Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pfizer Trying To Address Drug Access In Poorer Nations With Lower Prices
Bloomberg reports on what it says is “one of the most comprehensive and ambitious drug-access programs ever” by a big manufacturer: Pfizer will sell its entire brand-name portfolio at cost in around 45 countries. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal notes big incomes from covid drugs are plateauing.
NCAA Finds Post-Pandemic Mental Health Concerns Plague Athletes
A survey of more than 9,800 college athletes found the rates of anxiety, depression, and mental exhaustion were as much as twice as high as before the covid outbreak.
Montana Health Department Blocks All Gender Changes To Birth Certificates
Despite a court order, people in Montana cannot change gender on their birth certificate, even if they have had gender-confirmation surgery. And in Indiana, a lawsuit is filed against a new transgender sports law. Other state news reports on marijuana, mental health, maternal health, and more.
CDC Warns Covid Patients May Again Be Infectious After Paxlovid Treatment
Federal regulators affirmed what people have been discussing for at least a month: the covid “rebound” that may hit patients who have taken the antiviral treatment. Separately, a study in Israel shows fourth Pfizer shot effectiveness wanes fast for older people.
No Surprises Act Blocked 2 Million Bills In 2 Months, Insurers Say
The first two months of the year would have seen an estimated 2 million unexpected medical bills being levied without the No Surprises Act, according to an AHIP and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association industry survey. Meanwhile, Advocate Aurora Health is sued for alleged price inflation.
Google Must Stop Abortion-Linked Data Haul To Protect Users: Democrats
Dozens of Democratic lawmakers say Google’s data-scraping habits, particularly relating to location, are a risk to its users who’ve had abortions. They note law enforcement routinely forces Google to turn over location info.
Omicron Subvariant BA.2.12.1 Responsible For 58% Of New US Cases
And the pace of infections continues to accelerate, with the nation surpassing 100,000 confirmed daily covid cases for the first time since February. The trends are prompting some facilities and regions to encourage masks again.
20% Of Previously-Infected Adults Could Get Long Covid, CDC Says
A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that long covid may be more prevalent than thought, especially for people over 65. A large survey by 23AndMe, meanwhile, found women were twice as likely as men to report suffering the condition.
UN Decries Stigmatizing Language In Monkeypox Coverage
Media coverage of the ongoing monkeypox outbreak has sometimes used racist and homophobic language, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS said, potentially risking public health. UNAIDS noted monkeypox can infect anyone.
Report Finds Worrisome Drop In HIV Diagnoses
The CDC report, which provides the first look at the HIV epidemic after covid upended the country, indicates that HIV diagnoses dropped by 17% from 2019 to 2020. It was a significant change from previous years and may indicate that many cases are going undetected. That also follows findings that testing plunged as pandemic stay-at-home orders swept the country in March 2020.
Texas School Shooting Heightens Concerns Of Youth Trauma Epidemic
Parents face difficult conversations with their school-age kids over gun violence at a time of high concern over youth mental health prompted by the pandemic years.
FDA OKs Import Of 2 Million UK Baby Formula Cans
Meanwhile U.S. manufacturer Abbott, at the center of the current formula controversy, said it would allow the release of about 300,000 specialty formula cans for children with medical needs. It will also restart production June 4 at its Michigan plant.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Fund To Fight AIDS, Malaria, TB Wins $30 Million In Pledges At Davos
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria says it needs $18 billion to reverse pandemic-related setbacks. It announced its first pledge from the private sector at the World Economic Forum at Davos, with $10 million from Comic Relief U.S. and $20 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Meanwhile, the U.N. is warning of a global food crisis sparked by the invasion of Ukraine and climate change.
North Carolina Senate Republicans Now Push To Expand Medicaid Coverage
The AP reports that the move to “strongly” consider legislation to improve Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands of low-income people is an “extraordinary turnabout,” since the party has opposed expansion for a decade. Also: new rules for malpractice payments in California, and more.
Different Takes: Monkeypox Not As Worrisome As Covid; Future Of Birth Control Unknown
Opinion writers explore monkeypox and abortion rights.
Brigham Researchers Find Security Calls More Likely For Black Patients
The researchers at the Boston hospital analyzed 423 security reports filed between Sept. 1, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2019, and found 2.8% of Black patients had calls placed for them, compared with 1.6% of white patients. In other news, a study finds rising infection rates in central line catheters that doctors use in major veins to deliver medicine, and experts call for updating language in patient records.
A Generic Drug Plant Closure Portends Drug Shortages
The closing of a Teva Pharmaceuticals plant in California could spell shortages of 24 generic sterile injectable drugs, including essential medications, the vasodilator alprostadil; the antibiotic amikacin; chemotherapy drugs bleomycin, dacarbazine, idarubicin, ifosfamide, mitoxantrone, streptozocin, and topotecan; and the hormone octreotide. In other news, a promising hair-loss drug and dietary supplements.
Active TB Case Reported In A Missouri Middle School
Confirming the case at Hollenbeck Middle School, health officials said contact tracing commenced and there was no reason for public concern. Meanwhile, the salmonella outbreak linked to Jif peanut butter has now sickened 14 people across 12 states.