Latest KFF Health News Stories
NIH Project Homes In on COVID Racial Disparities
The pandemic has given the National Institutes of Health an opportunity to show the value of its $1.5 billion “All of Us” research program. A major effort to make the platform’s database representative of America resulted in minorities making up more than half of its more than 270,000 volunteers.
Pandemic-Inspired Food Labeling Raises Alarms for Those With Food Allergies
The Food and Drug Administration released new “temporary guidance” for manufacturers facing supply chain shortages that allows them to make some ingredient substitutions without changing food labels. The pandemic had already made finding trusted foods difficult for some people with allergies. Now they’re worrying about what’s actually in their go-to products.
Watch: COVID Patients and Families Battle to Get Benefits
KHN senior correspondent Christina Jewett describes the obstacles facing workers and their families trying to secure death benefits or workers’ compensation after COVID-19 struck.
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
Different Takes: Lessons On Using Science During A Pandemic; Trump Vs. Fauci; CDC’s Data
Editorial pages focus on the pandemic and related health issues.
Disabled Inmates’ Deaths Prompt Lawsuit Seeking Better Prison Conditions
Other stories take a deeper look at how ethnic minorities and senior citizens are affected by the pandemic.
‘We Are At The Breaking Point,’ UN Chief Warns As Pandemic Exposes Global Fault Lines
Global pandemic developments are reported out of South Africa, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Brazil, China, Canada, Bolivia, Mexico, Pakistan, Nicaragua, Venezuela, the United Kingdom and Italy.
Nevada Slashes Health, School Budgets; States Ponder More Shutdowns
Calls for Florida to shut down and California’s problems do not abate. And other COVID news from across the country is less than rosy.
Sports Teams’ Dilemma: Money or Health
Sports organizations on all levels continue to struggle with the COVID epidemic, not so much with testing, but with whether to start making money even though it risks the health of players.
Texas AG Tells Religious Schools It’s OK To Ignore Reopening Ban
Local health officials barred in-person school reopenings until after Labor Day. Other news on schools is from Wisconsin and Arizona, and looks at former Vice President Joe Biden’s plans for schools, as well.
Trump Administration Says No To CDC Director Testifying Before House Panel On Schools
In other news, the House coronavirus committee wants to hear from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos about the administration’s threat to cut funding from public schools that don’t fully reopen.
Doctors Puzzled By Drop In Preemie Births During Lockdowns
Several countries independently reported the findings, prompting the call for further research. Public health news is on a doctor’s dismay at non mask wearers, public transportation, open bars, and protection for workers, also.
Atlanta Mayor Defends Mask Order That Georgia Governor Is Fighting
News about mask debates and mandates comes from Georgia, Mississippi, Michigan, Maryland and elsewhere.
Teens ‘Improvising’ On Condoms, Contraceptives, Pediatrician Says
New guidelines published Monday call for easier access. More public health news is on pregnancy, cancer, West Nile virus, and, oh, yes, trench fever.
Study: Kids 10 And Older Spread COVID As Effectively As Adults
The data out of South Korea adds yet another complexity to the difficult decision of whether to open schools. Also, more than 80 infants test positive in one Texas county.
Just Kidding! 113 Rhode Islanders Got False Positives For COVID
Also in the news: why a COVID test is like a pregnancy test; scientists discover six different types of the disease; and the question of who should pay the tab for testing.
With Jobless Benefits Set To Expire, Congress Tackles More Pandemic Aid
The next coronavirus stimulus package tops the agenda for congressional lawmakers trying to negotiate thorny issues like joblessness, state financial assistance and business liability.
Quest Wins First FDA Approval To Conduct ‘Pooled’ COVID Testing
In an effort to increase testing capacity, Quest Diagnostics will now be allowed to “pool” up to four samples together. If the group comes back positive, samples will be tested individually.
White House Aims To Cut Funds For Testing, CDC, NIH In Next Relief Package
In other news about testing and the administration: California Gov. Gavin Newsom was reportedly told to appeal directly to President Donald Trump and to thank him if Newsom wanted help in getting more testing swabs. And Colorado’s governor calls the national testing situation a “complete disgrace.”
Russia Tries To Distance Itself From Cyberattack Allegations
“I don’t believe in this story at all, there is no sense in it,” Andrey Kelin, Russia’s ambassador to Britain, told the BBC of claims from the U.S., Britain and Canada that Russian hackers are targeting coronavirus treatment and vaccine research.