Latest KFF Health News Stories
Impact Of Racial Trauma In Pandemic On Mental Health
Also, a deep dive into the police use of so-called non-lethal weapons during protests in Minneapolis.
Drug Discount Programs May Not Be Cutting Costs
Other health industry news on a new Alzheimer’s drug, a look at what’s behind those Well building ads and how Millennials impact health insurance costs.
WHO Pushes Treaty On Future Pandemics Until November
Pressure from the U.S. and other nations caused the delay. Separately, the World Health Organization is looking into Italy’s pandemic response and a potential second Chinese vaccine.
Democrats’ Hopes For Drug Pricing Bill Slips As Biden Pushes Other Priorities
President Joe Biden is expected to omit drug pricing proposals from his budget plan later this week, and Democratic lawmakers are at odds on what bills they can support. But that isn’t stopping drugmakers from launching a major ad campaign attacking efforts to rein in their prices.
Pressure Rises For ‘Transparent’ Investigation Into Covid’s Origins
Speaking at the World Health Assembly, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra pushed for a “transparent, science-based” follow-up investigation into where the coronavirus pandemic originated. Reports note the matter is causing political turmoil.
From 0 To 50% In 6 Months: Half Of American Adults Are Fully Vaccinated
As the U.S. passes a huge milestone, campaigns to vaccinate younger people are increased. And some states are trying creative ways to get shots in the arms of the remaining population.
Covid Cases Fall, But Pandemic Isn’t Over Yet
The CDC is concerned about Memorial Day celebrations spreading covid. Higher covid rates are still reported for Black and Hispanic Americans. And HHS will fund testing for uninsured people.
Biden Choice To Run CMS Wins Senate Confirmation Vote
The nomination of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure was approved by 55 votes. She will run the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which also oversees the children’s insurance program and the insurance marketplaces set up by the Affordable Care Act.
Moderna To Seek FDA Authorization For Use Of Its Vaccine In Teens
Moderna said its vaccine is good for children as young as 12 and will submit its data to FDA next month for approval. Other news related to youth vaccinations includes the CDC’s myocarditis probe, testing younger kids and mandates.
CDC Says ‘Breakthrough’ Post-Vaccine Covid Cases Are Rare
Data shows only around 10,000 people were infected with coronavirus after they’d been fully vaccinated, the CDC revealed. Only 2% of those people then died. More than 130 million people have been fully vaccinated.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: CDC Mask Guidance Not Complicated; Will Covid Become Seasonal Like The Flu?
Opinion writers tackle these covid, vaccine and mask issues.
Viewpoints: Nursing Shortage Has Easy Solution; Ways Employers Can Help With Mental Health
Editorial writers delve into nursing shortages, mental health and Alzheimer’s.
Optogenetics Treatment Partly Restores Blind Man’s Vision
By constructing light-capturing proteins in one eye, scientists have been able to return some vision to sufferer of retinitis pigmentosa. Other research news covers induced bonding in mice by brain stimulation, and bloody test strategies for antibiotic therapies.
Covid Cases In India Dip But Deadly ‘Black Fungus’ Cases Rise
Nearly 9,000 cases of mucormycosis, known as “black fungus,” have been reported in India. Experts say it is tied to the high use of steroids in treating covid patients. As India struggles to determine its next steps to fight the pandemic, other countries are concerned about possible spread of the covid variant that has developed in India. Plus, other news about the battle around the world to defeat covid.
Vaccine ‘Passport’ Ban Enacted In Alabama; Rhode Island Struggles On Marijuana Legalization Deal
Covid and other public health news is reported from Alabama, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Florida, New Hampshire, Oregon, New York and Colorado.
Covid Research: Black Patients’ Symptoms Often Ignored
Other covid studies on impact of underlying medical conditions and long-term antibody levels
Covid’s Threat To Children Assessed
Also news on schools and on other children’s health issues.
Congress Considers $30 Billion In ‘Biobonds’ For Small Drug Companies
The “biobonds” would be used to finance drug development by small firms or universities.
One California County Sees Fentanyl Deaths Double During Pandemic
A new study says deaths from fentanyl in Santa Clara County in 2020 more than doubled over the previous two years. Separately, a West Virginia city will get a $200,000 grant to fight substance abuse.