Latest KFF Health News Stories
45% Of Dementia Cases Linked To 14 Modifiable Risk Factors: Study
Among the factors are cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. An estimated 5% to 19% of U.S. dementia cases were attributable to vision impairment, a recent study showed. Other news is on chronic Lyme disease acceptance, computer prompts to help stave off antibiotic over prescription, and more.
Rising Organ Transplants Mean More Danger For Donors, Bungled Retrievals
The increased use of a type of organ removal called donation after circulatory death has led to a rise in disturbing transplant stories. This method allows doctors to make a judgment call that patients, although alive and still with brain activity, are near enough to death and won’t recover.
NIH, FDA Cuts Would Lead To Fewer New Meds, CBO Analysis Indicates
An estimated 53 drugs would not enter the market in the next 30 years if the NIH is hit with a permanent 10% budget cut and the FDA experiences a nine-month drug review delay due to staffing cuts, the analysis suggests. Plus, the Trump administration rejects WHO health regulation changes.
Viewpoints: GOP Using Flawed Report To Attack FDA; Preventative Care May Be RFK Jr.’s Next Target
Opinion writers discuss these public health issues.
Federal Family Planning Program Shifting Focus Toward Infertility
The Trump administration plans to use Title X funds previously allocated for providing birth control to low-income patients to instead teach women about alternative approaches to infertility.
First Edition: Monday, July 21, 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 federal funding and workforce cuts, ACIP, weight loss drugs, birthing alternatives, and more.
Opinion writers examine these public health topics.
Florida Surgeon General Derides Covid Vaccines; Experts Assure Their Safety
Dr. Joseph Ladapo calls for more research of people who claim to have been injured by the vaccine. “Honestly, we don’t know where his data are coming from,” a Florida doctor countered. Other states making news: Maryland, Illinois, Missouri, Connecticut, and North Carolina.
Physicians Who Use AI Seen As Less Competent, Trustworthy, Empathetic
A study, which polled more than 1,200 people, found that participants were less willing to book appointments when any type of AI use was indicated. More industry news is on the fund to bolster rural health care; discounts on the blood thinner Eliquis; and more.
Majority Of US Pregnant Women Don’t Plan To Fully Vaccinate Kids: Survey
Researchers from Emory University and the CDC found that only 35% to 40% of pregnant and new parents plan to fully vaccinate their children. In other news: A shortened drug regimen for drug-resistant TB shows some promise; Farm pesticides might be causing rheumatoid arthritis; and more.
US Global HIV/AIDS Program Survives Trump’s Spending Cuts
Earlier versions of a spending cuts package targeted PEPFAR, the popular global AIDS relief program. The White House agreed to spare the program to avoid defections, and the spending cuts passed the Senate on Thursday.
CMS Gives ICE Access To Medicaid Recipients’ Data, Including Addresses
The agreement, signed Monday between CMS and DHS, has not been announced publicly, AP reports. Other Trump administration news is on gender-affirming care for youth, President Donald Trump’s vein disorder, Juul e-cigarettes, childhood immunizations and more.
Double-Digit Premium Increases May Be Headed To Obamacare Plans In 2026
A sharp drop is also expected in the federal subsidies that most consumers depend on to buy ACA plans. Also in the news: a lawsuit to block Obamacare changes, the challenge of tracking Medicaid patients’ work status, and more.
First Edition: Friday, July 18, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Maryland Draws From ACA Fund To Cover Abortion Care Expenses
Maryland has seen a surge of out-of-state patients whom they’ve been able to help by accessing funds sourced in fees paid by insurance companies that participate in the ACA marketplaces. Other states in the news: Connecticut, Missouri, California, Massachusetts, and Arkansas.
Black, Hispanic Kids Had Higher Covid Hospitalization Rates, Analysis Finds
The study shows that even after hospitalization rates decreased in 2022 and 2023 for all groups, rates among Black and Hispanic children remained consistently higher. In other news, mRNA can be delivered by capsule; new ways to improve organ donation; and more.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
8 In 10 US Counties Have ‘Health Care Deserts’
The research from Good Rx also shows that 87% of those in Wyoming, 74% of those in Vermont, and 70% of those in Montana live in a health care desert county, Newsweek reports. Other industry news is on Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Geisinger Health System, Steward Health Care, and more.
988 LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention Lifeline Will Go Out Of Service Today
In April, counselors fielded roughly 70,000 crisis contacts from LGBTQ youth, marking an all-time high. In 2024, the Trevor Project reported that half of LGBTQ young people who wanted mental health care said they were unable to access it.
