Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA Issues Warning On Smartwatches That Claim To Measure Blood Sugar
AP and Reuters report on the FDA’s warning about noninvasive smartwatches and rings that claim to measure blood sugar levels without a needle. Other health tech news is on the use of AI in fighting burnout, addiction apps leaking sensitive data, and more.
Study: ‘Dozens’ Of Obstetricians Stop Practicing After Idaho Abortion Ban
Data also show only two obstetricians moved to Idaho in the past 15 months. Also in the news: An anti-abortion group’s video may soon be part of sex education classes; Georgia GOP senators seek to ban “sexually explicit” books from school libraries, reduce sex education, and force displays of the Ten Commandments; and more.
Intellectual Rights For Vaccines, Drugs At Issue In Pandemic Treaty Talks
Democratic senators are raising concerns over measures in a possible WHO pandemic treaty that could weaken intellectual property protections for pharmaceutical companies and medical device makers. Other news stories report on the ACA, voters’ top health issues, abortion politics, and more.
Analysis Of CDC Data Reveals Side Effects Of Covid Shot Mandates
An analysis of CDC data suggests that state-level covid shot mandates didn’t really impact uptake and may even have lowered vaccine coverage — for flu vaccinations, too. Meanwhile, another child measles case was confirmed in Florida amid an outbreak.
As Acute Phase Of Pandemic Faded, Death Rate Disparities Remerged
New research shows that disparities in pre-covid all-cause mortality rates persisted after the acute phase of the pandemic — showing the disparities are endemic, and that even a global health shock didn’t upset demographic death rate differences in the U.S.
Though More Health Staff Were Recruited In 2023, Shortages Remain
Modern Healthcare reports that despite a “monumental” effort to boost health industry staffing levels back to pre-pandemic norms, the gains aren’t enough to offset understaffing problems. Separately, health workers are pushing for confidential mental health treatments.
Mississippi May Follow Georgia With Medicaid Work Requirements
AP reports that while some Mississippi Republican lawmakers are warming to the idea of expanding Medicaid, they seem set on requiring new enrollees to have a job. Also in the news: a possible medical debt erasure in Illinois; Oklahoma’s anti-trans laws in the spotlight; and more.
Alabama Hospital Stops IVF Procedures Following Frozen Embryos Ruling
The University of Alabama at Birmingham health system is pausing in vitro fertilization treatments while health providers across the state assess the impact of the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling that frozen embryos are “children.” The change has left patients with pending appointments uncertain and fearful about future steps.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle opioid use disorder, ACA, medical aid in dying, and more.
Long Covid Is More Common Among Young Adults Than Older Americans
Census Bureau data shows that 1 in 4 people infected with the covid virus experienced symptoms for longer than 3 months — or what’s known as long covid. The age group with the most cases of long covid is adults aged 25 to 39.
New Study Highlights Cancer-Causing Properties Of US Food Additives
Newsweek covers new research out of France into links between common food additives found in U.S. ultra-processed foods and certain forms of cancer. Also in the news, Johnson & Johnson’s blood cancer therapy gets FDA approval; Iowa has fastest-growing rate of new cancer in the U.S.; and more.
White House Announces Funding For Clean Water, Women’s Health Projects
Vice President Kamala Harris announced on Tuesday that the federal government will distribute $5.8 billion to water infrastructure projects across the country. And the first lady, Dr. Jill Biden, will outline $100 million in planned federal spending for research and development initiatives into women’s health.
Efforts To Diagnose Symptomless Alzheimer’s Early Are In The Spotlight
The Los Angeles Times takes us inside the fight to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease even among people with no memory complaints and normal cognition. Separately, WUFT reports on an outreach program in Florida to help those in rural communities needing Alzheimer’s assistance.
Over Half Of Antibiotics VA Dentists Prescribe Are Unnecessary: Study
Researchers looking into the use of antibiotics in Department of Veterans Affairs dentistry found that most do not have guidelines supporting their use and were likely unnecessary. Meanwhile, other researchers say the world’s leading economies have work to do against antimicrobial resistance.
Teledoc Health Looks At Expanding Overseas To Offset US Costs
Modern Healthcare explains that the startup, which grew during the pandemic’s social-distancing norms, is looking for business overseas to offset the high costs of advertising in the U.S. in order to attract new customers. Also in the news: AbbVie, Yale New Haven Health, Cost Plus Drugs, and more.
GOP Prosecutor Pushes For Fast Decision On Wisconsin Abortion Ban
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, had filed a lawsuit arguing the 174 year-old state abortion ban is too old, but Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanski, a Republican, is pushing the state’s Supreme Court to decide on the matter without waiting for a lower court ruling.
Perspectives: Gene Therapy’s Cost Is Inaccessible For Many; Do Weight-Loss Drugs Harm Mental Health?
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
CDC Study Finds Teens Use Drugs To Find Calmness
In an ever-noisier, ever more-complex world, it’s perhaps not surprising that a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis found that teens are using drugs to help them find calm and relieve stress. Also in the news: Oregon’s drug decriminalization experiment, and more.