Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC: Lack Of Health Insurance Is A Factor In Rising Suicide Rates
A CDC study finds that communities where people lack health insurance, income, and broadband internet access are likelier to have higher suicide risks, and those “preventable” social factors are playing a role in the national crisis.
Report: Black Women More Likely To Receive Unnecessary C-Sections
The New York Times reports on the new study, which found Black women to be 25% more likely to have cesarean sections than white women. In other women’s health news: a dearth of obstetric doctors, maternal home visit programs, toxic metals in tampons, PCOS, and more.
Editorial writers discuss these public health issues.
Missouri Supreme Court Allows Abortion Rights Amendment On Ballot
Anti-abortion activists had been pushing to block a November vote on enshrining a right to abortion in the state constitution, but the Missouri Supreme Court ruled against this challenge. Seperately, a group of Republican-led states have renewed their effort to limit abortion pill access.
9/11-Linked Illnesses Have Killed More FDNY Firefighters Than Day Of Attack
The New York City Fire Department lost 343 members in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, and more than 370 others have perished since. Meanwhile, the health care fund set up to help survivors tackle 9/11-related illnesses is again short of money.
Trump Has Only ‘Concepts Of A Plan’ To Replace ACA; Harris Vows To Expand Health Law
The former president indicated that details will be coming “in the not too distant future.” His Democratic opponent reminded him that multiple efforts to repeal Obamacare failed during Trump’s administration. Plus: how the covid pandemic was handled, and “Medicare for All.”
At Debate, Harris Goes On Attack As Trump Repeats Abortion Lies, Wavers On National Ban
Democratic nominee Kamala Harris shared harrowing stories of women being denied care and pledged to make Roe v. Wade the law of the land again if given the opportunity. Republican nominee Donald Trump resurrected false narratives and wouldn’t say whether he’d sign or veto an abortion ban at the federal level.
First Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Fourth Human Case Of EEE Confirmed In Massachusetts
Meanwhile, the curious human case of H5N1 bird flu in Missouri, without any apparent exposure source, is triggering many questions. The New York Times asks another big question: Bird flu has already been found in New York markets, so what happens next?
Researchers Find Signals In Babies’ Blood That Link To SIDS Risks
Researchers at UC San Francisco found that babies with unusual patterns of metabolites in their blood were 14 times more likely to die from SIDS than infants with the lowest-risk patterns — possibly paving the way for SIDS risk screening. Kids’ high blood pressure is also in the news.
DC Legislation Seeks To Force 911 Agency To Reveal Dispatching Errors
Under new legislation announced Monday by D.C. Council member Brooke Pinto, a Democrat, the trouble-stricken local 911 agency would have to release audio and documents pertaining to suspected errors. Also: tainted chicken; youth suicide rates in Connecticut; and more.
AbbVie Accuses BeiGene Of Trade Secret Theft In Cancer Therapy Suit
BeiGene hired a former longtime senior scientist at AbbVie, and then developed a competing cancer therapy, a lawsuit argues. Separately, a top Merck executive downplayed the impact of a promising experimental Chinese lung cancer drug on its dominant product Keytruda.
New Mammogram Notification Rule Starts Today
Patients now must be told about the density of their breasts. Although it’s a common issue, having dense tissue is linked to a higher risk of developing breast cancer because it’s more difficult to spot cancer on mammograms. Also in the news: UVA, Yale, Allegheny Valley Hospital, and more.
Listen To Our ‘Silence In Sikeston’ Podcast, Available Starting Today
“Silence in Sikeston” explores what it means to live with racism and violence, then charts the toll on health — from hives and high blood pressure to struggles with mental health. The deaths of two Black men killed nearly 80 years apart in the same Missouri community anchor a conversation about the public health consequences of systemic bias. “Silence in Sikeston” is the podcast about finding the words to say the things that go unsaid.
Scientists Zero In On Antibody With Ability To Ward Off Covid-19 Infection
In other covid news, the new and even more contagious XEC variant, making its way across Europe, has health officials concerned as the U.S. still grapples with the latest summer surge in cases.
Fates Of Missouri, Nebraska Abortion Ballot Measures In Judges’ Hands
Courts in those states will decide whether initiatives on abortion rights will be allowed on the ballots as deadlines to set the ballots approach. And news outlets look at the presidential candidates’ reproductive health views ahead of tonight’s debate.
As Shutdown Deadline Looms, Congress Not Focusing On Health Care Bills
Lawmakers are hoping to pass several health care measures during the lame duck session, but for right now, migrant voting appears to be a top Republican concern. Separately, both presidential candidates now appear to support broad cannabis reform.
Obamacare Enrollment Is Trending Up, With Almost 50M Onboard Since 2014
About 21 million Americans have signed up for a plan this year, an analysis shows. Major subsidies have played a role in propping up the numbers, but now Congress must decide whether to extend them. Also, a look at where the presidential candidates stand on the law.
First Edition: Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
