Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Jimmy Buffett Died From Merkel Cell Carcinoma, A Rare Skin Cancer
News outlets report on the death of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett from a rare but aggressive type of skin cancer — about 2,500 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Also in the news: prostate and cervical cancer, plus AI’s potential for detecting cancers.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Found In Mass. For First Time Since 2020
EEE, which can affect humans, was confirmed in mosquito samples in Worcester County, The Boston Globe reports. Separately, CIDRAP covers EEE and new dengue fever cases in Florida, and AP notes the first death from West Nile virus in New Mexico this year.
Hospitals Recognized For Making Progress In Price Transparency
Meet the 15 hospitals and health systems that are being awarded for making top progress in instituting federal price transparency requirements. Other health industry news covers long wait times, medical bills, insurance, generative AI, and more.
FDA Warns 3 Baby Formula Makers Over Inadequate Safety Procedures
ByHeart, Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition, and Perrigo Wisconsin were warned that they didn’t do enough to find out why some of their products tested positive for cronobacter in instances that happened after the peak of recent supply shortages.
Screen Time For Young Kids Linked To Risk For Developmental Delays
New research found that as 1-year-olds spend more time in front of screens, the potential risk of later developmental delays rises, particularly when it comes to communication and problem-solving skills. Also in the news: “Barbie botox,” a chicken-strip recall, sleep habits, and more.
Some Illinois Prisoners Remain In Jail Despite New Medical Release Law
AP reports that although it’s been over a year since the Coleman Act went into effect, an investigation found fewer prisoners have been released than expected, thereby remaining in jail even though they are dying or disabled. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker defended the numbers in a press conference.
Viewpoints: Stop Using The Word ‘Cancer’ For Very Early-Stage Cancers
Opinion writers weigh in on cancer, abortion, drug withdrawal, and other topics.
President Biden Testing Regularly For Covid After First Lady Contracts Virus
First lady Dr. Jill Biden tested positive for covid on Monday night after experiencing “mild symptoms.” President Joe Biden has so far tested negative for the virus but will be screened regularly as he prepares to leave for the G20 summit in India.
Covid BA.2.86 Could Be Less Worrisome Than Had Been Feared: Researchers
Two teams of U.S. scientists have examined the highly mutated BA.2.86 covid subvariant and concluded it can be fought off by human immune systems and may be less contagious than was feared. This is good news, as news outlets report on a late summer wave of covid infections.
Most Nursing Homes Would Have To Hire More Staff Under Proposed Rule
An estimated three-quarters of nursing homes in the U.S. would be required to hire more workers under new rules proposed Friday by the Biden administration, the greatest change to federal nursing home regulations in three decades.
A Focus On Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Health As Congress Returns
Lawmakers are tackling the potential government shutdown and wrangling over spending bills, but a lot of media attention is focused on health worries over Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who appeared to freeze during a press conference last week — the second such event in a month.
HHS Recommends Relaxed Federal Restrictions On Marijuana
Politico notes that the Department of Health and Human Services “stopped short” of advising that weed should be removed from the Controlled Substances Act. Separately, research shows some marijuana users may have elevated levels of lead and cadmium in their bodies.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Will People Take Covid Precautions This Time?; Cancer Diagnosis May Not Be Cancer
Editorial writers delve into covid, cancer, aging, and more.
New Mexico Supreme Court Set To Hear Arguments Against Abortion Bans
The lawsuit’s target is recent abortion ban ordinances in several cities and counties. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s top court on Tuesday declined to reconsider a recent ruling upholding the state’s fetal heartbeat abortion ban.
MOVEit Data Breach Has Affected At Least 88 Health Providers
A threat analyst at Emsisoft said, “This isn’t simply people’s logins, passwords or even Social Security numbers,” Modern Healthcare reported. “It’s a mix of health records, legal records … and a huge variety of data.”
Walmart Asks Some Pharmacists To Take Pay Cuts To Lower Costs
Reuters has an exclusive on the cuts, which target pharmacists in higher wage brackets. They’re being asked to reduce their working hours. To blame: so many people buying “weight-loss drugs that drag on profits.” AI-based drug discovery is also in the news, along with developments on 3M’s legal problems over earplugs.
Forget Alcohol, Tobacco: Dirty Air Is Now Biggest External Health Threat
A major new study is saying that air pollution is a more dangerous threat to the average person on the planet than smoking or alcohol. Also in the news: deadly West Nile virus in Massachusetts; an E. coli outbreak at the University of Arkansas; warnings over malaria; and more.
Prescribing Healthy Food Leads To Health Benefits, Study Finds
In a deliciously unsurprising finding, a new analysis published in an American Heart Association journal found that if fruits and vegetables are “prescribed” to adults and children, they eat more of them and have multiple health benefits. Also in the news; drug misuse and abuse.