Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Dialysis Clinics Need Vaccine Allocations; Are Faster Human Vaccine Trials Ethical?
Opinion writers weigh in on vaccines and the pandemic lockdown.
‘Real Water’ Products Withdrawn In Nevada Over Liver Failure Worries
Reports of liver problems have caused withdrawal of an “alkalized water” product for sale in Nevada. Elsewhere, concerns swirl that a popular flea collar has killed nearly 1,700 pets, and a study suggests high-speed public hand dryers may spread diseases.
Judge Upholds Charges Against Former Michigan Governor In Flint Water Case
Rick Snyder, a Republican who served until 2019, is charged with failing to timely declare an emergency in Flint despite corrosion in its water supply.
CDC Pressured To Make Decision On Safe Distancing As Schools Reopen
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is facing calls to issue new safe-distancing guidelines, possibly lowering the current 6-foot limit, as schools begin to reopen. And new data shows that Florida’s in-person learning did not translate to covid hotspots in schools.
CDC: 56% Of Antibiotic Prescriptions From Hospitals Were Inappropriate
The analysis, published Thursday, examined prescriptions given to more than 1,500 patients at nearly 200 hospitals between May 1 and Sept. 30 of 2015.
Rhesus Monkey Alzheimer’s Model Could Speed Research In Humans
In other news, the FDA is looking into how drug names impact public and medical profession perceptions of a drug’s efficacy, and shareholders push back against AmerisourceBergen’s large-scale payments to its CEO and management.
In Study, Aspirin Linked To Less-Severe Covid Infections
Patients taking low-dose aspirin had less-severe coronavirus outcomes, including lower requirements for ventilation. Meanwhile, the WHO has announced it may have found where the virus began.
Supply And Demand Challenges Drive Uneven Rollout In States
States like California, Florida, Oregon, Arkansas and Michigan continue to report ups and downs in the vaccine distribution flow.
Concern Grows That People With Disabilities Left Out Of Vaccine Plans
In other news, Missouri and Maryland expand their covid vaccine eligibility; Atlanta Hawks staff and players get vaccines; and many medical workers still have doubts about getting a shot.
15 States Report Rising Covid Cases, Sparking Worries Of New Surge
The past month has seen lower covid case numbers nationally, but concerns grow that an uptick reported in more than a dozen states is a warning of an incoming wave. Experts note herd immunity has not been reached yet and restrictions are still required.
Fauci And Paul Engage In Another Heated Exchange Over Masks
“I totally disagree with you,” Dr. Anthony Fauci responded to Sen. Rand Paul’s assertions that vaccinated people wearing masks is “just theater” because they can’t be infected. Fauci explained that risks remain from variants and future changes to the virus.
Hearing Focuses On Spiking Violence Against Asian Americans Made Worse By Pandemic
Lawmakers and other prominent Asian Americans testified about issues with complicated public health ties, including the covid crisis, violence against women, gun laws as well as racial disparities in the U.S. health care and criminal justice systems.
US Poised To Cross 100M Vaccination Milestone
When he took office, President Joe Biden pledged to improve the covid vaccine rollout in order to reach that mark within his first 100 days. The nation is set to hit it today — 40 days ahead of the target.
US To Send 4M Surplus Doses Of AstraZeneca Vaccine To Canada, Mexico
The plan to send 2.5 million doses to Mexico and 1.5 million to Canada is expected to be announced Friday. AstraZeneca’s vaccine is not currently authorized for use in the U.S., which has a large stockpile that the international community has urged the U.S. to share.
Becerra Confirmed To Run HHS In Tight Senate Vote
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra was approved in a 50-49 vote as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Gibraltar Has Finished Vaccinating Its Adults — And Life Is Back To Normal
About 30,000 people live in the British territory that borders Spain. Its small size and steady stream of vaccine doses from Britain worked in its favor. Other global news is from Mexico, France, New Zealand and elsewhere.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Condados más ricos del país, abrumados por el aumento del hambre infantil
Los incrementos más pronunciados se registran en algunos de los condados más adinerados, donde la riqueza general oscurece las frágiles finanzas de los trabajadores con salarios bajos.
Centro de vacunación “gigante” ofrece alivio a trabajadores de la alimentación
El área de Long Beach, que tiene su propio departamento de salud, abrió un mega sitio de vacunación contra covid enfocado en un grupo vulnerable: los trabajadores de la industria de alimentación.
Research Roundup: Covid; MRSA; Community-Acquired Pneumonia; Alzheimer’s; Decompensated Cirrhosis
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.