Latest KFF Health News 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 life expectancy, Lunchables, male breast cancer, mental health, and more.
Scientists Find 12 Genetic Variations Linked To Suicide Attempt Risks
The study included worldwide analysis of almost 1 million people and found 12 DNA changes linked to a higher risk of suicide attempts. Separately, the USS George Washington has returned to sea with more mental health care in place after a series of suicides aboard.
By 2050, Yearly Deaths From Strokes Will Rise 50% Over Current Levels
Researchers say as many as 9.7 million people per year will die from strokes. Other reports note that strokes are more common and more serious when they strike women. Also: the unregulated status of “toddler milks”; rising numbers of young children falling ill from contact with vape liquids; and more.
North Texas School Aims To Help Students On Medicaid With New Clinic
The goal of the Denton Independent School District is to help make health care more readily available for its students. Meanwhile, reports say 10 Republican-led states are scrambling to improve health care systems after refusing to expand Medicaid.
Early Clinical Trials Show ‘Exciting’ Promise For Prostate Cancer Treatment
The new process targets messages that cancer uses to hijack white blood cells, and in trials it made advanced prostate cancers more treatable. In other news on cancer, researchers are looking at applying AI to help detect pancreatic cancer earlier.
CDC Warns Tropical Flesh-Eating Parasite Is Now Endemic In Texas
Some sandflies native to the southern U.S. are spreading the Leishmania mexicana parasite, which can lead to people suffering skin sores and longer-term damage. Climate change is playing a part in the parasite’s new foothold. Also in the news: a promising trial result for a pill against Dengue fever.
New Treatment Clinic Opens For People With Down Syndrome In Southeast
AdventHealth’s Stella Tremonti Down Syndrome Clinic is opening for specialty treatments in Orlando. In New York, the Samaritan Medical Center in Waterton is pausing some services due to a major water main break. Also: Aetna coverage cuts, money-saving from price transparency, and more.
With Weight-Loss Drugs Soaring For Adults, Drugmakers Consider Kids
Eli Lilly & Co. is said to be planning to test its diabetes drug Mounjaro for patients ages 6 and older with obesity. Meanwhile, the soaring global demand for weight-loss drugs like Ozempic is, inevitably, fueling a surge in counterfeit versions.
CVS Pulls Some Cold Meds After Phenylephrine’s Fall From Favor
U.S. health regulators recently determined that phenylephrine doesn’t work to clear congested noses, and now the impact is being seen on pharmacy shelves. In other news: Sanofi’s Lantus insulin, its most commonly prescribed, will sell for $35 a month through GoodRx Holdings.
House Weighs Medicare Pay Reforms For Doctors, But Costs Not Assessed
A House Energy & Commerce health subcommittee hearing Thursday discussed 23 bills or drafts that address how Medicare pays providers. Lawmakers face an end-of-year expiration when Medicare will cut payments to doctors in certain rural areas and labs.
Veterans Affairs Provided 88 Abortions Over Last Year
Under subpoena threat from the House Veterans Affairs Committee, the Department of Veterans Affairs released topline abortion data of 60 medication abortions and 28 surgical through Sept. 30. Under current VA policy, a veteran or covered dependent is eligible for an abortion in cases of rape or incest or if the health of the pregnant person is at risk.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In The Pandemic, Many Families Saw Incomes Rise — If They Were White
New data from a Federal Reserve survey show polarizing results: On average, American families had income gains from 2019 to 2022, but the highest-earners gained most, and for income at the median, small declines were seen for Hispanic and Black families. Also: Go ahead and snooze that alarm!
Editorial writers discuss health care costs, antibiotic resistance, mental health and more.
Research Roundup: Lyme Disease; UTI; Arthroplasty; Mpox; HPV
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Adding Mental Health Care At Your PCP Isn’t Costlier For Insurers: Study
Insurance companies will, at worst, “break even” on the investment, research shows. The study notes that the primary care office model is not for people with more serious forms of mental illness, such as schizophrenia or major depression.
Abuse Reports Of ‘Reproductive Coercion’ Doubled After Roe Ended
New data from the National Domestic Violence Hotline show in the yearlong period after the end of Roe v. Wade, there was a near doubling of domestic violence reports involving reproductive coercion. Meanwhile, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has self-funded a national abortion access effort.
Attorneys: Medicaid Unwinding Notices In Florida Were ‘Incomprehensible’
As part of a potential class-action lawsuit alleging Florida did not provide adequate information before removing people from health care rolls, attorneys suggested the state’s notices led people to make the wrong decisions. Also in the news: North Carolina’s mental health system.
Pfizer Reveals New, Higher Paxlovid Price: $1,400 For Five-Day Course
Recent predictions about rising prices for the anti-covid drug seem to have been realized: Pfizer has announced a new price of nearly $1,400, which is more than two and a half times the previous government-paid price of $529. Importantly, most patients are unlikely to pay these price out of pocket.
Amazon Drones Will Soon Bring Meds To Customers In College Station, Texas
The delivery effort is a test and could see customers getting their prescriptions dropped at their address within an hour of placing their order, thanks to a drone dispatched from a delivery center with a secure pharmacy. In other news, as part of its bankruptcy plan, Rite Aid is set to shut 154 stores.