News

The Measles virus is spreading in Spartanburg.

April 10, 2026

The Measles virus is spreading in Spartanburg. The economic cost could hit all of South Carolina Public health discussions often focus on medicine. But when preventable diseases spread through a community, the consequences reach far beyond hospitals and clinics. They affect workers, businesses, schools, and the broader economic stability of local communities. South Carolina is currently seeing that reality unfold as the measles virus continues to spread in and around Spartanburg County. As of February 2026, the state has reported nearly 1,000 cases, mainly among people who were unvaccinated. While the measles virus was once considered to be

Fewer Florida children are receiving routine vaccinations

January 13, 2025

Fewer Florida Children are Receiving Routine Vaccinations High vaccination rates can help prevent the spread of severe illnesses like measles and polio. But pediatricians say they’re encountering more parents hesitant to get their kids immunized. Childhood vaccination rates in Florida continue to decline, part of a national trend as misinformation spreads more widely and hesitancy increases, health experts said. In the 2023-24 school year, 88.1% of kindergartners completed required vaccines that protect against severe illnesses, including measles, polio and chickenpox, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s one of the lowest rates in the

Louisiana deserves better from our leaders than anti-vaccine rhetoric

October 30, 2024

Louisiana deserves better from our leaders than anti-vaccine rhetoric As a pediatric health care provider, it’s deeply disheartening to witness our state’s leaders squander an important opportunity to protect the health and safety of Louisianans —especially our children. Recent hearings held by the House Select Committee on Homeland Security were supposed to be a chance to reflect on Louisiana’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and identify ways to strengthen our public health systems. Instead, these hearings became a platform for spreading falsehoods, conspiracy theories and dangerous anti-vaccine rhetoric. The people of Louisiana deserve better. Our state has

The Economic Imperative of Childhood Vaccinations for Florida’s Business Community

September 3, 2024

The economic imperative of childhood vaccinations for Florida’s business community As businesses in Florida continue to navigate the challenges of inflation and fluctuating federal policies, it’s never been more critical to ensure a stable and healthy workforce. One unlikely but vital component of this is childhood vaccinations, which are actually a key component of this stability by providing both immediate and long-term economic benefits too significant to ignore. A healthy workforce is the backbone of any thriving economy. When children are vaccinated, they are less likely to fall ill, meaning fewer missed school days and, crucially,

Lost Trust Leads To Lives Lost: Rebuilding Vaccine Confidence For A Healthier Nation

July 23, 2024

Lost Trust Leads To Lives Lost: Rebuilding Vaccine Confidence For A Healthier Nation One of my earliest childhood memories was watching my father, a doctor, make house calls to his patients around Nashville. Witnessing his healing, empathy, and dedication to the science of medicine first inspired me to follow in his footsteps — not just as a physician, but in his passion to make the world a healthier, better place for all. It inevitably guided me to the halls of the U.S. Capitol as a senator representing my home state of Tennessee. In those halls, I

Childhood Vaccinations – Not Just a Personal Choice, A Community Responsibility

May 24, 2024

Childhood Vaccinations – Not Just a Personal Choice, A Community Responsibility In an era where misinformation can spread as rapidly as disease, it’s imperative that we, as a community, reaffirm our commitment to vaccines—one of the most effective preventive public health tools available. As president of the Louisiana Parent Teacher Association (PTA), I feel compelled to address the health and safety of our children through vaccination as a matter of utmost urgency. Our children’s well-being, the continuity of their education, and the strength of our community depend on it. The PTA serves as a bridge between parents,