Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Depression; Covid; Hearing Loss; Trust In Doctors; More
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Mental Health Care Needs An Overhaul; Why Is FDA Stalling On New Sunscreens?
Editorial writers discuss these issues and others.
Nearly Half Of Dementia Cases Can Be Prevented Or Delayed: Study
In the new research, published in the Lancet medical journal, scientists found that addressing problems including vision loss, high cholesterol, and depression may help head off dementia. Also in the news: red meat and dementia risk; a 24/7 mental health care center in Maryland; and more.
As Covid Surges in California’s Bay Area, Vaccines Are Becoming Scarce
Positive test rates are at a 30-month high, the San Francisco Chronicle reports, and because of dwindling availability, it’s harder to find places to get a shot. Meanwhile, a new study highlights the risks from the rate of undetected bird flu infections in people.
Drugs Like Wegovy Can Cause Some To Develop Eating Disorders, Doctors Say
Even as some doctors warn that people who take weight loss drugs may risk developing disorders like anorexia, researchers separately find that Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug Zepbound dramatically lowered patients’ heart failure risks.
4.2% Medicare Pay Raise Coming To Nursing Homes In Fiscal 2025
The rate is higher than the 4.1% the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed in March. Also in the news: Humana predicts losing a few hundred thousand Medicare Advantage members next year; Google is not renewing its contract with Amazon One Medical for staff care; and more.
Republicans Pressing To Give Fetuses Same Rights As People
Missouri Rep. Brian Seitz, a Republican, wants to reintroduce a fetal personhood bill, with possibly dramatic consequences for reproductive health treatments like abortion and IVF, Stateline reports.
Private-Equity Firms Are Gutting US Health Care Facilities, Study Says
Hospitals are finding it harder to care for patients when equipment, information technology, and other assets are taken away after private equity buys hospitals. Separately, surprise medicals bills and insurance denial fights are also in the news.
Older Americans Act Renewal Wins Bipartisan Support Of Senate Panel
The $15 billion measure, which bumps up spending more than 40%, now heads to the full Senate.
Pentagon Sets Out To Woo Patients, Doctors Back To Military Health System
The Defense Health Agency has been tasked with building a top-notch workforce and regaining the trust of service members around the globe. Separately, although veterans’ benefits are on the line, Senate conservatives are reluctant to get behind a bill to address the VA’s budget shortfall.
Younger Generations At Greater Risk Of Developing Cancer Than Baby Boomers
However, American Cancer Society researchers found that the risk of dying from the disease has stabilized or declined in Gen X and Millennials. In a separate study, researchers found the survival rate for cancer patients who undergo a double mastectomy is the same as for patients who don’t.
In Controversial Interviews, Trump Stirs Up Issues Of ‘Birtherism,’ Racism
In recent days, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has attacked Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity and religious views. Health research has shown that experiencing racism can dramatically impact a person’s health, and many cities have declared racism a public health crisis.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Legal Issues Stall Biden’s Push To Help Trans Students Across The States
Politico says legal entanglements mean nearly half of states don’t have to abide by President Joe Biden’s new Title IX policies designed to protect trans and pregnant students’ civil rights. In other news, police caught one of four teens who escaped a psychiatric facility in Washington, D.C.
Getting A Shingles Vaccine Might Lower Your Dementia Risk
The breakthrough came after scientists looked at the health records of hundreds of thousands of people across the U.S. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports on two blood tests that may predict people’s risk of heart disease more than standard tests do.
Editorial writers tackle these issues and others.
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Preteen Suicide Rates Rose About 8% Each Year From 2008-22, Study Finds
Although boys still more often take their own lives, girls account for a disproportionate increase in child suicide rates. Moreover, the bulk of young Americans who died by suicide did not have a mental health diagnosis.
Since Roe Fell, More Women Have Tried To End Pregnancies By Themselves
Just as abortion rights supporters predicted: The number of women who “self-managed” their abortion — which means, as The Guardian notes, doing it outside the formal health care system — rose to 7% from 5% since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022.