Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: NextGen Backs New Covid Vaccines; Ideas To Limit New Vaccine Hesitancy
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Paxlovid Reigns Supreme In Treating Covid; Antibiotics May Trigger Asthma In Young Children
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Viewpoints: How To Make Extreme Heat Less Lethal; New OB-GYNs Wary Of Working In Texas
Editorial writers discuss extreme heat, effects of overturning Roe, 988, and more.
Spotlight On Texas’ Mental Health Staff Shortage Reveals Gaps
Nearly all of Texas’ counties are designated areas where there’s a shortage of mental health professionals: The Texas Tribune looks into the details. Meanwhile, in Atlanta, public schools will test a student-led mental health board.
Reusable PPE Gets Another Look, With Cost And The Environment In Mind
Also in health industry news: Cardurion Pharmaceuticals, data privacy, the cost impact of the Change Healthcare hack, and more.
Yale Scientists Develop Novel Cancer-Targeting Technique For Therapies
The new “Trojan horse” method sneaks past cancer’s defenses to deliver therapy directly to tumors without damaging healthy tissue. Also in the news: Bayer’s new prostate cancer drug trial shows successes, Roche has early successes in a new obesity drug candidate, and more.
25 ‘Sky High’ Cannabis Products Recalled In New York
New York State’s Office of Cannabis Management issued the recall, as a result of the products having been manufactured by an unlicensed cannabinoid hemp processor. Other public health news is on “Teflon flu,” insulin shortages, the Olympic Village’s inaugural nursery, and more.
Groups Seek Broader Scope Of Order Blocking Protections For LGBTQ+ Kids
Arguing the effort to identify individual schools that its members’ children attend is too cumbersome, the Republican-leaning Moms for Liberty asks the court if they can instead identify counties where they think the anti-discrimination rule can be blocked.
Covid Infection Doesn’t Make You Vulnerable To Other Ailments: Study
A review of hundreds of millions of patient records shows that covid didn’t put adults more at risk for common infections and illnesses like the flu or asthma. However, one study did link covid infections to a faster progression from preclinical to Type 1 diabetes in children.
Two Years In, 988 Suicide Hotline Sees Successes Amid Awareness Concerns
The increases in call volume and response times has helped many people in a mental health crisis, officials say, but too many Americans still don’t know the service is available.
Nearly Half Of Americans Can’t Afford Health Care, Report Warns
The latest Healthcare Affordability Index highlights the struggles Americans face in paying for their medical needs. High Medicaid expenses for UnitedHealth, potential health cost savings from personalized meal deliveries, and more are also in the news.
Heat-Related Ailments Are Prompting More Folks To Seek Medical Care
Noting such high temperatures can be especially dangerous for people with underlying health conditions, doctors say symptoms — dehydration, dizziness, a racing heart rate, nausea and confusion — should let people know to seek fluids and cooler climes. Separately, officials are investigating whether extreme heat is playing a part in the spread of bird flu.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine infant formula and fortifiers, hepatitis C, palliative care, and more.
New York State Opioid Settlement Board Demands Spending Oversight
New York’s Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board is calling on New York City, Suffolk County, and Nassau County to reveal more data on how they’re spending countless millions in opioid settlement payments. Also in the news, courses on AI in medicine, states with poor quality of life, and more.
Blue Cross Won’t Appeal North Carolina State Worker Health Care Contract
The decision not to pursue further litigation means Aetna will assume responsibility for managing benefits for state workers and teachers. Separately, former leaders of Outcome Health are appealing their fraud convictions.
Immunologists Find Calcium Transport Explanation For Gulf War Syndrome
Molecules involved in transporting necessary calcium into cells were found to be not working in veterans with Gulf War Illness. The discovery opens up the chance for future treatments. Meanwhile, as of early 2023, scientists say nearly 18 million U.S. adults had suffered long covid.
Investigation Accuses Umbilical Cord Blood Banks Of Misleading Clients
A New York Times investigation says leading newborn cord blood banks have “consistently misled customers and doctors” about the promise held by freezing umbilical cords. Also in the news: fine white skin hair as a cancer warning, sleep habit links to dementia risk, and more.
Where Vance Stands On Abortion Access, Health Investments, Opioids
Following the announcement of J.D. Vance as Donald Trump’s running mate, news outlets are diving into the first-term senator’s past statements and work on health care policy. The 19th writes that his anti-abortion positions have softened a bit in recent weeks to be more in line with the Trump campaign. And Stat looks as his record of health investments as a VC investor and his focus on the opioid epidemic due to a family connection.
Restrictive Abortion Laws Hinder Training For Complex OB-GYN Cases
Medical students in North Carolina report encountering situations in which they aren’t learning how to care for patients with complicated circumstances. Related news is from South Dakota, Oklahoma, Michigan, and more.
