Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Mississippi Begins Allowing Religious Exemptions To Child Vaccines
AP, reporting on the news, reminds us that Mississippi is one of the poorest states, with high health problem rates but nevertheless was previously praised for its high childhood vaccination rates. The new exemptions come after a legal ruling. Other news is from Texas, Oklahoma, and elsewhere.
Viewpoints: Newer Energy Drinks Targeted To Kids Have Harmful Levels Of Caffeine
Editorial writers delve into energy drinks, body donation, maternal mortality and other public health issues.
Progress Reported For 2 Experimental Alzheimer’s Treatments
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals says that patients in a small study that received its gene-silencing treatment showed benefits for 6 months. And another experimental Alzheimer’s drug from Acumen Pharmaceuticals cleared an initial safety test.
CDC Data Show Hints Of A Covid Uptick
Fresh data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows rising covid activity. On the good news-side of the ledger: California’s covid hospitalizations are near an historic low. Also in the news: worries of cross-species covid infections.
Defense Bill With Anti-Abortion Clause Won’t Pass: National Security Adviser
News outlets cover a prediction from national security adviser Jake Sullivan who said the Republican-controlled House’s annual defense policy bill, with amendments that target abortion, gender care, and other social issues, has “zero” chance of passing. Separately, worries that “deep” cuts to health spending will hit the HHS and CDC.
More Americans Are Seeking Mental Health Care In A ‘Therapy Boom’
Media outlets cover news that Americans of all ages, gender and race are seeking mental health treatment than two decades ago. It represents a mental health crisis growing across the country, but also improving attitudes to therapy, Axios says. Also in the news: salmonella, aspirin, TB, and more.
Exoskeleton Allows Disabled Doctor To Perform Surgery While Standing
Newsweek reports on what’s being called “medical history:” a device designed to support surgeons who have to to stand for long periods has now allowed a disabled doctor in Spain to perform surgery standing up for the first time. Also in the news, lab-grown human eggs, regrowing teeth, and more.
As Arrests Are Made, Harvard Faces New Lawsuit Over Stolen Body Parts
Another family filed a lawsuit over Harvard Medical School’s role in a ring that allegedly sold human remains on the black market, while some arrests are made in the case. Meanwhile, a dispute that threatened transplant organ supplies is heading to arbitration, not court.
Federal Judge Allows Kentucky’s Youth Gender Care Ban To Take Effect
A federal judge lifted an injunction he’d issued last month that had temporarily blocked restrictions on gender-affirming care for young transgender people. The ACLU reportedly said it’s “not the final word.” Also in the news: legal restrictions targeting trans youth in Texas, and HHS spending for trans care.
ERs Treat More Heatstroke Cases As Temperatures Hit Record Highs
“They’re coming in essentially unresponsive and they’re cooked,” a Phoenix doctor tells NBC News. The dangerous heat is leading to bad sunburns, organ failure, and other heat-related illnesses. Meanwhile, poor air quality from wildfire smoke invades other parts of the nation.
Iowa’s 6-Week Abortion Ban Now In Effect
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the law Friday night, which prohibits most abortion after 6 weeks. A judge is weighing a temporary block on the measure. Separately, Senate Democrats ask the Department of Justice to protect patients ability to travel across state lines for an abortion.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
J&J Sues Scientists Who Linked Cancer Cases To Talc Products
Reuters covers the legal action by Johnson & Johnson, which has been embroiled in a complex and expensive legal dispute over its talc products. In other industry news: progress is reported for Caribou Bioscience’s CAR-T cancer therapy; Roche speeds up infusions of an MS drug; and more.
Syphilis Cases Soaring In Houston, Particularly For Women
The Houston health department said new infections rose by 57% from 2019 to 2022. The outbreak is higher among women, jumping from 295 cases in 2019 to 674 cases in 2022. Other state health news covers Texas’ new school safety law, nuclear waste in Missouri, psychedelics in California, and more stories.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on aging and longevity, how memory affects child abuse survivors’ mental health, weight loss drugs, and more.
Viewpoints: FDA’s Approval Of OTC Opill Is A Win; Is Aspartame Good Or Bad?
Editorial writers discuss OTC birth control pills, aspartame, gender in medical research and more.
First Birth Control Pill Authorized For Over-The-Counter Sale In US
The FDA authorized Thursday that HRA Pharma’s Opill, a daily progestin-only oral contraceptive, can be purchased without a prescription, making the birth control pill easier to obtain.
WHO Classifies Sweetener Aspartame As Possible Carcinogen; FDA Disagrees
The declaration from the World Health Organization had been expected. The matter is complex however, with news outlets stressing that the risk appears to be very low, and linked to high levels of consumption of aspartame. The FDA is reported as disagreeing with the new classification.
Dangerous Temperatures To Hit South, With Heat Already Killing People
Media outlets report on the heat dome hitting California, Arizona and elsewhere, as Maryland reports its first heat-related death of the year. And NOAA confirms that June was the hottest for 174 years of records.