Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Farmworkers Need Protection Against H5N1; We Must Deal With Forever Chemicals ASAP
Editorial writers tackle bird flu, forever chemicals, Project 2025, and more.
Cancer Death Rates Have Fallen Nearly 30% Over 25 Years
The Baltimore Sun focuses on what’s being called a “new era” in the battle against cancer, with profound improvements in cancer death rates in the last few decades. Also in the news: misdiagnoses, wildfire smoke and dementia, and more.
Mass. Senators To Vote On Supervised Drug Consumption Sites
The so-called overdose prevention centers could help combat the impact of the opioid crisis. In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed proposes paying welfare recipients $100 weekly if they stay free from illicit drugs — a distinctly different stance than usual.
FDA OKs Guardant Health’s Blood Test To Detect Colon Cancer
Experts hope the new test will catch cases early enough to allow easy treatments. Meanwhile, the U.S. has committed to buying HIV antiretroviral drugs through African suppliers; HIV modeling may not have enough data on trans people; and more.
Baltimore City’s Top Health Official Terminated After Less Than 8 Months
The Baltimore Sun reports that Health Commissioner Ihuoma Emenuga has been terminated effective immediately and a source says that an investigation is “pending.” Also in health industry news: Lurie Children’s Hospital, St. Louis University Hospital, Steward Health Care, and more.
Heading Into Season Of State Fairs, Experts Warily Eye H5N1 Dynamics
Due to H5N1 avian influenza, the Minnesota State Fair will not have birthing cows or newborn calves. Also in the news: New York’s stockpile of Tamiflu, an mRNA bird flu vaccine initiative, valley fever at a California music festival, and more.
Judge Cancels Trial Over North Dakota Abortion Ban, Might Dismiss Lawsuit
In other news, a ballot measure to protect abortion rights will be intentionally vague when it is put to New York voters because the State Board of Elections couldn’t agree on how to interpret the amendment. More news about abortion rights and bans comes from South Dakota, Iowa, and Florida.
Effects Of Low Birthrate Shape Vance’s Vision For America
The GOP vice presidential nominee has said he thinks fewer children in the country leads to social isolation and other issues for the children who are here. Also, as the presidential campaign kicks into high gear, Democrat Kamala Harris sharpens her focus on reproductive freedom for women.
Biden Demands Sweeping Changes For Supreme Court
President Joe Biden on Monday endorsed proposals for 18-year term limits for justices and a mandatory ethics code. He also called for a constitutional amendment overturning the court’s recent ruling awarding former presidents full immunity. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) called the proposals “dead on arrival.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Extreme Heat Takes A Toll On Mental Health; Is Lecanemab Safe For Treating Alzheimer’s?
Editorial writers discuss these issues and more.
Pediatricians Lawsuit V. Florida House Over Gender Care Info Set For Trial
The battle centers around care standards documents subpoenaed by House Health and Human Services Chairman Randy Fine, a Republican. Fine, who is not a doctor, disputes that gender care for kids is medically appropriate. The Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is fighting back.
West Nile Cases Trending Upward Early, Possibly Foretelling A 10-Year Spike
Although most people have only mild symptoms from the mosquito-borne illness, it can affect the brain and nervous system. CNN spoke with people who warned others about the lingering trauma after an infection. Meanwhile, the summer covid surge is spreading across the country.
Blood Test Gives Alzheimer’s Diagnosis With 90% Accuracy: Study
The blood test significantly outperformed cognitive tests and CT scans. Other public health news is on tongue-tie surgeries for infants, systolic blood pressure, vegetable recalls due to possible listeria, and more.
FDA Warns That Copycat Weight-Loss Drugs May Have Incorrect Doses
The knockoff drugs are causing harm and have resulted in some people needing hospital care, health regulators are warning. In other news, Abbott Laboratories lost a $500 million case after allegedly hiding dangerous bowel disease risks of its premature-infant formula.
Slow Medicare Coverage Legislation Leads To Telehealth Disruption Alerts
Stat notes telehealth provider Kivo Health will soon have to warn older patients that their sessions may not be covered by Medicare in 2025 as legislation to extend telehealth flexibilities granted during the pandemic is moving far too slowly through Congress.
State Lawmakers Aim To Protect Health Providers From Hack Liability
Politico reports on growing attempts to legally insulate health care organizations from class-action suits after data breaches are caused by cyberattacks. Separately, reports say the Biden administration is overhauling its health IT bureaucracy amid cyberthreats and evolving AI tech.
Biden Wants Supreme Court Overhaul; Immunity Ruling Has Odd Tie To Roe
Any of President Joe Biden’s calls for reform would require congressional approval and would likely go nowhere before his term ends in January.
As Abortion Ban Begins Today In Iowa, Minnesota Preps For Patient Influx
Abortions are legal only to the point where there is “detectable fetal heartbeat,” which was determined to be six weeks, according to the Republican-crafted law. Exceptions exist for rape or incest cases, serious maternal danger, or when fatal fetal abnormalities are present.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
