Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
Twice-Yearly Time Changes Can Harm Your Health, Study Says
According to a Stanford study, sticking with standard time would result in a slight decrease in the risk of suffering from obesity or stroke. Plus: A blind man is able to see again after a rare surgery that involved implanting his own tooth into his eye.
Not Yet A Decade Since Pulse, Parkland Shootings, Florida OKs Open Gun Carry
As of Sept. 25, Florida will become the last red state to allow people to visibly carry firearms in public places. Florida is home to some of the worst mass shootings in the U.S., including the Pulse nightclub attack in 2016 that left 49 people dead and the Parkland school shooting in 2018 that left 17 dead. More recently, a shooting at Florida State University in April left two dead.
More Than Half Of All Health Workers Plan To Switch Jobs In Next Year
A survey also shows that 40% will be looking for opportunities outside of their current organizations. Nearly half of respondents cited inadequate compensation, burnout, and a lack of career advancement opportunities as reasons to make a change.
Tyson Foods Announces It Will Remove Corn Syrup From Foods By End Of Year
Also, the USDA reinstates a farm-to-school program; Pennsylvania farmers struggle to find workers to harvest crops; cancer research is in peril from government funding cuts; and more.
Applications Now Open For HHS’ Rural Health Transformation Program
States have until Nov. 5 to apply for the $50 billion included in the sweeping tax bill, which also cut $960 billion in Medicaid funding. The program was established to maintain access to services, but hospitals and providers worry it will not be enough.
RFK Jr. Adds 5 ACIP Panelists, Including Skeptics Of Vaccines, Covid Protocol
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices this week will meet and vote on chickenpox, covid-19, and hepatitis B shots. Former CDC officials expect the panel will vote against recommending hep B shots for newborns. Plus, ousted CDC Director Susan Monarez preps for a Senate hearing.
First Edition: Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
More Coal Mining Is OK’d Where West Virginia Residents Allege Pollution
Meanwhile, black lung cases continue to rise, as the silica rule faces legal delays. Other news from around the nation comes out of Connecticut, North Carolina, and California.
Epic Gives Rural Hospitals A Platform For Electronic Health Records
More than 40,000 providers and 300 hospitals participate in the company’s Community Connect program. Meanwhile, health care providers’ top brass and board members gird for any changes the GOP Medicare cuts would cause. Plus, Emmy winner Noah Wyle‘s heartfelt message to doctors.
Utah Governor Advises People To Take A Social Media Break
Republican Gov. Spencer Cox called social media a “cancer on our society” and urged people to turn away after announcing the arrest of the suspected gunman in the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Also: guiding kids through violent online images; peers help teens in mental health struggles; and more.
More People Now Jobless For 6 Months, Possibly Without Health Insurance
In a worrisome sign, more than 1 in 4 workers without jobs have now been unemployed for at least half a year, data show. It’s usually a turning point for them, economists say, because they’ve likely run out of unemployment insurance benefits and severance payments, The Washington Post reported.
Viewpoints: A Covid Commission Would Prepare Us For Next Pandemic; MAHA Plan Will Make Us Sicker
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
US Did Not Destroy $10 Million Worth Of Contraceptives, Belgium Says
After Thursday’s report by The New York Times about the destruction of the contraceptives, Belgian officials confirmed Friday that the stockpile was, in fact, intact. Meanwhile, more than 70 reproductive rights groups are asking that the usable birth control products be spared.
Health Officials Plan To Link 25 Child Deaths To Covid Vaccine, Sources Say
In the run-up to new covid vaccine recommendations, which will affect access to shots, health officials are looking at data from the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), including unverified reports submitted by anyone. Plus: childhood shot recommendations, whooping cough vaccine, complications from the flu, and more.
Engineering School To Study Debunked Claim That Vaccines Cause Autism
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has been awarded a no-bid contract for a project that would use AI and machine learning techniques to look for patterns in blood samples of children with autism, AP reports. Plus, Kenvue makes a case that Tylenol remains safe and does not cause autism.
First Edition: Monday, Sept. 15, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
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 prison mental health care, flu, chatbots, vaccines, and koalas.
Scientists One Step Closer To Knowing How PFAS Damage The Liver
Researchers observed the cellular processes of “forever chemicals” — PFOA, PFHxS, PFOS, and PFNA — and the effects they had on bodies. Plus, a look at how synthetic vitamin B1, gel manicures, and smartwatches might affect your health.
California Child Dies From Measles Complications Years After Illness
The school-aged child had measles as an infant, before they were eligible for vaccination. The complication, called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, shows up years later and is fatal in about 95% of cases. Also in the news: Iowa, Vermont, Missouri, Minnesota, Texas, and Wyoming.
