A Disturbing Trend: Rising Disease Rates in the U.S.

As the United States battles a surge in measles cases, concern is brewing over another vaccine-preventable illness lurking in the shadows: whooping cough. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a staggering rise in pertussis cases—7,599 this year, up from just 3,473 last year.

As more parents seek vaccine exemptions for their children, the likelihood of outbreaks from measles, whooping cough, and other preventable diseases is not just probable; it’s inevitable. Dr. Ari Brown, a pediatrician from Texas—currently the epicenter of the measles outbreak—points out, “When vaccination rates drop, measles is typically the first disease to emerge because of its high contagion risk.”

The Grim Statistics: Measles and Whooping Cough Deaths