Former CDC director Tom Frieden shares warning for RFK Jr. on measles outbreak Public health disaster is brewing as HHS secretary wavers on vaccines and federal programs get cut

https://www.statnews.com/2025/03/20/tom-frieden-texas-measles-outbreak-rfk-jr-mmr-vaccine-public-health/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-86shc6LZ0c6gEfoUysTKANjwHFwERUoVSLeLXX8x8hORK3KCtfmYQioFW1rKIo9OS_WurEg1iYRXWTaQxS29pdKX13CQ&_hsmi=352920979&utm_content=352920979&utm_source=hs_email Tons of stories on the site right now if you want to catch up on what you missed — and you should — but here are some highlights: One of the day’s recurring themes was that the return of President Donald Trump to the Oval Office has drastically changed the practice of science. That could have deadly consequences, according to former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Tom Frieden. Talking about Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Frieden said that messing with vaccines and measles is a public health disaster waiting to happen. Former Food and Drug Administration lead Scott Gottlieb had a similar message for the current health chief. https://www.statnews.com/2025/03/20/rfk-jr-hhs-measles-outbreak-infant-formula-plan-criticism-fda-scott-gottlieb/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9FYWzsa4JhfJ5JjFCZHdcbiLBmiqHGawdsSOpp8HxJV596h9JWx7rORTQQDzOpfmAqg-0NJGDoN1MvYtZR_Mse-7f0hQ&_hsmi=352920979&utm_content=352920979&utm_source=hs_email Everyone wants the wildly popular GLP-1 drugs to treat diabetes and obesity, and investors are pouring money into more research. But there’s a catch, according to health executives from Ro and Health Included. Ongoing employer concerns over cost and a lack of patient adherence remain stubborn obstacles to wider adoption. Tapping the potential of GLP-1 drugs requires integrated care and overcoming inequities, executives say The vagaries of the U.S. health care system pose obstacles, the CEOs of Ro and Included Health say https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2025/03/20/glp-weight-obesity-zepbound-lilly-novo-ro-integrated-pharma-stat/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9DcHJ0BrYTTEQPt7JpXywr4wjDRC4UxnkDEnNzG_tpeFWBY2WL57XnUGSSKt7zKTNT5DSJ6IwwW5noz2SBvxVa9lVpuw&_hsmi=352920979&utm_content=352920979&utm_source=hs_email Gene therapy pioneer Jim Wilson spoke about how the field is currently clouded with “irrational pessimism.” Wilson acknowledged that researchers still must answer questions surrounding the treatments’ long-term safety. How would he assuage investors? Read on. Gene therapies and CRISPR drugs slowed by ‘irrational pessimism,’ say scientists forging new paths Gene therapy leaders Jim Wilson and Kiran Musunuru are taking contrasting approaches https://www.statnews.com/2025/03/20/gene-therapy-crispr-drugs-irrational-pessimism/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_E6bQsbdS0kpAumd8DuqCMgBr9aTWB00i2AgwQnxXpd2AKYj0LjmFAsdxKF0xdudG8O1CVs_h5tP03fMeIjmjHWDqnJg&_hsmi=352920979&utm_content=352920979&utm_source=hs_email And finally: Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill! A panel about Bill Nye the Science Guy’s new adventure — raising awareness about ataxia, a rare movement disorder — morphed into a critique of Kennedy and other health leaders. “We really try in planetary science to stay away from the politics. But man, it’s really hard right now. This is so extreme.” ‘Polio, bad’: Bill Nye the Science Guy rebukes RFK Jr. over vaccine views There’s only so much incompetence that Americans can put up with, the science educator said https://www.statnews.com/2025/03/21/bill-nye-science-guy-rebukes-rfk-jr-over-vaccine-views/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8WFgsDcFN8hbhI1oKGIoHtfRGYC7tvH-I0fHeuJSAKaNxn1f92tZhtRRvo-E6eKTrEcnxOgloi2Iv3FsF_JxUQd7D4DA&_hsmi=352920979&utm_content=352920979&utm_source=hs_email