Summary

The Trump administration abruptly fired at least 10 principal investigators at the NIH Tuesday, including Dr. Richard Youle, a top Parkinson’s researcher and Breakthrough Prize winner.

The cuts, part of a broader purge by HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., are tied to a government slashing plan eliminating 1,200 NIH jobs.

Affected labs span key research in neurology, aging, HIV, and child brain disorders.

NIH leaders and scientists expressed confusion and alarm, warning the firings could severely disrupt clinical trials and critical research.

Senators Bernie Sanders and Bill Cassidy requested Kennedy testify before Congress April 10.

Summary

Democratic leaders in 23 states and Washington, DC, sued the Trump administration over its abrupt rollback of $12 billion in public health funding.

The lawsuit seeks to halt the cuts, which include $11.4 billion from the CDC and $1 billion from behavioral health programs, arguing the funds were lawfully allocated by Congress for long-term health infrastructure.

Critics warn the move will disrupt pandemic preparedness and addiction services. HHS defends the cuts as aligned with Trump's new health priorities.

Summary

Texas has reported 400 measles cases since late January, with 41 hospitalizations and one child fatality, amid a broader U.S. outbreak now totaling 483 confirmed cases across 20 states, per the CDC.

Most Texas cases involve unvaccinated individuals, with Gaines County accounting for 67.5% of state cases.

New Mexico has reported 44 cases and one death. The 2025 tally already surpasses 2024’s total of 285 cases.

Experts link the surge to declining vaccination rates post-pandemic and warn of broader public health risks if immunization coverage remains low.

Summary

Cases of bird flu in domestic cats are rising, with at least 126 U.S. infections since 2022—half in 2025—often linked to raw meat or milk.

The virus spreads quickly in cats and is frequently fatal. Three recent cases tied to raw poultry and unpasteurized milk led to two lawsuits and multiple pet food recalls.

Experts warn the virus could mutate and pose greater human risk.

Though no cat-to-human transmission has been confirmed, health officials urge caution with raw pet diets and stress the need for better surveillance.

Summary

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) warned that Dr. Peter Marks’ forced resignation as the FDA’s top vaccine official will erode scientific standards and hinder medical innovation.

Marks resigned after accusing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of spreading “misinformation and lies.”

His departure, reportedly prompted by an ultimatum, has drawn criticism amid ongoing concerns about Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism.

Marks had led vaccine safety efforts since 2016 and was pivotal in Operation Warp Speed. Senator Bill Cassidy called the resignation “a loss” and urged for unbiased, expert leadership at the FDA.

Summary

Utah became the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water after Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation prohibiting local decisions on fluoridation.

Cox cited cost and personal choice, likening fluoride to government “medication.”

The ban faces opposition from dentists and health experts, who argue fluoride prevents cavities and benefits low-income communities.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans receive fluoridated water. Some cities have already removed fluoride, and a recent court order requires the EPA to regulate high levels that may affect children’s intellectual development.

Summary

COVID-19 deepened political divides around vaccines, with skepticism increasingly concentrated among Republicans. Experts trace this to early pandemic messaging from Trump downplaying the virus.

One in four Republican parents now skip or delay childhood vaccines, fueling measles outbreaks.

Public health officials warn vaccine misinformation has gained ground, exacerbated by political figures like RFK Jr., now health secretary, who promotes controversial views.

Budget cuts threaten vaccine research. Experts urge better messaging and nonjudgmental engagement to rebuild trust, fearing current polarization will hamper response to future pandemics like potential bird flu threats.

Summary

Scientists fear the Trump administration is undermining mRNA technology, citing informal reports of NIH data collection on mRNA funding and concerns that grants may be cut.

Acting NIH Director Matthew Memoli initiated a review of 130 mRNA-related grants, raising alarm among researchers. The administration also reviewed a $600 million Moderna contract for flu vaccines.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and potential NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya have questioned mRNA vaccines, fueling skepticism.

Experts warn that politicizing mRNA research could hinder medical advances and pandemic preparedness.

Patients with difficult-to-diagnose conditions like endometriosis are often sent home with diagnoses like anxiety or bipolar disorder

Summary

Rural America faces rising tooth decay as anti-fluoride sentiment grows and dentist shortages persist.

Nearly 25 million Americans live in "dental deserts," while about 230 counties lack both dentists and fluoridated water.

Anti-fluoride momentum surged after a controversial report linked high fluoride levels to lower IQ, leading to fluoride bans and cuts in Medicaid funding.

Experts warn that cutting fluoride and Medicaid could drastically worsen dental decay, especially among low-income children.

Trump's federal funding cuts are shutting down studies on Alzheimer’s care, uterine fibroids and pregnancy risks — all because they focus on gender.

Summary

Measles vaccination rates in young U.S. children may be significantly lower than CDC estimates, risking the country’s “elimination status” for the disease.

A recent study found only 71.8% of children under 5 received at least one MMR dose, compared to the CDC's reported 92.7% for kindergarteners.

The decline, linked partly to COVID-19 disruptions and vaccine hesitancy, has led to over 420 cases this year, primarily in Texas.

Experts warn that declining vaccination rates and increased international travel could make endemic transmission likely, jeopardizing public health.

Summary

The Texas measles outbreak has grown to 327 cases, with 18 new infections confirmed in the past five days, according to state health officials.

Most cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.

At least 40 people have been hospitalized, and two deaths are suspected, including one confirmed fatality of an unvaccinated child.

The outbreak's epicenter is in Gaines County, with nearby states also reporting cases. The CDC has reported 378 cases nationwide this year, 95% of which involve unvaccinated individuals.

Summary

A 30-year study published in Nature Medicine found that eating a primarily plant-based diet with minimal processed food significantly increases the chances of reaching age 70 without chronic diseases.

Researchers analyzed over 105,000 people’s diets and found that less than 10% achieved "healthy aging."

Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low in processed meats—like the Mediterranean and Alternative Healthy Eating Index diets—showed the strongest benefits.

Experts emphasize combining healthy eating with exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking.

Summary

After Texas banned abortion in 2021, sepsis rates among women hospitalized for second-trimester pregnancy loss rose over 50%, with maternal deaths increasing 33% from 2019 to 2023.

ProPublica’s analysis found that sepsis risk surged when the fetus still had a heartbeat, as doctors hesitated to intervene due to legal fears.

Maternal health experts warn that abortion bans delay critical care, endangering women’s lives.

Texas lawmakers, facing mounting evidence and public pressure, are considering amending the law to better protect patients, but changes remain uncertain.

Summary

As ADHD awareness grows, TikTok has become a popular platform for sharing experiences, with ADHD-related hashtags amassing hundreds of millions of views.

However, a new study found that less than half of top ADHD videos on TikTok accurately reflect diagnostic criteria, often oversimplifying symptoms and spreading misinformation.

Excessive viewing of these videos can worsen perceptions of personal symptoms and inflate perceived prevalence rates to 30%, far above the actual 5-6%.

Experts caution that misleading content may prompt unnecessary self-diagnoses and treatments, but acknowledge social media addresses a need for awareness and support.

Summary

Measles cases are surging in the US, with 378 confirmed in early 2025, surpassing last year's 285 cases.

Texas remains the epicenter with 309 cases, 40 hospitalizations, and one child death. New Mexico and Oklahoma report 42 and four cases, respectively. Ohio, Maryland, and Alabama have also reported new cases linked to international travel.

Vaccine misinformation, fueled by figures like Robert F Kennedy Jr., contributes to hesitancy, particularly in Texas.

Health officials warn the outbreak may persist for a year without widespread vaccination, despite efforts to increase immunization rates.