Latest KFF Health News Stories
Alzheimer’s Drugmaker Assails Critics For ‘Misinformation’ About Aduhelm
In a letter to the Alzheimer’s disease community and a call with investors, Biogen officials decried the controversy over the drug’s approval, saying the company believes in the integrity of the review process. The drug, Aduhelm, has already brought in $1.6 million, the company announced.
CDC Advisers Support J&J Shot, Boosters For Immunocompromised
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a CDC advisory body, said people who are severely immune-compromised should consider getting a third covid shot. The ACIP separately noted that the benefits of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine “far outweigh” its risks.
To Battle Health Misinformation, Bill Targets Online Platforms’ Protections
Sen. Amy Klobuchar introduced new legislation aimed at Section 230, which prevents platforms like Facebook from legal impacts of content their users post. Separately, Dr. Anthony Fauci praised the actions of some Republican lawmakers who’ve swung to promote vaccines.
Vaccination Rate Inches Upward In States Where Covid Is Surging
White House officials reported that vaccine hesitancy is being overcome by a dramatic rise in covid, leading to some southern state hospitals being overrun with cases. Separately, the NFL warns teams they could forfeit games and be fined if they cause a covid outbreak.
Delta Ravages States Like Florida That Emphasized Freedom Over Safety
Despite the surge in the Sunshine State, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis says he will continue to refuse mask mandates or other restrictions, including at schools.
School Districts Around The Country Are Opting For Mask Requirements
Atlanta, Chicago and Boston are the latest cities to announce that students will need to wear masks in schools this fall. That comes as health officials around the country — and even in the Capitol in Washington, D.C. — are weighing renewing mask mandates.
Coronavirus Skyrockets In California
On Thursday, the state reported nearly 5,600 new cases, and the average positive-test rate over seven days was 4.9% — a nearly five-fold increase over last week. Despite the spike, two parents’ groups are suing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom over a mask mandate in public schools.
Covid Testing Effort Gets More Than $1.6 Billion Boost From White House
The Biden administration has announced new funding to boost covid testing, in an effort to combat a large fourth wave of infections mainly affecting states with lower vaccination levels. $100 million will also go to boost rural-area vaccine education efforts.
CDC Warns Of ‘Pivotal Moment’ As Delta’s Rise Threatens More Deaths
News outlets cover the rise in delta variant covid across the U.S., including CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky calling it the one of the most infectious respiratory viruses she’s seen. Separately, reports say people hospitalized with covid are begging for vaccines.
Roe V. Wade ‘Egregiously Wrong,’ Must Go, Mississippi Urges Supreme Court
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch argued in a brief that the Supreme Court must overturn the case, which has protected a woman’s right to an abortion since 1973. Fitch cited changing social situations, including modern maternity and paternity leave, as reasons why.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Different Takes: Ways To Make Vaccination The Norm; Covid Far From Over In Africa
Opinion writers analyze these covid and vaccine issues.
Editorial pages delve into these public health matters.
Arkansas, WVa Transgender Restrictions Blocked By Federal Judges
The laws — Arkansas banned gender-affirming treatments for youths and West Virginia banned transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports — are among several restrictions on transgender people’s rights that were enacted in Republican states this year. In other state legal efforts, Mississippi officials are finalizing their briefs for a Supreme Court case on the state’s strict abortion law.
US Officials Try To Calm Furor Over Paralympic Swimmer’s Withdrawal
Becca Meyers, a 26-year-old blind and deaf athlete who has won medals in past Games, pulled out of the Tokyo competition after she said U.S. Paralympic officials would not let her have her mother, who is also her personal care assistant, with her. The team officials said the decision was based on pandemic rules set up to limit the number of support staff and that the team had a designated personal care assistant to help athletes.
Long Covid Symptoms Affecting More Than 1 In 20 Adults In UK
The Office for National Statistics reported about 6.2% of the adult population, or 3.2 million people, are suffering long covid symptoms, affecting well-being and ability to work. Separate reports say the U.K., which just unlocked, is poised to stop checking covid documents for some incoming tourists.
Health Officials Warn Of Risks Linked To Increasing Marijuana Use
Doctors say children can sometimes mistake edible marijuana products for candy and become sick after ingesting them. In addition, a study finds a link for some people to schizophrenia. Other public health news reports look at the effects of smoke from the wildfires out west and the heat wave across the country.
Report: Males Ages 15-19 Are 10 Times More Likely To Drown Than Girls
The report from the American Academy of Pediatrics said it could be due to multiple factors, including boys overestimating their swimming abilities or greater alcohol use than girls.
CIA Officer Who Hunted For Bin Laden To Lead ‘Havana Syndrome’ Task Force
The officer, whose identity is secret, was handpicked by CIA Director William Burns to help investigate suspected “directed energy attacks” that have sickened scores of U.S. officials in Cuba, Austria, the United States and elsewhere.