Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Vaccination; Celiac Disease; Remdesivir; Depression
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: We Must Tackle Cost, Access For New HIV Shot; Canada Gets Addiction Treatment Right
Editorial writers discuss HIV drug Lenacapavir, addiction treatment, abortion, and more.
Think Multivitamins Are Good For You? You May Think Again, Say Researchers
Health data from nearly 400,000 Americans reveals that people who take multivitamins are actually at a slightly higher risk of premature death than people who don’t, a study found. Meanwhile, data show that alcohol-related health problems are surging.
Holograms Bring 3D Imagery To Doctor-Patient Visits In Texas
ABC News says Crescent Regional Hospital near Dallas might be the first in the U.S. to use life-sized hologram imagery. Among other news: Indiana acquires lethal injection drugs, heat-related ER visits, a maternal health bill, and more.
Calls To LGBTQ Youth Crisis Hotline Have Increased With Alarming Speed
As USA Today reports, the 988 LGBTQI+ Subnetwork received about 480,000 calls, online chats, and texts from July 2023 to May 2024. It saw a 12% month-over-month increase from July to April.
FDA’s Late Guidance Tackles Lack Of Diversity In Clinical Trials
The FDA issued draft guidance that outlines steps drugmakers and device manufacturers should take to improve representation of women and people of color in clinical testing.
Walmart Ends Its Primary Care Effort, Will Shut All Clinics Friday
The retailer’s virtual care platform and all 51 clinics in five states will be shut down. In other news, CMS is proposing a net 1.7% Medicare pay cut to home health agencies for 2025 — a sum arrived at after a 3.6% spending cut is offset by other factors.
Health Conditions Decide Which Elders Under 75 Need RSV Vaccine, CDC Says
Although all Americans 75 and older are recommended to get the shot, only those in the younger group with chronic heart or lung disease or other high-risk factors would need it, officials concluded.
High Costs, Future Reforms: How Health May Feature In Biden-Trump Debate
Experts weigh in on the subjects they want to hear President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump speak about during tonight’s much-anticipated presidential debate. How health care is hitting Americans’ pocketbooks tops that list.
Emergency Abortions Might Be Allowed In Idaho, Court Document Suggests
The official Supreme Court ruling in Moyle v. United States and Idaho v. United States is due any day. In another leaked document incident, it appears the Wisconsin Supreme Court will take up Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit arguing that abortion is a constitutionally protected right in that state.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Medications May Come From 3D Printer; Preventive Azithromycin Not Effective In Newborn Mortality
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Don’t Say Your Food Has Allergens In It When It Doesn’t, FDA Warns
The agency criticized Bimbo Bakeries USA — the company behind Sara Lee and Entenmann’s products — and said the labeling isn’t a “substitute” for working to actually prevent cross-contamination in factories.
Toxic Burn-Offs Weren’t Warranted After Ohio Train Accident, NTSB Says
The agency also criticized Norfolk Southern’s failure to quickly give information to emergency responders, a delay that did expose the public to hazards.
Editorial writers discuss these issues and more.
Children’s Health, Pandemic Readiness Measures Scrapped From Calif. Ballot
In a deal with initiatives’ backers, officials agreed to tackle those policy issues in the Legislature. Other news out of California focuses on sex education, vape recall, medical debt relief, and more.
People Who’ve Lost Weight Via Ozempic Lead Plastic Surgery Surge
Bloomberg reports a boom in plastic surgery procedures to remove excess skin from people who’ve successfully lost a lot of weight thanks to drugs like Ozempic. Meanwhile, another weight-loss drug, Saxenda, was found to reduce bone density in patients in a study.
4 Months After Cyberattack, VA Grapples With Paying Providers
The attack hit a third-party company that manages some processes for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Officials say they’re still working to clear a backlog of payments to pharmacies and other providers. Also in the news: AI use by Medicare Advantage insurers.
Emerging Covid Variant Is No More Severe Than Its Predecessor, CDC Says
Two variants — LB.1 and KP.3 — are tied to this summer’s surge, officials say. Also: As the summer covid surge accelerates, North Carolina lawmakers are considering whether to override the governor’s veto of a bill that addressed face masks.
