Latest KFF Health News Stories
Tune In Tonight For ‘Silence In Sikeston’ Documentary Premiere
At 8 p.m. ET, WORLD will premiere “Silence in Sikeston,” a co-production of KFF Health News and Retro Report, as part of “Local, USA.”
Stemming from reporting by KFF Health News, the documentary tells the story of the 1942 lynching of Cleo Wright and the ensuing failure of the first federal attempt to prosecute a lynching. The lynching continues to haunt the rural Missouri community as it struggles to cope with the fatal 2020 police shooting of a young Black father, Denzel Taylor. The film airs on WORLD stations nationwide and will be available to stream on WORLD’s YouTube channel, WORLDchannel.org and the PBS app.
Pediatricians Struggle With Obesity Guidelines For Kids
Stat reports on the aftermath of the changes made to childhood obesity guidelines last year by the American Academy of Pediatrics, with some doctors remaining concerned over the potential impact on eating disorder development. Meanwhile, kids’ sugary drinks consumption is up.
American Cancer Society CEO Leaving Post; Search Is On For Successor
Karen Knudsen, who has led the body for more than three years, will stay on as a strategic adviser through early 2025. Also in the news: Incyte’s immunotherapy drug is effective against anal tumors; Bayer seeks broader approval for its prostate cancer drug; and more.
CMS Considering Oversight For Health Care Vendors After Change Cyberattack
The goal is to limit the broader impacts on care like those seen after the Change Healthcare hack earlier this year. Among other news, Mercy health system is threatening to stop accepting Anthem insurance, and the surgeon who pioneered laparoscopy has died.
Trump Unharmed As FBI Investigates Another Assassination Attempt
The incident happened at his Florida golf club Sunday. Authorities recovered a rifle pointed into the golf course. Plus, more election news.
2 Close Contacts Of Missouri Bird Flu Patient Also Exhibited Symptoms
The CDC said Friday that the first person was a member of the initial patient’s household, and the second person was a health care worker. The CDC also said the simultaneous development of symptoms doesn’t provide evidence of person-to-person spread, NBC reported.
Nebraska Court Allows Competing Abortion Measures On The Ballot
Voters must weigh in on a measure that would expand abortion protections and another that would limit them. Meanwhile in Arizona, lawmakers repealed the 1864 law that was revived to ban abortions. Also, a study reveals tubal ligation isn’t a sure-fire method for preventing pregnancies.
First Edition: Monday, Sept. 16, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Waiting For Mpox To Show Up Is A Mistake; Online Weight Loss Drugs Can Be Dangerous
Editorial writers examine these public health topics.
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 well water, food deserts, polio, the 9/11 attacks, and more.
Nearly $10M Telemedicine Initiative Will Boost Southwest Minnesota EMS
The goal is to improve and speed up care after crashes in rural communities by connecting ambulance staff to remote physicians, experienced paramedics, and nurses for peer-to-peer support. Other news is from Florida, California, Georgia, and Wyoming.
Apple’s New AirPods Earbuds Win FDA Approval For Use As Hearing Aids
The FDA noted that over-the-counter devices like Apple’s latest model AirPods could help more Americans with hearing loss get help. Also in the news: an effective but expensive injectable HIV-prevention drug; a drug that delays brain tumor progression; and more.
As Texas Herds Contracted H5N1, Virus Also Showed Up In Wastewater Samples
“The widespread detection of influenza A(H5N1) virus in wastewater from 10 U.S. cities is troubling,” report authors say. Meanwhile, the CDC says the human bird flu case in Missouri remains a mystery. Experts also voice concerns that as autumn arrives, the U.S. is entering a riskier time for H5N1 spread.
Why All Families Should Talk About Racial Trauma
KFF Health News’ Midwest Correspondent Cara Anthony spent the past few years reporting about racial violence in Sikeston, Missouri, for our “Silence in Sikeston” project. Interviewing Black families there helped her uncover her family’s traumatic past, too.
Hospital Safety And Quality Are Ticking Upward After Covid: Report
The report from the American Hospital Association and consulting group Vizient notes that among the improvements seen after the pandemic, patient mortality risks are falling, and there are fewer hospital-acquired infections.
‘So Stressed They Cannot Function’: Surgeon General Warns On Parenting Hazards
The office of the surgeon general issued an advisory that calls the pressures of modern-day parenting “an urgent public health issue,” finding that more than half of parents say that the stress is “completely overwhelming.”
Employers Face Average 5.8% Jump In Their Health Insurance Costs Next Year
The higher-than-usual spike is driven primarily by higher use of medical care by employees, increasing costs that providers charge for their services, and pricey drugs like weight loss GLP-1 medications. The increase was estimated through a survey by consulting firm Mercer, which also found that 53% of employers plan to implement cost-management changes in 2025.
By Choosing Sides In Election, Health Tech Leaders Take A Calculated Risk
As Stat notes, their public stance could put future investments and business deals on the line. Also, more follow-up discussions stemming from Tuesday’s presidential debate.
Near-Total Abortion Ban In N. Dakota Deemed Unconstitutional
In striking down the law, the judge said it is “a violation on medical freedom” in that it takes away a woman’s right to choose. Also, as voters in several states prepare to pick a side on ballot initiatives, congressional Democrats are pressing for clarity about when providers must step in and deal with emergency abortions. Meanwhile, the Senate has another vote on IVF coming up.
First Edition: Friday, Sept. 13, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
