Latest KFF Health News Stories
Wegovy Sales Are Soaring Despite Generic Copycat Drugs
Even though Novo Nordisk warned that copycat versions of its obesity and diabetes drugs would hurt sales in the U.S., second-quarter sales saw a 67% rise year on year. More news covers telehealth company eMed’s new CEO; Ascension’s new research and development institute; and more.
Warmer, Humid Climate Helps Propel Rise In Tick Bites, Lyme, Experts Say
The human imprint on landscapes also impacts where ticks are found, CNN reports. Other public health news is on obesity-related cancer deaths, chronic pain, child abuse, and more.
RFK Jr. Cuts $500M In mRNA Contracts, Eliciting Horror Among Experts
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says mRNA vaccines “fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections.” An expert says the move to end 22 grants for vaccine development is a “self‑inflicted vulnerability” because it compromises the country’s ability to respond quickly to infectious disease threats. Plus, six more states now have food stamp restrictions.
Trump Floats 250% Pharma Tariffs
“We want pharmaceuticals made in our country,” President Trump said. Meanwhile, the Government Accountability Office says the administration violated the law when it withheld NIH funding approved by Congress. Also: overdose prevention funding, Medicaid cuts, nuclear threats, and more.
CDC Issues Travel Advisory For China Following Chikungunya Virus Outbreak
The virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, has sickened 7,000 people in Guangdong province since June. China has revived many covid-era rules to combat the outbreak. Also in the news, Zika virus, covid, influenza, and more.
Death Toll Rises In Harlem Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak
Three people have died and nearly 70 have been sickened, the New York City Health Department said Tuesday. Residents are being advised to monitor for symptoms and seek treatment if needed. Other states making news: Arizona, Tennessee, Nevada, Missouri, and California.
First Edition: Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers discuss this and other public health topics.
Successful Transplant Is ‘Exciting Step Forward’ For Curing Type 1 Diabetes
A 42-year-old man who received a gene-edited islet cell transplant is making his own insulin without needing anti-rejection drugs, MedPage Today reported. Other pancreatic treatments require the patient to be “fully immunosuppressed,” one expert noted.
Trump Admin Proposes Rule To Ban VA Hospitals From Providing Abortions
Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals would not be allowed to provide abortion access even in cases of rape, incest, or life-threatening emergencies. Other news discusses IVF, maternal care, women’s health, and anti-trans issues.
CMS Launches Fund To Help Rural Hospitals Cope With Federal Cuts
The $50 billion rural health fund was created in response to concerns about the impact of Medicaid and Medicare cuts in President Trump’s tax law. However, a study in Health Affairs points to the problematic practice of dual classification that some urban hospitals have garnered, allowing them to also receive benefits intended for rural hospitals.
RFK Jr: ‘No Decision Has Been Made’ About Ejecting Task Force Members
The Health and Human Services secretary said he is reviewing whether to remove the medical experts on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force who advise on cancer screenings, HIV prevention drugs, and other measures that most insurers are required to cover.
Bird Flu Virus Detected In The Air Inside Dairy Farm Milking Facilities
In a study, researchers also learned that infected cows that show no sign of illness might spread the virus to others. More outbreak news is about E. coli and campylobacter, measles, and babesiosis.
‘Very Hopeful’: New Data Show Teen Suicide, Depression Are Declining
NPR reports that a new federal report, however, found that the percentage of adults with suicidal thoughts and attempts remained about the same between 2021 and 2024. Also: ChatGPT, the stress of grocery prices, colon cancer screenings, and more.
NH Is First Northeastern State To Ban Gender-Affirming Care For Minors
The bills take effect Jan. 1 and include a “grandfather clause” for minors already receiving treatment. In another first, Colorado is the first blue state to push through rules limiting SNAP participants’ ability to buy soda. Other news comes from New Jersey, Florida, Georgia, California, and more.
First Edition: Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
NSF Doesn’t Have To Restart Research Funding Just Yet, Judge Rules
U.S. District Judge John Cronan in New York declined to grant a preliminary injunction on the funding freeze while the case is winding through the courts. Plus, President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act delays Medicare price negotiations for some top-selling drugs.
Majority Of US Adults Will Skip This Fall’s Covid-19 Shot, Survey Shows
As summer infections ramp up, we look at how vaccine recommendations have changed this year and how those changes might affect insurance coverage. Other news is about a possible listeria contamination in freeze-dried fruit, rising flesh-eating bacteria cases, and more.
Respiratory Infections Can Bring Breast Cancer Out Of Remission, Study Shows
Researchers have found that common viruses, like covid and the flu, can reactivate dormant breast cancer cells. In other news: Johnson & Johnson launches “The 3rd Opinion” initiative to empower patients; nail clubbing may indicate advanced lung cancer; and more.