• Colorado: According to a new report from the Society of Family Planning's WeCount project, the number of abortions in the United States continued to increase in 2024 despite more states banning or restricting the procedure. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, 12 states have implemented bans on abortions at all stages of pregnancy, and four have bans at around six weeks of pregnancy. In 2024, there were around 1.1 million abortions nationwide, or around 95,000 a month. This is an increase from the 88,000 monthly count in 2023 and the 80,000 monthly count between April and December 2022. According to the report, the increase in abortions in 2024 was largely driven by an increase in telehealth prescriptions for abortion medication. In 2022, only 5% of abortions were accessed by telehealth. In comparison, 25% of abortions were through telehealth in 2024. Currently, antiabortion efforts have focused on abortion medications, with three states suing to limit telehealth prescriptions for mifepristone. (Mulvihill, Associated Press, 6/23)
• Georgia: According to CDC data, there have been 1,288 confirmed cases of measles in the United States so far this year. This is almost 4.5 times higher than the total number of cases last year and the highest annual number of measles cases since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. So far, there have been 27 measles outbreaks reported across 38 states, with the largest being in West Texas with over 750 cases since January. Among the 1,288 cases, 92% were among individuals who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccinate statuses. Most cases were in children, with 36% in children aged five to 19 and 29% in children younger than five. At least 155 people have been hospitalized due to measles, and three people have died from measles-related complications, including two children. According to public health experts, the United States will lose its measles elimination status if there is continuous spread of linked measles cases for over 12 months. "It's a harbinger of things to come," said Eric Ball, a pediatrician who leads the California chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Once we see a resurgence of measles, we know that other diseases are going to come behind it." (CDC Measles Cases and Outbreaks, accessed 7/9; Rosenbluth/Corum, New York Times, 7/9; Reed, Axios, 7/7; Sun, Washington Post, 7/7) 
• Illinois: Baxter International has named Andrew Hider as the company's new president and CEO. Hider will replace Baxter's longtime CEO José Almeida, who retired earlier this year. Hider is currently CEO of ATS, which provides factory automation solutions for multiple industries. Aside from ATS, Baxter has also held positions at Taylor Made Group, Danaher, and General Electric. Baxter is expected to take over as CEO no later than Sept. 3. "Baxter has undergone a significant transformation over the last few years, refocusing the company and better positioning it for the future," Hider said. "I look forward to partnering with the Board and working alongside my talented future colleagues to accelerate innovation, further enhance our performance and redefine healthcare delivery while driving sustainable, long-term growth." (Dubinsky, Modern Healthcare, 7/7; Hale, Fierce BioTech, 7/7)

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness, and as more cases are reported in the United States, health experts are underscoring the importance of vaccination to protect yourself and others from potential infection.