Public Health News Round Up, May 7, 2025

by Mandy Morgan May 7, 2025

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Another L.A. County measles case amid nationwide surge; vaccines urged ahead of summer travel

Los Angeles County officials are urging residents to ensure their measles vaccinations are up to date following the area’s fourth case this year, linked to a traveler from abroad. With measles cases on the rise and the disease’s potential to become endemic again, health experts emphasize that vaccination is the most effective protection against this highly contagious virus.

Arizona Has Recovered Just 5% of Taxpayer Dollars Lost in a $2.5 Billion Medicaid Fraud Scheme

Arizona is grappling with the aftermath of a $2.5 billion Medicaid fraud scheme that exploited Native Americans seeking addiction treatment, with the state struggling to recover substantial lost funds and improve oversight. While more than 100 individuals have been indicted and $125 million recouped, both state and federal efforts have been stymied by the lavish spending and evasive tactics of those involved, leaving many victims dissatisfied with the pace and depth of justice and reform.

Florida will ban water fluoridation amid battle between public health, personal freedom

Florida’s decision to ban fluoridation in public water, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis, marks a significant shift away from established public health practices aimed at reducing dental disease, embracing a new rhetoric of personal liberty over expert guidance. While supporters argue this stance allows for individual choice free from “forced medication,” critics warn it risks increasing preventable dental issues and represents a broader trend of undermining scientific consensus in public health policy.

RFK Jr. Wildly Defends Terrifying Idea for Registry of Autistic People

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push for an autism disease registry, despite its controversial withdrawal, has reignited debates about privacy, consent, and the need for tracking public health data to manage rising autism rates, but raises concerns about vaccine misinformation. Meanwhile, contentious actions by the Trump administration, from chaotic military aid decisions to inflammatory immigration policies, have sparked widespread critique for their disregard of human rights and due process, fueling tensions on international stages and at home where policies have sowed domestic discontent during precarious times.

Seeking spending cuts, GOP lawmakers target a tax hospitals love to pay

In Colorado’s small Lincoln County, a rural hospital relies on special provider taxes to bolster Medicaid funding, which is at risk due to Republicans in Congress contemplating cuts to finance extending Trump-era tax reductions. The potential removal of these taxes poses a significant threat to Medicaid expansion and the financial viability of such rural health systems, underscoring a larger conflict between federal fiscal policy and state-led health care initiatives.

The rising cancer threat from oral intimacy

Our understanding of oral cancer causes has shifted significantly, with HPV now recognized as a major driver of oropharyngeal cancers, moving the conversation beyond traditional risk factors like tobacco and alcohol. Despite the prevalence of HPV, many remain unaware of its connection to oral cancer due to stigma around discussions of sexual activity. By raising awareness about prevention methods and encouraging HPV vaccination, we can better protect against this growing health risk, especially for younger populations who may be blindsided by a diagnosis.

Oregon joins lawsuit to keep public health programs

In a recent lawsuit, 20 attorneys general are challenging the Trump administration’s drastic decision to lay off 10,000 Health and Human Services (HHS) employees, arguing it severely hampers crucial public health programs and disregards federal law. This move has already disrupted services essential to millions of Americans, from disease monitoring to support for 9/11 responders, raising alarm over health protections and highlighting the administration’s questioned priorities in safeguarding public wellbeing.