Jarvis: Canada lost its measles elimination fight. The US could be next.

"Mark Gorton, president of the MAHA Institute, made that abundantly clear at an event earlier this month hosted by Children's Health Defense, the nonprofit organization Kennedy founded. According to a New York Times report, Gorton told the audience, I've come to this anti-vax conference with a message that we need to be more boldly anti-vax. Their strategy isn't merely to sow doubt on social media, but to embed it in the fabric of local communities."

"A recent Associated Press investigation found that four groups connected to Kennedy MAHA Action, Stand for Health Freedom, the National Vaccine Information Center and the Weston A. Price Foundation are behind a proliferation of anti-science bills introduced this year. The legislation is focused on three of Kennedy's signature issues vaccines, raw milk and fluoride. The vast majority of the 420 anti-science bills identified by the AP 30 of which have already been signed into law target vaccines."

Canada lost its measles elimination status after nearly 30 years because childhood vaccination rates fell. The United States is close to losing measles-free status as anti-vaccine and anti-science rhetoric becomes more entrenched within health agencies, local and state policies, and public imagination. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s leadership of national health agencies has emboldened anti-vaccine activists to advance political goals. Groups tied to Kennedy have driven proliferation of anti-science legislation focused on vaccines, raw milk, and fluoride. An Associated Press investigation identified 420 anti-science bills this year, with 30 signed into law and most targeting vaccines. Activists explicitly aim to embed doubt in communities and change laws.

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