Latest KFF Health News Stories
Different Takes: Thoughts On Which Booster To Choose; Examining The New Valneva Vaccine
Opinion writers tackle covid boosters, a new covid vaccine and fighting the pandemic.
Viewpoints: How Prevalent Is Lead In Houston’s Water?; Examining The Link Between Housing And Health
Editorial writers weigh in on these various public health issues.
Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Mexican Whole Onions Hits 37 States
Bloomberg reports “hundreds of people” have been sickened. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traced a cause to onions from Chihuahua. AMC movie captions, broken heart diagnoses, breast cancer screening for Black women, and NFL race-norming in dementia are also in the news.
McLaren Health Settlement Reduced To $5 Million In Flint Lead Water Suit
A judge agreed that McLaren hospital could reduce its share of a $641 million payout to people affected by lead-contaminated water in Flint, Michigan. Separately, two new lawsuits allege “hundreds” of children have been exposed to dangerous lead levels in water in Jackson, Mississippi.
Russia Has Pandemic Daily Death High, Orders Workers Home For A Week
President Vladimir Putin said reluctant citizens should get vaccinated as daily deaths hit a pandemic high of 1,028. Meanwhile, India hit a milestone of 1 billion covid vaccines administered — among a population of 1.4 billion. But only about 30% of eligible people are fully vaccinated.
Reports Say Health Problems, Deaths From Climate Change Are Accelerating
“Rising temperatures are having consequences,” said one report’s co-author. Axios notes the reports say that more infectious diseases spreading quickly are “inevitable” due to climate change. Meanwhile, USA Today covers heat deaths in heat waves.
Biggest Nurses Union Praises OSHA Threats Over States’ Poor Covid Safety
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration had threatened to withdraw control from Arizona, Utah and South Carolina over their own worker safety rules due to poor covid safety guidelines. Other news about nursing, Princeton Hospital, a former HCA CEO, and a bomb threat at Walter Reed Hospital are also reported.
Alzheimer’s Drug Has Such Low Sales, It’s Called Worst Launch ‘Of All Time’
Biogen only sold $300,000 worth of controversial Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm in the last quarter, causing one analyst to give it this damning description. News about Amazon Pharmacy, Maricopa County joining the national opioid settlement, and NHL player Jimmy Hale’s death are also reported.
White House Suggests Fixes For ‘Build Back Better’ Plans, Including Cuts
The Hill reports Democratic lawmakers are “swiftly” cutting back on their spending plans in the wake of adjustments coming from the White House, which include new ideas on how to pay for parts of the $2 trillion scheme. Cutting $200 billion in housing aid is one suggestion.
All New York City Public Workers Ordered To Get Covid Shots
Yesterday, Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered that all NYC municipal workers must get covid shots. The Oct. 29 deadline for first shots comes with a threat of potentially being fired. Separately, a video of unmasked NYPD officers on the subway pushing someone who asked them to mask-up goes viral.
CMS Outlines 5 Goals For Advancing Health Equity, Expanding Coverage
Agency leaders held a webinar Wednesday to discuss how to improve health care, accountability and costs. Other news is on alternative payment models, UnitedHealth Group’s Medicare Advantage payments, Iowa’s privatized Medicaid system and more.
More People Poisoning Themselves With Ivermectin To Beat Covid: Report
Human poisonings from ivermectin, a common cattle antiparasitic not approved for use as an anti-covid drug, rose “sharply” in August, says a report from Oregon Poison Center. Meanwhile, the Navy has identified a 15th sailor who has died after being infected with covid.
US Says It’s Shared 200 Million Covid Shots With World’s 7.8 Billion People
The White House announced reaching the 200 millionth covid shot shared to boost global vax efforts. Axios reports pressure on the Biden administration to share more shots is rising. How “waning” antibodies are normal and how different zodiac signs are adopting vaccines are also in the news.
FDA Approves Moderna, J&J Boosters; CDC Votes Today On Mix-And-Match
The new recommendations practically assure that the booster rollout will get even more complicated for Americans as they weigh whether to get a full dose of Pfizer, a half-dose of Moderna, a second dose of J&J or an mRNA shot to go with their first J&J jab. Confused yet?
White House Unveils Plan To Quickly Vaccinate Children Ages 5-11
The government has already purchased enough doses for all 28 million children in this group. The doses will be shipped to pediatric and primary care offices, school and community health clinics, and pharmacies. The supplies will include smaller needles.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Will Proof Of Vaccination To Fly Be Next?; FDA Approval Of Vaccine Mixing May Be Coming
Opinion writers examine these covid and vaccine topics.
Why Attempts At Lowering Prescription Drug Prices May Flop
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Perspectives: The Allure — And Traps — Of Big Pharma
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Editorial pages tackle these public health issues.