Latest KFF Health News Stories
NY Resident’s Death Is 10th Fatality In Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak
The Washington Post notes that the listeria outbreak tied to Boar’s Head deli meat is the largest such outbreak since 2011, as two more hospitalizations were announced by the CDC. Separately, in Los Angeles, a cluster of dengue cases has now grown to four in just over two weeks.
Judge: EPA Must Reexamine Risk To Kids From Fluoride In Drinking Water
“The scientific literature in the record provides a high level of certainty that a hazard is present; fluoride is associated with reduced IQ,” wrote U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco. In other public health news, the VA looks into PFAS and kidney cancer; 36% of children and teens around the world are near-sighted; and more.
200+ Women Faced Pregnancy-Related Charges After Roe’s Fall
Just one charge was tied to an abortion ban — a state law that was subsequently overturned — and four others were abortion-related. Many stemmed from allegations of substance use that might affect the health of a growing fetus.
Biden Wants More Study On Childhood Trauma From Active-Shooter Drills
President Joe Biden’s executive order directs several federal agencies to prepare a report about when and how to implement drills, which sometimes include pellet guns or fake blood. The executive order also takes issue with 3D-printed firearms.
Number Of Suicides In 2023 Holds Steady At Nearly Highest Level
Provisional data from the CDC show that a little over 49,300 suicide deaths were reported last year, compared to just under 49,500 in 2022. CDC information also shows more women are using firearms in suicide deaths — traditionally men die by suicide at higher rates, and often do so using guns.
Democratic Lawmakers Push For Permanent ACA Tax Credits
Legislation announced Wednesday would help cut the cost of Obamacare plans. Vice President Kamala Harris said she would make the tax credits permanent if elected president, The Washington Post said. Also: the Senate has voted to hold Steward Health Care’s chief executive in contempt.
First Edition: Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
Watch ‘Meet The Makers’: Behind The Scenes Of ‘Silence In Sikeston’ Project
KFF Health News’ Midwest correspondent Cara Anthony sat down with WORLD executive producer Chris Hastings to discuss the origins of our “Silence in Sikeston” project, a multimedia collaboration from KFF Health News, Retro Report, and WORLD that explores the impact of a 1942 lynching and a 2020 police shooting on a rural Missouri community.
Contaminated Missouri Creek Will Get Radiation Hazard Signs
Coldwater Creek in suburban St. Louis has exposed generations of children to radioactive material left after World War II, the Missouri Independent reports. Meanwhile, the EPA’s data on the Ohio train derailment is said to obfuscate contamination levels.
Cellphone Carriers Start To Shift 988 Callers To Local Help Centers
New cellphone systems mean callers to the 988 suicide and crisis line will have their calls routed to help centers based on their location. Among other news, the former clinical director of Maryland’s main state-run mental hospital had his medical license suspended for a harassment issue.
FDA Approves Drug For Rare Niemann-Pick Disease Type C
The genetic disorder, which is fatal, affects the nervous system and other organs — IntraBio’s drug Aqneursa was shown to help reduce symptoms compared to a placebo. Separately, Amgen reported success for eczema and myasthenia gravis treatments.
CrowdStrike Chief Rues Software Flaw That Shut Down Systems Worldwide
Adam Meyers, a senior vice president, testified to a House panel about what caused the global outage in July that affected major industries, including health care.
CDC Updates Mpox Vaccine Guidance With Specific Travel Recommendations
The Hill reports on the updated recommendations, including that travelers who “anticipate certain sexual exposures” while in countries where clade I mpox is endemic should be fully vaccinated. Also in the news: Biden promises mpox aid, California continues free covid vaccine program, researchers examine covid’s long-term impacts on the brain, and more.
Sanders Grills Novo Nordisk CEO Over High Cost Of Weight Loss Drugs
The Vermont independent says he has secured pledges from the major PBMs that they would not limit coverage of Ozempic and Wegovy if the company lowers its list prices — an announcement that CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen says he wasn’t aware of heading into the congressional hearing.
Catholic Employers May Ignore EEOC Directive On Abortion, IVF, Judge Rules
In granting a preliminary injunction, the judge signaled the rule is a violation of freedom of religion. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans blocked a resolution that would have guaranteed access to abortion care in emergency situations.
First Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
HIV Infection Rate Tumbled By 20% In San Francisco Last Year
The number of new diagnoses in 2023 was 133, the lowest it has been in decades. The abrupt drop in infections represents a success after years of slow progress against the disease. Also in the news: A study shows diabetes drug metformin might slow aging.
Jurors Reject Mental Illness Argument For Colorado Supermarket Gunman
Lawyers for the gunman, who fatally shot 10 people in a Boulder grocery store in 2021, tried to argue his mental illness made him incapable of knowing right from wrong. Jurors disagreed. Other news includes a battle over a DuPont trust, the drug-related death of a trans activist, and more.
Amneal Pharmaceuticals Sues To Block Colorado’s Free EpiPen Push
Colorado’s law, passed last year, to make Amneal provide free generic EpiPens to pharmacies is facing a challenge from the company, which argues it’s effectively an illegal property taking. Among other news, Purdue Pharma’s settlement talks with the Sackler family are extended to November.
