Last month, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled several new efforts designed to improve prevention, research, and public awareness surrounding Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. The efforts include a multi-million-dollar tick control pilot program focused on disrupting breeding cycles in order to lower the current tick population, as well as funding for innovative research and treatments for both Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome.
Secretary Kennedy stated:
“Millions of Americans battling Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses have spent years searching for answers, treatment, and support. Today, the Trump Administration is launching one of the most ambitious federal efforts ever to combat Lyme disease by accelerating research, expanding innovation, and improving care for patients and families. We are going after this disease at its source, driving faster diagnostics and new prevention strategies, and delivering the urgency and action Americans deserve.”
These efforts mark a necessary step to protect Americans from contracting Lyme disease and to help those currently diagnosed by expanding access to expert care and treatment. With over 450,000 new cases in the U.S. every year, Lyme disease is one of America’s fastest-growing vector-borne diseases. The HHS’s goal is to reduce the number of new cases by 25 percent by 2035.
Dr. Oertle, who has treated patients with chronic Lyme disease for the past 15 years, welcomes the announcement and highlights the need for continued research, improved diagnostics, and greater recognition of patients’ experiences:
I applaud HHS and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for bringing renewed attention and resources to Lyme disease, a condition that has been misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and often dismissed for far too long. The newly announced initiatives include investments in improved diagnostics, innovation challenges, provider access, and research into tick-borne illnesses, representing an important step toward addressing a growing public health concern. I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact this illness can have on patients and families.
My work has included publishing peer-reviewed research, developing advanced diagnostic approaches, and investigating the role of infectious organisms within the tumor microenvironment. Emerging research has demonstrated the presence of Lyme bacteria in invasive breast cancer tissue, adding to a growing body of literature exploring links between chronic infection, inflammation, and cancer biology.
America’s HealthShare supports members seeking access to advanced Lyme disease diagnostics and treatment options. As science continues to evolve, we believe patients deserve open inquiry, rigorous research, and the freedom to pursue evidence-informed care. True medical progress occurs when clinicians and researchers follow the data wherever it leads, especially in areas where patients have historically struggled to have their experiences acknowledged and addressed.”
At America’s HealthShare, we support Secretary Kennedy’s goal of Making America Healthy by restoring freedom and accountability in healthcare through transparent, predictable costs, personalized options, and a community rooted in shared values. This is not insurance. This is a health freedom model where people share and manage their healthcare together. America’s HealthShare exists for those who are ready to take back their health and future. For more information about how you can join the America’s HealthShare community, please give our Member Care team a call today at (580) AMERI-HS.
