Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
Michigan’s Red Flag Gun Violence Bills Become Law
The bills, signed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, will allow certain parties to petition courts to temporarily remove guns from someone who may pose a threat. Meanwhile, in California, a bill progresses that would ban some chemicals linked to health issues in food items like Skittles.
Research Points To Brain Regions For Future Chronic Pain Treatments
The new study, published in Nature Neuroscience, involved electrodes embedded in the brains of four people that captured data on chronic pain. Also, racism’s legacy on Black Americans’ health; over 36,000 older people in the U.S. died in falls in 2020; and more.
Novo Nordisk Says Daily Pill Version Of Wegovy Effective In Study
The weight loss drug, also known as semaglutide, is usually delivered as a once-weekly shot. Separately, Amazon-owned PillPack suffered a cyberattack that affected the accounts of nearly 20,000 customers. Also in the news, Walgreens, Humana, and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals.
With Reports From Nurses, Worries Over Worsening Violence
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports how working at hospitals like Albert Einstein Medical Center is more dangerous since the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Star Tribune reports on a deal to remove nurse hospital staffing regulations from legislation in Minnesota, with a new focus on preventing violence.
Prisons Failed Incarcerated During Covid: Study
A study revealed that problems with the covid responses in U.S. prisons were worse than previously thought. In other news, criticisms of a long-covid trial methodology, higher risks of a clotting in heart attack patients with a covid infection, no link between covid boosters and miscarriage, and more.
FDA Approves Another Nasal Spray To Reverse Overdoses
Opvee is similar to naloxone, a drug that has been used for decades to quickly counter overdoses of heroin, fentanyl, and prescription painkillers. In other news, President Joe Biden asks Congress to pass a bill to reduce fentanyl trafficking.
Unspent Covid Funds May Be Off The Table In Debt Limit Talks
Axios reports that Democrats are reconsidering taking back unspent covid funds to make a deal.
Nebraska Bans Abortions After 12 Weeks
The bill also restricts gender-affirming medical care. In other abortion news, the Illinois and Nevada legislatures vote for more protections.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Texas AG Targets Hospitals Providing Gender-Transition Care
Other news about the issue concerns a private Florida fund to help transgender people and an Illinois politician who says all-gender bathrooms will cause violence.
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
Connecticut Tries To Lower Drunk-Driving Limit
The state wants to drop the level to 0.05% from 0.08%. In other health care news from across the country: Minnesota inches closer to legalizing recreational pot; New Hampshire aims to end “ER boarding”; and more.
Canadian Wildfires Drive Down Air Quality For Millions In US
A large portion of the U.S. has been experiencing low air quality, presenting unhealthy situations for people with heart and lung conditions, due to wildfire smoke blowing south. Meanwhile, Denver ranked among the worst cities in the world for air quality.
After FDA Change, Tech Brands Restyle Hearing Aids As Lifestyle Products
Axios reports on the “hipper” status of hearing aids after the FDA changed its rules to allow over-the-counter sales. In other news, Black women are finding shortages when looking for Black sperm donors; and the striking gap between deaths in Black and white babies in the South.
FTC Warns Consumer Biometric, Health Data Must Be Better Protected
Federal Trade Commission has privacy concerns over consumer data for facial recognition and how information from health apps is treated. Penn Medicine, a women’s health research facility in Ohio, and the Kinsey Institute in Indiana are also in heath industry news.
Obesity Drug Shows Heart Benefit
A small study says Wegovy helped reduce the risk of heart disease. (Another larger study is in the works.) And The Atlantic examines the potential use of Ozempic as an anti-addiction drug. And NBC News reports that weight-loss drugs also leads to muscle loss.
Bacteria-Tainted Eye Drops Linked To 4 Deaths
Also in pharmaceutical news: An antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis works on leprosy; a new therapy for fragile skin; an altered epigenome reduces cholesterol; a preeclampsia test; and more.
WHO Urges Greater Preparation For Next Pandemic
The World Health Organization also is starting a network to map the genetic code of disease-causing organisms. Other news is on bird flu and hospitals dropping mask mandates for covid.
