Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: A Biological Threat Could Slip Through The Cracks While US Agencies Are Paused
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
Record Number Of Americans Involved In Change Healthcare Data Breach
On Friday, UnitedHealth Group said 190 million people were affected by last year’s cyberattack. That’s about 55% of the country’s population and more than doubles the previous record.
Health Experts Try To Find Common Ground With HHS Nominee RFK Jr.
Despite Kennedy’s anti-vaccine history, which greatly alarms professionals in the health sector, some see his promises to improve Americans’ diets as a step in the right direction. Also, with Kennedy’s hearings scheduled for this week, news outlets explore vaccine issues.
Trump Cancels Security Detail For Former Covid Task Force Adviser Fauci
The AP reported that President Donald Trump told reporters in North Carolina on Friday that he wouldn’t feel any responsibility if harm befell him or others whose security teams were revoked. Dr. Anthony Fauci says he has hired his own security detail. Also in the news: rising rates of influenza.
Trump Administration Snuffs Out Proposal For Menthol Cigarette Ban
The ban would have been especially felt in Black communities and could have significantly cut down on the number of kids who start smoking. Plus: rolling back environmental protections for Black and Latino communities, poor medical care at border facilities, and more.
Health Agencies Grappling With Fallout From Communications Freeze
At the federal level, NIH purchasing has been halted, an HHS authors’ article won’t be published, and the FDA’s diversity webpage detailing cancer studies has gone dark. At the state level, the blackout reverberates to North Carolina, which takes in billions of dollars for medical and biomedical research.
US Halts Funding To Foreign Groups That Provide Abortion Services
The “Mexico City Rule,” long championed by Republicans, also withdraws funding from organizations that counsel or advocate such services. In other news, the Justice Department has curtailed efforts to prosecute abortion clinic protesters.
First Edition: Monday, Jan. 27, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers dissect these public health issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on baby formula, disabilities, gun violence, and more.
Doxy-PEP Is Working: Fewer Gay Men In Calif. Catching Chlamydia, Syphilis
A pair of studies by San Francisco researchers found that rates for the two common STIs also fell in bisexual men and transgender women when doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis was prescribed after sex. Other news comes from Maryland, North Carolina, Colorado, Delaware, and New York.
UnitedHealth Group Chooses Tim Noel To Replace Slain CEO
Noel most recently led UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare division — one of the company’s most profitable lines of health insurance, Stat reported. Meanwhile, a new report says slaying suspect Luigi Mangione had complained about suffering physical and psychological injuries at his fraternity.
Sacklers Increase Purdue Settlement Offer, With An Added Condition
The New York Times reports that the tentative $7.4 billion agreement with 15 states would also require those states to set aside as much as $800 million in what amounts to a legal defense fund for the Sackler family. Other pharmaceutical news is on Prime Therapeutics, a potential norovirus vaccine, vaccine hesitancy, and more.
Trump Pardons 23 Abortion Protesters; Vance To Attend March For Life Today
President Donald Trump, who is traveling today, is scheduled to address the crowd through a video message. The rally, in its 52nd year, is expected to bring an estimated 150,000 marchers and will end at the Capitol. Organizers plan to focus their attention on state-level abortion battles.
Meta’s Facebook, Instagram Hid Abortion Pill Providers’ Content
The posts and accounts that were obscured or removed were restored after The New York Times started asking questions. Meta cites its policy against selling pharmaceutical drugs on its platforms without proper certification and acknowledged some “over-enforcement.” Meanwhile, some states are proposing legislation that would classify abortion as a homicide, potentially leading to charges against patients.
Clinical Trial Diversity Caught In Crossfire Of Trump’s Ban On DEI
In the rush to get rid of all FDA website pages referencing diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Trump administration has removed many drug and medical device trials that include people of different ethnic and economic backgrounds. The move could affect how drugs and medical devices are tested. Other news is on Senate hearings, VA affairs, immigration, and more.
US To Leave World Health Organization Next January; WHO Unveils Cost Cuts
The Washington Post explains how the moves could alter global health and politics. Meanwhile, WHO leaders insist there is time to negotiate with the United States.
First Edition: Friday, Jan. 24, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Study Suggests That People With ADHD May Have Shorter Life Expectancies
The research, published Thursday in The British Journal of Psychiatry, found that, on average, women with ADHD die nine years earlier than the general population. Among men, the difference is seven years. Other public health news is on online sexual exploitation of kids, menopause, and more.
Colorado Sees Slowdown In Number Of Babies Born With Syphilis
The Colorado Sun reports that testing might be behind the slowdown: The state issued an order in 2024 requiring syphilis testing to be more widely available. Other news from across the nation comes out of Missouri, New York, California, Tennessee, Michigan, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania.
