Good evening. Before we dive in: yesterday was World Cancer Day, a chance to build community, discuss risk factors, and improve research, quality of care, and patient outcomes. Here’s how you can learn more about your potential risks and get the resources you need.As always, share thoughts about this newsletter with us at [email protected].

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RFK Jr. scrutinized over measles outbreak in SamoaThe big idea: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Trump administration’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, spread dangerous misinformation during a measles outbreak in Samoa that killed 83 people — many of them children — in 2019. The Senate Finance Committee questioned him on his role in the tragedy, before he narrowly advanced to the full Senate for final confirmation, AsAmNews reports.The fine print: Kennedy visited Samoa shortly before the measles outbreak, and he later corresponded with the government. At the time of his visit, the country’s already low vaccination rates were plummeting after a nursing accident killed two children in 2018. Extensive analysis of Kennedy’s actions show he and the anti-vaccine nonprofit he led at the time tried to take advantage of the Samoan crisis to spread anti-vaccine ideology, as reported by NBC News.The stakes: If the Senate confirms Kennedy as the new secretary of health — which seems to be the most likely scenario — he would be responsible for a health communications apparatus that touches the entire United States. The dangers posed by his track record of vocally spreading misinformation would be even greater with this federal amplification. From the source: Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa, Samoa’s prime minister, spoke out against Kennedy’s views and actions around the nation’s devastating measles tragedy.“All the different actors, especially anti-vax people, got on board and suggested that the vaccination was the cause, which is complete rubbish,” she told The Guardian. “We have a track record prior to that of high rates of vaccination for our children, and they were safe. The facts speak for themselves, it was unvaccinated children who died.”Learn more in AsAmNews →

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Living with sickle cell disease and forging a connectionThe big idea: Two young Detroiters each living with sickle cell disease — Larenz and D’Juan — met for the first time and interviewed each other through an Outlier Media reporting project. They discussed the social isolation of the genetic mutation — which predominantly impacts Black Americans — as well as the pros and cons of getting life changing immune system transplants. Understanding each other: Larenz made the choice to get a transplant after a turbulent childhood. He was in and out of the hospital and lost his mother to the same affliction. The stem cell transfusion he received has by and large cured him of the illness. D’Juan, 10 years older than Larenz, has remained skeptical of such treatments, as they come with serious and sometimes fatal risks, as well as chemotherapy and a long time in the hospital. Their nuanced discussion is sure to become more common, as gene therapies and other cutting-edge treatments are developing for all kinds of chronic conditions. By the numbers: There are over 4,000 people with sickle cell disease in Michigan, but very few transplants are performed. On top of the risk factors, there’s the lack of access to the costly treatments. Plus, few patients get the chance to form the close, personal relationship with a doctor that is instrumental in making the decision, due to underinvestment in sickle cell care, Outlier Media explains. From the source: “I want to give (the idea of transplant) a chance,” D’Juan said. “But I’m not gonna lie and say I’m a hundred percent all in.”“I wasn’t a hundred percent all in when it happened to me,” Larenz responded. “I couldn’t believe something so integral to my life would be magically gone.”Read their full conversation →

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Reproductive health care clinics close in NYC The big idea: Public Health Solutions, one of the most utilized public health nonprofits in New York City, is closing its two sexual and reproductive health clinics in Brooklyn due to funding challenges. These sites provide crucial low-cost, culturally competent care, Epicenter NYC reports. The impact: For Black New Yorkers and other people of color, especially those who are uninsured, moves like this make it much harder to get tested for an STI, receive birth control or medication abortion, or access family planning and nutrition services. Two out of 10 city-run sexual health clinics are also closed, and scores of others across New York State shut down during the pandemic, a result of the funding President Donald Trump pulled during his first term.What to do: If the closures impact your care, PHS has a list of 19 other recommended clinics that tackle the same or similar issues. Planned Parenthood’s virtual health center is another good option, according to Epicenter NYC. Don’t need sexual or reproductive health care right now? You can still support those who do. More from Epicenter NYC →

Highlighting the innovators transforminghealth outcomes in our communities

The story: Tribal leaders, community members, and artists will gather at the New Mexico State Capitol this Saturday for the fifth annual Indigenous Women’s Day event, “ReMatriation: Return to the Land, Return to Ourselves,” per Native News Online. At the center: The event is hosted by the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. The nonprofit will lead a day of programming focused on the vital roles Native women play, as well as issues including gender-based violence, reproductive justice, and climate justice. →Credit: CSVANW