Latest KFF Health News Stories
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Colorado, Georgia, Arizona, Ohio, Maryland, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois and New York.
“Rampage” is the latest movie to feature CRISPR as a plot device. Stat takes a look at what it gets right and wrong. In other public health news: exercise, OB-GYNs, heart valves and memory loss.
Risk For Zika Through Sexual Transmission May Last For Shorter Time Than Originally Thought
A new study finds that the risk appears to dissipate after one month. But experts say they’re not willing to change guidelines just quite yet.
Self-Described Night Owls Had Higher Chance Of Dying By End Of Study Than Early Birds
It’s unclear exactly why night owls are more likely to die than the early risers in this time period, and the study didn’t offer explanations. “We think the problem is really when the night owl tries to live in a morning-lark world,” said lead author Kristen Knutson.
ACLU Sues Kentucky Over Ban On Common Abortion Method Used After 11 Weeks
The dilation and evacuation procedure was used in 537 of 3,312 abortions done in Kentucky in 2016. For women in their second trimester who are covered by the ban, the result is severe — “extinguished access” to abortion in Kentucky, the suit said.
Cities Feeling Financial Squeeze Of Naloxone As They Try To Rein In High Overdose Rates
“Every week, we count the doses we have left and make hard decisions about who will receive the medication and who will have to go without,” said Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen. In other news on the crisis: more Americans are seeing the epidemic as a significant issue; lawmakers want to pass legislation to curb crisis soon; a look at the effects of stopping long-term use; and more.
Another Jury Finds Fault With Johnson & Johnson Over Baby Powder Product
This time, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $80 million in damages on charges the company hid that its products were tainted by asbestos.
‘Bad Blood’: New Book Reveals Secrets, Lies And Absurdities At Theranos
Stat offers the juciest — and strangest — tidbits from reporter John Carreyrou’s new book on the once-promising blood-testing startup.
Virginia Lawmakers Mull Tightening Work Requirements As They Negotiate Medicaid Expansion
The state lawmakers returned to Richmond for a special session to iron out problems with the budget, which had been stymied by what to do with the state’s Medicaid program.
A new paper finds that some drugs approved under a special law to bring “breakthrough” treatments to market faster are not actually significant scientific advances. In other pharmaceutical news: Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) lashes out at drugmakers for using tax windfalls to help shareholders; insurers are starting to pass rebates directly on to consumers; and the SEC and the FDA both launch investigations into two different clinical trials.
Lawmakers Grill NIH Director Over Institute’s Cozy Relationship With Alcohol Industry
NIH Director Francis Collins assured the lawmakers he was “aggressively” investigating the ethical concerns over scientists’ reported attempts to woo the industry into funding a study that touts the benefits of moderate drinking.
The Health Law Has Had Some Topsy-Turvy Months. Here’s A Look At Where Things Stand.
The health law has gone through many changes in the past year or so; Modern Healthcare offers a look at the current state of affairs.
As Ryan Announces Retirement, A Look Back At How He’s Steered Health Policy While In Congress
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is leaving behind a mixed legacy on health care, and giving up on some of his dreams to reform entitlement programs like Medicare.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
What We Know And Don’t Know About Memory Loss After Surgery
Memory problems and trouble multitasking are among the symptoms of POCD, a little-known condition that affects a substantial number of older adults after surgery.
FDA Launches Criminal Investigation Into Unauthorized Herpes Vaccine Research
The Food and Drug Administration rarely prosecutes research violations, but its criminal division is looking into the experimental herpes vaccine research by Southern Illinois University professor William Halford.
Medical Marijuana’s ‘Catch-22’: Federal Limits On Research Hinder Patients’ Relief
Suffering Americans seek medical marijuana as an alternative to opioids and other powerful pharmaceuticals. Though legal in 29 states, some doctors say the lack of strong data makes it hard to recommend.
¿Hay una forma normal de envejecer?, científicos lo explican década por década
Hay procesos biológicos y cambios en el organismo vinculados a la edad, que forman parte de lo que los geriatras consideran un envejecimiento normal.
Make Room For Baby: After Giving Birth, Duckworth Presses Senate To Bend Rules
The Illinois Democrat is the first sitting senator to give birth. She’s using the opportunity to call for adjusting Senate rules to accommodate new parents.