Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

OPINION: Recognizing The Success Of Foreign Aid

Morning Briefing

In the Wall Street Journal, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, applauds economist Charles Kenny’s book, “Getting Better: Why Global Development Is Succeeding

Study Links Early Complementary Feeding With Infant Malnutrition In Kenya

Morning Briefing

A study of infants under 36 months old in a low-income area of Nairobi, Kenya, found that a “lack of information on exclusive breast feeding and low level of education for the mothers is the main cause of the frequent illness and malnutrition among infants,” the East African reports.

HIV Prevention Study Results Raise Public Health Questions About Forcing Patients Into Treatment

Morning Briefing

A New York Times “Week In Review” article examines how the results of a recent study showing combination antiretroviral therapy can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by 96 percent “reopens old questions” about the rights of patients to refuse therapy and whether doctors, in the interest of public health, should force patients to start treatment.

Authorities In India’s Only Muslim-Majority State Battling Increase In Female Feticide, AFP Reports

Morning Briefing

Agence France-Presse examines how officials in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir are battling a “shocking rise in female foeticide” by seizing unlicensed ultrasound machines and enlisting the assistance of religious leaders in the country’s only Muslim-majority state.

EDITORIAL: Study Results Show Need For More Data On HIV Prevention Economics

Morning Briefing

A recent study showing a “near-perfect way to halt sexual transmission of the AIDS virus has the potential to change the way international agencies and nations cope with the epidemic. But that can only happen if troubling issues of cost and practicality can be surmounted,” a New York Times editorial says.

Pakistani Province Cancels Six U.S. Aid Agreements

Morning Briefing

The Pakistani province of Punjab will stop accepting U.S. aid and has canceled six agreements with the U.S. pertaining to health, education and solid waste management, according to Shahbaz Sharif, chief minister of the province, Inter Press Service reports.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Addresses Maternal Mortality In Nigeria, IDPs In Cote d’Ivoire

Morning Briefing

As part of a four-country tour, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday arrived in Nigeria, where he highlighted the importance of fighting maternal and child mortality in the country, which has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Africa, Agence France-Presse reports (5/22).

Lawmakers Jockey For Position In Medicare Debate

Morning Briefing

Political and policy-oriented Medicare skirmishes continue on Capitol Hill as members hear from their constituents on the question of the program’s future, and some lawmakers say it’s time for “an adult conversation.” Also, the Senate is likely to vote this week on the House-passed GOP budget.

IPS Examines Subsidized Malaria Drugs In Kenya

Morning Briefing

Inter Press Service looks at the roll out of the Affordable Medicines Facility-malaria (AMFm) in Kenya. The program, which is managed by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, makes subsidized malaria medications available through private pharmacies in seven other pilot countries

Kansas, Iowa Pursue Health Law Waivers

Morning Briefing

Meanwhile, The Hill reports that most of the denials resuting from early waiver requests went to unions. And, in other health reform implementation news, Politico Pro reports on what it describes as an “ACO dilemma.”