Latest KFF Health News Stories
More Drugmakers Avoid 340B Program
Among the top health industry news: Amgen curtails discounts through the federal 340B program, Duke, Mayo Clinic and the University of Michigan seek artificial intelligence software that works and barriers to prescription drugs created by insurance companies.
Report: 1,500 Homeless People Died On LA Streets During Covid
In other impactful news from California, some water districts will get none of their requested supplies heading into 2022 other than for critical health and safety needs. Other news is from Georgia, New York, North Carolina, Maine, Colorado and Florida.
Iran Tightens Abortion, Contraception Laws; Delta, Omicron Covid Surge
Also, the European Union is mulling mandatory vaccine rules, Britain approves a covid antibody treatment from GlaxoSmithKline, South Africa’s covid case rate doubled overnight, and countries seem to increasingly favor travel bans to try to stem covid outbreaks.
Study: Higher Risk Of Death After Covid Recovery
More studies on the impacts of covid infections on health: a higher risk of death and of central nervous system complications.
The Cause Of Alzheimer’s May Have Been Found
Scientists at University of California-Riverside have been looking at the different forms of the tau protein, and its role in the brains of Alzheimer’s sufferers. Among other medical innovations: an experimental drug successfully targeted genetic kidney disease.
Mask Mandate For Air And Public Transit Travel Likely To Continue
The Biden administration intends to extend the mask mandate for air, train and public transit travel, while it continues to press for more vaccinations. News also on HIV/AIDS.
Living Alone Now More Common For US Adults
Census Bureau data show 37 million people live alone now, up from 33 million in 2011. Trust in scientists and science is also in the news, with global data showing it rising, possibly linked to the pandemic. Separately, Planned Parenthood patient data in California was hacked.
Facebook Blocks Covid Disinformation Network Based In China
The group of over 600 Facebook and Instagram accounts were linked to a China-run influencing operation. Other disinformation networks were also targeted by Meta, Facebook’s parent company. Separately, a Johns Hopkins program aims to fix misinformation that influenced young people.
Biden Wants Companies To Implement Vaccine Mandate While It Winds Way Through Courts
Contradictory and shifting court rulings in challenges to federal and local vaccine and mask requirements leave behind a patchwork quilt of policies and bans across the U.S. Meanwhile, covid case numbers are marching back up. In Nebraska, nearly all hospitalized patients are unvaccinated.
Moderna Loses Patent Fight Over Covid Vaccine
Good and bad news for Moderna. Its vaccines work very well, according to a new study. But the company lost a critical patent battle for the covid vaccine to Arbutus Biopharma.
Biden Launching Winter Booster Boost, Free Home-Test Plan
President Joe Biden’s plan to tackle covid in the winter will include a campaign to improve uptake of booster shots, and access to free at-home testing (with private insurance footing the bill). Travel restrictions, mask recommendations and more are also expected.
Supreme Court Seems Likely To Alter Roe Decision
Consensus among journalists who listened to the Supreme Court justices’ questions in the Mississippi abortion case is clear: Roe v. Wade is doomed.
A Californian Has First Detected Omicron Case In US
It was “inevitable,” as Dr. Anthony Fauci had said. The individual is said to be suffering mild symptoms, was vaccinated (but without a booster shot) and had traveled from South Africa. Officials across the country are upping preparations and actively looking for more cases.
Omicron Variant Evolution Studied
Experts suggest omicron may have mutated in a non-human host. Yet the lack of testing and genomic sequencing of test samples hampers efforts in the United States to study the variant the fast-spreading variant.
First Edition: December 2, 2021
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: The Future Of Roe Is Uncertain; HIV Still Devastating Lives
Editorial writers weigh in on Roe and HIV.
Philadelphia’s Drug Deaths May Top Record This Year
Fatal overdoses were up 10% over 2020 for the fist six months of 2021. Meanwhile, in Michigan the governor seeks $300 million for covid tests in schools, but in Dallas the Children’s Medical Center has disbanded its gender-affirming care program.
EU Could Approve New Shots For Omicron In Months
It could take just three or four months for approval, the EU drug regulator said. Mexico has changed its plans for boosters, a deal is near to make and sell J&J’s shot in Africa, and Israel is mulling mandatory vaccination.
Different Takes: Faith Leaders Important In Vaccine Push; Should We Model Japan’s Covid Regulations?
Opinion writers examine these covid issues.
Authorization Sought For Clever Test That Tells If You Need A Covid Shot
The immunity level-sensing test comes from a Houston startup which is seeking emergency approval from the FDA. Separately, studies link covid infections to myocarditis in college athletes, and long haul covid with chronic fatigue, among other stories.