​I wish we didn't have to revisit the subject of vaccines so frequently, but the situation continually worsens. Yesterday President Trump signed an executive order directing a major overhaul of the childhood vaccine schedule.


The order would reduce the number of vaccines routinely recommended at the federal level from 18 to 11 and calls for the MMR vaccine to be separated into three individual shots. Doctors and public-health organizations are warning that the changes could create confusion, delay vaccinations and increase the risk of preventable disease.


And the timing could hardly be worse.


As of August 6, the U.S. has recorded 2,465 confirmed measles cases in 2026 — already more than the entire 2025 total of 2,289. About 7% of those patients have required hospitalization. This is the highest annual number since measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.


This isn't an abstract argument about vaccine policy. We are already seeing what happens when vaccination rates fall: outbreaks, hospitalizations and children becoming sick from diseases we have the tools to prevent.


And we should be asking an obvious question: Why are vaccine recommendations being shaped by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?


Kennedy is not a physician, epidemiologist or infectious-disease specialist. He has spent years promoting vaccine claims that contradict the overwhelming scientific evidence, including the discredited suggestion that vaccines cause autism. Yet his views are now influencing national vaccine policy.


Measles doesn't care who signed the executive order. It just needs an opportunity.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#RuthHaskinsMD #LadyDocFolsom #VaccinesWork #OBGYN

The headlines say "Fauci held in contempt of Congress.”


Fine. Congress has every right to investigate public officials. Accountability matters.


But let's not rewrite history.


Dr. Anthony Fauci devoted more than 50 years to public health, helping lead the nation's response to HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19. During a once-in-a-century pandemic, recommendations changed as new evidence emerged. That's not proof of misconduct. It's how science works.


It's also worth remembering that during the pandemic, President Trump publicly speculated about whether disinfectants could be used "by injection inside" the body and whether powerful light could somehow be be brought inside the body to treat COVID-19. Medical experts immediately warned people not to do either.


If Congress wants accountability, it should apply the same standard to everyone. Public trust isn't restored by putting scientists on trial while shrugging off statements that had the potential to confuse millions during a public health emergency.


Medicine isn't about politics. It isn't about ideology. It isn't about winning the news cycle. It's about evidence. It's about honesty. And it's about protecting patients.


That's the standard I expect from every physician, every public health official, and every elected leader.

https://www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#RuthHaskinsMD #LadyDocFolsom #obgyn #Health

​Folsom, it’s going to be a hot one. Very hot.


When the temperature starts heading towards 100-plus, it’s worth remembering that “I’ll be fine” is not actually a hydration plan.


Extreme heat can take a toll on everyone — but particularly young children, older adults, people with certain health conditions, and anyone who is pregnant.


A few simple rules for the days ahead:


Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Keep a bottle with you and don’t wait until you’re thirsty.


Try to avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged time outside during the hottest part of the day. Early morning is looking considerably more attractive right now.


Wear lightweight, breathable clothing, seek out shade or air conditioning and take regular breaks.


And pay attention to how you feel. Dizziness, headache, nausea, unusual weakness, confusion or feeling faint are not things to simply push through. Get somewhere cool, hydrate and seek medical help if symptoms are severe or don’t improve.


If you’re pregnant, take the heat particularly seriously. Pregnancy already puts extra demands on the body, so staying hydrated and cool is especially important.


Basically, this is not the week to win any prizes for toughness. Stay cool, drink your water and perhaps postpone that ambitious afternoon hike.


Folsom will still be here when the temperature comes back down.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd #HeatSafety #OBGYN

​August has a way of changing the pace.

Summer is still here, but you can feel the season beginning to turn. Vacations wind down, school supplies appear in the shops, routines start taking shape again, and the calendar slowly fills up.
It can be a good moment to take stock—not just of what needs to get done, but of how you're doing.

Good health isn't about getting everything right. It's about paying attention. Getting enough rest. Drinking plenty of water. Moving your body in ways that feel good. Eating well most of the time. Protecting your skin. And making room for preventive care, even when life is busy.

For women especially, it's easy to become very good at looking after everyone else while quietly moving your own needs to the bottom of the list. August is a gentle reminder that your health isn't an indulgence or something to get around to when everything else is taken care of. It is part of taking care of the people and life you love.

Whether you're due for your annual well-woman exam, navigating menopause, thinking about contraception or pregnancy planning, or simply have a question you've been meaning to ask, we're here to listen. Our goal is always compassionate, personalised care that makes you feel heard, respected, and comfortable discussing your health—at every stage of life.

As summer begins its slow transition toward fall, we hope August brings you a little time to breathe, reconnect, and look after yourself too.

Because sometimes the most important appointment on the calendar is the one you don't put off.
​
Warm wishes for a healthy August from all of us at the practice.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

#AugustHealth #WomensHealth #ladydocfolsom #OBGYN #ruthhaskinsmd

When politics changes the recommendation, does the science change too?


That’s a question pregnant women should not have to ask.


This year, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued its own maternal immunization recommendations after stepping away from the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee. The reason is simple: ACOG believes vaccination recommendations for pregnant women should continue to be based on the medical evidence, not political pressure.


As an OBGYN, I care about what protects patients and their babies.


Vaccines during pregnancy aren't a political statement. They are a medical decision based on decades of research and experience. Some vaccines protect the mother. Others provide antibodies that cross the placenta and help protect a newborn during those vulnerable first months of life.


The science doesn't suddenly change because Washington decides to changes its recommendations depending upon who is in office.


Pregnancy is already full of decisions. Women shouldn't have to wonder whether the medical advice they're receiving is based on the best available evidence or the latest political agenda.


My advice remains the same: talk with your own OBGYN. Ask what the evidence says, what the benefits and risks are, and what is appropriate for you and your pregnancy.


You deserve medical care based on science, the politics should be inconsequential.


#ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd #scienceoverpolitics #obgyn

​Sleep is one of the most powerful forms of preventive medicine. Yet it's often the first thing we sacrifice.

Whether you're juggling work, raising children, caring for aging parents, or simply trying to keep up with life's demands, it's easy to convince yourself that getting by on five or six hours of sleep is "good enough."

It usually isn't.

Consistently getting seven to nine hours of quality sleep helps regulate hormones, supports a healthy immune system, improves memory and concentration, and lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, anxiety, and depression. For women, good sleep also plays an important role in reproductive health, pregnancy, and navigating menopause.

If you're struggling to sleep, a few simple habits can make a real difference:
• Keep the same bedtime and wake-up time—even on weekends.
• Limit caffeine after lunchtime, especially if you're sensitive to it.
• Avoid large meals and alcohol close to bedtime. While alcohol may make you feel sleepy, it often disrupts deep, restorative sleep.
• Put away phones, tablets, and laptops at least 30 to 60 minutes before bed. The blue light and constant stimulation can make it harder for your brain to wind down.
• Keep your bedroom cool, quiet, and dark. A room that's slightly cool is ideal for most people.
• Get outside during the day. Natural daylight helps regulate your body's internal clock and makes it easier to fall asleep at night.
• Exercise regularly, but try to finish vigorous workouts at least a few hours before bedtime.
• If your mind races when your head hits the pillow, keep a notepad by your bed. Writing down tomorrow's to-do list or lingering worries can help clear your mind.

If you've made healthy changes and still struggle with falling asleep, staying asleep, loud snoring, or feeling exhausted despite spending enough time in bed, don't ignore it. Conditions such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, anxiety, or hormonal changes may be contributing—and they're often treatable.

Quality sleep isn't a luxury. It's one of the foundations of good health.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com
​
#ruthhaskinsmd #SleepHealth #OBGYN #LadyDocFolsom

Measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000.


Now, in 2026, we are watching that achievement slip away.


The U.S. has already recorded 2,295 measles cases this year—the highest annual total in 35 years—and there are still months left in 2026.


That is not a coincidence. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to medicine, and it takes advantage of communities where vaccination rates fall below the level needed to stop transmission.


Large outbreaks in states including South Carolina and Utah are a warning of what happens when misinformation and declining vaccination rates create gaps in protection.


The MMR vaccine has been safely protecting children and communities for decades. Two doses provide excellent protection against measles and helped keep this disease largely out of our lives for a generation.


But measles does not care about political arguments, social media misinformation, or personal beliefs. It spreads through the air—and it can spread rapidly among people who are unvaccinated or too young to be fully protected.


As a physician, I find it deeply frustrating to see children hospitalized with a disease we know how to prevent.


Vaccination is not just about protecting your own child. It helps protect newborns, people with weakened immune systems, and others who may not be able to receive the vaccine.


We should not be bringing measles back.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#vaccinate #OBGYN #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd
​

When should you get a mammogram?


Unfortunately, the answer is no longer as simple as “40” or “50.”


Screening recommendations vary, and your personal risk matters.


The best screening plan is personal, not something you copy from your sister, your neighbor, or the internet.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com




#breastcancer #OBGYN #ladydocfolson #ruthhskinsmd

​Sometimes all it takes is one little smile to brighten your day.


Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend filled with laughter, time with the people you love, a little rest, and plenty of reasons to smile.


Stay safe, soak up the sunshine, and make some beautiful memories.


Happy Weekend from all of us at Practice! 💛


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#happyweekend #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd

We recently celebrated the 18th anniversary of The Haskins Practice with an afternoon of cake decorating at Sarvi's house. It was the perfect way to mark the occasion—festive, creative, and filled with laughter alongside the very best team anyone could ask for.


Our practice logo even got a beautiful Mexican heritage-inspired makeover.


One of my favorite memories is that my very first patient through the door in 2008 was Kara Lee. Later that year, I had the privilege of delivering her daughter, Kate, on 8-8-08. Moments and relationships like these are what have made the past 18 years so incredibly special.


To every patient who has trusted us to be part of your journey, and to every member of our amazing team—thank you. Here's to the next chapter!


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd