Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
More Than 8 Teeth Now Allowed: NY Alters Rules For Medicaid Dental Care
Under a deal reached Monday, the New York Department of Health must lift some of its most restrictive rules for low-income recipients, including the “eight points of contact” policy that “was set up to pull your teeth rather than treat them.”
Having Asthma Linked To Higher Overall Cancer Risk: Study
News outlets report on a new study that is said to be the first revealing a positive association between asthma and overall cancer risks in the U.S. population. Researchers found that people who treat their asthma with inhaled steroids may experience some protection, however.
Though Shortage Of Nurses Continues, Some Flock Back To Hospitals
A survey shows that around a third of nurses nationwide are likely to leave the profession due to the pandemic. But The Wall Street Journal reports that “many” who left hospital staff jobs during covid (out of exhaustion, or to try well-paid temporary work) are coming back.
Viral Reservoirs Inside Patients May Be Linked To Long Covid
Microbiologist Amy Proal, quoted in NPR, says, “There’s enough evidence to place viral reservoirs as one of the leading drivers of long covid.” Reservoirs allow the virus to persist in the body. Also, research in Ohio showed that omicron covid was a common cause of reinfections of the virus.
Federal Government Says 2 Hospitals Illegally Denied Emergency Abortion
The AP says that a first-of-its-kind investigation by the government has concluded that two hospitals, acting under new abortion restrictions, violated federal law and endangered a woman’s life when they refused to provide an emergency abortion during a premature labor.
LGBTQ+ Youth Report High Suicide Risk, Poor Mental Health Care Access
An annual survey by The Trevor Project has found an alarming deterioration in the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth in the U.S., with 41% saying that they have seriously considered killing themselves in the last year. The numbers are even higher for transgender or non-binary kids.
Surgeon General Declares Loneliness To Be Next Big Public Health Threat
Warning that loneliness poses a similar level of danger to physical and mental health as smoking or obesity, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory Tuesday stressing the importance of building back the “social fabric” of the U.S. Nearly half the nation was estimated to be lonely even before the isolation of the pandemic.
Doctors Concerned As Buprenorphine Access Set To Be Rolled Back By DEA
The opioid substitute drug had been more accessible during the pandemic, but the Drug Enforcement Administration is now proposing to roll back the policy and require patients to visit a doctor or clinic after getting a telehealth prescription. The worry is how this will impact people in recovery.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Abortion Travel Laws Set Dangerous Precedent; Do Masks Work?
Editorial writers discuss abortion, covid, the effects of loneliness, and Biden’s “moonshot.”
Nevada Doctors Warn Of Surprising Surge In Child Brain Infections
Researchers at the Southern Nevada Health District said there were 18 cases of pediatric brain abscesses in Clark County in 2022, compared to roughly five annual cases previously. The first sales of medical marijuana in Georgia, gender care access in Missouri, and more are also in the news.
Breast Density Changes Possibly Linked To Cancer Risks: Study
Scientists found that while breast density declines with age, a slower rate of decline in one breast may be linked to higher cancer risks in that breast. Other research suggests that speaking two languages may help stave off dementia in later life.
When Patients Question ChatGPT, It May Be More Empathetic Than Docs
A new study covers interesting terrain in the ongoing march of artificial intelligence: when pitched against real doctors answering patient queries, OpenAI’s ChatGPT tool showed more empathy. Axios notes, “the chatbot won. It wasn’t close.” High hospital running costs, and more are also in the news.
Progress In Gene-Based Therapies For Heart Attacks, Sickle Cell Disease
Gene-edited cells may be useful for repairing hearts damaged by heart attacks, according to new research. Separately, a “competitive biotech race” is underway to treat sickle cell disease. And gene therapy for tackling Duchenne muscular dystrophy is also reported.
CDC Will Stop Community-Level Covid Tracking
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday it will rely more heavily on covid hospitalization data. Meanwhile, two new omicron subvariants — XBB.1.16 and XBB.1.9.1 — are gaining more ground in the U.S. Also: Moderna CEO’s pay, long covid, and Pfizer’s RSV shot availability.
Doctors Trying Different Care For Newborns In Opioid Withdrawal
More babies are being kept with their mothers instead of being separated and put on morphine. A new study has shown that infants treated this way stayed in the hospital about half as long as infants treated by older methods.
Study Shows Teens Suffer Later In Life From Difficult Early Romances
A new study finds that toxic, controlling teenage dating relationships may increase later risk for problems like drug use and mental or physical health problems. Meanwhile, CDC data shows teen eating disorders have been more severe and prevalent during covid than ever.
Alito Says He Suspects Who Leaked His Dobbs Decision Draft
While he told The Wall Street Journal in an interview that he doesn’t have the “level of proof that is needed to name somebody,” Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito believes the motive was an attempt to halt the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
House Debt Limit Bill Passage Puts Pressure On Senate
Democratic leaders in the Senate say the measure passed by the House last week — that includes controversial work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP recipients, among other health policies — is dead on arrival. But the economic clock is ticking for lawmaker action.
