Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Predicts Soaring Youth Diabetes Rates
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning about the rate of diabetes among young Americans, with predictions of 220,000 people under 20 having type 2 diabetes in 2060. Bloomberg notes that the U.S. has made “scant” progress in treating the disease.
Republicans Weigh Different Abortion Approach In Wake Of Midterms
Former President Donald Trump blamed the party’s extreme abortion policies on the worse-than-expected midterm results, while other Republicans consider new strategies for talking about abortion that would attract swing voters.
New Year Ushers In New Health Laws: Abortion, Drugs, Medical Costs
Medical bills, mental health reporting, abortion access, prescription drug costs, drug use, and more will be impacted by state health laws that went into effect on Jan. 1.
FDA Could Soon Grant Approval To Another Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug
If the FDA greenlights Eisai’s experimental dementia drug lecanemab under its accelerated approval pathway —as anticipated on Jan. 6 — experts look ahead to how much the treatment will cost.
First Edition: January 3, 2023
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Our final selections for the year include stories on Dr. Anthony Fauci, how to be healthier in 2023, menopause, organ thieves, and more.
Court Blocks Buffer Zone Around A Kentucky Abortion Clinic
The temporary bar on a Louisville city ordinance protecting an abortion clinic entrance came as the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati said the zone infringed protestor’s first amendment rights. Homeless deaths in Utah, magic mushrooms, red flag laws, and more are also in the news.
Mpox Outbreak Is Fading, Thanks To Changing Habits
Wired reports that the “bittersweet” defeat of mpox is partly due to vaccines and improved testing but mainly due to people taking their own protective actions. Meanwhile LAist says that anyone who wants an mpox vaccine in Los Angeles can now get one, no matter risk or history.
Heart Monitoring Patent Ruling Threatens US Apple Watch Sales
The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that Apple was violating another company’s patents for its cardiac monitoring tech. The legal to-and-fro reached the point the ITC banned imports of infringing Apple devices, then suspended the ban pending related patent lawsuits.
Human Trials Of BioNTech’s MRNA Malaria Vaccine Begin
Bloomberg reports that the breakthrough technology behind some covid vaccines is now in human trials to combat another illness: BioNTech’s MRNA malaria vaccine was given to the first patient Dec. 21. Separately, the FDA has approved a long-acting HIV drug from Gilead.
Other Illnesses Can Prompt Same Symptoms Of Long Covid, Study Finds
Patients who had a cold. flu, or viral pneumonia suffered some of the same problems that long covid patients have. However, the study found that certain symptoms, such as heart palpitations and shortness of breath, were unique to SARS-CoV-2, CIDRAP reported.
Severe Strep A Infections In Children Prompt A Warning From The CDC
News outlets report the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning about group A streptococcal bacteria, which is causing a surge of serious infections in children. Seasonal flu, the tripledemic, cold medicines, and the strategic national drug stockpile are also in the news.
106,699 Americans Dead: Drug Overdoses Jumped 16% Last Year
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the final report on drug-related deaths in the U.S. as well as other factors that contributed to a lower life-span expectancy. Related epidemic stories report on increases in xylazine overdoses, fentanyl, and more.
Senate Sends Omnibus To House; Breastfeeding And Pregnant Worker Amendments Added
Senators cleared the $1.7 trillion spending bill Thursday. Two health policy amendments were added: the PUMP Act which expands breastfeeding time and space protections for more nursing workers; and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act which requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for medical conditions arising from pregnancy and childbirth.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KHN’s First Edition will not be published Dec. 26 through Jan. 2. Look for it again in your inbox on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Happy holidays from all of us at KHN!
Research Roundup: Covid; Airborne Viruses; Food Dye
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Editorial writers examine these covid related topics.
Risk Of Dementia May Be Reduced By Hearing Aids, Study Finds
Aids may help with cognition for people with hearing loss, researchers say. In other news on dementia and Alzheimer’s, people diagnosed with the conditions speak out on how they would like to be treated at the holidays.
This Mental Health Startup Aims To Help Those With Serious Illness
Stat covers an innovative startup aimed at helping those with serious mental illness, while noting that “few” other startups serve that group. The firing of a medical safety expert; apologies from UCSF for “unethical” experiments at a prison hospital; private equity moves in health care; costs of care; and more.
