Latest KFF Health News Stories
COVID Fears Can’t Stop Standardized Tests, DeVos Says
In other education news: partying students force the State University of New York at Oneonta to cancel in-person classes; Democrats push for tobacco-free college campuses; and more.
Belly Fat Linked To Greater Prostate Cancer Death Risk, Study Finds
Other public health news covers “ultra-processed” food dangers, alcohol consumption’s impact on weight, home hair dye safety and Valley Fever.
It’s Too Soon To Genetically Alter Embryos, Panel Says Of ‘CRISPR Babies’
An international panel of experts, assembled in the aftermath of one scientist’s secret use of CRISPR to “edit” the DNA of a human embryo, offers guidelines for the gene modifying technology.
Roche Gets Emergency OK For Test That Tells Difference Between Flu, COVID
Other names in the news include Biofourmis, Oncorus and more.
Vaccine Timing And Candidates’ Health Become Election Issues
The timing of a vaccine announcement right before the election and the mental acuity of the candidates have emerged as the latest contentious issues in the presidential campaign.
Heart Inflammation And COVID Linked
A Penn State University doctor notes a high incidence of myocarditis among athletes who suffered with COVID-19, though it is not as high as the 30% that he initially stated.
CMS Updates Online Tools For Consumers Picking A Medicare Provider
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services launches its new comparison platform, available on Medicare.gov, which consolidates eight tools in one spot.
Military Sites To Participate In Final Trials Of AstraZeneca’s Vaccine
The Pentagon reveals the five facilities that will participate in the Phase 3 trial.
Azar Says Election Timing Plays No Role In Vaccine Decisions
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told CBS This Morning that it is “very irresponsible how people are trying to politicize” coronavirus vaccine development.
Trump Administration’s Abortion ‘Gag Rule’ Blocked In Maryland By Appeals Court
The rule bans doctors and other medical providers who receive government funding from referring patients for abortion services. In this latest ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit permanently blocked the measure in Maryland. The cases is expected to make its way to the Supreme Court.
‘Very, Very Low Chance’: Top Vaccine Adviser Downplays Chance Of Early Approval
Dr. Moncef Slaoui, the chief scientific adviser for the White House’s “Operation Warp Speed” vaccine program, spoke to NPR about the possibility that a COVID-19 vaccine could be granted Emergency Use Authorization before final clinical trials wrap up: “I think it’s extremely unlikely but not impossible.”
Panel Will Review WHO’s Pandemic Response; Globe Passes 26M Cases
The 11-member independent panel will examine the early spread of the coronavirus and how the World Health Organization managed the public health crisis.
US Threat To Withhold Anti-Doping Funds Could Ban American Athletes From Olympics
The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency warned that U.S. athletes could be barred from participating in international sporting events if the Trump administration makes good on its efforts to pull back $2.7 million in annual funding.
Labor Day Celebrations Bring Fears Of More COVID
With COVID-19 cases still “unacceptably high,” as Dr. Anthony Fauci put it, the holiday weekend could bring even more outbreaks.
Tyson Foods Will Open Health Clinics For Employees Near Some Meat Plants
The Springdale, Arkansas-based company processes about 20% of all beef, pork and chicken in the United States. Earlier this year, the families of three Tyson workers in Iowa who died from the coronavirus sued the company, saying it knowingly put employees at risk. Other coronavirus public health news is on flu season, sleep disruptions and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Will Labor Day Weekend Bring Another Holiday COVID Surge?
Epidemiologists are having a hard time predicting whether Labor Day will be like the Fourth of July and Memorial Day, when celebrations fanned the flames in coronavirus hot spots around the South and West.
As Threat of Valley Fever Grows Beyond the Southwest, Push Is On for Vaccine
Efforts are underway to bring to market a vaccine for valley fever, a fungal infection with COVID-like symptoms that occurs in the deserts of the Southwest. The illness is getting more attention as cases rise and a warming climate threatens to spread it through the West.
HHS Plan to Improve Rural Health Focuses on Better Broadband, Telehealth Services
The proposal details a wide-ranging agenda to remedy the gaps in health care and myriad challenges in rural America. In addition to more telehealth options, it includes shifts in hospital payments and expanded funding for school-based mental health programs.
In Legislative Shuffle, California Prioritizes Safety Gear and Sick Leave During Crisis
Lawmakers are calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign bills that would address the challenges of the current COVID-19 crisis and help the state prepare for future pandemics.