Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Commentary On Candidates' Health: 'Powering Through' Illness; Concerns On Trump's Weight
The New York Times: Hillary And Me: A Tale Of Two Pneumonias
I’m a big believer in empathy on the medical beat, but this is ridiculous. On Monday, my editors asked me to write about Hillary Clinton’s pneumonia, partially because I am, after all, a health writer (though my beat is global, not presidential), and partially because I too have pneumonia. I’m about two weeks ahead of her. ... I called a friend, a recently retired workaholic who’s had pneumonia twice. “Do not try to power through this,” he said immediately. “I did that the first time and I ended up in the hospital on oxygen.” (Donald G. McNeil Jr., 9/14)
Miami Herald: Hillary Clinton Was Doing What Women Do — Work While Ill
Hillary Clinton revealed a disconcerting flaw when she fell ill at a 9/11 event Sunday. She showed us that she is human. Not the superhuman we have demanded she be, only human. That’s something a woman can’t afford to disclose when she’s competing in a race that always has been dominated by men. One of the lessons women learn early in life is that they’ve got to be tough in order to succeed. Fragility can be a fatal flaw that has brought an end to many a promising career. And whatever you do, we’re told, never let them see you cry. (Dahleen Glanton, 9/14)
Reuters: How The 'Sub-News' Drives The Clinton Health Rumors
Here’s what you know about Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s health because you saw it, or read about it, in the news: She is suffering from a case of walking pneumonia that caused her to wilt in the heat on Sunday. But, wait, here’s what you may not know but others are sure of: Clinton has a severe neurological disorder. She’s suffering from a brain tumor. She has dementia. She is such a sick woman that she isn’t likely to have the mental capability to fulfill her duties as president — should she be elected. The reason you may not know these things is that they, of course, aren’t true. (Neal Gabler, 9/13)
The Washington Post: Should We Care If Trump Is Obese?
We noted Tuesday that Donald Trump eats poorly, does not exercise and is badly overweight. Today we learned more about what now appears to be a very unhealthy lifestyle for a 70-year-old. Depending on what news report you choose, Trump is either nearly obese (236 pounds) or quite obese (267 pounds), meaning a body-mass index of more than 30. Trump, just like he did on taxes, promised to reveal his health records and now has reneged. (Jennifer Rubin, 9/14)
