Latest KFF Health News Stories
Promising Research Reported On Cancer ‘Kill Switch,’ High Cholesterol
Scientists have identified a specific protein that can “program” cancer cells to die, potentially opening up new ways to combat cancer. Separately, a new gene-editing treatment showed great promise against dangerous cholesterol. Also, a new toothpaste may help battle peanut allergies.
Wegovy Cuts Heart Attack And Stroke Risks In Clinical Study
The results of a large clinical trial, presented by Novo Nordisk A/S at an American Heart Association meeting this weekend, suggest that Wegovy and other drugs in its class can improve heart health independent of the benefits of weight loss, which could lead to a massive shift in cardiovascular care.
FDA OKs First Vaccine For Mosquito-Born Chikungunya Virus
Chikungunya virus infects more than 300,000 people across the globe each year and is seen as posing a greater risk to Americans due to climate change. The vaccine, Ixchiq, will be available for adults who have recently traveled to places with infected mosquito populations and those with predisposed risks.
Researchers Narrow In On Brain Effects To Explain Long Covid
Scientists are trying to find out why some people experience long-term covid symptoms while others do not. Also, new research examines a lost sense of smell after covid. Also in the news: prenatal covid shots are shown to help infants, even as anti-vaccine efforts tick up.
AstraZeneca Says It Will Prioritize RSV Drug Doses For US As Infections Soar
Beyfortus, the therapy in question, was approved for use against the disease in infants and toddlers in July, and a surge of cases in the U.S. has seen it in short supply. Separately, AstraZeneca is also looking at markets for cheap Ozempic-like weight-loss drugs aimed at more modest weight-losses.
Ohio GOP Lawmakers Want Courts Blocked From Implementing Abortion Measure
Four Republican state lawmakers are proposing to strip judges of the authority to interpret cases surrounding the newly passed Issue 1 abortion amendment.
White House Announces Expanded Health Coverage For Veterans
The expansion includes a no-cost system for World War II veterans, and efforts to speed enrollments for people impacted by toxins during their military service. Other news reports cover veterans’ mental health, including studies into psychedelics to combat PTSD. Veterans’ homelessness is also in the news.
First Edition: November 13, 2023
Here are today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Addiction Recovery-Friendly Workplaces Needed, White House Says
The Biden administration launched a new program, Recovery-Ready Workplace, that calls on private companies to institute practices to hire and retain employees who are recovering from substance addiction. Other efforts to address the national drug crisis focus on fentanyl terrorism.
Editorial writers discuss necrotizing enterocolitis, abortion rights, benefits of movement versus sitting, and more.
Research Roundup: Glutathione; Climate Change; Fecal Transplant
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
UMass Boston Warns Community Of Active Tuberculosis Case
The person with the illness may have been infected many years before the infection was active, the warning notes. Around 39 people have been identified as having been in close proximity to the patient. Among other news, researchers found that many mpox patients had other STIs, making the mpox more severe.
HPV Vaccine’s Success Against Cancer May Prompt A New Screening Protocol
Meanwhile, other reports cover how CAR-T cancer therapy can, in rare cases, activate latent virus. Plus, promising results for a lung cancer pill.
Zuckerberg Accused Of Blocking Efforts To Protect Teen Facebook, Instagram Users
Newly unsealed court documents in a lawsuit filed by Massachusetts show that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg ignored or halted internal efforts at this company to make the social media platforms safer to teen mental health.
FDA Approves Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro For Weight Loss, Under ‘Zepbound’ Name
The drug, identical to a version well-known under its diabetes-treatment brand Mounjaro, is similar to the drugs Ozempic and Wegovy — drugs that have stirred up a frenzy for their effectiveness and created a market expected to hit $100 billion by 2030. Zepbound will cost less than Wegovy, too.
Success In Ohio Triggers Effort To Get Abortion Rights On 2024 Ballots
News outlets cover the impact of Tuesday’s decision by Ohio voters to approve a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights, with advocates looking ahead to 2024. Conversely, in Missouri, the Supreme Court hears a case on an effort to defund Planned Parenthood.
If You’re A Prime User, Amazon’s One Medical Service Is Now Half Price
Membership for the primary care clinic One Medical had cost $199 a year, but starting Wednesday, its price drops to $99 for Amazon Prime members. Among other news, Moody’s lifts financial predictions for nonprofit hospitals; Best Buy adds Mass General Brigham as at-home care partner; and more.
Senate Panel Passes Package Of Reforms That Would Limit PBMs
The package, passed by a prominent Senate panel, has a broad range of health care policies including substance abuse and mental health care, but the headline-grabbing effort limits certain practices by PBMs with a goal of limiting patient costs. Also in the news: Medicare solvency, and more.
KFF Health News’ First Edition will not be published Friday, Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day. Look for it again in your inbox Monday. Here are today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers discuss abortion, mental health, colorblindness, and more.