Measles was declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, but declining vaccination rates have spurred a resurgence in the highly contagious virus, according to Unicef (which has reported a 300% spike in global measles cases over last year) and the CDC. Pockets of unvaccinated children have risen as the proportion of young kids who aren’t getting inoculations like the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine has roughly quadrupled over the past 15 years, according to the CDC. Approximately 110,000 people died from measles in 2017, according to the World Health Organization, and most were children under five.
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin and Johns Hopkins University identified the 25 U.S. counties that are most at risk of measles outbreaks due to low vaccination rates being compounded by the high volume of international travel in the area. They include Tarrant, Travis and Harris county in Texas.
By training, I am a American Board Certified Pediatrician. But in my younger years I grew up with natural alternatives. As a mom I have tried to incorporate both for my kids and it has worked wonders. And finally, as I am studying natural & alternative medicines, I realize the beauty and wisdom of living closer to earth. Hence in my practice I integrate both...for acute ailments I follow American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation but for simple and/or chronic conditions I prefer natural alternatives.
In western training we were raised to think that "health is the absence of symptoms and problems". But eastern sensibilities has educated me that "Health is state that allows one to use the full capabilities of their body, mind and intellect. Therefore, healthy living is a balanced state of well being: physically, mentally, socially and spiritually." This implies that healing is not a "one-pill-fits-all", but a personalized experience.
