Latest KFF Health News Stories
In particular, cases are being seen more often in women and in babies, says the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. California’s public health tax, a fertility treatment suit against a Kentucky doctor, and more are also in the news.
Study Finds American Men’s Health Falling Behind Foreigners’
The Commonwealth Fund’s study found higher rates of avoidable deaths, chronic illnesses, and mental health issues in U.S. men compared with a number of other developed nations. Meanwhile, the U.N. warned the pandemic caused 25 million kids worldwide to fall behind on regular vaccinations.
Kids’ Hepatitis Linked To Adenovirus, But Scientists Aren’t Sure How Much
Two studies have pinpointed adenovirus in the vast majority of unexplained cases. But, the researchers wrote, “if human adenovirus was causative, this was not an outbreak driven by a single strain.” Other health news is on salmonella, PFAS, breastfeeding at work, Y chromosomes, and more.
Supreme Court To Consider Review Of Key Pharma Patent Discovery Process
The decision, Stat reports, has the pharmaceutical industry on “edge” because it could impact how they have to specify replication processes for new medicines. Other reports cover worries over the rising strength of infectious diseases even as Big Pharma is less interested in antibiotics.
Michigan Governor Blocks Budget Sections That Limit Abortion Access
The vetoes were aimed at parts of the $22.2 billion education budget that hurt abortion access for college students. Items that restricted embryonic stem cells were also vetoed. Meanwhile, Missouri’s governor is refusing to call a special session for legislation to protect access to contraceptives and treating ectopic pregnancies.
Three Doctors Appointed To President’s Cancer Panel
The White House announced President Joe Biden’s choices, with the panel’s goal being to advise him about reducing the impact of cancer. In other news, cancer cells are found to sense “sweet spots” to hide in the body, and a link between charcuterie and colon cancer is confirmed.
Final Preparations For National 988 Suicide Hotline Rollout
Saturday sees a big change for the nationwide system, with news outlets covering final preparations for the change and some of the potential benefits and impacts, including worries over increased demand. Separately, Colorado mental health counselors express dismay over rule changes.
House To Vote Again On Bill Guaranteeing Abortion Access
The bill is highly unlikely to pass the Senate, which Thursday failed to advance legislation that would protect people crossing state lines for an abortion. Meanwhile, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WVa.), who has thrown cold water on earlier attempts to implement Democratic initiatives, told party leaders that he will support Medicare drug pricing legislation and enhanced premium subsidies for people buying coverage on the ACA marketplaces.
Indiana AG Investigating Doctor Who Gave 10-Year-Old An Abortion
Attorney General Todd Rokita says he is looking into whether the doctor filed the necessary reports about the abortion, but the doctor’s lawyer says she did. The case continues to reverberate across the political spectrum; some officials of antiabortion groups say the child — who had to travel from Ohio because of its strict abortion laws — should have continued her pregnancy, and some Republicans are backing off earlier statements casting doubt on whether the case was legitimate.
Texas AG Sues Biden Administration Over Abortion Access In Emergencies
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the challenge over federal guidance issued this week telling hospitals and doctors that federal law protects them if a woman needs an abortion as part of emergency treatment. Texas has abortion restrictions that are among the most stringent in the country.
Monkeypox DNA Found In Patients’ Saliva, Sexual Fluids, Waste
Researchers stressed that the presence of viral DNA does not necessarily mean there is infectious virus in those fluids and that the primary mode of transmission is through skin-to-skin contact with infected lesions.
BA.5 Covid Subvariant Four Times More Resistant To Vaccines
BA.5 is the most prevalent strain of covid in the U.S., and it’s now deemed “hypercontagious” since it’s shown to be even more resistant to covid shots. As reports cover ongoing infections, CBS News notes over half of Americans now live in a place where masking against covid is recommended.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Evidence Proves The Heartbreaking Case Of The 10-Year-Old Rape Victim Is True
Opinion writers examine the case of an Ohio rape victim and her abortion.
Different Takes: Confusion Over Booster Timing Persists; Is BA.5 Really The Worst Variant Yet?
Editorial writers tackle these omicron BA.5 and vaccine topics.
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Research Roundup: Pulse Oximeters; Nipah; Covid; Retractions; And More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Florida Official Argues To Allow Medical Weed Users To Buy Guns
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried’s office also issues concealed gun licenses. Her arguments leverage a recent Supreme Court decision that struck down New York laws limiting guns. Also: Rising health insurance prices in Colorado, a North Carolina health plan reinstates coverage of trans surgery, and more.
Bill Gates Injects $20B Into His Foundation To Help Global Recovery
The massive donation is aimed at curbing suffering caused by global issues like covid, AP reports. Gates says the foundation plans to spend $9 billion yearly in aid by 2026. Meanwhile, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital boosted investment in its plan to study and combat pediatric diseases.
At-Home Methadone Dosing Deemed Safe By Study
During the pandemic, rules on how stable opioid addiction patients could take methadone were relaxed, and now researchers found that easing of rules didn’t lead to more deaths. In other news, Louisiana scientists link frequent addition of salt to meals to early deaths from numerous causes.