Top FDA vaccine official Peter Marks has resigned after being told it was either his position or firing. His ouster has raised concerns among public health experts, former FDA commissioners, and biotech executives about the impact on infectious disease containment.
Marks’ resignation letter warned that Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy’s anti-vaccine agenda is undermining confidence in vaccines at a critical time when measles outbreaks are growing across the US. Experts fear this move may compromise the effectiveness of life-saving medicines and put patients at risk.
The CDC reports an increase in measles cases, with 400 identified as of Friday, primarily in western Texas. The outbreak coincides with Kennedy’s response to the crisis, which some critics call misinformation and lies.
Meanwhile, the FDA has authorized an at-home test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis, providing a convenient alternative to doctor visits. This move aims to curb the spread of STIs and improve access to treatment.
In other news, women’s heart disease research is facing threats due to the Trump administration’s attack on diversity efforts. Researchers are worried that this progress may be hindered by the lack of funding for women’s health studies.
Additionally, some medical schools are phasing out cadavers in favor of virtual reality and 3D visualization tools, which may deprive future doctors of valuable education about death and reverence for life.
Finally, cardiac deaths during marathons have decreased significantly since a recent study published in JAMA, attributing the decline to improved CPR and AED availability on course.
Source: https://www.statnews.com/2025/03/31/health-news-at-home-sti-tests-texas-measles-fda-vaccine-cardiac-arrests-morning-rounds