Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
1 In 3 Women In Their 20s Have Never Had A Cervical Cancer Screening
CIDRAP: About One-Third Of US Women In Their 20s Have Never Been Screened For Cervical Cancer
Nearly one-third of US women in their 20s have never been screened for cervical cancer—a startling decrease, per a paper published last week in JAMA Network Open. “A lot of times national surveys look at the up-to-date rate, meaning how many women are up to date on their screening,” said lead author Kalyani Sonawane, PhD, of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), in a university press release. “But this paper is slightly different because it measures the proportion of women who reported that in their lifetime, they've never received screening.” (Holohan, 8/31)
In related news —
CIDRAP: HPV Vaccine Uptake In US Teens Hasn’t Increased In 4 Years
For the fourth year in a row, the number of US teenagers being vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) has not increased, according to survey results published yesterday in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. A smaller percentage of adolescents received the HPV series compared with recipients of the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine (Tdap) and the conjugate meningococcal vaccine against the A, C, W, and Y strains (Men ACWY). But uptake of these immunizations declined slightly from last year. (Holohan, 9/4)
More health and wellness news —
CNN: Alcohol Ups The Risk Of Dying From At Least 10 Types Of Cancer
Alcohol may play a greater role in death from numerous types of cancers in the United States than previously known, according to a new study. The increased risk of death applies to breast, prostate, colon, rectum, stomach, pancreatic and liver cancers, as well as cancers of the head and neck, the research found. (LaMotte, 9/4)
Newsweek: Common Food Additive May Make You Absorb More Fat, Study Finds
A sweetener widely used in processed foods and soft drinks may contribute to weight gain in an unexpected way, according to new research. Scientists at the University of California, Irvine found evidence that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) can alter the gut in ways that increase the body's ability to absorb dietary fat, potentially promoting obesity and insulin resistance. (Gray, 9/7)
San Francisco Chronicle: Extreme Heat May Threaten A Key Part Of Healthy Aging, Study Finds
Extreme heat may make older adults less likely to leave the home, potentially limiting the exercise, socializing and other daily activities that are key to healthy aging, according to a recent Stanford study. The research found that once daily average temperatures hit 84 degrees Fahrenheit, older adults started moving outside the home less. For every degree above 84, the distance that participants traveled went down by nearly two-thirds of a square mile, according to the study, published recently in the journal Innovation in Aging. (9/7)
KFF Health News: With Midterms Looming, Journalists Consider Measles, Food Recalls, And Obamacare
Céline Gounder, KFF Health News’ editor-at-large for public health, discussed fatal measles cases on CBS News 24/7’s Mornings on Aug. 26. Gounder fact-checked Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz’s comments about vaccines and drug prices on CBS News 24/7’s The Daily Report on Aug. 24. She also discussed food recalls this summer on CBS News 24/7’s The Takeout With Major Garrett on Aug. 24. KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner discussed kindergarten vaccination rates on WNYC’s The Brian Lehrer Show on Aug. 25. KFF Health News contributor Mark Kreidler discussed the use of artificial intelligence for Medicaid reenrollment on KVPR’s Central Valley Daily on Aug. 24. KFF Health News senior correspondent Julie Appleby discussed the state of the Affordable Care Act on Vox’s Today, Explained podcast on Aug. 24. KFF Health News Georgia correspondent Briah Lumpkins discussed the importance of healthcare policy in upcoming elections on WUGA’s The Georgia Health Report on Aug. 21. (8/29)
