Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lower Opioid Overdose Rate Noted Among Diabetic Semaglutide Users
Although the new findings are “unclear,” researchers are curious to see if appetite suppressants could be used for addiction treatment. A separate study found that fentanyl users trying to kick the habit benefited from taking higher doses of buprenorphine, a medication to reduce side effects.
Research Roundup: Mpox; Covid; Genetic Variants; Autism
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Democratic Lawmakers Push For Permanent ACA Tax Credits
Legislation announced Wednesday would help cut the cost of Obamacare plans. Vice President Kamala Harris said she would make the tax credits permanent if elected president, The Washington Post said. Also: the Senate has voted to hold Steward Health Care’s chief executive in contempt.
Number Of Suicides In 2023 Holds Steady At Nearly Highest Level
Provisional data from the CDC show that a little over 49,300 suicide deaths were reported last year, compared to just under 49,500 in 2022. CDC information also shows more women are using firearms in suicide deaths — traditionally men die by suicide at higher rates, and often do so using guns.
Biden Wants More Study On Childhood Trauma From Active-Shooter Drills
President Joe Biden’s executive order directs several federal agencies to prepare a report about when and how to implement drills, which sometimes include pellet guns or fake blood. The executive order also takes issue with 3D-printed firearms.
200+ Women Faced Pregnancy-Related Charges After Roe’s Fall
Just one charge was tied to an abortion ban — a state law that was subsequently overturned — and four others were abortion-related. Many stemmed from allegations of substance use that might affect the health of a growing fetus.
Judge: EPA Must Reexamine Risk To Kids From Fluoride In Drinking Water
“The scientific literature in the record provides a high level of certainty that a hazard is present; fluoride is associated with reduced IQ,” wrote U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco. In other public health news, the VA looks into PFAS and kidney cancer; 36% of children and teens around the world are near-sighted; and more.
First Edition: Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
CDC Updates Mpox Vaccine Guidance With Specific Travel Recommendations
The Hill reports on the updated recommendations, including that travelers who “anticipate certain sexual exposures” while in countries where clade I mpox is endemic should be fully vaccinated. Also in the news: Biden promises mpox aid, California continues free covid vaccine program, researchers examine covid’s long-term impacts on the brain, and more.
CrowdStrike Chief Rues Software Flaw That Shut Down Systems Worldwide
Adam Meyers, a senior vice president, testified to a House panel about what caused the global outage in July that affected major industries, including health care.
FDA Approves Drug For Rare Niemann-Pick Disease Type C
The genetic disorder, which is fatal, affects the nervous system and other organs — IntraBio’s drug Aqneursa was shown to help reduce symptoms compared to a placebo. Separately, Amgen reported success for eczema and myasthenia gravis treatments.
Cellphone Carriers Start To Shift 988 Callers To Local Help Centers
New cellphone systems mean callers to the 988 suicide and crisis line will have their calls routed to help centers based on their location. Among other news, the former clinical director of Maryland’s main state-run mental hospital had his medical license suspended for a harassment issue.
Contaminated Missouri Creek Will Get Radiation Hazard Signs
Coldwater Creek in suburban St. Louis has exposed generations of children to radioactive material left after World War II, the Missouri Independent reports. Meanwhile, the EPA’s data on the Ohio train derailment is said to obfuscate contamination levels.
Watch ‘Meet The Makers’: Behind The Scenes Of ‘Silence In Sikeston’ Project
KFF Health News’ Midwest correspondent Cara Anthony sat down with WORLD executive producer Chris Hastings to discuss the origins of our “Silence in Sikeston” project, a multimedia collaboration from KFF Health News, Retro Report, and WORLD that explores the impact of a 1942 lynching and a 2020 police shooting on a rural Missouri community.
Catholic Employers May Ignore EEOC Directive On Abortion, IVF, Judge Rules
In granting a preliminary injunction, the judge signaled the rule is a violation of freedom of religion. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans blocked a resolution that would have guaranteed access to abortion care in emergency situations.
Sanders Grills Novo Nordisk CEO Over High Cost Of Weight Loss Drugs
The Vermont independent says he has secured pledges from the major PBMs that they would not limit coverage of Ozempic and Wegovy if the company lowers its list prices — an announcement that CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen says he wasn’t aware of heading into the congressional hearing.
First Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Strange Symptom With West Nile Virus; GOP Health Insurance Plan Would Exclude Many
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Senate Democrats Seek Another Vote On Emergency Access To Abortion
The unanimous consent effort is intended to show just where lawmakers stand on this issue ahead of November’s general election. It is not expected to pass.