Latest KFF Health News Stories
Millions More Americans Were Hit By Hunger In 2022 Than 2021
Food insecurity rose across the U.S. in 2022 according to new Department of Agriculture data, with 10.3 million more people living in households hit by hunger than in 2021. The upswing ended a nearly decade-long decrease in reported food insecurity.
Flu Shots May Lower Alzheimer’s Risk; Adult ADHD Tied To Dementia
In surprising news, researchers found regular vaccinations against flu and other infectious diseases may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and associated dementias. Separately, new research shows adult ADHD is linked to a higher likelihood of developing dementia.
Speaker Johnson Has Pushed For Medicare, Medicaid Cuts And Defunding Planned Parenthood
News outlets examine the past positions and potential future agenda of newly-elected House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, on key health issues like Medicare, Medicaid, abortion, SNAP, and others.
Senate Committee Advances NIH Nomination Of Bertagnolli
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Wednesday voted 15-6 to advance the nomination of Monica Bertagnolli to head up NIH. In other news from the Hill, Sen. Bernie Sanders’ measure on drug pricing takes a political blow.
Survey: Over Half Of American Adults Struggled With Health Bills This Year
A new Commonwealth Fund survey shows over half of working-age Americans said they’ve struggled to afford health services this year — evidence of the high cost of care, even for the insured. Meanwhile, another poll shows nearly 6 in 10 respondents worry over health care costs in retirement.
At the time of publication, police were still searching for the man, identified from surveillance video as Robert Card, 40, of Bowdoin, Maine. A police bulletin said Card had been placed in a mental health facility this summer. The number of victims isn’t yet clear, with at least 16 killed in two shootings.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: US Health Insurance Is Broken; EBSA Will Hold Insurance Providers Accountable For Care
Editorial writers tackle health insurance in America as well as dementia villages, spicy food and nursing staffing.
Perspectives: Knock-Off Ozempic Could Be Dangerous; Does Your OTC Decongestant Really Work?
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Fetterman Decries School Lunch Resolution Over Gender Discrimination
Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, took issue with a school lunch resolution from Sen. Roger Marshall, a Republican from Kansas, over the notion that school lunch could be denied to a student based on a provider’s religious discrimination over the student’s gender. In other news, “farm to school” food efforts expand.
Potential Breakthroughs For ADHD, Dwarfism, And More
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
HHS Says Nursing Homes Will Get Covid Shots After Delay Complaints
Some nursing homes had complained of struggles to obtain doses of the updated covid vaccines for their residents, with blame aimed at the shift from government distribution to commercial models. The CDC director says that although only 3% of Americans have gotten new shots, the program is on track.
Doctor Trying To Rescind Mifepristone Supports Cancer Therapy That Uses It
Dr. George Delgado is now a member of the scientific advisory board of Res Nova Biologics, which is developing a breast cancer treatment using the abortion drug. Explaining this contradiction, Delgado said, “The effects of the abortion pill in life-saving as opposed to a life-taking scenario is extremely exciting.” Plus: breakthroughs for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and more.
Your Friendly Nurse Likely Experienced More Workplace Harassment Recently
The expectation of an upbeat “bedside manner” from medical staff seems at odds with new findings from the CDC that show workplace harassment of health care workers doubled between 2018 and 2022 — and that harassed workers suffered more anxiety, depression, and burnout.
To Untangle Differing Diet Trends, NIH Spends $190 Million On National Study
10,000 volunteers will take part in the Nutrition for Precision Health study, which is designed to find how different people metabolize and respond to various diets. In other news, allaying worries from workers who sit all day, scientists find that about 20 minutes of exercise may balance out the sitting.
Dozens Of States Allege Instagram’s Tech Is Addictive, Harming Young Users
The lawsuit accuses Meta, Instagram’s parent company, of using allegedly addictive features that hurt children’s mental health. As reports highlight the ongoing youth mental health crisis, researchers find young adults in the U.S. experience anxiety and depression twice as frequently as teens.
Psychedelic Mushrooms Had Role In Airline Incident, Alaska Pilot Says
The off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot tried to shut off an aircraft’s engines during a flight Sunday. Speaking to investigators, he said he’d been sleepless and dehydrated since using the mushrooms and was suffering depression long-term. News outlets explain some risks of using magic mushrooms.
Facing Limited Supplies, CDC Changes RSV Shot Guidance For Infants
The updated guidance, coming as RSV cases are rising in parts of the U.S., says providers must prioritize administering some doses of nirsevimab (Beyfortus) to infants at highest risk of developing severe RSV. Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) indicated he’d vote “no” on the confirmation for the NIH director.
US Abortions Ticked Up Slightly In Year After Roe Was Overturned
Nationally, the total number of legal abortions rose 0.2% above the previous year, according to the first full-year census of U.S. abortion providers since the Dobbs decision. The analysis shows significant increases in states where it’s legal, with corresponding large drops in states where abortion bans were enacted.
Georgia Supreme Court Keeps Abortion Ban In Place During Legal Challenge
Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a lower court’s ruling that the state’s 6-week ban on abortion was invalid, and decided that the law will remain active while the case is sent down to a lower court.