Latest KFF Health News Stories
Mormon Missionaries Quarantined After Bringing Covid To Kiribati
Kiribati’s borders had been closed since almost the beginning of the pandemic, and the island nation had avoided covid until a plane chartered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived recently — despite the returning missionaries following covid protocols and testing.
Report Warns Of Risk Amid Rise Of Some Alternative Birth Practices
NBC News reports on concerns over rising interest in “lotus” births, placenta consumption, and other alternative birth practices, and how a clinical report suggests doctors should advise parents on their risks. Miscarriages, PCBs in a school, and a teen raising money for a hospital are also in the news.
Texas Cut Medicaid Staffing — Soon This May Cause Problems For Signups
According to a report, during the pandemic, Texas cut the number of people working in Medicaid services even as a million Texans gained coverage due to emergency federal funding. Now, staffing issues may affect an expected flood of new and returning applicants.
Bracing For Next Pandemic: Senators Want To Investigate How Covid Was Handled
Senate health committee chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and ranking member Richard Burr (R-N.C.) released their proposal for looking into the federal government’s response to the current pandemic, in order to learn lessons for the next one. Separately, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra is criticized for a perceived lack of leadership during the latest covid surge.
In 2020, More Michiganders Died Than Were Born, For The First Time Ever
The difference between the birth and death figures, the first in the state’s recorded history, was worsened by deaths from covid. Meanwhile, in U.S. daily deaths from covid may have reached the highest level since early 2021, and there are covid spikes in places like Maryland and Utah.
If Your At-Home Covid Test Freezes During Delivery, It’ll Be OK If Thawed
The Anchorage Daily News covers concerns over low temperatures affecting free federal covid tests being delivered by mail, with health officials saying frozen tests are likely OK if warmed up and thawed. In other news, Elton John postponed some U.S. shows after testing positive for covid.
Drugs That Do Work Against Omicron Are Scarce And Tricky To Access
While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticizes the FDA’s decision to halt authorization for two monoclonal antibody drugs that are ineffective against omicron, the antibody treatments and antivirals that do help treat the covid variant are in short supply. News outlets offer tips on how to find them.
These 4 Things May Raise Your Chance Of Getting Long Covid, Researchers Say
They are: 1) the level of coronavirus RNA in the blood early in the infection; 2) the presence of certain autoantibodies that mistakenly attack tissues in the body; 3) the reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus; and 4) having Type 2 diabetes.
Omicron Found To Cause Shorter Hospital Stays, Fewer Deaths
Furthering recent reports that omicron-variant covid is less severe than previous versions like delta, a new U.S. study shows that the virus causes less impact on the hospital system and fewer fatalities. Meanwhile concerns about a “stealth” variant of omicron spread, though there’s no need to panic.
OSHA Rescinds Employer Vaccine-Or-Test Rule Blocked By Supreme Court
The Biden administration withdrew its order that would have required about 84 million private employees to be vaccinated or test weekly for covid. OSHA says it’s working on a revised version of the rule.
New Yorkers Must Wear Masks For Now
An appeals judge temporarily upheld the policy a day after a lower-court judge struck it down. In other mask news, football fans will be given KN95 masks at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.
Booster Shots Have Gone Into Arms Of Just 40% Of Americans
Though the benefit of vaccine boosters is proven, news outlets report on the “faltering” drive to persuade citizens to go and get the shots. Meanwhile, reports say 80% of staff in nursing homes are vaccinated, and Wisconsin’s Assembly is trying to ban vaccine passports.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: It’s Time To Switch Our Focus To Covid Treatments; N95 Masks Don’t Work On Kids
Opinion writers delve into these covid and covid related topics.
Viewpoints: How To Help Youth Handle Mental Health Struggles; Time To Revisit Quality Of Life Issue
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Some New Parents Can’t Get Hold Of Baby Formula
Media outlets report on a baby formula shortage that’s affecting parts of the U.S., including disagreements between brands and stores over the reasons behind the problem. In other infant health news, giving low-income families financial support is linked to better baby brain development.
Hospital Shortages Leave Missouri Jails With Hundreds Of Mentally Ill Patients
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports on a troubling situation caused by staffing problems at state mental hospitals. Other news outlets cover fentanyl overdoses in the South, petitions for more medical marijuana in Ohio, Idaho teachers on state health insurance, and more.
If You’re A Vaccinated Tourist, The UK Soon Won’t Ask You To Test, Too
Britain will soon drop covid testing requirements for inbound visitors, as long as they’re vaccinated. In other news, Pfizer is pressed to make its covid pill more accessible for poorer nations, and in Israel the government is being advised to give fourth shots to some vulnerable people.
California Bill Would Require K-12 School Kids To Get Covid Shots
Meanwhile in Boston a vaccine mandate for city employees seems to have worked, with over 94% of the workforce vaccinated. The city has extended the deadline for a week. Separately, one Bostonian has been removed from a heart transplant list for refusing a vaccine.
In Face Of Drug Price Limits, Insulin Makers Step Up Lobbying Spends
Insulin is called the “poster child for dysfunction” in the U.S. medical system in a report in Stat. With lawmakers working on limiting drug prices, including potential caps on out-of-pocket expenses for patients needing insulin, some drugmakers are paying lobbyists more to fight their cause.