Latest KFF Health News Stories
In West Virginia, Drug Overdose Deaths Fell. Elsewhere, The Crisis Continues.
From March 2021 to March 2022 deaths from drug overdoses fell nearly 4% from the previous year, the CDC says. And Rolling Stone covers a “staggering” number of soldier overdose deaths in Fort Bragg. Separately, the DEA warns of rainbow candy-like fentanyl and the risk to kids.
Not So Sweet: Artificial Sweeteners Linked To Heart Disease
Artificial sweeteners Aspartame, Sucralose, and Ace K may be culprits behind some heart disease, and researchers are reportedly warning they shouldn’t be thought a healthy sugar substitute. Also: Forehead thermometers, the new Apple Watch with women’s health features, and more.
Walmart, UnitedHealth Pair To Provide Preventive Care For Seniors
Value-based care for Medicare beneficiaries are one target, but reports say the team effort will also offer virtual health care to all age groups. Separate reports say UnitedHealthcare is planning on selling Affordable Care Act plans to people in Missouri and 3 other states starting 2023.
Major Hospital’s Generators Fail During Calif.’s Heat-Driven Blackouts
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose was left without power for about four hours Tuesday when backup generators failed to work. News outlets report on other impacts of dangerous heat, gender-affirming care, and more public health stories.
CDC Says 1 In 4 Young Adults Are Seeking Mental Health Care
New data from the CDC shows that the biggest rise in adults seeking care in the last year was in the 18- to 44-year-old group. Separate reports show nearly a third of non-newborn pediatric admissions from 2016 to 2020 were linked to mental health care.
Reversing Course, FDA Committee Backs Experimental ALS Drug
News outlets report that the FDA is not required to follow the panel’s advice on the drug, developed by Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, but that is the likely outcome. The decision, in a 7-2 vote Wednesday from the FDA’s Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee, came as a reversal from a vote against the drug in March.
Michigan’s 1931 Law Criminalizing Abortion Blocked
A state court judge placed a permanent injunction on prosecuting cases under the 90-year-old law, which bans abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest. It’s one of three abortion-related cases working through the court that could be appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court.
Vaccines Working: US Monkeypox Outbreak Slows
Media outlets report on the successful impact of vaccines and public awareness of how to reduce exposure risk on slowing the monkeypox outbreak. Racial differences in reported cases remain, however — but during Atlanta’s Black Pride event the vaccine effort is shown to have worked.
Cancer Cases On The Rise Worldwide For Those Under 50: Study
Researchers find a global increase in early onset cancer diagnoses, and that the risks may increase with every generation. The rise is likely due to shifts toward more sedentary lifestyles and Western diets heavy on processed foods.
Clue To Long Covid Could Be Lingering Virus, Spike Proteins
Reports say it’s increasingly thought the covid virus lingers in the body of long covid sufferers longer than for people who fully recover. Other research efforts into the illness are continuing, including by a billionaire-backed group.
Stress, Depression May Worsen Long Covid Risk
Severe covid and higher long covid risks have been linked to physical conditions, but now it’s also thought that psychological conditions like stress and anxiety are connected too. Scientists also warn of a possible link between long covid and suicide.
Another Spending Showdown Looms Over Covid Funding
Republicans are positioned to oppose President Joe Biden’s request for billions in emergency relief funding for Ukraine, natural disasters, covid and monkeypox, and could rock stopgap spending bill negotiations.
Judge’s PrEP Coverage Ruling Could Undercut ACA’s Free Preventive Care
Judge Reed O’Connor ruled Wednesday that coverage of the HIV prevention drug required by the Affordable Care Act violates a Texas employer’s religious belief. The decision could jeopardize free preventive drugs and screenings like colonoscopies or mammograms. The Biden administration is expected to appeal.
Israeli Team Unearths Antibodies That Can Fight All Known Covid Variants
The antibodies can tackle every covid strain, including delta and omicron variants, and could potentially be infused into patients. The recent study is based on earlier work where immune cells were sequenced from people who’d recovered from the original covid strain in Israel.
Editorial writers delve into public health topics.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Covid In Children, Vaccines; Effects Of Pandemic
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies. This week, we highlight research from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP).
Perspectives: Aduhelm Has Dangerous Side Effects; Predatory Bacteria May Be Key To New Antibiotics
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Editorial writers delve into covid related topics as well as other public health issues.
FDA To Discuss Approval For Amylyx’s Experimental ALS Drug Again Today
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.