Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Doctors Find Indications Of Fetal Fentanyl Exposure Syndrome
NBC News: Doctors May Have Identified A Fetal Fentanyl Exposure Syndrome
At least 10 babies — possibly more than 12 — have been identified with what doctors believe to be a new syndrome related to exposure to fentanyl in the womb. All of the infants have distinctive physical birth defects, such as cleft palate and unusually small heads. ... All were born to mothers who said they'd used street drugs, particularly fentanyl, while they were pregnant. "This is concerning," said Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, the president of the March of Dimes. "As we see these shared characteristics identified, we may be unroofing a real syndrome." (Edwards, 12/5)
Los Angeles Times: Could A Monthly Treatment Prevent Fentanyl Overdoses?
Scientists have developed an antibody treatment that shows promise in blocking the potentially deadly effects of fentanyl for nearly a month, raising hopes for a new tool to combat overdoses. Tests in animals found that the treatment could effectively block the effects of fentanyl, laying the groundwork for assessing whether the medication will prove effective in humans, according to a study published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications. (Alpert Reyes, 12/5)
KFF Health News: Watch And Listen: Opioid Settlement Case Triggers Protests Outside The High Court
The Supreme Court heard a case this week about who could claim bankruptcy protection from civil lawsuits. The case stems from the opioid epidemic and lawsuits brought by state and local governments against the companies that made, sold, or distributed prescription painkillers — in this instance, Purdue Pharma, which marketed OxyContin. (Pattani, 12/5)
In other health and wellness news —
The Washington Post: Mpox Surge In Congo Raises Fears World Will Ignore Warnings Again
A surge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo has raised concerns of another global outbreak with more deaths than the one ignited last year, prompting scientists to worry the world will again fail to recognize warnings from Africa. For the first time, scientists have identified sexual transmission of a version of the mpox virus that is linked to more fatalities in a region where mpox is endemic and more typically transmitted through contact with infected animals. (Nirappil and Sun, 12/6)
Fox News: Alzheimer’s Blood Test Could Hit The Market In Early 2024, Researchers Say
Could a simple blood test detect Alzheimer’s disease years before symptoms appear? New research from Resonant, a Utah biotech company that develops diagnostic tests for neurodegenerative diseases, suggests it may be possible. Researchers said its new test achieved 100% accuracy in identifying patients with Alzheimer's disease and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who went on to develop Alzheimer's disease within five years. (Rudy, 12/5)
The Hill: Al Gore Calls Social Media Algorithms ‘Digital’ AR-15s
Former Vice President Al Gore took aim at social media algorithms on Tuesday, saying sites that are “dominated by algorithms” are the “digital equivalent of AR-15s.”Gore, speaking at the the Bloomberg Green at COP28 event, said that spending too much time scrolling on social media could be dangerous and suggested that algorithms be banned. Numerous lawmakers have raised concerns about the use of social media among children. (Sforza, 12/5)
ABC News: FAA To Examine Mental Health Rules For Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it will examine its rules on pilot mental health. ... The FAA said Tuesday it would establish a rulemaking committee to "identify and break down any remaining barriers that discourage pilots from reporting and seeking care for mental health issues." The committee will also examine the same issues for air traffic controllers. (Maile, 12/5)
Bloomberg: World Health Organization Calls For Higher Taxes On Alcohol And Sugary Drinks
The World Heath Organization called on countries to increase taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks to counter their negative effects on global health. Raising excise taxes on alcohol and sweetened beverages is the most effective way to reduce consumption while generating revenue, the WHO said in a statement Tuesday. (Ganatra, 12/5)
