MMR VACCINE: Via Facebook, UCare Medical Director Dr. Bruce Cantor shares information about the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bRxeel (SPONSORED: UCare)
All Fluence tipsheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
MEASLES: Via Quinnipiac, VERBATIM: “Roughly 7 out of 10 voters (69 percent) are either very concerned (36 percent) or somewhat concerned (33 percent) about the measles outbreak that has spread to multiple states, while 29 percent are either not so concerned (15 percent) or not concerned at all (14 percent). More than half of voters (57 percent) think that children who have not received standard vaccinations should not be allowed to attend schools and childcare facilities, while 35 percent think that children who have not received standard vaccinations should be allowed to attend schools and childcare facilities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DGjZAG
RAW MILK: Via UofM CIDRAP, VERBATIM: “A new survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) at the University of Pennsylvania shows that 56% of US adults know that drinking unpasteurized, or raw, milk is less safe than drinking pasteurized milk, but there have been no significant changes in public perceptions of raw milk in the past 6 month, despite detections of H5N1 avian flu virus in unpasteurized milk. The survey involved 1,700 adults during the first weeks of February this year, and its findings are statistically unchanged from APPC's July 2024 survey.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bX2UPw
BIRD FLU: Via The Hill, VERBATIM: “Almost 6 in 10 Americans who identify as Republican do not trust the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide reliable information on H5N1 bird flu, according to a new poll from health care nonprofit KFF . . . About 6 in 10 adults regardless of political affiliation said they trust the CDC is providing accurate information about the virus, the poll found. Democratic-leaning survey participants and those who identified as independents were more likely to trust the agency’s information, compared with Republicans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bYyCvQ
PARENTS: Via Medical Xpress, VERBATIM: “Only 43% of parents report they are able to find accurate and current information on avian influenza A(H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health. The survey population included 2,021 parents of children aged 18 years and younger. While 43% reported they were unable to find accurate information, one in five respondents said the media is making too big a deal about the virus.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c3x1F5
POLL: Via Gallup, VERBATIM: “Looking back on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on their school-age children, U.S. parents are more likely to report negative social and emotional issues than academic or physical health troubles. Gallup’s latest update to its COVID-19 tracking poll finds that 45% of parents of school-age children say the pandemic has had a negative impact on their child’s social skills development. Half of them, 22%, report the social difficulty is ongoing, while the other half, 23%, say it has eased. Similarly, 42% of these parents say their child’s mental health has been negatively affected by the pandemic, including 21% who say the issue persists.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bDvLIE
SLEEP: Via Sleep Review, VERBATIM: “The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) has released new data from its 2025 Sleep in America Poll demonstrating the powerful link between sleep health and an individual’s ability to flourish in life . . . Nearly 9 in 10 adults (88%) who report good sleep satisfaction are flourishing, while less than half (47%) of those with poor sleep satisfaction experience the same level of well-being.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RgsKod
HEALTH: Via Gallup, VERBATIM: “Americans' assessments of their mental and physical health are the least positive they have been in Gallup’s 24-year trend, reflecting a decadelong decline that began around 2013 and accelerated sharply with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Three in four U.S. adults in Gallup’s latest annual reading rate their mental health (75%) and, separately, their physical health (76%) as either ‘excellent’ or ‘good.’ This contrasts with a record-high 89% rating their mental health positively as recently as 2012, and a high of 82% for physical health in 2003.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ie30os
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3KsuDrZ
MEDICAID: Via Stateline, VERBATIM: “Working-age adults who live in small towns and rural areas are more likely to be covered by Medicaid than their counterparts in cities, creating a dilemma for Republicans looking to make deep cuts to the health care program. About 72 million people — nearly 1 in 5 people in the United States — are enrolled in Medicaid, which provides health care coverage to low-income and disabled people and is jointly funded by the federal government and the states. Black, Hispanic and Native people are disproportionately represented on the rolls, and more than half of Medicaid recipients are people of color.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42ch4ZQ
MORE: Via Becker’s Hospital Review, VERBATIM: “An analysis published March 17 by the Urban Institute by the Urban Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation warns that up to 5 million adults could lose their Medicaid coverage by 2026 — not because they fail to meet work criteria, but due to bureaucratic hurdles and reporting challenges. With hospitals and health systems already grappling with financial pressures, this policy shift could further strain emergency departments, disrupt continuity of care and exacerbate health disparities, particularly in rural and underserved communities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43QrmQD
FRAUD: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Medical Assistance Protection Act would give the attorney general more authority to investigate fraud and increase the penalties for those found guilty. Attorney General Keith Ellison says when fraudsters steal from medical assistance they steal from all Minnesotans.” QUOTE: "Holding fraudsters accountable is a key priority in Minnesota, rightfully so," says Ellison, "scammers taking resources from the vulnerable makes it harder for people to afford their lives and we are all in for shutting them down." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/41xXZQt
MEDICAID SUPPORTS HEALTH CARE FOR ALL OF US: Medicaid keeps Minnesota’s hospitals strong and ensures communities across the state have access to care. Policymakers must protect Medicaid so every Minnesotan — regardless of income or health status — can get the care they need, when they need it. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3FtrCuH (SPONSORED: Minnesota Hospital Association)
GUNS: Via Politico, VERBATIM: “The Department of Health and Human Services recently removed a former surgeon general’s warning declaring gun violence a public health crisis to comply with the president’s executive order to protect Second Amendment rights, according to a White House official. Giffords, the gun violence prevention group founded by former Rep. Gabby Giffords, announced on Monday that former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s advisory recognizing gun violence as a public health crisis was wiped from the Department of Health and Human Services’ website.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kZTS8w
NEXTGEN: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “It’s not an easy task to earn a graduate degree in counseling, marriage and family therapy or social work. It takes years of schooling, a significant financial investment and a commitment to helping others improve their mental health. But earning a degree is not the same as actually becoming a mental health practitioner. Statewide research has shown that about half of all graduates in Minnesota who complete the master’s degree required for mental health licensure do not go on to complete the licensure process. This statistic is troubling to many who study workforce trends.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41HMjLc
CHATBOTS: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Even chatbots get the blues. According to a new study, OpenAI’s artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT shows signs of anxiety when its users share ‘traumatic narratives’ about crime, war or car accidents. And when chatbots get stressed out, they are less likely to be useful in therapeutic settings with people. The bot’s anxiety levels can be brought down, however, with the same mindfulness exercises that have been shown to work on humans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FQ573e
STRIKE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota nursing home workers say they'll strike later this month. The two-day strike will involve hundreds of workers across four nursing homes in the Twin Cities on March 25 and 26. Workers say a short staffing crisis caused by stagnant wages is not only hurting them but the residents they care for.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3FNqvpP
HUNGER: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Teachers across the country are growing increasingly worried about childhood hunger, with three-quarters reporting students come to school hungry, a nationally representative survey of U.S. teachers found. The big picture: Proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federal food assistance program serving more than 41 million Americans, could exacerbate an already dire issue, experts say. Around 40% of SNAP benefits go to children, per USDA data.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iijR9M
STUDY: Via Mayo Clinic, VERBATIM: “Every rare disease tells a story. Understanding how one unfolds — how it develops and evolves — is often the first step toward treating it. A small genetic error, a malfunctioning cell or a breakdown in a biological process can set disease in motion. But for many rare conditions, the course of progression remains unwritten. A groundbreaking natural history study led by researchers at Mayo Clinic's Center for Individualized Medicine and Department of Clinical Genomics aims to change that, advancing research for one rare disease with the potential to benefit many others.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XXNnJA
ESSENTIA HEALTH INVESTS IN TWIN PORTS NURSES. Total payroll for Essentia Health Duluth-Superior nurses is $164 Million, with $53 Million paid in salary increases over the past 3 years. Essentia Health has also increased clinical support staff by 10% over the past 3 years, providing additional support for those nurses. Over half of Duluth area nurses have been with us for over 5 years and enjoy exceptional work-life balance. To join our team at Essentia Health, search for openings here: www.essentiacareers.org (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
From morning take…
MED DEBT: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “More than 300 people attended a town hall hosted by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and local DFL leaders on Saturday, March 15, at Rochester Community and Technical College's Heintz Center. The event centered around Ellison's lawsuits against President Donald Trump's administration and medical debt. Ellison, a Democrat, was joined by four local DFL lawmakers: state Sen. Liz Boldon and Reps. Kim Hicks, Tina Liebling and Andy Smith. Boldon has worked with Ellison's office on medical debt legislation in 2024 and 2025, with this year's bill proposing to set aside $5 million to forgive upwards of $500 million worth of medical debt held by lower-income Minnesotans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kPEyeF
ABORTION: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “House Republicans spent Thursday's floor session — the last one with their 67-66 majority — pushing bills that would fund crisis pregnancy centers and ensure care for infants born alive after a failed abortion. The ‘Supporting Women Act,’ HF25 , establishes a grant program for crisis pregnancy centers and maternity homes. The ‘Born Alive Act,’ HF24 , amends Minnesota law to require doctors to save the life of an infant born alive ‘as a result of an abortion.’ The emotional and lengthy floor debates Thursday, March 13, ended with both bills voted down on 67-66 party-line votes, failing to get the single Democrat vote necessary to reach 68 votes and pass.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kBau6D
NURSING HOMES: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Just a year after 1,000 workers walked off the job in the largest nursing home strike in Minnesota history…250 workers say they’re ready to strike over low pay and persistent staffing shortages. All are represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa. … The strike, planned for March 25 and 26, would affect Providence Place, The Villas at St. Louis Park, Regina Senior Living in Hastings and Cerenity Senior Care-Humboldt in St. Paul.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kBbF63
DOCTORS: via a Rep. Kelly Morrison press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) joined all six Democratic physicians serving in the U.S. House of Representatives to formally announce the launch of the Congressional Doctors Caucus. The caucus is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of Americans, advancing pragmatic health care policy and providing fellow [representatives] with insights on critical health issues.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DAHawq
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Mayo Clinic wants Rochester city support for financing work tied to its $5 billion ‘Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester’ expansion plan. The Rochester City Council will be asked Monday to approve the issuance of up to $500 million in health care facilities revenue bonds, which are tax-exempt municipal bonds that would be issued by the city on behalf of a health-care provider.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Fy4jjE
Sign up for morning take…
FDA: Via AP, VERBATIM: “Thousands of employees returned to the Food and Drug Administration’s headquarters Monday to find overflowing parking lots, long security lines and makeshift office spaces without chairs and other basic supplies. The FDA is the latest agency scrambling to meet the Trump administration’s return-to-office mandate, part of a flurry of actions — including firings and buyouts — intended to radically shrink the federal workforce. Monday was the first day that all rank-and-file FDA staffers were required to report to offices, including the agency’s 130-acre campus just outside Washington.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FFl50o
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
DIABETES: Via Stat, VERBATIM: “The Trump administration has canceled funding for an ongoing 30-year, nationwide study tracking patients with prediabetes and diabetes, researchers said, at a time when top officials have emphasized their determination to curb the incidence of such chronic conditions. Investigators working on the landmark Diabetes Prevention Program found out last week that the National Institutes of Health has halted funding for the project. While they have not yet received confirmation from the agency on why the grant has been canceled, the decision appears likely related to the Trump administration’s cancellation of federal grants to Columbia University on the grounds that it had failed to adequately address antisemitism on campus.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bWfcrq
VA: Via NPR, VERBATIM: “The Department of Veteran Affairs said that, effective immediately, it will no longer offer medical treatment for gender dysphoria to veterans who are not already receiving the treatment from the VA or the Department of Defense. ‘If Veterans want to attempt to change their sex, they can do so on their own dime,’ VA Secretary Doug Collins said in a press release Monday announcing the new policy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iS0t2Y
STUDY: Via ABC News, VERBATIM: “Transgender adults who received gender-affirming hormone therapy had a significantly lower risk of moderate-to-severe depression over four years compared to those who did not receive such care, according to a new study published in the journal JAMA Network Open. The study tracked 3,592 transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse adults and found that those prescribed hormones like estrogen or testosterone had a 15% lower risk of depression symptoms, reinforcing the mental health benefits of this treatment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bDZlxR
AI: From Mount Sinai via Science Daily, VERBATIM: “Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine have developed a powerful AI tool, built on the same transformer architecture used by large language models like ChatGPT, to process an entire night's sleep. To date, it is one of the largest studies, analyzing 1,011,192 hours of sleep . . . The model, called patch foundational transformer for sleep (PFTSleep), analyzes brain waves, muscle activity, heart rate, and breathing patterns to classify sleep stages more effectively than traditional methods, streamlining sleep analysis, reducing variability, and supporting future clinical tools to detect sleep disorders and other health risks.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c0Nx8R
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
DOGS: Via HealthDay, VERBATIM: “Playing with a dog for just 15 minutes can significantly reduce a person’s stress, a new study reports. Stressed students who interacted with a friendly dog reported less stress, had a reduced heart rate and had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their saliva, researchers said in the journal PLOS One.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RhaScN
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