Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lockdown Study: Domestic Violence Rose — And Was Much More Severe
News on mental health is also on gun suicides, Latinos, active coping, teens, teletherapy and more.
Several States Sidestep Feds, Set Up Worker Safety Rules
U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia says OSHA’s industry-specific safety recommendations go far enough during the pandemic. Media outlets report on news from Virginia, California, Oregon, Ohio and Maryland.
Shortages Of Masks And Other PPE Are Back
As reopening schools and businesses join hospitals and government agencies in efforts to procure masks, gloves, thermometers and other protective equipment, inventory is bottoming out in the U.S.
A Special Gift: Formerly Homeless Families In N.M. Will Receive New Beds
In other public health news: victims of the Golden State Killer confront him in court; a visually impaired person describes how to improve the movie-watching experience; and more.
Back-To-School Worries: Parents Told To Carefully Monitor Children For Stress
In Dallas, health experts are seeing an increase in young patients with stomach issues. News outlets report on parents going it alone, learning pods and other issues, as well.
Bogus Health News On Facebook Has Drawn Billions Of Views, Report Finds
And only 16% of the health misinformation had a warning label placed on it, researchers say.
‘Virus Is A Formidable Foe’: Notre Dame, Michigan State Halt In-Person Classes
Notre Dame, waiting to see if it’s necessary to send students home, has linked the cases to non-mask-wearing at off-campus gatherings. News on higher education is from North Carolina, as well.
Hospitals Put Big Focus On Telehealth After $200M Boost From Feds
To go along with it, more facilities are creating telehealth leadership roles in their C-suites, as well.
In Lawsuit, West Virginia Blames CVS, Walmart For State’s Opioid Problem
Other pharmaceutical companies in the news include Teva, Reliance and Netmeds.
Lack Of Diversity In Fast-Tracked Vaccine Trials Worries Experts
Minorities are underrepresented in the nation’s first large-scale clinical trial of a COVID-19 vaccine, federal data show. And efficacy for kids and women who are pregnant is also unknown since neither group is yet tested.
WHO Director Urges Nations To Share Vaccine Resources
“We need to prevent vaccine nationalism,” World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “Sharing finite supplies strategically and globally is actually in each country’s national interest. No one is safe until everyone is safe.”
Postmaster General Backs Off Changes But Union Leaders Say Damage Is Already Done
Under public pressure, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy suspends efforts to remove equipment or cut hours until after the election. But postal union leaders say that dismantled machines and removed collection boxes are not likely to be restored to handle the pandemic-fueled flood of mail-in ballots.
Administration Eyes Broader Revamp Of State Public Health Data Reporting
On the heels of a bumpy takeover of hospital COVID-19 data, President Donald Trump wants the Department of Health and Human Services to overhaul federal collection of state and local public health information. And HHS offers up its 10-year plan to address the nation’s top public health issues.
Details Of Senate Republicans’ ‘Skinny’ Relief Bill Emerge
A draft of the measure, obtained by The New York Times, proposes funding levels and corporate liability protections that have been sticking points in previous stimulus negotiations with Democrats.
‘Epidemic Is Changing’: WHO Warns Under-40s Are Spreading COVID
“People in their 20s, 30s and 40s are increasingly driving the spread,” said Takeshi Kasai, the WHO’s Western Pacific regional director, warning that those cases spill over to more vulnerable populations. The alert comes while U.S. schools trying to reopen report infections.
Biden Pledges Health Care Protections, Expansion As He Secures Nomination
Nodding to a hot-button issue at the Democrats’ virtual convention, presidential nominee Joe Biden said he would “provide a Medicare-like option as a public option.” Catch up on Tuesday’s other highlights and a night one fact check.
Sturgis Rally Drew Huge Crowd; COVID Cases Could Spread Across US
The South Dakota Department of Health said one person who spent several hours at a bar on Main Street has tested positive and may have spread it to others at t eh South Dakota motorcycle rally. Maine, New Jersey and Illinois are also in the news.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A case study of COVID-19 testing in Sacramento, California, shows that bottlenecks in the testing supply chain this summer limited people’s access to tests and dramatically delayed results. Similar scenarios played out in communities across the country.
As Georgia Reopened, Officials Knew of Severe Shortage of PPE for Health Workers
State officials said they urgently needed millions more masks and gowns, internal emails show. At least 80 Georgia health workers have died from COVID-19, including after the state reopened its economy.