Latest KFF Health News Stories
Elon Musk Unveils Brain Implant To Help People With Neural Disorders
On Friday, the inventor showed off a prototype of the device developed by his startup, Neuralink.
Nestlé To Buy Peanut-Allergy Pharma Company
The food giant is buying a California biopharmaceutical company in a deal that values the startup at $2.6 billion.
States Struggle With Flu Shot Mandates, Too
It’s almost flu season and the anti-vaccine advocates are fighting with officials in numerous states over flu shots for children.
Little Evidence? FDA Expands Use Of Remdesivir Anyway
The FDA announced the antiviral can be used in any patient. “It seems to be a pattern of approval without science, without data, without evidence,” said Dr. Eric Topol, vice president at Scripps Research.
Getting America Vaccinated Against COVID Won’t Be Easy
As the prospects of a coronavirus vaccine improve, the logistics of getting Americans vaccinated appear daunting and not just because only half of Americans say they are highly likely to get the shot.
Maskless White House Audience Could Spread COVID Back Home
With no social distancing and few masks in use, 1,500 Trump campaign supporters crowded together to hear Donald Trump’s convention speech Thursday night. Public health experts worry that guests could have been infected. Meanwhile, the political conventions did not much change impressions of Trump or Joe Biden.
Hurricane Laura Adds To Health Risks
The powerful hurricane that hit Gulf Coast states damaged refineries, petrochemical plants and plastics factories, which could have released dangerous pollutants into the air. But some key state and federal monitors to alert the public remain offline in Louisiana.
A COVID Stimulus Bill Just Got More Complicated
Negotiations in Congress for a fifth COVID relief bill is now tied to negotiations to avoid another government shutdown. And neither are going well.
FDA Ousts Top Spokesperson After Bungled Convalescent Plasma Announcement
In addition to removing Trump-appointee Emily Miller from her post after only 11 days on the job, the FDA also terminated the contract of a public relations consultant. The moves are seen as an effort to restore the credibility of the agency.
FDA Chief Open To Fast-Tracking A Vaccine Before Trials Wrap Up
In interviews with the Financial Times and Bloomberg, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn spoke about the conditions under which he would consider granting emergency authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine. The comments come a week after President Donald Trump accused the FDA of dragging its feet on vaccine approval to hurt him politically.
CDC, FDA Prestige Takes Hit After Missteps And Backpedaling
And the reputations of both public health agencies could be further impacted by impressions that they are bowing to political pressure from the White House.
New US Mark: 6 Million Cases In 6 Months; India Breaks Global Record
According to The New York Times’ tally, the U.S. has topped 6 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. The death toll is nearing 200,000. Globally, the case count surpassed 25 million, with India reporting the greatest single-day spike in cases of any nation ever.
Dramatic Drop In Donations Prompts Layoffs, Furloughs At Nonprofits
Susan G. Komen, Make-A-Wish, the American Heart Association, United Way and Mothers Against Drunk Driving have all made cuts in staff, spending or both.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
For Kids With Special Needs, Online Schooling Divides Haves and Have-Nots
Virtual classrooms are aggravating the economic disparities that plague education, with widening divides in access to supplies, workspace and parental guidance. The problem is especially acute for children with learning disabilities.
Med Students ‘Feel Very Behind’ Because of COVID-Induced Disruptions in Training
The pandemic has led medical schools to cancel many of the rotations in hospitals and clinics that students perform to see a broad mix of patients with a diverse mix of problems.
COVID + Influenza: éste es un buen año para vacunarse, aconsejan expertos
Con el país en medio de una pandemia, expertos dicen que nadie sabe qué sucedería si se contrae influenza y COVID simultáneamente porque nunca ocurrió antes.
Republican Convention, Day 4: Fireworks … and Shining a Light on Trump’s Claims
Donald Trump accepted his party’s nomination to seek reelection for a second term as president in front of a partisan audience that appeared to largely lack masks and opt against social distancing.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on COVID, mental illness, Obamacare, pregnancy, parenting, marriage and more.
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.