Biden Signs ‘PAWS’ Bill For Service Dogs For Veteran Therapy
The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act, signed Wednesday, is a pilot program to help veterans dealing with PTSD. Facial recognition, Trump's mental health, nicotine use, salmonella outbreaks and pregnancy risks for Black women are also in the news.
NBC News:
Pet Project: Biden Signs Bill Providing Service Dogs For Struggling Veterans
President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed into law a pilot program to connect veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder with service dogs. The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act — PAWS — requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a five-year program to provide service dogs and training to veterans with PTSD. (Gregorian, 8/26)
In other government news —
The Washington Post:
GAO Says Government Plans To Expand Its Use Of Facial Recognition
The federal government plans to expand its use of facial recognition to pursue criminals and scan for threats, an internal survey has found, even as concerns grow about the technology’s potential for contributing to improper surveillance and false arrests. Ten federal agencies — the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Interior, Justice, State, Treasury and Veterans Affairs — told the Government Accountability Office they intend to grow their facial recognition capabilities by 2023, the GAO said in a report posted to its website Tuesday. (Harwell, 8/25)
The Hill:
House Probe Focuses On Trump's Mental Health And Martial Law
The trove of documents requested Wednesday by the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack shows an interest in former President Trump’s mental health and whether he was considering using the military to remain in power. In addition to seeking records on Trump’s family members and a long list of former aides, the panel is asking the White House and federal agencies to relay any conversations about removing the former president from office and whether he planned to enact martial law. (Beitsch, 8/25)
In other public health news —
Fox News:
Nicotine, Prescription Drug Misuse Climbed Among American Youth Amid Pandemic: Study
Overall rates of drug use among American adolescents held stable six months into COVID-19 pandemic, however shifting trends indicated an uptick in nicotine and prescription drug misuse while alcohol use fell. Federally-backed research published in the Journal of Adolescent Health drew from surveys of over 7,800 kids aged 10-14 enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study (ABCD), said to be the largest-ever long-term U.S. study of brain development and pediatric health. Results also suggested young teens who experienced severe stress, anxiety or depression, or familial economic hardship were at highest risk of using substances. (Rivas, 8/25)
CNN:
Deli Meats Linked To Multi-State Salmonella Sicknesses
A dozen people have been hospitalized with salmonella and two dozen sickened as of August 24 in multistate outbreaks of two different strains of salmonella, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday. People who became sick reported eating salami, prosciutto and other deli meats that can be found in antipasto or charcuterie assortments before their illness. (LaMotte, 8/25)
CNN:
Black Women And The Pandemic: A Crisis Within A Crisis
The disparity has reemerged as an urgent issue for both lawmakers and health care providers after a slate of bills to combat the crisis were introduced in Congress earlier this year. New data also shows that Black women continue to face a greater risk of childbirth complications than White women. The US has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries. About 700 women die each year in the US due to a pregnancy-related complication either during pregnancy or within the year after delivery, says Dr. Wanda Barfield, Director of the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health. (Ellis and Broaddus, 8/25)
