Latest KFF Health News Stories
US Likely Far Off From Herd Immunity: Less Than 10% Have COVID Antibodies
A new study published in The Lancet found that only 9% of 28,500 blood samples from dialysis patients in 46 states tested positive for coronavirus antibodies.
Fall Surge Picks Up: Positivity Rates, Hospitalizations Rise In Many States
Positive test rates of 5% can be a sign of undetected coronavirus cases in a community — North and South Dakota both have rates above 25%. Meanwhile, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon and Utah report record numbers of new cases and New York state, a onetime hot spot, shows signs of another spike.
Trump’s Executive Order on Preexisting Conditions Lacks Teeth, Experts Say
President Donald Trump’s executive order says that people with preexisting conditions can get affordable insurance. But it doesn’t explain how.
Promises Kept? On Health Care, Trump’s Claims of ‘Monumental Steps’ Don’t Add Up
The president entered office seeking to overturn the Affordable Care Act, revamp Medicaid and drive down prescription drug prices, among other things. He’s hit some stone walls.
Health on Wheels: Tricked-Out RVs Deliver Addiction Treatment to Rural Communities
Even when COVID-19 forced many addiction treatment clinics to scale back, Colorado continued to serve patients with addiction problems through an innovative program that married low-tech with high-tech. The state brought clinics on wheels to remote, underserved towns and used telehealth to connect patients with doctors.
Viewpoints: What Does It Say When A State’s Leader Gets COVID?; No Time To Ease Up On Wearing Masks
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and contemplate. This week’s selections include stories on COVID, psychedelic medicine, addiction, lethal injection, doctor and dental practices, and relationships.
Different Takes: Lessons On Finding The Very Best Vaccine; Lack Of Data Severely Hampers Progress
Editorial pages look at these pandemic topics and others.
Editorial pages focus on these health care policies and others.
‘Haven’t Learned’: Critics Cite Multiple Mistakes Behind England’s 2nd Wave
Poor communication from leadership and a reluctance to learn from other countries that have lessened the impact of COVID are among the top problems, public health officials say.
‘Terrifying’: Syrian Doctors Refute Government Claims, Say Outbreak Is Widespread
News is from Syria, Spain, China, North Korea, Russia, Switzerland, Easter Island, Tahiti, Brazil and Italy.
College Enrollment Took Big Hit In Pandemic — With One Exception
A closely-watched report found that undergrad enrollment is down 2.5% this year across all types of institutions. However, graduate enrollment is up 3.9%.
Not Wanting To Be Left Out, Pac-12 Rejoins Fall Football
In other sporting news, organizers of the Iditarod race ponder how to keep their staff and volunteers safe from COVID.
Police Probe Neglect, Abuse Of Disabled Residents At Group Homes In Houston
At least 35 abused or neglected residents were found living in “deplorable” conditions in the Caring Hands Group Home. The “person of interest” in the case, Carroll Shelton Richardson, is the home’s operator and reportedly ran seven other boarding homes in Houston.
Survivors Share Tales Of Another Sad COVID Side-Effect: Losing Clumps Of Hair
Doctors think it’s due to the physiological stress of fighting off the coronavirus. Other research is on the risks of inflammation, what sewage shows, how dogs detect COVID and more.
Please Fly The Friendly Skies: United Aims To Lure Back Flyers With Tests
Pilots will offer the tests on flights from San Francisco to Hawaii. News is on rising numbers of people searching for ways to lower anxiety, conflict managing for restaurant workers, no testing of seasonal farmworkers, forever chemical restrictions and more.
EU Deal Allows AstraZeneca Partial Immunity Over Vaccine Side-Effects
The deal was struck in August and its liability clauses have not previously been reported, according to Reuters and CNBC. Other vaccine news is on the trials being run by Novavax and Sanofi, and more. And also: New York’s decision to review vaccines.
Chicago Nurses, Union Reach Deal After Ending Strike
The contract guarantees the hiring of 160 more nurses, more protective gear and COVID hazard pay. In other news: California updates its “No Pharmacist Left Alone” law; Mayo Clinic Health System President Bobbie Gostout is retiring; Albertsons hires a former Amazon exec as its new senior VP of pharmacy and health; and more.
‘It Has The Potential To Be Something Really Huge’: Boston Hospital Battles COVID Outbreak
By Thursday afternoon, Brigham and Women’s Hospital had identified eight patients and 11 employees who were infected. It expects that number to grow with contact tracing. Other health system news is on CoxHealth, Mercy, rural hospitals in Georgia and facilities in Contra Costa County, California.
Source Of Postal Slowdown Linked To Higher-Ups, Records Show
The Washington Post obtains more documents related to the U.S. Postal Service postal changes that delayed deliveries that conflict with USPS executives previous accounts. The moves have drawn public outrage due to the important role of the mail in efforts to keep voters safe during the pandemic.