Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA OKs Zynrelef, New Opioid Alternative For Post-Operative Pain
The drug is a combination of local anesthetic bupivacaine and anti-inflammatory meloxicam. In other news, biomarker blood tests are speeding up drug trials, the Salt Lake Tribune covers the difficulties of pharmaceutical IP, and Stat reports the “Era of the Genome” has arrived.
After Early Setback, Sanofi-GSK Vaccine Finds Better Luck In Phase 2 Trials
The initial Phase 1/2 trial suggested the vaccine wasn’t adequately protective in older adults. But new results show that the companies’ covid vaccine generates strong levels of antibodies for all adults.
Puncture The Vial Just For One Shot: CDC Addresses Vaccine-Giver Hesitancy
Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines will mandate its workers get a covid shot. And statistics show 41% of Republicans say they do not plan to get a vaccine, but New York’s Hamilton County — remote, and Republican — has one of the highest vaccine uptake rates in the U.S.
Racism Has ‘Undeniable’ Impact On Health Disparities, Fauci Says
Dr. Anthony Fauci noted that the covid pandemic has highlighted how racism negatively affects health outcomes for African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans. Separately, the Indian covid variant is found in Maine, a study shows most kids with covid don’t get a fever, and authorities accept covid is airborne.
Read The Signs: Many Businesses Drop Mask Rules, Some Not Yet
Retail companies are announcing their plans for also relaxing requirements on face coverings as individual businesses must now navigate shifting state and federal guidance.
Students Should Mask Up, CDC Says
Reopened K-12 schools should require “universal and correct” use of masks, plus social distancing, the CDC says, despite newly relaxed mask-wearing rules for the vaccinated population. Dr. Anthony Fauci agrees and says masks should even be worn in the fall term by unvaccinated kids.
CDC Cites Evolving Science As Sole Driver Of Mask Guidance U-Turn
Neither public or political pressure played a role in the decision to relax mask guidance for fully vaccinated people, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky said when answering questions about her agency’s drastic change.
Some Nurses, Health Experts Warn Mask Change Threatens Covid Progress
Both the National Nurses Union and the California Nurses Association slammed the relaxed CDC guidance, saying the protective measures helped keep health care workers safer. Other public health experts worry that the sudden appearance of normalcy will set back efforts to control virus spread.
Confusion Reigns As Some Cling To Face Coverings, Others Feel The Breeze
Americans who ventured out over the weekend faced a patchwork of inconsistent rules.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Should Health Care Workers Be Mandated To Get The Vaccine?; To Mask Or Not To Mask?
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine issues.
Viewpoints: Serious Errors In Olympic Athlete Drug Testing; New FDA Chief Must Regain Public Trust
Editorial writers examine Olympic-level drug testing, issues facing the new FDA chief and psychedelics for health treatments.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid, psychedelics, childbirth, obesity and more. Plus, a deeper look at how Samantha Power, head of the US Agency for International Development, hopes to use vaccines to restore U.S. prestige.
India Has Third Day In A Row With Over 4,000 Covid Deaths
India’s covid crisis continues with case numbers still rising but at a slightly lower rate. The AP notes that covid misinformation is “surging” in the country, as other reports cover how officials are scrambling for vaccine supplies and trying to administer the ones they do have properly.
Campaigners Want Olympics Scrapped As Japan’s Covid Crisis Worsens
Three more regions in Japan have been added to the list of areas already under covid emergency orders. In other news, vaccine makers are under pressure to boost access to shots, and Ireland’s health service is offline after a digital attack.
CDC: More Than 40% Of Latino Adults Suffered Depression During Pandemic
In other news, actor Eva Longoria joins a program to boost mental health services to farmworkers; the FDA has authorized the first overnight contact lenses to manage myopia; and Ohio and Georgia join the list of states that will opt out of federal enhanced unemployment benefits.
Missouri’s Voters Wanted Expanded Medicaid, But Governor Says It Won’t Happen
Gov. Mike Parson said the move was because of a lack of funding coming from the General Assembly. Elsewhere, Texas passes a ‘heartbeat’ anti-abortion bill, states consider their own bans on flavored tobacco, and the plan to house Los Angeles’ Skid Row homeless hits a legal snag.
Underfunded And Understaffed Public Health Workforce To Get $7.4B Injection
The White House announced that the funds come from the recent relief bill and will be used to hire additional public health workers and modernize the existing departments.
The Misinfo Dozen: Online Vaccine Hoaxes Traced To Just 12 People
Meanwhile, CBS News notes the Pfizer covid vaccine is a top target of conspiracy theorists and misinformation efforts, and Fox News covers how Prince Harry “slammed” Joe Rogan for his covid misinformation efforts.
Congress Considers Fixes For Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization
A bill that would speed up the prior authorization process and demand more transparency when insurance plans deny health provider’s requests was reintroduced Thursday. Separately, Mayo Clinic and Kaiser Permanente plan to boost hospital care in patient’s homes, and Connecticut’s nursing home workers postpone strikes.