In this episode of The Medical Collective, Dr. Keisha Davis is joined by Dr. Dan and Dr. Atoosa to break down the real-time consequences of government freezes and staffing cuts on healthcare systems and scientific research. From the CDC and NIH to universities and grant-based programs, we explore how administrative decisions—especially recent actions under the Trump administration—are creating ripple effects on vaccine development, outbreak surveillance, and public health infrastructure.

We also discuss the measles spike (58 cases at the time of recording, now over 320 nationwide) and declining childhood vaccination rates, disruptions to CDC reporting systems, and new concerns surrounding the flu, norovirus, and bird flu. Though flu cases are now declining, the 2023–2024 season has already led to millions of infections and thousands of deaths.

As we dive deeper into budget slashes, paused studies, layoffs, and limited access to critical data, we unpack the long-term dangers of undermining public health institutions and the people who work within them.

Key Updates Covered in This Episode:

• Measles cases (58 at time of recording; now over 320) and vaccine exemption trends

• CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) and data disruptions

• 2023–2024 flu season: over 26 million cases, 300,000+ hospitalizations, 13,000+ deaths – but declining

• Bird flu strain (H5N1) spreading in dairy cows and vaccine development delays

• Norovirus and COVID-19 circulation updates

• Layoffs, halted research grants, hiring freezes at top universities, and scientific program cutbacks

We break it all down, including what you can do to stay informed and protected.

MEET THE DOCTORS

• Dr. Keisha Davis, M.D. – Pathologist, Host

https://drkeishadavis.komi.io

• Dr. Atoosa Kourosh, M.D., MPH – Pediatrician, Allergist, Integrative Medicine Expert

https://www.doctoratoosa.com

• Dr. Dan – Emergency Medicine Physician, Veteran

https://www.docdanmd.com

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED

• CDC Measles Information:

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html

• Flu Surveillance Weekly Report:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm

• CDC Health Alert Network (HAN):

https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/

• USDA H5N1 Avian Flu Milk Testing Update:

https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/04/04/usda-updates-avian-influenza-detections-dairy-cattle

• Federal Grant Freeze Impact (Science & University Systems):

https://www.statnews.com/2024/03/12/scientific-research-funding-freeze-cuts-impact/

• NIH Funding & Layoff Details:

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases

• Norovirus Tracker:

https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/trends-outbreaks.html

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll continue to track the evolving landscape of healthcare and break down what it all means for you and your community.