Health

RFK Jr. Orders Search for New Measles Treatments Instead of Urging Vaccination

Published

7 months ago

May 3, 2025

RFK Jr. Orders Search for New Measles Treatments Instead of Urging Vaccination

With the United States facing its largest single measles outbreak in 25 years, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will direct federal health agencies to explore potential new treatments for the disease, including vitamins, according to an H.H.S. spokesman. The decision is the latest in a series of actions by the nation’s top health official that experts fear will undermine public confidence in vaccines as an essential public health tool.

The announcement comes as Mr. Kennedy faces intense backlash for his handling of the outbreak. It has swept through large areas of the Southwest where vaccination rates are low, infecting hundreds and killing two young girls. On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 930 cases nationwide, most of which are associated with the Southwest outbreak.

Critics have said Mr. Kennedy has focused too much on untested treatments — such as cod liver oil supplements — and offered only muted support for the measles vaccine, which studies show is 97 percent effective in preventing infection.

The decision to put more resources into potential treatments, rather than urging vaccination, could have grave consequences at the center of the outbreak.

“We don’t want to send the signal that you don’t have to get vaccinated because there’s just a way to get rid of it,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist at the Brown University School of Public Health.

Scientists have already thoroughly studied various vitamins and medications as potential treatments for measles, said Michael Osterholm an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota.

Decades of research have turned up no miracle treatment for the measles virus, which can cause pneumonia, making it difficult for patients to get oxygen into their lungs, and brain swelling, which can cause blindness, deafness and intellectual disabilities.

“It’s not that there’s been a lack of studies,” he said.

Measles patients are typically offered “supportive care” to help make them more comfortable while the virus runs its course, like Tylenol to bring down their fever, supplemental oxygen and IV fluids.

The decision to look for new treatments is meant to help people who chose not to vaccinate, the H.H.S. spokesman, Andrew Nixon, said. He added that the C.D.C. still recommends the measles, mumps and rubella shot as the most effective way to prevent measles.

But, he said, “Our commitment is to support all families, regardless of their vaccination status, in reducing the risk of hospitalization, serious complications and death from measles.”

As an example of such a community, Mr. Kennedy pointed to the Mennonites in West Texas, who have experienced the brunt of the cases and hospitalizations in the current outbreak.

Mr. Nixon said the C.D.C. will collaborate with universities to test new treatments for a “host of diseases,” which may include a combination of existing drugs and vitamins. The news of this effort was first reported by CBS News.

Public health experts were baffled by Mr. Kennedy’s decision to hunt for new treatments, rather than endorse shots that have decades of safety and efficacy data. They said this seemed to contradict his longstanding focus on disease prevention instead of treatment.

“This is akin to saying, ‘Go ahead and eat whatever you want, don’t exercise, smoke like a chimney — we’re going to invest all of our resources in heart transplants,’” said Dr. Jonathan Temte, a former chairman of the C.D.C.’s vaccine advisory committee.

Over the course of the current measles outbreak, Mr. Kennedy has offered inconsistent, and at times contradictory, messaging about the M.M.R. shot. At some points, he has described the vaccine as “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles.”

Other times, he has questioned its safety: “We don’t know the risks of many of these products because they’re not safety tested,” he said in an interview with CBS News last month.

Doctors in West Texas have said Mr. Kennedy’s focus on treatments, rather than vaccines, has already made their jobs difficult.

Early in the outbreak, he said on Fox News that he had heard of “almost miraculous and instantaneous recovery” with treatments like cod liver oil, which he said was “the safest application of vitamin A.”

While doctors sometimes administer high doses of vitamin A in a hospital to manage severe measles, experts do not recommend taking it without physician supervision.

Shortly after, doctors said they had encountered measles patients who had delayed critical medical treatment in favor of staying home and treating themselves with some of the supplements Mr. Kennedy promoted. Some children with measles were given toxic levels of vitamin A, they said.

Dr. Osterholm said Mr. Kennedy’s plan also assumed that people’s beliefs about vaccines were fixed, when in reality, clear information about their purpose and safety had encouraged thousands of vaccinations in past outbreaks.

Despite Mr. Kennedy’s claims that Mennonites have “religious objections” to shots because they contain “fetus debris,” historians who study the community say it has no religious doctrine that bans vaccination, and vaccine experts say there is no fetal tissue in the M.M.R. shot.

Local doctors have instead pointed to misinformation about the safety of the shot — which Mr. Kennedy has helped perpetuate — as the primary reason their Mennonite patients opt their children out of vaccination.

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Health

5 winter-weather essentials to protect skin health in dangerously cold temperatures

Published

4 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

5 winter-weather essentials to protect skin health in dangerously cold temperatures

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As winter weather moves in, cozy essentials like scarves, plush throws and heated bedding become everyday comforts.

But dermatologists caution that these cold-weather favorites can secretly undermine skin health — trapping sweat and bacteria, causing irritation and exposing the skin to excess heat.

Choosing the right materials for wellness — and using them safely — can make a big difference.

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Here are five winter must-haves and gift ideas, with expert tips on how to keep skin healthy and happy while staying warm this season.

Soft scarf, $19.99, Amazon.com

Scarves made of natural fiber, like this one that is 100% cotton, may help if you’re prone to irritation. (Amazon)

A soft scarf is a staple for cold days and an easy way to elevate a winter outfit.

Yet, if breakouts are appearing along the neck, jawline or chest, that favorite accessory may be part of the problem.

BACKYARD BIRDING IS BOOMING — HERE ARE MUST-HAVE GIFTS TOPPING WISH LISTS THIS SEASON

“You should wash your scarf as often as your clothes to prevent breakouts,” Annabelle Taurua, a beauty expert at Fresha, a beauty and wellness booking platform headquartered in London, told Fox News Digital.

Cotton is a better choice than polyester, she also noted, as it’s more breathable and allows sweat to evaporate.

Fluffy blankets, $28.97, Potterybarn.com

Fluffy blankets make for perfect cozy days at home, but their soft fibers can trap sweat, oils and dead skin — which can clog pores and encourage bacteria growth. (Pottery Barn)

Fluffy blankets make for perfect cozy days at home, but their soft fibers can trap sweat, oils and dead skin, which can clog pores and encourage bacteria growth.

Rough textures or infrequent washing can also irritate sensitive skin and worsen breakouts.

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“Regularly wash your blankets, especially those made from synthetic or fluffy materials, to remove built-up oils and dirt,” Taurua advised.

She recommended breathable materials like cotton or linen, as well as hypoallergenic options for anyone prone to irritation.

Good set of sheets, $49.99, Amazon.com

Much like scarves, natural fibers are the way to go for your linens to avoid irritation. (iStock)

Cold weather makes lingering in bed especially tempting, but lying on unwashed bedding can worsen acne.

Pillowcases and sheets quickly collect oil, bacteria and dead skin cells, which transfer directly onto the face.

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“Washing bedding frequently is important,” Taurua said. “You should aim to change and wash your pillowcases every two to three days and your sheets at least once a week.”

Heated blanket, $33.99, Walmart.com

Heated blankets are a great way to stay warm during the winter. (Walmart)

When using a heated blanket, start with the lowest heat setting and limit use, said Taurua.

“Once you’re warm, switch to a regular blanket,” she advised.

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She also said it’s best to avoid direct contact for long periods to reduce irritation.

Hot water bottle, $12.99, Amazon.com

A traditional winter staple, hot water bottles offer quick comfort — but they come with risks similar to heated blankets, including burns, scalding and long-term heat-related skin damage.

Hot water bottles should never be filled with boiling water, experts advise. (Amazon)

“Never fill a hot water bottle with boiling water,” Taurua said.

“Only use hot, not boiling, water, and fill it to a maximum of two-thirds.”

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She recommended wrapping the bottle in a towel or cover to avoid direct skin contact and limiting use to around 20 minutes.

Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant with Fox News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of story topics including food and drink, travel, and health.

Health

Foods and Drinks That Help With Bloating: Flatten Your Belly in Days

Published

15 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Foods and Drinks That Help With Bloating: Flatten Your Belly in Days

Foods That Help With Bloating and Shrink Your Waist Fast | Woman’s World

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Health

What to know about Cushing’s syndrome, which led to Amy Schumer’s dramatic weight loss

Published

16 hours ago

December 13, 2025

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What to know about Cushing’s syndrome, which led to Amy Schumer’s dramatic weight loss

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Comedian Amy Schumer, 44, has recently come clean about her struggle with Cushing’s syndrome, leading to a dramatic weight loss.

Schumer’s transformation has sparked conversation online, to which she responded in a now-deleted Instagram post that shut down speculation about cosmetic enhancements.

“I didn’t lose 30lbs — I lost 50,” she emphasized on social media, adding that she does not get Botox or filler.

AMY SCHUMER DROPPED 50 POUNDS TO BATTLE DISEASE THAT ‘CAN KILL YOU’ IF UNTREATED

Schumer doubled down that her weight loss was not about her appearance, but about staying alive.

“Not to look hot, which does feel fun and temporary,” she said. “I did it to survive. I had a disease that makes your face extremely puffy that can kill you, but the internet caught it and that disease has cleared.”

Amy Schumer attends Variety’s 2024 Power of Women: New York event on May 2, 2024, in New York City on the left. On the right, Schumer later poses for a photo posted to Instagram after her weight loss. (Marleen Moise/WireImage; Amy Schumer/Instagram)

“Sorry for whatever feeling it’s giving you that I lost that weight,” she added. “I’ve had plastic surgery over the years and I use [Mounjaro]. Sorry to anyone they let down. I’m pain free. I can [play] tag with my son.”

ON A GLP-1? HOW TO SURVIVE HOLIDAY MEALS WITHOUT DERAILING YOUR PROGRESS

The actress also addressed her shifting hormones, saying that she’s “happy to share more if anyone has any questions about how I’m looking or feeling or where I am in my perimenopause process.”

“I didn’t lose 30lbs — I lost 50,” Schumer emphasized on social media, adding that she does not get Botox or filler. (Amy Schumer/Instagram)

What is Cushing’s syndrome?

Schumer previously revealed that she had been diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, a hormonal disorder that can cause extreme swelling, fatigue and potentially fatal complications.

Dr. Peter Balazs, a hormone and weight loss specialist in New Jersey, provided more details on the condition in an interview with Fox News Digital.

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“Cushing’s syndrome is caused by prolonged, high exposure to cortisol, which is your body’s main stress hormone,” he said. “Usually, the excess cortisol is a result of prolonged steroid use. We see this many times with patients who have some autoimmune disorder.”

Balazs said the “key” to Cushing’s syndrome is not just weight gain, but a “specific redistribution” of fat caused by too much cortisol.

Amy Schumer is photographed during a guest interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Feb. 13, 2024 (left), and later seen walking through midtown New York City on Oct. 28, 2025 (right). (Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images; Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty Images)

Fat may be driven to the abdomen, chest, upper back (referred to as a “buffalo hump”) or face, sometimes considered “moon face,” the doctor said.

Cortisol also breaks down protein, which leads to a thinning in the arms and legs. “Weight gain can be tough, involuntary and hard to manage,” Balazs added.

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Cortisol stimulates “hunger centers” in the brain, raises blood sugar and promotes fat storage, especially deep belly fat, according to the doctor.

Cushing’s syndrome can also cause high blood pressure, bone loss and sometimes type 2 diabetes, per Mayo Clinic.

In addition to weight gain in certain areas, other symptoms may include pink or purple stretch marks on the stomach, hips, thighs, breasts and underarms, as well as acne, slow wound healing, and thin, frail skin that bruises easily.

With Cushing’s syndrome, fat may accumulate in the abdomen, chest, face or upper back (referred to as a “buffalo hump”). (iStock)

Women with Cushing’s syndrome often experience thick, dark hair on the face and body, as well as irregular periods. Symptoms among men can include a lower sex drive, reduced fertility and erectile dysfunction.

Mayo Clinic listed other potential symptoms, including extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, trouble with concentration and memory, headache, sleeplessness, skin darkening and stunted growth in children.

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Those with symptoms should contact their doctor immediately, especially if they are taking steroids to treat health issues like asthma, arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, as these medications can exacerbate the condition.

The Mayo Clinic has reported that the “sooner treatment starts, the better the chances for recovery.”

“I’ve had plastic surgery over the years and I use [Mounjaro],” Schumer stated in a social media post. (George Frey/Bloomberg)

For patients like Schumer, weight loss is typically not the main goal, Balazs noted, but it is a “critical sign” of successful treatment.

“The primary goal is to normalize your high cortisol levels,” he said. “I believe Amy Schumer got treated first for her underlying problem. Once the cortisol is normalized, which is the most important step, there’s a role to use adjunct medications to decrease weight.”

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Among GLP-1s, Mounjaro is an “excellent choice to decrease deep belly fat and increase insulin sensitivity of cells,” Balazs added.

Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.

Fox News Digital reached out to Schumer’s rep requesting comment.

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.