Next Week in Public Health, December 18, 2025
Programming note! We’re not going away for the next two weeks, but like everyone else, we’ll be slowing down a bit. Same cadence, same articles, but we have something special planned for the last two 2025 issues.
Pam Bondi Dismissed Charges Against a Surgeon Who Falsified Vaccine Cards. It Emboldened Others With Similar Cases.
Dr. Kirk Moore, a Utah plastic surgeon accused of falsifying COVID-19 vaccine cards and discarding vaccine doses, had all charges against him dropped by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. The case dismissal highlights the growing influence of the “medical freedom” movement in U.S. politics and emboldens similar defendants to seek reexaminations of their cases.
Bird flu claims another 31k ducks, 25k egg-laying chickens in northeast Indiana
A dangerous strain of bird flu, H5N1, has spread to mammals, including dairy cows in Texas, marking its first known occurrence in cows in at least 17 U.S. states. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is ramping up biosecurity measures and exploring vaccines, although these vaccines may affect international poultry trade.
Crackdown on DC Homeless
The Trump administration’s federal crackdown on homeless encampments in Washington, D.C., has forced thousands into hiding, disrupting their access to essential health and social services. With the removal of visible tent communities, homeless individuals face challenges in obtaining medical care and maintaining vital connections, exacerbating public health and safety concerns.
FDA use of AI questioned
The FDA has deployed an advanced AI system, building upon earlier AI capabilities, to enhance efficiency in regulatory tasks like pre-market reviews and inspections. However, stakeholders should be cautious, as reliance on AI could lead to unpredictable outcomes and delays without careful oversight and validation
In Search of Solutions, Patients Turn to Naturopathic Medicine
Dr. Paul Raish’s clinic in Kalispell offers ozone therapy, a controversial alternative treatment lacking solid scientific backing, to patients seeking options outside mainstream medicine. Despite skepticism from many in the medical community, patients like Jeff Miller report significant health improvements, such as an increase in kidney function from a GFR of 34 to 65.
