Latest KFF Health News Stories
Virus Detection: Monitoring Colorado Wastewater; Contact Tracing On Reservations
Regional officials employ tools like wastewater testing, contract tracing and testing to identify and combat viral outbreaks.
Depression, Suicidal Thoughts Are On The Rise For Young Adults Ages 18-24
The CDC survey, which was taken between June 24 and 30, also found a surge of anxiety and substance abuse, with more than 40% of those polled saying they experienced a mental or behavioral health condition connected to the pandemic.
Prisoner Reportedly Hangs Himself With Mask; Chili’s ‘Enforcer’ Attacked
Other news on masks also includes airline passengers and more CDC guidelines.
‘Teamwork Environment’ Helped Prepare Rural Hospitals For COVID-19
Meanwhile, changes to data reporting continue to be a thorn in hospitals’ sides. Also in the news: behavioral health, Banner Health, Teladoc, Livongo and more.
Indiana City’s Top Medical Researcher Resigns, Cites Mayor’s Meddling
The epidemiologist says Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness is pushing schools to open too early. News is on allegations about undercounting of health care worker deaths and more.
Track The Vaccine Race: 25 In Human Trials, Many More In Development
The Washington Post and CNN both offer up handy graphics explaining the status of and science behind nearly 200 experimental vaccines so far proposed. But the lack of diversity in those clinical trials raises concerns.
Attempts At Herd Immunity Not Working In Sweden, Evidence Shows
Other coronavirus research news is reported on blood plasma treatments and surface transmission.
No COVID Vaccine Copays, U.S. Health Officials Say
The U.S. government is working with insurers and pharmaceutical companies to pick up the costs of vaccinations. But even with no out-of-pocket expenses, will enough Americans get the shot? And can enough be manufactured?
Trump Campaign Feeling Better About President’s Handling Of Crisis
Political aides were nervous that President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus threatened his re-election chances. Now they are more optimistic. And the candidate says he will deliver his acceptance speech from the White House.
Relief Bill Out Of Reach; Both Sides Point Fingers, Senate Leaves Town
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi predicted the next meeting with White House negotiators will be “when they come in with $2 trillion” in coronavirus stimulus. President Donald Trump said Democrats “don’t even want to talk about it because we can’t give them the kind of ridiculous things that they want.”
Task Force Warns Georgia As ICU Capacity, Deaths Trend In Wrong Direction
“Georgia is very much the poster child for what happens when leadership take a hands-off approach to managing a pandemic,” Dr. Harry Heiman, a professor at Georgia State University’s School of Public Health, told USA Today. News on California and New York cases is also in the news.
A Call To Mask Up: Biden Urges States To Mandate, Americans To Wear Them
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said masks are key to protecting each other and getting back to normal: “It’s not about your rights. It’s about your responsibilities as an American.”
Trump Requests Mail-In Ballot At Same Time He Blocks Postal System Funds To Stop Such Voting
President Donald Trump admits he is withholding money from the U.S. Postal Service to impede efforts to expand mail-in ballots for voters concerned about polling place safety during the pandemic. The funds are also tied to the coronavirus relief bill negotiations. The day before that statement, Donald and Melania Trump requested just such ballots from Florida.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
‘Is This When I Drop Dead?’ Two Doctors Report From the COVID Front Lines
Two emergency room doctors, one in New York and the other in Houston, discuss their cities’ coronavirus outbreaks — and responses.
COVID Data Failures Create Pressure for Public Health System Overhaul
Poor information-sharing between hospitals and public health agencies has hurt the response to the pandemic. Some health care systems and IT companies are making inroads, but an overhaul would cost billions.
Back to Life: COVID Lung Transplant Survivor Tells Her Story
The first known coronavirus patient in the U.S. to undergo a double lung transplant is now strong enough to share the story of her ordeal.
Estudiantes de minorías analizan datos de COVID sobre disparidades raciales
Los datos para abordar las brechas raciales en la atención en las comunidades más necesitadas, y sus resultados, han sido escasos durante la pandemia.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Kamala Harris on Health
The Democratic presidential ticket is complete, with Joe Biden’s selection of California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate. Health has not been a major issue for Harris, whose career priority has been the criminal justice system. But expect Republicans to pounce on her on-again, off-again support for “Medicare for All.” Meanwhile, with Congress still in a stalemate over another round of COVID-19 relief, President Donald Trump is trying to use his executive power to do what lawmakers have not — with mixed success. Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Mary Agnes Carey of KHN join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week they think you should read, too.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic priorities and other health issues.