Reporters - Texas, a health battleground: US state sees clash between science and politics
France 24
by Valérie DEFERTFebruary 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The United States is becoming a battleground between science and politics, with health care at the center of the conflict. Since Donald Trump's return to the White House and the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr as Secretary of Health, there has been growing tension over how scientific evidence intersects with political decision-making. Texas, once a leader in public health, now serves as a testing ground for this ideological clash, where anti-science rhetoric and policies are reshaping the state's approach to health.
One stark example of this shift is the resurgence of measles in Texas between January and August 2025. The state saw over 1,200 cases—a level not recorded since 1992—and contributed to a nationwide total exceeding 1,200 cases by mid-2025. This crisis reflects a broader trend across the U.S., where scientific consensus is increasingly questioned and dismissed in favor of political agendas. Social media has amplified these anti-science theories, which now influence government actions, such as Texas Attorney General suing Tylenol over unfounded claims linking it to autism rates. These decisions ignore overwhelming scientific evidence that contradicts such assertions.
The situation in Texas highlights a dangerous erosion of trust in established health practices. Once a pioneer in public health, the state is now emblematic of a broader movement where health policies are shaped by ideology rather than science. This shift has significant consequences for global health, as it challenges the international consensus on vaccines and disease prevention that has saved countless lives over decades. The clash between science and politics in Texas serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of ignoring scientific expertise in favor of ideological agendas.
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/13/2026