One of the greatest skills anyone can master is the ability to communicate. While most of us do it without thinking, people like politicians, actors and other public speakers need to have a projecting and emoting voice, so that their message gets across to the masses. And having a condition that can affect your ability to speak can make things difficult, and this is something Robert F. Kennedy Jr is very familiar with.

The lead nominee for the US Department of Health and Human Services discussed how a condition has robbed him of his strong speaking voice. He had talked about this condition before as well, where he explained how a disorder called spasmodic dysphonia affected him, a disease that made his voice tremble. This happened when he made a lot of his living by public speaking, often speaking in big halls without any voice amplifications. This not only made it difficult for him to speak, but it also made it difficult for people to understand him!

During his confirmation hearing as President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s distinctive, gruff voice was impossible to ignore. At times, his speech patterns made him difficult to understand, bringing renewed attention to the cause of his vocal condition.

What Is Spasmodic Dysphonia?

Kennedy’s voice is not the result of an infection or respiratory issue. Instead, he has spasmodic dysphonia, a rare neurological disorder that causes involuntary spasms in the muscles controlling the vocal cords. These spasms create a strained or strangled quality to speech, making it challenging to communicate clearly.

Spasmodic dysphonia is a form of dystonia, a neurological condition affecting muscle control. It is estimated to impact up to 50,000 people in North America. The disorder originates in the basal ganglia, the part of the brain that regulates muscle contractions. When signals are disrupted, affected muscles move involuntarily or freeze in abnormal positions.

Other forms of dystonia can affect various body parts, including the neck which is called cervical dystonia, eyes which is called blepharospasm, or limbs. Some types of vocal dystonia, like lingual protrusion dystonia, can cause the tongue to protrude when speaking, further distorting speech.

What Are The Treatment Options For Spasmodic Dysphonia?

Dystonia remains relatively unknown, yet an estimated 250,000 Americans have some form of the condition according to American Association of Neurological Surgeons. It ranks as the third most common movement disorder, following essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. There is no cure, and treatment options are limited. Some medications can help by altering brain activity, though they are often a first-line attempt rather than a definitive solution.

Physical and speech therapy are commonly used, and acupuncture or other alternative treatments may provide relief. For severe cases, deep-brain stimulation is a last-resort option. Botulinum toxin which is more commonly known as Botox, injections are a widely used treatment for certain types of dystonia, including blepharospasm. These injections relax affected muscles, reducing spasms but not addressing the underlying neurological issue.

Experts explain how although you cannot treat the disorder but rather the phenomena. According to WebMD the medications help you ease the vocal folds like the Myofascial release, which stretches your muscles and eases symptoms, anti-anxiety medication to ease the stress so that the symptoms do not get worse etc. For reasons still not understood, dystonia often affects the body part most essential to a person’s profession.

Can Your Prevent Spasmodic Dysphonia?

WebMD tells us that there is no way to prevent Spasmodic Dysphonia, while there is usually some lifestyle changes and habits you can change if you want to prevent this issue, but no such risk factor has been associated with Spasmodic Dysphonia. Beyond the physical challenges, spasmodic dysphonia can take a profound toll on a person’s emotional well-being and career. According to Dysphonia International, many individuals feel their voice no longer reflects their personality, emotions, or competence.

The condition can lead to emotional distress, job loss, forced career changes, reduced social interactions, and strained personal relationships. As Kennedy himself acknowledged, the condition makes communication more difficult, impacting both public perception and personal confidence.

A tragic measles outbreak has claimed the life of a child at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, marking the UK’s second child death from the disease in the last ten years. While the identity of the deceased has not been disclosed, The Mirror reports that measles played a significant role in the child’s illness, which was worsened by underlying health conditions.

Hospital authorities have not confirmed whether the child had received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. However, public health officials continue to emphasize the high effectiveness of the vaccine — around 97% when both doses are administered — in preventing serious illness or death.

With measles cases climbing and vaccination uptake declining in Merseyside, local health officials are concerned that the virus could “spread like wildfire.” Statistics suggest that as many as 288 out of every 1,000 people in the region may be vulnerable to infection.

“We’re Deeply Concerned,” Says Alder Hey Hospital

In an open letter issued to parents, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust expressed growing concern over the surge in measles-related hospitalizations. “We are concerned about the increasing number of children and young people who are contracting measles,” the hospital said in a statement to The Daily Star. “It’s a highly contagious viral illness which can cause children to be seriously unwell, requiring hospital treatment and, in rare cases, death.”

The hospital revealed that 17 children have been treated for complications related to measles since June alone. Many of these patients include immunocompromised children already dealing with other medical conditions, making them particularly susceptible to infections.

Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool, told The Mirror, “I’m extremely worried that the potential is there for measles to really grab hold in our community. My concern is the unprotected population. That’s why we’re trying to be proactive. It’s really important people understand the seriousness of this.”

Understanding Measles and Its Symptoms

Measles typically begins with cold-like symptoms: high fever, runny nose, cough, sneezing, and sore, red eyes. These symptoms are often followed by a distinctive rash, which starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading across the body. The rash may appear red or brown on lighter skin and less visible on darker skin, according to NHS guidelines. Small white spots inside the mouth may also develop.

Although the illness usually resolves within 7 to 10 days, it can cause severe complications, especially in young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.

The World Health Organization recommends a 95% vaccination rate to achieve herd immunity. However, falling rates of MMR vaccination in parts of the UK have compromised this protective barrier.

What To Do If You Suspect Measles

NHS guidance urges people to seek immediate medical advice if they or their child show symptoms of measles, especially if the child is under one year old, pregnant, or immunocompromised. Contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect exposure or experience symptoms such as persistent fever, breathing difficulties, poor feeding in infants, or reduced urination.

Infected individuals should avoid attending school, nursery, or work for at least four days after the rash appears and limit contact with vulnerable groups.

Vaccination Is the Best Defence

The MMR vaccine is typically administered in two doses — the first at around 12 months and the second at 18 months. Those who missed their childhood vaccinations can still receive the vaccine at any time. Experts continue to urge families to check their vaccination records and ensure both doses have been administered.

“We can prevent people, including children, from contracting measles through vaccination,” Alder Hey Children’s Hospital stated. “Please protect yourself and vulnerable children and young people by ensuring you are fully vaccinated.”

A Growing Global Concern: Measles in the United States

The UK’s current outbreak mirrors a troubling global trend. The United States is currently battling its worst measles outbreak in 25 years. As of mid-2025, over 1,270 cases have been confirmed — already surpassing the previous high in 2019.

Health officials across both countries are urging vigilance, stressing that measles is not just a childhood illness of the past. It remains a very real, preventable threat that can quickly spiral out of control in communities with low vaccination coverage.

TFC player Tsubasa Endoh, 31, who was diagnosed with acute undifferentiated leukemia in December 2021, has retired as a Toronto FC player.

On Friday, Toronto announced that it had signed Endoh to a one-day contract to officially retire as a TFC player. He had also been honored before Saturday's game against Atlanta United. Toronto GM Jason Hernandez in a state said, "It is truly a special moment for Toronto FC to have Tsubasa come back and officially retire as a Red. The club wanted to give him this recognition for all his contributions over six years and celebrate his career."

How Was He Diagnosed?

His contract with TFC had expired following the 2021 season, after that he signed Melbourne City FC in Australia's A-League in early 2022. It was later the same year when he joined Los Angeles Galaxy reserve side. It was when he was in LA that his body was malfunctioning.

Blood work showed an alarming white blood cell count. A trip to ER then turned into an 8-day hospital stay, it was there when he was told that he may have cancer. He returned to Japan to be with his family and was diagnosed with the rare form of leukemia.

He is also battling a lot of other things on the side, like it is said that cancer does not come alone. His battle also includes chronic GvHDs (graft-versus-host disease), a systemic disorder occurring when immune cells from transplanted tissue recognize the recipient's body as foreign and attack its cells.

He has also been through four rounds of chemotherapy until now, radiation and also a bone marrow transplant. However, during his last round of chemotherapy, which lasted for 8 weeks, no visitor was allowed.

"You spend so much time alone … It's not easy," he said. "The silver lining was to get all the support from TFC fans and the Galaxy, the guys from Maryland."

Yet, to all these, he says, "It's OK."

He is also suffering from debilitating body cramps and is currently on 15 different medications. He also is suffering from fascia inflammation (fascia is the thin cover of tissue that holds muscles in place), which means picking something up on the floor can be difficult because his muscles tighten so much. He sometimes has to stop typing when his fingers cramp. Putting on socks is painfully hard, reports TSN.

"Those are the little things that add up. But this is my life now. I try not to focus on negative things in life. It's what it is. You just have to adapt and accept it," he says.

What Is Acute Undifferentiated Leukemia?

As per the National Cancer Institute, USA, leukemia is a broad term for cancers of the blood cells. The type of leukemia depends on the type of blood cell that becomes cancer and whether it grows quickly or slowly. Leukemia occurs most often in adults older than 55, but it is also the most common cancer in children younger than 15.

However, acute undifferentiated leukemia is different, notes the American Society of Hematology (ASH). The ASH publication from 2019, notes that it is a rare and by definition, has neither lymphoid nor myeloid lineage specific markers. Given its rarity, little is known about its incidence, survival, and optimal management.

National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result Program (SEER), notes that this cancer affects the bone marrow and peripheral blood. There are too few cases to know whether there is a predilection for other sites. These leukemias are very rare and nothing substantial is known about their frequency. While anecdotal experience generally considers these leukemias to be of poor prognosis, information is too scanty to make any definitive statements.

The National Institute of Health (NIH), USA also notes that there are no established treatment for this condition. However, chemotherapy, allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, radiation, etc. could work, but an optimal strategy remains undefined due to rarity of this cancer.

On Friday, July 11, Gina Rodriguez announced her pregnancy with her second child at the red carpet for Netflix' Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano 3. She, 40, was joined by her husband, 38, Joe LoCicero, and both were beaming with joy of happiness.

Just a day after, on July 12, Vanessa Hudgens, 36, announced the arrival of her baby No. 2. She is expecting her second child with her husband Cole Tucker, nearly a year after giving birth to their first child. She also posted a photo with her baby bump and captioned, "Round two!!!"

Both have shared their news of pregnancy with their second child after they have crossed their 30s. While this, as also published in many studies including on Office for National Statistics titled Childbearing for women born in different years, England and Wales: 2020, does point out that more and more women are having their first child in their 30s. Another recent study published in 2023, in BMC journal Reproductive Health also notes that "in recent decades women's age at birth of their first child has risen markedly in many countries, and an increasing number of women do not establish a family until their late-twenties to mid-thirties." However, a question that continues to linger around is whether it is safe for the woman and the child to have a pregnancy after 30?

Having Kids Later In Life

As per National Institute of Health (NIH), US, about 20% of women in the US have their first child at the age of 35. However, it does not mean that it does not have its own problem.

While factors like financial stability and better and timely family planning may have resulted in a so-called 'later' pregnancy. However, it does come with its own risks.

Fertility And Age

NIH notes that concievng becomes more difficult as you age. This is constant for both men and women. Women are born with a set number of eggs. Each month, a woman's ovary releases an egg to be fertilized. This is called ovulation. However, before that, her body recruits many eggs in preparation for this process. A handful of eggs are developed and matured, but usually only one makes it to ovulation.

“As women age, they’re still fertile, but their odds of pregnancy are decreased because they’re not making as many good eggs that will fertilize and divide normally and turn out to be an embryo,” explains Dr. Alan Decherney, an NIH fertility expert, mentioned on NIH website.

A woman’s fertility begins to gradually decline after the age of 30, as both the number and quality of her eggs decrease over time. This decline continues until menopause, which typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. At that point, periods stop and natural fertility ends.

Men also experience age-related changes. As they grow older, they may produce fewer sperm, and the quality of their sperm may decrease. In both men and women, this age-related drop in reproductive health is linked to a higher risk of certain conditions in their children, such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and schizophrenia.

Miscarriage

Another risk during 'late' pregnancies are the increasing risks of miscarriage. Anja Bisgaard Pinborg, head of the fertility department at Copenhagen's Rigshopitalet and clinical medicine professor at the University of Copenhagen tells BBC, "The other thing that that happens in the late 30s is that the chromosomes in the X (chromosome) are getting more unstable – that's why there's an increased risk of chromosomal aberrations, such as Down syndrome. So, many of the pregnancies will end up in a miscarriage."

As per the National Health Service, UK, In women under 30, 1 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage, while in women aged 35 to 39, up to 2 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage. The number goes up to 5 in 10 pregnancies, as the age increases to 45.

Other Maternal Complications

A 2021 study published in the International Journal of Women's Health, titled Management of Pregnancy in Women of Advanced Maternal Age: Improving Outcomes for Mother and Baby, notes that pregnancy at advanced maternal age, which means 35 or more, is considered a risk factor for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Possible complications include:

• Increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage
• Preterm labor
• Gestational diabetes mellitus
• Pre-eclampsia, stillbirth
• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Cesarean delivery

The study also notes possible adverse fetal outcomes, which include infants small for gestational age and intrauterine growth restrictions, low Apgar score, admission to neonatal intensive care units, and an autism spectrum disorder.