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Body: With the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirming the fifth measles-associated death in the state, a newly published poll shows many Americans are still confused about whether HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recommends measles vaccination, although most do not believe, as Kennedy and President Donald Trump have sometimes claimed, that the vaccine causes autism. The state confirmed the fifth death occurred in Lancaster County, the epicenter of the Pennsylvania outbreak, and the patient was unvaccinated. Pennsylvania is the only state that has reported measles deaths so far this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized only two of the deaths after it changed recording measles-associated deaths on its public dashboard to only show cases after the virus is verified by the National Center for Health Statistics as the underlying cause of death, which was widely criticized . Other states could see even more significant outbreaks, according to a study published this week in PNAS that found some Florida school districts now have a low enough measles vaccination rate that a single measles exposure would likely lead to an outbreak. If local vaccination rates continue to drop as the state government moves to end school vaccine requirements, researchers at the University of Maryland found Florida could see dozens or hundreds of children die of measles in the next 5 to 10 years. The latest polling data from the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) at the University of Pennsylvania shows continued confusion on whether Kennedy recommends measles vaccination, citing the mixed statements the secretary has made publicly. The proportion of U.S. adults who said Kennedy recommended the vaccine was 31%, with 29% saying he did not recommend the vaccine and 40% unsure. The poll was conducted Aug. 4-17, after Kennedy said on Aug. 2 in a CNN interview that he does believe people should get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to prevent measles. The proportion of people surveyed who said he did recommend the vaccine was up from 23% in August of 2025. Since then, however, Kennedy and CDC Director Erica Schwartz have not made public statements urging people to get the MMR vaccine, despite the growing outbreaks and the deaths in Pennsylvania. Kennedy has also publicly sparred with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, accusing Shapriro of politicizing the states’ measles deaths and suggesting they may have been falsified. Later in August, Trump, backed by Kennedy, published an executive order calling for the breakup of the two-dose MMR vaccine into six separate shots, saying the vaccine can be “lethal.” “As measles cases rise and the U.S. is poised to lose its measles elimination status, this country is paying the price for skepticism about vaccination against measles that RFK Jr. played a central role in promoting,” Kathleen Hall Jamieson, APPC’s director emerita, said in a statement. “His ability to address the current U.S. measles outbreaks is hampered by the fact that most adults are either unsure about his stand on childhood vaccination against measles or believe that he does not recommend it.” The APPC survey also asked participants about their views on whether vaccines cause autism, comparing a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics -- “Studies have repeatedly found no credible link between life-saving childhood vaccines and autism” -- with a statement from CDC under Kennedy -- “The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.” A majority of respondents, 55%, said the AAP statement was closer to their own view while 18% were closer to agreeing with the CDC statement and 27% said they were not sure. Contradictory information from CDC on vaccine safety is reflected in a new government chatbot launched by the White House this week. Asked about the statement “vaccines given to children for diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella cause autism,” 68% of respondents to the APPC survey said the statement was false, 13% said it was true and 19% said they were not sure. However, the percentage saying the statement is false has dropped from 74% since 2021. Asked about their overall view on Kennedy, only 23% said it was favorable, unchanged from August of 2025. Half of respondents said they had an unfavorable view of him, with 42% saying it was very unfavorable -- a 5% increase since last year. FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton is currently facing scrutiny in Congress over her views on vaccines, and public health advocates criticized members of the Senate health committee for voting to advance surgeon general nominee Nicole Saphier despite her own criticisms of MMR vaccines. “The spineless decision by Bill Cassidy and Susan Collins to rubber stamp RFK Jr. as health secretary set back vaccination rates by decades and allowed measles to run amok,” Brad Woodhouse, president of Protect Our Care, said in a statement. “They pretended to be shocked about the public health consequences of installing a science-denying fraud at HHS. But neither Senators Collins nor Cassidy have learned a thing . . . When things go south as a result of Collins and Cassidy’s political cowardice, their crocodile tears are no consolation to the kids who suffer or die from a preventable disease.” -- Jessica Karins ( jkarins@iwpnews.com )

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Pink in East Texas: Breast Cancer Awareness Takes on Special Importance for Rural Women Johanna Vicker… Fri, 10/02/2026 - 05:27 Body October brings pink ribbons to storefronts, football fields, churches and community events across East Texas as communities recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But behind the pink is a message particularly important for women living in rural communities: make the appointment. For women in places like Sabine County, getting a mammogram may not be as simple as driving across town. Rural residents may have to travel farther for screening, arrange time away from work, find transportation or navigate the cost of care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies transportation, cost, scheduling and other structural barriers as factors that can make cancer screening more difficult to access. CDC Those obstacles make October's familiar sea of pink about much more than awareness. It's a reminder not to put off your own health. Screening recommendations have changed The current recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force calls for women at average risk of breast cancer to receive a mammogram every two years beginning at age 40 and continuing through age 74. USPSTF That starting age matters. Previous guidance allowed women in their 40s to make an individual decision about when to begin routine screening. The Task Force changed its recommendation as evidence showed breast cancer incidence increasing among women in their 40s. USPSTF Women with a family history of breast cancer, genetic mutations or other factors that put them at higher risk may need a different screening schedule and should discuss their individual risk with their health care provider. A mammogram cannot prevent breast cancer, but screening can detect cancer before symptoms appear and at an earlier stage, when it may be easier to treat. CDC Rural women face a different reality In East Texas, women are accustomed to taking care of everybody else. There are children to get to school, grandchildren to keep, aging parents who need help, businesses to run, cattle to feed, church responsibilities, ballgames and jobs that don't stop because it's time for an annual doctor's appointment. Then add distance. Specialized medical care isn't necessarily around the corner in a rural county. A screening appointment can mean a drive to another community and a chunk taken out of a workday. That can make 'I'll schedule it later' remarkably easy. October is a good month to turn later into now. Know what is normal for you Routine screening is important, but women should also pay attention to changes in their breasts and talk with a health care provider when something doesn't seem right. A new lump or thickening, changes in the size or shape of a breast, changes to the skin, nipple changes or unusual discharge are among the symptoms that should prompt a conversation with a medical professional. And finding something unusual does not automatically mean cancer. Breast changes can have many causes. The important thing is not ignoring them. Don't let lack of insurance end the conversation Cost can be another significant barrier, particularly for women who are uninsured or underinsured. The CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program helps eligible women with low incomes who are uninsured or underinsured obtain free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services. The program generally serves eligible women ages 40 to 64 for breast cancer screening, although some women outside that age range may also qualify. CDC That means a woman who believes she cannot afford a mammogram should ask about available assistance before deciding she cannot be screened. Make the pink mean something Wearing pink is a visible way to honor survivors, remember those who have been lost and support women currently facing breast cancer. But awareness is only useful when it leads to action. This October, check when you had your last mammogram. Ask your mother. Ask your sister. Ask the friend who has been saying for six months that she'll make the appointment. And for the East Texas woman who is always taking care of everyone else, Breast Cancer Awareness Month carries one simple reminder: You belong on the list of people you're taking care of, too. News

Congo's Ebola outbreak has now recorded more than 4,000 deaths as authorities struggle to contain the virus. The Health Ministry released the latest figures on Thursday, showing 4,018 deaths among 8,300 confirmed cases. This outbreak is the fastest-growing in history.…