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Combating Measles Resource Center - 03/22/2025

Get caught up on measles-related news from state and federal agencies, as well as TMA's actions and resources, with this webpage. Find information from DSHS, patient-facing materials, and links to clinical insights.

Earn CME and Hear Practical Measles Guidance as Outbreak Expands - 03/21/2025

As the West Texas outbreak shows little sign of slowing, TMA and DSHS present an update and strategies for combating measles in a CME-qualifying webinar.

Hear a Statewide Measles Update with DSHS, Earn CME - 03/11/2025

As measles continues to afflict the state, physicians can learn the latest on the outbreak and earn CME by tuning into a webinar with the Texas Department of State Health Services Monday, March 17, at 5:30 CT.

Can birthing centers help ease Texas’ maternal deserts? - 02/27/2025

G. Sealy Massingill, MD, knows well the wildly unpredictable nature of birth. The consultant on TMA’s Committee on Reproductive, Women’s, and Perinatal Health has attended the deliveries of thousands of infants and wouldn’t dare to presume that any apparently healthy patient labors unencumbered by risk.

Measles Outbreak Hits 124 Cases, One Death; Exposed Unvaccinated People Urged to Get Vaccinated - 02/26/2025

As measles cases continue to spread in and around Gaines County in West Texas, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) said one unvaccinated child has died of the highly contagious disease. The number of measles cases has grown to 124 people as of Feb. 25, the vast majority of whom are unvaccinated. DSHS urges any unvaccinated person who was exposed to measles to get vaccinated quickly.

Physicians Ask Lawmakers to Make Social Media Safer for Children, Prevent Data Mining - 02/03/2025

The Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society told a committee of the Texas Legislature about the importance of developing policies that promote healthy technology use for young people and restrict data mining of minors’ information.

DSHS Urges Measles Monitoring as More Cases Confirmed - 02/03/2025

DSHS has confirmed measles cases in Gaines and Lubbock counties as well as in Houston. Officials urge physicians to report any suspected cases immediately for investigation.

Doctor’s Orders to ‘Eat Healthy’ Bolstered by Updated FDA Metrics - 01/23/2025

The Food and Drug Administration’s new approach to deeming foods healthy affirms nutrition science and longstanding TMA policy. While serious obstacles to healthful eating remain, the new guidelines may provide a way to discuss dietary principles like portion sizes and balanced eating with patients.

Advancing Health Equity: Karen Batory’s 35-year TMA Career Shaped Public Health for the Association - 01/20/2025

Karen Batory’s extensive, 35-year career at TMA shaped public health for both the association and the state

Enhancing Awareness: Physicians Can Help Dispel Myths to Ease the Syphilis Epidemic - 01/08/2025

Physicians can help dispel myths to ease the syphilis epidemic in Texas.

Physicians: Carbon Monoxide Exposure Can be Deadly, Cause Permanent Organ Damage - 12/17/2024

More than a million people are still without power in Houston and Southeast Texas after Hurricane Beryl hit the Texas Gulf Coast on Monday, but their temporary solution could harm them. As people without electricity turn to alternate energy resources, physicians are reminding Texans about the dangers of carbon monoxide exposure.

As School is Starting, Are Your Child’s Immunizations Updated? - 12/17/2024

As kids are returning to school, physicians have an important reminder for parents: Make sure your children are up to date on all immunizations.

Multistage, Collaborative Review of State Trauma Rules Yields a Win for Medicine - 12/04/2024

A monthslong, multidisciplinary effort by a consortium of stakeholders in trauma and emergency medical services, including TMA, has borne fruit in trauma care rules that extend physician involvement and prioritize common sense in the trauma facility designation process.

I Never Knew TMA: Has Local Community Health and Outreach Programs - 11/27/2024

The Texas Medical Association’s community outreach programs offer a rewarding alternative for physicians to connect with their patients in ways that can have a big impact even beyond the office.  

Travel Advisory: Travel Details Can Help Uncover a Diagnosis - 11/18/2024

Physicians can aid in the prevention and spread of travel-related illnesses with thorough questioning on trip history.

Unlocking TxEVER: Experts Weigh in on Best Practices for Texas’ Death Records Registry - 11/14/2024

Experts weigh in on best practices to navigate Texas’ death records registry.

Respiratory Illness Rates Likely Stable for 2024-25, Vaccines Could Lower Peak - 10/25/2024

This year’s respiratory illness season is likely to bring a similar or lower number of combined peak hospitalizations due to COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus compared with last season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention telegraphed in its 2024-25 Respiratory Disease Season Outlook.

TMA Spotlights ACS Study to Improve Cancer Data for Black Women - 10/25/2024

Serving its goal of increasing access to cancer care, the Texas Medical Association’s Committee on Cancer is amplifying recruitment efforts for a new study, calling on Texas physicians to generate awareness to boost study enrollment and promote health equity. Read more.

Medicine, Feds Still Urge Conservation Amid IV Fluid Shortage - 10/22/2024

Without a clear resolution on the horizon, the Texas Medical Association and American Medical Association continue to urge conservation in response to a nationwide shortage of IV fluids stemming from Hurricane Helene-related damage to the country’s main manufacturing site. Medicine is communicating with state and federal authorities as they monitor the situation.

Twice-Revised State Trauma Rules Represent Progress; Safety, Access Concerns Remain - 10/17/2024

In the second attempt at revamping Texas’ emergency medical services (EMS) and trauma care rules for the first time in nearly two decades, the Texas Medical Association praised health officials for their collaborative and transparent approach, but still harbors concerns about revisions that could reduce access to trauma care and physicians’ role in providing it.

Hurricane Helene Disrupts IV Fluid Supply Chain - 10/09/2024

The Texas Medical Association has heard from Texas physicians and the North Carolina Medical Society that hospitals and practices are facing shortages of IV fluids following Hurricane Helene’s damage to Baxter International’s North Cove manufacturing site in Marion, N.C.

May Owen, MD, Outreach Program - 10/04/2024

The May Owen, MD, Outreach Program is a grant program of the TMA Women Physicians Section (TMA WPS) that provides funding to bring female physician oriented programs and activities to small and mid-sized county medical societies.  

'They Came in Droves': Former TMA President Douglas Curran, MD, Starts an FQHC - 09/27/2024

Former TMA President Doug Curran, MD, fulfilled a long-time dream of expanding care by cofounding the East Texas Community Clinic, a federally qualified health center.

Spread of Travel-Related Illnesses Tracks Increase in International Travel - 09/17/2024

As international travel has picked up, so too has the spread of travel-related infectious diseases and physicians' responsibility to more thoroughly investigate patients' travel plans and history during visits.

New TMA Podcast Spotlights Timely Health Care Issues - 09/02/2024

The Texas Medical Association Council on Health Promotion has launched a podcast series to inform and educate the public on some of TMA’s public health priorities, as well as community outreach programs the council oversees.