks

Measles outbreaks have surged into states like Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, and Ohio, fueled by low vaccination rates and international travel, leading the U.S. to surpass its 2024 case count. Despite the high contagion of the measles virus, maintaining over 95% vaccination coverage can create herd immunity, emphasizing the crucial need for immunization to prevent further spread and avoid severe health consequences.

Susan Monarez, Trump’s nominee for CDC director, faces an unprecedented and tumultuous era at the agency

The appointment of Dr. Susan Monarez as the permanent director of the CDC during the Trump administration signals a critical moment for public health in the U.S., as she will need to navigate significant challenges including workforce cuts, political pressures, and ongoing health crises like measles and avian flu outbreaks, all while striving to maintain scientific integrity and public trust. Despite her solid scientific background and generally positive reception from health professionals, Monarez has yet to clearly assert her stance on executive decisions that may undermine evidence-based public health practices, raising concerns about her future influence and leadership at the CDC.

‘It Will Set Us Back Multiple Decades’: Why Public Health Experts Are Panicking About the HHS Overhaul

In a sweeping overhaul, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a restructuring that resulted in 10,000 layoffs across critical public health programs, alarming experts who warn this decision could significantly destabilize disease prevention, outbreak response, and other essential services nationwide. Though framed as a cost-cutting efficiency measure, critics stress that this move could devastate public health infrastructure and expertise, potentially setting back progress for decades and disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities.