Latest KFF Health News Stories
Brain Injury Recovery Treatments Used Against Long Covid Effects
The Wall Street Journal reports on novel neurological treatments to help people suffering from long covid. Meanwhile, worries emerge about athlete heart-health after covid, and campylobacter infections from raw milk affect people in Washington state.
Utah Makes Fathers Responsible For Child Support From Conception
In other news across the states, Arkansas’ governor vetoes a bill banning health care access by trans youth, Ohio consolidates its pandemic orders and keeps mask requirements, and reports say only about half of children at risk in Massachusetts are visited by child welfare.
More States Offer Covid Vaccination To All Adults Over 16
From Maryland to Wisconsin, millions more adults are now eligible for the covid vaccine. But not all jurisdictions have opened the ranks to anyone older than 16.
This Fall, More Colleges To Mandate Covid Vaccines For Students
Meanwhile, Walgreens is switching its second-dose vaccine schedule from four weeks down to the recommended three-week time frame; Dr. Anthony Fauci says covid vaccines are likely safe during pregnancy; and work progresses on new, hopefully cheaper, vaccines.
New Daily-Dose ADHD Drug Gets FDA Approval
The drug is the first new one for child ADHD approved in more than a decade. Separately, the FDA has turned down a request to expand use of an anti-psychosis drug to include dementia sufferers. Elsewhere a Utah pharmacist is sentenced for illegally importing hydroxychloroquine.
Biden Administration Taps Gayle Smith As Global Coronavirus Coordinator
Smith is the former director of the U.S. Agency for International Development. In other White House news, U.S. officials reportedly are helping AstraZeneca find a new manufacturing partner after the mix-up at Emergent BioSolutions’ plant in Maryland.
Fauci Says Covid Vaccine Passports Unlikely To Be Government Mandated
Also, covid vaccinations for passengers or staff are not going to be mandated for cruise companies as they return to business, according to the CDC. But flagship Middle East airline Qatar says vaccine passports are likely to be required across the industry.
Kids Play ‘Huge Role’ In Spreading B.1.1.7 Variant, Osterholm Says
Leading epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm is now questioning his previous advice: “All the things that we had planned for about kids in schools with this virus are really no longer applicable. We’ve got to take a whole new look at this issue.”
Covid Infections Climb Across The US
In Arkansas, covid cases in public schools increased about 15% statewide over the seven-day period that ended Monday.
CDC Updates Rules For Cleaning Surfaces To Protect Against Covid
Only where there is a suspected or confirmed case of covid is it necessary to disinfect indoor surfaces, says the CDC now. Cleaning surfaces with regular soap products is good enough, otherwise.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Are Vaccine Passports The Key To Travel?; Can Employers Legally Mandate Vaccination?
Opinion writers weigh in on these issues and more.
Collapsing Toxic Waste Reservoir Threatens Hundreds In Florida
In other news across the states, West Virginia moves to protect doctors from liability in abortion-stopping treatment, officials in Indiana try to trace potential covid infections from an NCAA tournament, and covid is gone from California’s nursing homes.
More Countries Investigate AstraZeneca
Reports of blood clotting side effects persist with AstraZeneca vaccine. In other global health news, the U.K. considers vaccine passports, India hits 100,000 covid cases a day, and Russia’s covid toll is likely higher than first reported.
Different Takes: Kids Are Feeling Covid Mental Health Toll; Is Amazon The Future Of Health Care?
Editorial pages tackle these public health issues.
Health Care Workers Feel Beleaguered
The pandemic continues to take a toll on health care workers. One survey says 21% of health care workers have considered quitting. In other health care industry news, 10% of black patients report discrimination in their health care. And rich hospitals got richer in the pandemic.
Bird Feeders Linked To Salmonella Outbreak
In other news, Canadian health officials urge a recall of graphene face masks, and Texas will let a baseball game be played to a full-capacity crowd.
Can You Design A Better Face Mask?
The Biden administration intends to give half a million dollars to someone who designs a mask that fits better. Maybe one that doesn’t fog up eyeglasses? The Biden administration is also facing renewed calls to delay second vaccine doses in order to get more Americans at least one dose sooner.
DeSantis Denies Any Wrongdoing Over Vaccine Partnership With Publix
Campaign finance records show that the company gave $100,000 to the Florida governor’s political action committee weeks before it scored a deal to distribute the covid vaccine, “60 Minutes” reported.
Covid Vaccines Safe In Pregnancy; Women Report More Side Effects
Separate studies say that covid vaccines are safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and may benefit the baby. Also, women are reporting many more experiences with vaccine side effects than men, possibly for reasons relating to biology.