Latest KFF Health News Stories
Efforts To Save Califf’s FDA Nomination Pick Up
A group of doctors and public health advocacy organizations are urging senators to confirm Dr. Robert Califf as the next head of the Food and Drug Administration. Califf himself is also trying to reassure key lawmakers that he will work to improve the agency’s accelerated approval process for new drugs.
New Rule Aims To Get Schools Back On Nutritional Track
The Department of Agriculture issued new “bridge” standards Friday for meals served in schools, starting next fall, that are intended to restart efforts to offer healthier food. Stricter government rules were eased during the pandemic.
900,000 Americans Already Lost With Covid Deaths On The Rise
As the nation passed this terrible milestone, President Joe Biden on Friday urged the unvaccinated to reconsider and estimated that over 1 million American lives have been saved by the covid vaccines.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
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, body odor, ADHD, hedgehogs, malaria, and more.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
Different Takes: OTC Birth Control Now Reality; Forced Sterilization Of Disabled People Must End
Editorial pages tackle these public health topics.
Without Moderna, African Researchers Nearly Copy Its Vaccine
Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines, from Cape Town, has nearly built a copy of Moderna’s mRNA covid vaccine after Moderna refused a partnership request. Separate reports say Africa’s covid vaccine effort needs an extra $1.29 billion in funding to boost the rollout to more people.
Probe Launched Into Hacking Breach Of UnitedHealthcare
Rhode Island’s attorney general is seeking information about UnitedHealthcare’s role in safeguarding employees’ private data. The company is also in the news for a class-action lawsuit over an alleged failure to manage $7 billion in retirement funds.
Former Pfizer Staff Accused Of Medicine Trade Secret Theft
The pair of former employees, now being sued by the company, are accused of stealing secrets related to obesity and diabetes medicines. In other news, poor sales of its new Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm have led to Biogen forecasting a weak financial year for 2022.
Worrying Infectious HIV Strain Found In The Netherlands
Though the strain may have been circulating for a few decades, the report identifying the strain says existing HIV meds work just as well against it. Separately, the University of Texas Health Science Center is seeking volunteers to take part in an mRNA-based HIV vaccine.
Biden’s Science Adviser Slams Critics Who Scoffed At Cancer ‘Moonshot’
In an interview with STAT, White House adviser Eric Lander argued that the new plan is “audacious” even though it doesn’t mention cancer “cures” and doesn’t ask for new research money.
Jabs For Kids Ages 5-11 Slow Way Down
The seven-day average that ended Jan. 28 marked the slowest period since the government approved covid shots for that age group on Nov. 2, Bloomberg said. Just 31% have received the vaccine.
Iowa Governor Says Public Health Emergency Is ‘No Longer Feasible’
The move by Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, will limit the release of data about rates of vaccination and covid spread. Also, the Army is planning a court-martial for a junior officer for failing to follow rules on covid-19, and Los Angeles County is preparing to loosen its covid-prevention restrictions.
Number Of New Covid Cases Plummeting
New daily cases have fallen by almost 50% in the past two weeks, CIDRAP reports. Meanwhile, hospitalizations have fallen 16% from a Jan. 20 high, according to HHS data.
White House Launches $19M Grants To Boost Residencies
The move is part of an effort to address physician shortages, particularly in underserved and rural communities. Meanwhile, with U.S. hospitals facing staff shortages due to the pandemic, there’s a recruitment drive to attract foreign health care workers.
People With Medicare Can Now Get Free Covid Tests
This is the first time Medicare has covered an over-the-counter test at no cost to recipients, AP reported. In other testing news, some health experts say the free tests being mailed from the federal government might be affected by the freezing weather hitting many parts of the nation.
15-Week Abortion Ban Advanced In Arizona
AP reports on moves by Arizona Republicans to push a ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. And in New Hampshire, the Senate voted to reject limitations on the state’s 24-week abortion ban. But in South Dakota, a House committee declined to consider a near-total ban proposed by the governor.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Covid; Diabetes; Alzheimer’s; Mental Health; More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.