Measles cases have continued to surge in Texas since the outbreak first began in late January.

State health officials reported 561 confirmed cases across 23 counties on Tuesday, an increase of 20 from April 11. 

Cases in Gaines County, the center of the outbreak in west Texas, jumped from 355 to 364, according to Reuters, citing the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The county now accounts for nearly 65% of the state’s total cases, according to health officials.

In response to the outbreak, the U.S. government will send seven personnel to the state to help battle the outbreak, the outlet reported.

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Dr. David Sugerman of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave an update on America’s response to the measles outbreak on Tuesday, according to Reuters. He said the CDC had already deployed 15 personnel to Texas from March 4 through April 1 and that the agency planned to send a second team on Tuesday, the outlet reported.

However, Sugerman said a response to the outbreak has been hindered by the cancelation of federal grants to states, according to Reuters.

“We are scraping to find the resources and personnel needed to provide support to Texas and other jurisdictions,” Sugerman said.

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A teenager’s arm covered in a measles rash. (iStock)

A local public health official also said to Reuters that the outbreak could last a year. 

Dr. Katherine Wells, director of Lubbock Public Health, told Reuters that if the outbreak continues to spread past Jan. 20, 2026, the U.S. could be at risk of losing its measles elimination status. The U.S. was declared free of endemic measles transmission in 2000.

Texas health officials said only 4%, fewer than 25 of the confirmed cases, are estimated to be “actively infectious.” Individuals are likely infectious four days prior to and after rash onset. 

The CDC will send more personnel to Texas to help combat the state’s measles outbreak. (REUTERS/Tami Chappell/File Photo)

Since the outbreak began, 58 of the state’s total patients have been hospitalized. 

Currently, children under the age of 18 make up the largest demographic of those infected with measles, accounting for 381 of the 561 cases.

Two fatalities have been recorded among school-aged children. The children were not vaccinated and had no underlying conditions. 

Since January, seven cases have been reported in those who were considered fully vaccinated and four cases in those who only had one vaccine dose, health officials reported.

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The other 550 cases were reported in people who were either not vaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Adults who have visited the hospital due to cannabis use could be at a higher risk of developing dementia.

A new study by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) found that individuals who had an emergency department visit for using cannabis were at a 23% greater risk of a dementia diagnosis within five years.

People who were hospitalized were at a much larger 72% risk of dementia.

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The study, published in JAMA Neurology, analyzed health data from Ontario, Canada, between 2008 and 2021, in more than six million individuals aged 45 to 105 years old.

The research found that 16,275 of these individuals had acute care due to cannabis use. Sixty percent of these individuals were men, according to a press release.

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The annual rates of incident acute care increased five times between 45 and 64 years old, and 26.7 times in people older than 65.

The individuals who received acute care due to cannabis use retained an elevated risk of dementia compared to the total number of people who received care, excluding cases due to alcohol use.

“This doesn’t mean cannabis use causes dementia, but it highlights a concerning association.”

Lead study author Dr. Daniel Myran, ICES scientist and assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Ottawa, commented on the study findings in an interview with Fox News Digital.

The individuals who received acute care due to cannabis use retained an elevated risk of dementia compared to the total number of people who received care, excluding cases due to alcohol use. (iStock)

The elevated dementia risk persisted even after other factors were considered, including pre-existing health conditions, socioeconomic status and prior care for other substances or mental health conditions, according to the researcher.

“Because of our study design, it is important to note that this doesn’t mean cannabis use causes dementia, but it highlights a concerning association,” he noted.

HEAVY CANNABIS USE COULD POSE THIS THREAT TO THE BRAIN

Myran mentioned his surprise at the “very large” increase over time of people aged 45 or older with an ER visit or hospitalization related to cannabis.

“It increased by over five times, from 353 in 2008 to 2,508 in 2021,” he said. “In adults aged 65 or older, it went up 27 times.”

“These trends seem to be capturing major shifts in cannabis use and potential adverse effects.”

Cannabis use does not come “without harm,” although it’s legal in many places, according to the researcher. (iStock)

The number of older adults with an ER visit or hospitalization who later received a dementia diagnosis was “also surprisingly high,” he said, at 5% at five years and 19% at 10 years.

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One limitation to the study was that the researchers lacked details on patterns of cannabis use and other health behaviors, like smoking.

“As a result, part of the observed increase in risk is likely related to differences in behaviors between groups that we couldn’t account for,” he said. 

Cannabis use is associated with “short-term memory impairment and long-term changes in brain structure,” according to ICES. (iStock)

“We also only examined the risk of dementia for individuals whose cannabis use led to an emergency visit or hospitalization — this is a small and higher-risk subset of all cannabis users and doesn’t tell us about the potential risks of differing patterns of cannabis use,” he added.

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As medical and recreational cannabis use is now legal in many areas, Myran emphasized that it doesn’t mean it’s “without harm.”

“Like alcohol and other substances, cannabis use – especially regular cannabis use or use of higher-strength products – may come with important risks,” he cautioned.

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“Our findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that regular cannabis use may have negative impacts on brain health and memory.”

CT scans, or CAT scans, are widely used to get internal images of the body and diagnose dangerous medical conditions — but they could pose a hidden risk.

A new study from the University of California – San Francisco found that CT (computed tomography) scans could be responsible for 5% of all cancer diagnoses each year, according to a press release.

“While some uncertainty exists, it doesn’t significantly affect the core conclusion: A small but meaningful percentage of cancers are linked to CT scans, and this number can be reduced,” first author Rebecca Smith-Bindman, MD, a UCSF radiologist and professor, told Fox News Digital.

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The researchers’ estimates show that the ionizing radiation exposure from CT scans is comparable to other significant risk factors, such as alcohol consumption and excess body weight.

To predict how many future cancers could result from current CT scans, the researchers updated a previous analysis of 2023 data on scan volumes, scan types and radiation doses, according to Smith-Bindman, MD.

“We used a well-validated model to estimate cancer risk and conducted sensitivity analyses to confirm the robustness of our findings,” she said.

“This is a modeling study, meaning our conclusions depend on the accuracy of the data used.”

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Based on the review, the researchers estimate that approximately 103,000 future cancers will be caused by CT scans performed in 2023 in the U.S., with the highest number of cases affecting adults aged 50 to 69.

Individual cancer risk is highest for babies and children, with babies under 1 year old 10 times more likely to develop the disease compared to others in the study.  

Adults, however, account for the majority of scans, which drives the overall cancer burden, Smith-Bindman noted.

“CT doses are sometimes higher than necessary.”

The most common cancer types resulting from CT radiation, according to the study, include lung cancer, colon cancer, leukemia and breast cancer. 

The study, which was published on April 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine, received funding from the National Institutes of Health.

“If CT is clearly indicated, the benefits far outweigh the risks,” the researcher said. (iStock)

“In many cases, CT is the most appropriate test for achieving rapid and accurate diagnoses,” Smith-Bindman told Fox News Digital.

“However, the use of CT continues to rise, including a concerning increase in imaging that is performed without a justified medical reason — often referred to as ‘low-value scanning.’” 

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Based on the findings, the researchers recommend avoiding unnecessary CT scans to avoid potential harms. 

Another risk-reducing approach is to lower the radiation dose per scan.

“CT doses are sometimes higher than necessary, so patients are encouraged to ask their healthcare providers or technologists to use the lowest possible dose for their scan,” Smith-Bindman advised.

“A small but meaningful percentage of cancers are linked to CT scans, and this number can be reduced.” (iStock)

Ultimately, the researcher said, patients should have informed conversations with their healthcare providers about the necessity of a CT scan and whether alternative imaging options — like ultrasound or MRI — might be more appropriate. 

“If CT is clearly indicated, the benefits far outweigh the risks,” she said. “But if not, it’s best to avoid the scan altogether.”

“Less can be more when it comes to good patient care.”

Dr. Nicole Saphier, board-certified radiologist and Fox News medical contributor, was not involved in the study but commented on the risks and benefits of CT scans.

“I have long advocated for the judicious use of medical imaging, often citing that less can be more when it comes to good patient care,” she told Fox News Digital.

IMAGE

“The recent study linking the ionizing radiation from CT scans to an increased risk of cancer underscores what many in the medical community have understood for years: while imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool, it is not without risk.”

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Saphier said the study may even underestimate the total number of cancers attributable to medical imaging. 

“Many cases of medical intervention-induced cancers may go unrecognized due to long latency periods, the complex interplay of contributing factors and the fact they omitted radiation from image-guided procedures, x-rays and other forms of medical radiation from this study,” she noted.

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“As imaging use and medical interventions continue to rise — especially in younger populations — the cumulative radiation exposure over a lifetime becomes an increasingly important consideration.”

That said, Saphier went on, CT scans and other medical imaging modalities — which are “fast and cheap” — save lives every day.

Based on the review, the researchers estimate that approximately 103,000 future cancers will be caused by CT scans performed in 2023 in the U.S., with the highest number of cases affecting adults aged 50 to 69. (iStock)

“The key is balance. Physicians must remain vigilant in weighing the benefits against the risks, and should always explore alternative modalities when appropriate, such as ultrasound or MRI, which do not use ionizing radiation.” 

Informed decision-making is essential for both clinicians and patients, according to the doctor. 

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“We must continue to refine our protocols, limit unnecessary imaging and ensure we are using the lowest possible doses without compromising diagnostic quality,” Saphier concluded.

“This is not a call to avoid CT scans — it is a call to use them wisely.”

The teen pregnancy epidemic could be waning, data suggests.

For the first time in U.S. history, more women over the age of 40 are having kids compared to teen moms, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This reflects the trend of more Americans either opting not to have kids or postponing them until later.

AMERICANS ARE HAVING FEWER BABIES AS BIRTH RATE HITS HISTORIC LOW, CDC REVEALS

The total number of U.S. births declined by 14% between 1990 and 2023, according to the March 2025 report.

During this time, birth rates among females younger than 20 decreased by 73%, marking the steepest percentage drop of all age groups.

This resulted in a decline from one in eight teen births in 1990 to one in 25 in 2023.

Women between 20 and 24 also had 44% fewer births from 1990 to 2023, while they dropped by 23% among 25- to 29-year-olds.

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The number of births among women aged 30 to 34 increased by 24%. Women between 35 and 39 experienced a steep 90% increase in births.

Women 40 and older marked a new high for birth rates, seeing a 193% surge from 1990 to 2023.

Teen birth rates have declined from one in eight teen births in 1990 to one in 25 in 2023. (iStock)

In 1990, women over 40 accounted for 1.2% of births. In 2023, that percentage had increased to 4.1%.

Women over 30 accounted for more than one-half of births (51.4%) in 2023, compared to only three in 10 births in 1990.

The CDC found that these age-specific changes caused a shift in maternal age distributions.

PREGNANT WOMEN STRUGGLE TO FIND CARE IN ‘MATERNITY DESERTS,’ NEW STUDY FINDS

In 1990, females younger than 30 accounted for seven in 10 births (69.8%). But in 2023, this age group accounted for less than one in two (48.6%).

“The magnitude of the decrease in birth rates among females younger than 30 was greater than the magnitude of the increase in rates among women 30 and older, resulting in declining overall fertility rates,” the CDC commented in the report.

Women over 30 accounted for more than one-half of births (51.4%) in 2023. (iStock)

“The decline in fertility rates over the past few decades results from declining rates among females younger than 30, coupled with smaller increases in rates among older women.”

Dr. Ashley Wiltshire of the Columbia University Fertility Center in New York commented on this shift in fertility in an interview with Fox News Digital.

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“This shift is likely due to the combination of advancements in both contraception methodologies and assisted reproductive technology (ART),” she said.

“The goal of both entities is to improve the overall reproductive autonomy for all women — from those who do not want to conceive to those who do.”

An expert commented that advancements in contraceptives and assisted reproductive technologies have allowed for this fertility shift. (iStock)

This includes people who seek out single parenthood, those in same-sex relationships and those who delay childbearing for personal or medical reasons, Wiltshire added.

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As egg freezing and embryo banking become more popular among women in their late 20s and 30s, Wiltshire agreed that these methods can “greatly increase an individual’s odds of conceiving at later ages.”

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“Additionally, donor egg is also a commonly utilized treatment option that can significantly improve the odds of pregnancy and livebirth later in life,” she added.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun, R-Ind., became the latest leader to enact health-related policies. On Tuesday, Braun signed a package of nine executive orders to “Make Indiana Healthy Again.”

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz joined Braun at an event on Tuesday where all three spoke about the importance of healthy eating.  

“This isn’t the usual top-down, one-size-fits-all public health agenda: We’re focused on root causes, giving Hoosiers the transparent information to make decisions affecting their health, making it easier to access fresh local food from Indiana’s incredible farms, and taking on the problems in government programs that are contributing to making our communities less healthy,” Braun said in a statement about the orders.

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In his orders, Braun made changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), called for a study on the impact of artificial food dyes and outlined a comprehensive chronic disease plan focused on the diets of Indiana residents. 

One of the major changes to SNAP would require able-bodied beneficiaries who are not currently working to seek employment. Additionally, candy and soft drinks will no longer be eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits in Indiana. During Tuesday’s event, Braun said that more SNAP dollars were going to sweets than fruits and vegetables.

Indiana Gov, Mike Braun, left, listens to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz looks on during a Make Indiana Healthy Again initiative event in Indianapolis, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Kennedy praised Braun’s “courageous and visionary leadership” in a statement and urged governors throughout the country to sign similar executive orders to make their own states healthier. Oz also commended the Indiana governor’s work, saying, “By prioritizing prevention, proper nutrition, and healthy lifestyle choices, we can set our younger generations up for a lifetime of success.”

Governors across the country have implemented changes to SNAP in their states with the goal of making Americans healthier and tackling the obesity epidemic. (iStock)

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Governors across the country have implemented changes to SNAP in their states with the goal of making Americans healthier and tackling the obesity epidemic. 

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Late last month, Kennedy appeared with West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, R, who he said would be put on a “really rigorous” exercise regimen and a carnivore diet. West Virginia is the country’s most obese state, followed by Mississippi and Arkansas, according to CDC data. 

Morrisey celebrated the SNAP reforms, saying he was “putting ‘nutrition’ back into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.”