Latest KFF Health News Stories
India’s Covid Variant May Be Cause Of Faster Spread
Scientists try to understand the variant that might be behind the fast and uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus in India. Nepal is also getting hit.
Prison Under Fire For Asking Inmates For Covid Liability Waivers
If prisoners decline a covid test, a California prison has been asking them to waive liability for illness or death, a move deemed “unethical” by medical experts. Separately, West Virginia boosts benefits in a nutrition program for women and children, and a Virginia doctor is sentenced to 59 years for performing unneeded surgery.
Telemedicine Mental Health Grows; California Skips Mental Health In School Aid Spends
As Stat reports, several billion-dollar scale startups are expanding their digital efforts to improve mental health. Separately, lawmakers worry about Facebook’s link to depression and reports suggest California districts are spending aid cash on existing employees instead of expanding counseling services.
Are Drug Makers Prepared Against Cyber Attacks?
Concerns are raised about the security of drug makers’ computer systems.
States Limit Governors’ Covid Powers As Pandemic Starts To Fade
Meanwhile, Tennessee lawmakers made the state the second to pass a bill limiting health care for transgender minors; Texas considers health care in higher education construction plans; and Mississippi rules against a voter-approved medical marijuana program.
‘On A Precipice’: Safety-Net Hospitals Struggle To Survive During Pandemic
PBS’ Frontline and NPR launch a special report that dives into how hospitals that serve lower income groups fared during the covid pandemic and disproportionate impact on communities of color.
AbbVie On Hot Seat Over Price Hikes
AbbVie’s CEO faced questions from lawmakers on the increased prices of anti-inflammatory drug Humira and cancer drug Imbruvica during a House hearing Tuesday. The Democrats want the FTC to investigate. The House also passed a hate crimes bill and a group of Republicans rebel against floor masking rules.
45 Is The New 50: Experts Push For Lower Colon Cancer Screening Age
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says colon cancer screening should start for Americans age 45 and up because colorectal cancer is affecting younger adults than previously. In other news, Google demonstrates an AI to analyze skin conditions, and organic meat is found to have fewer drug-resistant microbes.
Fallout From Abortion Case Will Shake Elections, Health Care Access
The Supreme Court’s decision to hear a challenge to a new Mississippi abortion law could have a wide impact. Also, a visit to the Mississippi clinic at the center of the Supreme Court case.
Texas Governor Resists CDC Guidelines, Bans Mask Mandates In Schools
Though the CDC says students should still wear masks in some situations, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered that no local schools or government officials can set mask mandates. Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci warns the new CDC rules are “not a mandate to take your mask off.”
600,000 Children Vaccinated Against Covid
As has been the case throughout the pandemic, the patchwork of state laws is resulting in an uneven response, this time in the rollout delivery of the covid vaccines to children.
US Vaccine Donations Will Be Primarily Shared Through COVAX
Meanwhile, Russia and China are sharing more shots than the U.S. with other nations. And, to avoid waiving patent rights for newly developed covid vaccines, leaders of major industrialized nations are expected to back “patent pooling” as a way to get more vaccines to more countries.
As Case Numbers Fall, Experts Start To Consider The End Of The Pandemic
Stat reports on how previous epidemics and pandemics hold clues for the end of covid, while NBC News covers psychologists’ warnings that the return to normality may have long-term mental health effects.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Ways To Persuade The Vaccine Holdouts; Adults Unmasking Is Risky For Unvaxxed Kids
Opinion writers discuss vaccines and masking issues.
Viewpoints: Steps To A Safer ER For Nurses; How Do We Plan For The Next Pandemic?
Editorial pages examine these public health issues.
India Passes 25 Million Cases Of Covid As Surge Hits Rural Areas
Bloomberg reports on how “entire families” are wiped out by covid in India, as CNBC covers how decades of neglect in the public health system have had an impact. Elsewhere, the U.N. asks for vaccine supplies, and Canadians get some surplus U.S. shots.
UK Has Over 2,300 People With Indian Covid Variant As It Starts Unlocking
Hugging, drinking beer with dinner indoors and other normal habits were all okayed in the U.K. starting this week, but officials reported over 2,300 people were carrying the more infectious Indian variant. CNBC reports on worries this variant could soon become dominant there.
FDA Pushes Back On Claims Made For Unapproved Covid Antibody Drug
The covid antibody drug leronlimab had been publicly promoted for saving lives by maker CytoDyn, but the FDA’s statement says it’s not so. Meanwhile, a more powerful naloxone version is on the way. And Congress prepares to question the CEO of AbbVie over drug pricing.
Working Too Hard Can Kill You, Global WHO Analysis Says
The World Health Organization estimates that in 2016 nearly 750,000 people died globally because they worked at least 55 hours a week. In other news, the FDA recalls some pacemakers due to an electrical issue, and aspirin is linked to protecting the brain from pollution exposure.