Inside RFK Jr.'s 'MAHA Tour'

On a road show through the Southwest, MAHA goals took precedence. Measles prevention less so.

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Crystal Milner/STAT On an RFK Jr. road show, MAHA goals take precedence. Measles prevention less so Robert Kennedy Jr. plays up victories in nonfluoridated water and nutrition, plays down measles while away from layoff-wracked agencies in D.C. By Lev Facher U.S. maternal mortality rate increased 27% over five years, NIH study finds Study finds U.S. maternal mortality increased from 2018 to 2022, calls issue "urgent public health priority." Report comes as research is cut. By Anil Oza STAT+ | AI agents in health care: Everything you need to know, but didn't know how to ask AI agents, which marry artificial intelligence with other programs, are making progress in health care, but the hype is still ahead of real-world results. By Brittany Trang Photo illustration: Christine Kao/STAT; Photo: Getty STAT+ | Debate over soda, candy bans shows how MAHA is scrambling old alliances Advocates say proposed soda ban would improve American nutrition, but like other MAHA issues, it comes with unusual alliances, political complications. By Sarah Todd Public health leader calls for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign, citing 'complete disregard for science' Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, said Kennedy had shown "complete disregard for science" as health secretary. By Elizabeth Cooney STAT+ | Why the closure of an FDA office may impact generics manufacturers — and everyday Americans "It's a tiny thing in the beginning, but it will have a big effect years down the road," said industry expert Kurt Karst. By Ed Silverman Opinion: The invisibility of good public health work Two county health department leaders discuss how chaos in Washington is hurting their attempts to fight both infectious and chronic disease. By Torie Bosch Public health leaders, besieged and regretful, talk of re-establishing trust Public health officials gathered in Washington to celebrate 30 years of progress. Instead, they spoke of regrets and how they could reestablish trust. By Elizabeth Cooney Opinion: AI scribe technology lets me focus on my patients, not a screen Once physician Iyesatta Massaquoi Emeli began using an ambient-listening AI scribe to capture notes, she became a true believer. By Iyesatta Massaquoi Emeli

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