Latest KFF Health News Stories
Mass Shooters Don’t ‘Just Snap’: Past Behavior Is Key To Curbing Epidemic, Experts Say
A 14-year-old is accused of shooting and killing four people Wednesday at a high school outside of Atlanta. Vox explains how the vast majority of shooters don’t spontaneously decide to commit mass violence; many of them have suffered from some type of abuse, and most are suicidal.
18 Million US Households Dealt With Hunger In 2023, Continuing A Trend
Department of Agriculture report shows hunger in the U.S. to be at the highest it’s been in nearly a decade. SNAP and WIC are also in the news.
First Edition: Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Facing Patient Violence, Connecticut Hospital Workers Call For Security
Rising aggressive behavior from patients triggered a demand for better security from workers at Bradley Memorial Campus of the Hospital of Central Connecticut. In other news from across the country: Medicaid for Floridians with disabilities; Matthew Perry’s death; and more.
AMA Accused Of Spreading Misinfo About Physician Associates
The accusation comes from the American Academy of Physician Associates, which also said in a public letter to the American Medical Association dated Tuesday, that the AMA was disparaging the profession. Also in the news: school nurse burdens, nursing union contract negotiations, and more.
At Least 19 Valley Fever Cases Confirmed After California Music Event
The potentially deadly fungal infection has hit attendees and workers of the Lightning in a Bottle music festival near Bakersfield. A study finds that climate change-induced drought conditions have been driving the recent surge in cases of the illness, also known as coccidioidomycosis.
Mobile Phone Use Isn’t Linked To Brain Cancer After All
A review, commissioned by the World Health Organization, looked at 28 years of research data. Backing up scientific consensus, the review has dismissed a long-standing concern that exposure to radio emissions from phones causes brain cancer.
Court: Oklahoma Isn’t Entitled To HHS Funds Intended For Abortion Referrals
The state had argued that helping women who were requesting information about abortion violates the law. Meanwhile, at the state level, Nebraska’s Supreme Court has expedited a case challenging a November ballot measure to expand abortion rights.
Viewpoints: Climate Change Is Making Mosquitoes More Dangerous; American Farmers Are Not OK
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Revamped Medicare Drug Prices Still Cost More Than In Other Rich Nations
A Reuters review found that Australia, Japan, Canada, and Sweden have negotiated much lower prices for the same drugs. In other pharmaceutical news: A decision on whether to reclassify marijuana won’t come until after the November election.
House Panel Will Quiz Cuomo Publicly About Covid-Era Nursing Home Policies
Transcripts from former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s private testimony in June will be released ahead of next week’s hearing, which is examining the Democrat’s advisory that prevented nursing homes from rejecting covid patients. Separately, Oregon is facing its largest spike in measles cases in 30 years.
First Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Listeria Outbreak Tied To Boar’s Head Deli Meat Isn’t Over, Lawyer Warns
“This plant was more a Listeria factory” than one used to produce food, a lawyer said after numerous health and safety violations were found at a Virginia facility where products are made. Havana syndrome, tobacco requirements, and heart disease risk also are in the news.
Oregon’s Drug Decriminalization Experiment Comes To An End
The Washington Post notes this was a first-in-nation trial to allow possession of small amounts of hard drugs to tackle the fentanyl crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Meanwhile, the three largest U.S. drug distributors reach a $300 million opioid settlement with health insurers.
Sanofi Oral Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis Meets Important Trial Goals
The drug, tolebrutinib, met its Phase 3 study goals, despite patients in two other studies not seeing a benefit earlier in the disease. Separately, Abbott’s MitraClip demonstrated benefits for heart failure patients, but the findings of the study are controversial.
Investigation Says Acadia Healthcare Lures, Traps Psychiatric Patients
A New York Times investigation found that in some cases, patients were held against their will even when it was not medically necessary — plumping up the company’s finances. Also in industry news: HCA Healthcare and UnitedHealthcare, Steward, CareTrust REIT, and more.
Iranian Hackers Are Attacking US Health Care Sites, Cyber Sleuths Say
The bad actors aim to cause disruptions as they seek ways to extort victims, officials warn. Also making health care technology news: web tracking, bacteria detection, robotics, and more.
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
Number Of Uninsured Americans Fell Under Biden, Went Up Under Trump
After the first two years of Joe Biden’s presidency, the national uninsured rate declined 1.2%, to the lowest rate ever. After the first three years of Trump’s presidency, the uninsured rate went up 0.6%, USA Today reports. Meanwhile, Trump flip-flops on a Florida abortion ban ballot measure.
Minnesota Measles Outbreak Spreads To 30, Shutters Somali Religious School
Officials are asking Minnesotans to consider immunizations, as all but one of the people infected were unvaccinated. Also in the news: West Nile virus, EEE, bird flu, polio, and the Oropouche virus.
