Latest KFF Health News Stories
Studies Warn We’ve Counted Only A Fraction Of Youth Covid Cases
New studies warn of big miscounts of children who caught coronavirus. Other news reports describe how farmworkers have been adversely infected and how we can learn from Brazil’s pandemic missteps.
FDA Warns Covid Infrared Temperature Scanners May Be Badly Inaccurate
Meanwhile anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin is ruled-out as a covid treatment by new research, and testing numbers worryingly fall off. And WHO continues its probe into the origins of the virus.
Why Some Governors Are Pushing Ahead With ‘Inexplicable’ Reopenings
At a time when new infections are threatening to surge again, a handful of governors are choosing to loosen or eliminate covid precautions. News outlets examine the factors shaping those decisions.
Obesity Is Key Driver Of A Nation’s Covid Death Toll, Global Study Finds
The link between covid severity and obesity, a new study finds a “dramatic” connection: In countries where more than half the population is overweight, fatality rates are 10 times higher than in other nations.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Por el bienestar de los abuelos, buscan reabrir hogares de adultos mayores
Ahora es el momento de aliviar a los residentes del abrumador y brutal aislamiento, dice un grupo cada vez más grande de expertos, cuidadores, consumidores y médicos.
California Governor Optimistic Fans Will Be Able To Attend Baseball Games
And in Florida, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis cheered the state’s pandemic response in his State of the State address Tuesday.
World Continues Efforts To Vaccinate More Citizens, Battle Covid Variants
Reports say India’s vaccine is highly effective against coronavirus; Europe starts reviewing Russia’s Sputnik shot and Tokyo’s Olympic Officials struggle with a buggy contract-tracing app.
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
Two Hospital Systems Create Coalition With Home Health Care Providers
The group seeks to lobby Congress to make certain pandemic-era changes permanent. One of the biggest requests is to allow hospitals to continue hospital-at-home programs, Modern Healthcare reports. Other industry news is on Mercy Hospital & Medical Center, Centene and telemedicine.
Mental Health Impact Of Pandemic Comes Into Focus
Experts say anxiety, stress and depression are on the rise, including in teens, even as pandemic life goes on for the sick, tired, homeless and those in need.
Research Roundup: Covid, Antibiotic Use; Proton Pump Inhibitors; And Flu
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Several Florida Communities Criticized Over Distribution Of Shots
At issue are a wealthy community in the Florida Keys, a senior center in the Gulf Coast community of Pinellas Park and vaccines meant for Black residents that instead went to white residents in Palm Beach County. Other news is from Maryland and Minnesota.
NIH Halts Trial Of Convalescent Plasma
The study at the National Institutes of Health was stopped early Tuesday. “We do not see any sign that convalescent plasma had a benefit” in ER patients at risk for more serious disease, said Dr. Simone Glynn, program scientist for the trial, as reported in USA Today.
Pace Of Vaccinations Picks Up As States Assured Of More Supply
The CDC reports that the U.S. has been averaging 2 million shots a day for the last week and that 80% of the total doses delivered to states are now in arms.
California To Set Aside 40% Of Doses For At-Risk Communities
California officials believe that focusing on vulnerable neighborhoods will get vaccinations where they are needed most and speed up reopenings. A report of underdosing at a mass vaccination site in Oakland is also debunked.
CDC Delays Updated Covid Guidelines, Warns Of St. Patrick’s Day Crowd Risks
New CDC pandemic guidelines for vaccinated people are being finalized. Meanwhile potential St. Patrick’s Day crowds cause concern, while the FDA is under fire for slowing drug manufacture with inspection delays.
Special Enrollment Yields Over 200,000 ACA Sign Ups So Far
Analysts say the strong enrollment numbers show a pent-up demand for health coverage while President Joe Biden called the trend “encouraging.” Americans can apply for an Obamacare plan through May 15.
Senate Preps For Marathon Of Debate On Revised Covid Stimulus Bill
News outlets report on details of the latest version of the legislation that is expected to hit the Senate floor on Thursday. Senate Republicans, meanwhile, plan their tactics to drag out the debate.
White House Gives A Shot In The Arm To School Reopening Plans
As the Biden administration urges vaccines for teachers and staff, state- and company-driven efforts to vaccinate educators begin.