Latest KFF Health News Stories
Mosquitoes Love How We Smell, But Even Just Swatting At Them Can Deter Them From Snacking On You
Scientists found that mosquitoes may learn to associate vibrations from swatting with a person’s smell, which can turn them off from trying to feed in that environment if there is a friendlier one nearby.
Philadelphia is looking into the idea of creating a facility to allow people to safely use their drugs in the hopes of preventing fatal overdoses. Research suggests opening just one site in the city could save nearly 80 people a year. “We have an obligation to do everything we can to prevent those people from dying,” Philadelphia Health Commissioner Thomas Farley says.
This Year’s Flu Is Particularly Scary. Here’s What You Need To Know About It.
The Washington Post talks with health officials to get the low down on this year’s flu, which has been the most widespread in more than a decade. Meanwhile, outlets look at flu deaths in Florida and New Hampshire.
Advocates’ Plea Over NAFTA Trade Talks: Don’t Favor Drugmakers Over Patients
The groups argued against expanding monopolies that would thwart generic competition; rules that would restrict government rights to control prices; and maintaining so-called investor-state disputes which, under international trade treaties, allow companies to initiate claims against foreign governments.
Special Counsel Report Slams VA’s Slow Response To Whistle-Blower Complaints About Manchester Clinic
The Office of Special Counsel says the Department of Veterans Affairs dismissed complaints and only reacted once the media started reporting on the state of care at the clinic.
In States That Are ‘Toss Ups’ In 2018, Voters Care More About Economy, North Korea Than Health Care
Immigration also ranks higher, according to a new poll. Nationwide, however, health care still dominates as the top concern for voters.
The panel was voting on marketing language for the product, which heats sticks of tobacco but doesn’t burn them. The members said that the company’s studies did not show that the device reduces deadly diseases tied to smoking.
Va. Senate Panel Again Rejects Medicaid Expansion — But Issue Is Far From Dead
Republicans have fought such measures for more than four years, but both Republicans and Democrats say attitudes have changed and consideration of the matter is just beginning in the legislative session. State Sen. Steve Newman, a Republican who chairs the Education and Health Committee, says, “We are entering round one.”
At least nine other states, mostly Republican-led, have proposed changes to Medicaid similar to Kentucky’s: Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin.
Blue states are taking steps to protect certain guarantees created under the health law to protect patients, while Idaho just told insurers they don’t need to follow some of the regulations stipulated through the Affordable Care Act.
First Edition: January 26, 2018
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages feature thoughts on these topics as well as other health care issues.
Perspectives: ‘Wisdom’ Needed For Treating Opioid Epidemic; The Other ‘Pressing Problem’: Tobacco
Opinion writers express views on the opioid crisis, how to help those who are addicted and what lessons can be applied to another dangerous substance: tobacco.
Longer Looks: Flu Season; Income Inequality; And Orlando’s Air Quality
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Minnesota, Maryland, California, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Texas, Ohio, Georgia and Arizona.
Hospitals Just Don’t Seem To Want To Budge From Those Standard Uncomfortable Gowns
Lots of other options exist, but the standard gown doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. In other public health news: lessons learned from the latest Alzheimer’s drug failure, exercise, stem cell research, cancer warnings on coffee, anti-seizure medication and getting healthy before surgery.
First Cloned Monkeys Offer Hope For Medical Breakthroughs In Humans
Scientists recently cleared the hurdle of cloning primates, and because monkey clones can be genetically altered, one gene at a time, with techniques such as CRISPR. Researchers will be able to better study the effects of diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s, metabolic disorders and more. Some worry, however, that it takes us one step closer to cloning humans.
It’s Not Just Aches And A Fever You Have To Worry About — The Flu Can Also Trigger A Heart Attack
Although doctors have long-noticed a trend of an increase in heart attacks during flu season, a new study links an increased rick of a cardiac event with the virus. Updates on the flu come out of Illinois, Kansas and Oregon, as well.
Research Upends Long-Held Belief That There’s A Narrow Time Window To Remove Stroke Patients’ Clots
Before doctors thought that anything after six hours was too late to do any good. But a new study found that’s not the case.
Agencies Cracking Down On ‘Unscrupulous Vendors’ Selling Treatments To ‘Cure’ Opioid Addiction
Eleven companies were sent warning letters for the language they used to market their products, including “break the killer pain habit” and “relieve your symptoms . . . addiction, withdrawal, cravings.” Meanwhile, senators say they expect to funnel more money into fighting the opioid crisis, but it’s not clear yet on how much that will be.
