Latest KFF Health News Stories
Military Covid Vaccine Mandate Could Go; Officials Press For Keeping It
Democratic chair of the House Armed Services Committee is reportedly concerned a rollback of the military vaccine mandate may happen in a new version of the National Defense Authorization Act, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says he wants mandates to stay, to keep protecting troop health.
So You Say You Haven’t Had Covid. You’re Probably Mistaken, Study Finds.
Researchers tested 1,574 people from August 2021 to May 2022, and 44% of them said they had never had covid. But serologic testing found that 42% of them had antibodies that indicated a previous infection. Meanwhile, new research shows that SARS-CoV-2 can live on some groceries for days.
Holiday Season Ushers In Another Unwelcome Covid Surge
It’s not just flu and RSV on the rise: Covid cases also increased following Thanksgiving gatherings, with hospitalizations up to the highest point in three months. Wastewater readings confirm another surge in some U.S. areas.
Flu At ‘High’ Level In Nearly Every State, With Hospitalizations On The Rise
Thanksgiving week saw the number of people admitted to the hospital for flu nearly double. And RSV remains another big contributor to the respiratory illnesses plaguing the U.S.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle mental health and more public health issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on breastfeeding, Huntington’s, teen vaping, former surgeon general Jerome Adams, and more.
US Rural Populations Are Skewing Older: 1 In 5 Is Over 65
A report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that over 20% of rural residents are over 65, compared to 16% in urban areas, and a corresponding fall in the working age population is also happening. Separately, Airbnb is urged to require carbon monoxide devices in rentals.
9% Of Texas Hospitals Teeter On Edge Of Closing, Especially In Rural Areas
A new report finds that 9% of hospitals in Texas are at financial risk of having to shutter their doors, up from 4.7% in 2020. The number is much higher in rural regions at 26%.
Addiction Treatment Funds May Make The Cut In Omnibus Spending Package
Axios reports that a bill that aims to expand access to opioid addiction treatment could be rolled into the year-end spending package under negotiation by lawmakers. In other epidemic news, Texas’ governor reversed his position and now supports decriminalizing fentanyl test strips.
Study Finds Significant Racial Disparities In Elective Pediatric Surgery Rates
Data analysis from 10,000 kids who underwent surgery found between 40% and 60% fewer procedures were reported for Black, Asian and Latino children than white kids. Surgeries aren’t being denied, the researchers say, but the numbers raise questions about access to care and concerns about surgical delays that can lead to more health problems.
Amgen Releases Data Showing Early-Stage Drug Can Combat Obesity
Amgen says early trial data show that its drug can bring about significant weight loss in patients with obesity, and the drug requires less frequent dosing than current treatments. In other news, a headset device from Cognito Therapeutics to treat Alzheimer’s disease will enter human trials.
New Jersey Regulators Aim At Making Some Insurers Cover Abortion
Bloomberg reports on some moves to require health insurers to cover abortion costs in the aftermath of the fall of Roe v. Wade. NBC News reports on what it says is the first major test of abortion politics since the midterms. And the Los Angeles Times covers TV writers’ moves to support abortion rights.
50,000 Donated Mpox Vaccines Are The First To Arrive In Africa
The shots were donated by South Korea and will be used for health workers and people living in the areas most impacted, AP notes. Meanwhile, Virginia has reported its first death from the illness.
Child Cold Medicines Hard To Find As RSV, Flu Surges Deplete Stock
Over-the-counter cold and fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are in short supply as respiratory viruses continue to infect high numbers of kids.
VA Says It Failed To Protect Data On Vax Status For 500,000 Staff
FedScoop reported that the Department of Veterans Affairs admitted to improperly disclosing covid vaccine status data for around half a million employees. Also, HHS is partnering with the U.S. men’s soccer team; more Republicans died than Democrats after vaccines were released; and more.
People With Long Covid May Be Facing $9,000 Yearly Medical Bills
News outlets report on the economic cost of long covid, with an average of $9,000 a year in medical bills for patients. The overall burden on the economy is estimated at $3.7 trillion. Meanwhile, a study in the U.K. has found that long covid is “common,” especially in overweight women.
Covid Stresses Hit Teenagers’ Brains, Aging Them Faster Than Normal
Media outlets cover the results of a study that compared brain scans of teenagers’ brains from before and after the pandemic. It showed that teens’ brains have aged in a way comparable to kids who’ve faced chronic stress. Changes hit brain areas linked to memory, concentration, and more.
988 Suicide Hotline Comes Back Online After Major Outage
KHN has confirmed that the crisis hotline was up and running Friday morning. The national hotline was down for several hours Thursday for unknown reasons. Callers received a message saying it was “experiencing a service outage.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
