Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Investigates As Child Hepatitis Outbreak Spreads To 36 States
About 180 children have been affected over the past seven months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. In Mexico, the first child death from hepatitis has also been reported. NBC News notes there currently is still no conclusive proof linking the mystery outbreak to adenovirus.
3 Doses Of Pfizer Covid Vaccine Are 80% Effective In Young Kids: Study
Pfizer/BioNTech said the 80% efficacy figure may change as more data is gathered but is currently based on 10 symptomatic cases of covid that occurred seven days after the third dose of the vaccine. Adding to the promising news: Unlike the current shot for adults, this shot was tested and found protective during the omicron outbreak.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers tackle covid, abortion, and mental health.
Different Takes: Study May Have Found Cause Of SIDS; How Concerned Should We Be About Monkeypox?
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid, kidney disease, antipsychotics, “poppers,” the war in Ukraine, and more.
More Longer Looks: Abortion and Reproductive Health
News outlets tackle the potential end of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that legalized abortion nationwide.
Nevada Reveals Which 19 Health Facilities Had Superbug Candida Outbreaks
In revealing which hospitals and skilled-nursing facilities reported Candida auris fungus this year, the state’s health department did not say which was still suffering an outbreak. Also: a violent murder in an Indianapolis nursing home, a health worker mental health program in Ohio, and more.
Court: Patient Doesn’t Have To Pay Gigantic Surprise Bill
The Colorado Supreme Court ruling said internal hospital chargemaster rates “have become increasingly arbitrary and, over time, have lost any direct connection to hospitals’ actual costs, reflecting, instead, inflated rates set to produce a targeted amount of profit for the hospitals.”
AMA-Led Program Will Try To Boost Equity, Quality In Health Care
The new mentorship initiative, Advancing Equity through Quality and Safety Peer Network, is designed to boost health outcomes for marginalized patients and tackle racism. Other news includes worries over hospital inspection results in Detroit and a reinsurance program in Virginia.
Cancer Rates Among Black People Drop, But Gap Remains
In 2019, the highest cancer death rates were in Black men — 294 deaths per 100,000 — almost double the lowest rate in Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The rate for white men was 249 deaths per 100,000. For Hispanic men, it was 177 deaths per 100,000 and 255 deaths per 100,000 among Native American men.
Unusual Monkeypox Is Spreading
Media outlets report a possible case in New York, likely related to travel to Canada. Meanwhile in Montreal, 17 suspected cases were reported. Sweden, Italy, and Australia have also joined the list of nations with cases of the rare disease, which can be spread by close or intimate contact. The risk to the public remains low.
CDC Advises Covid Boosters For 5- To 11-Year-Olds
A key advisory panel at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has thrown its weight behind a third covid vaccine shot for children between 5 and 11. CDC director Rochelle Walensky approved the recommendation and also encouraged parents whose children have yet to get first shots to do so.
Oklahoma House Passes Anti-Abortion Bill Like Texas’, Only Stricter
Under the new law, “fertilization” is defined as the moment egg and sperm meet, and it also prohibits medicine-induced abortions (beyond when Plan B pills work). The bill moved to the desk of Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is expected to sign it. For more longer-read stories about abortion and the current threat to reproductive health in the U.S., scroll down to our Weekend Reading section.
Lawmakers Blame FDA, ‘Corporate Greed’ For Baby Formula Shortage
During a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing, lawmakers said a lack of action by the Food and Drug Administration and corporate greed played a large role in the serious and ongoing national shortage of baby formula. Politico notes the FDA refused to explain its slow responses.
FDA Won’t Totally Ban Phthalates Used In Fast-Food Packaging
The Hill reports the decision on the use of phthalates rebuffs advice of some scientists and environmental groups who say the chemicals, commonly used in fast-food packaging, are dangerous to health and can disrupt hormones. Meanwhile, a report covers how puberty is arriving earlier, baffling experts.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: MRSA; Covid; Fragile X; Influenza-Like Illness
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: What’s Causing Hepatitis In Kids?; Banning Abortion Will Have Adverse Effect On Military
Opinion writers tackle hepatitis in children, abortion, formula shortages, and covid.
Editorial writers weigh in on these various public health topics.