Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘No Place That’s Immune’: NYC Nurses Return; Similar Issues Exist Elsewhere
A three-day strike involving thousands of New York nurses at two hospitals ended Thursday with a tentative contract deal, but experts say that the issues at play, including staffing shortages and high caseloads, exist similarly at hospitals across the country. Also in the news: CVS, the North Carolina Medical Board, Mariner Health Care, and more.
Workers Accuse HCA Of Putting Profits Before Patients
Meanwhile, news outlets report on takeaways from JPMorgan’s Healthcare Conference which wrapped Thursday; Summa Health opening an $84 million behavioral health pavilion, Jacksonville expanding its accelerated nursing program, and more.
New Research On Aging Could Lead To Human ‘Fountain Of Youth’
New research shows that the aging process can be reversed and even driven forward and backward at will in mice. Other research news relates to a potential youth asthma and cannabis connection, covid vaccination during breastfeeding, on how paying people to get covid shots worked, and more.
CDC: Vaccine Delays Put 250,000 Kindergartners At Risk Of Measles
Media outlets report on news of pandemic delays in childhood vaccinations and how thousands of U.S. youngsters may now be at risk of catching measles. Separately, among other news, the U.S. birth rate has dropped as women are waiting to have children later in life.
Nirav Shah Appointed To CDC Post As Walensky’s Deputy
Dr. Nirav Shah, who oversaw Maine’s pandemic response as that state’s CDC chief, will join the federal agency as principal deputy director and report to Dr. Rochelle Walensky.
‘Born Alive’ Anti-Abortion House Bill Faces Criticism Over ‘Extremist Values’
Abortion-rights groups criticize the anti-abortion bill, even though it’s passage in the House was largely symbolic. Separately, ballot measures tend to affirm that most voters support abortion rights. Other reproductive and gender health news is reported from Montana, Alabama, and Wisconsin.
Driven By Variants Like XBB, Jha Warns Covid Winters Will Recur
White House covid response coordinator Ashish Jha said the U.S. health-care system will face strain from covid during winter surges for years. Fortune reports the XBB family of subvariants may prove not so severe.
Cancer Death Rates In US Drop 33% Since 1991 Peak
An American Cancer Society study says that the decrease as resulted in 3.8 million fewer deaths from cancer. Earlier detection, better treatments, and a reduction in smoking are credited. But researchers flag a recent rise in late-stage prostate cancer diagnoses.
First Edition: January 13, 2023
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opioid Deaths Likely To Hit Record In 2022 In Cook County, Illinois
The Chicago Tribune covers the heavy toll of the opioid crisis in Cook County. The Boston Globe, meanwhile, talks about making opioid addiction treatment more accessible in Rhode Island, where fatal drug overdoses are “historically high.” Also: gun laws, mental health clinicians, and more.
NYC Nursing Strike Ends; ‘Harmful Events’ Hit 25% Of Hospital Patients
The strike, which affected around 7,000 nurses at two of New York City’s largest hospitals is over after three days. Separately, NBC News covers how nearly 1 in 4 hospitalized patients experience harm. Other industry news includes a donation to Harvard Medical School, AI in health, and more.
Scientists Find Long Covid’s Symptoms May Fade Inside A Year
News outlets cover developments in research into long covid, including a classification of four “major” types of the illness, and how for mild infections the effects may subside within a year. Separately, scientists found that listening to music during lockdowns lowered people’s stress.
Carcinogen Found In Beauty Products Popular With Black Americans
A new study found elevated levels of formaldehyde in items like skin lotions and hair gels, many of which are aimed at Black markets. Also in the news: misgendering trans people after death, cardiac arrest in young athletes, rhabdomyolysis, and prolonged sitting.
HHS Offers Timelines For First Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure says that the list of the 10 drugs that Medicare will put through negotiations with drugmakers will be published by Sept. 1. The public will also have an opportunity to weigh in along the way.
Viewpoints: Congress Should Protect Abortion Providers; Changes Needed In Pandemic Readiness Plan
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
As Gas Stove Chatter Roils Lawmakers, Biden Administration Clarifies
“To be clear, I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the [U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission] has no proceeding to do so,” Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric told the Wall Street Journal. Also in the news: First Lady Jill Biden’s Mohs surgery; Obamacare’s popularity in South Florida; CAR T-cell therapy in doctors’ offices; and more.
Research Roundup: Covid; Mpox; Alzheimer’s; Liver Disease
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Officials Frustrated That More In Nursing Homes Aren’t Vaccinated
Underscoring the pandemic’s complexity, Politico reports that state and federal health officials are frustrated that thousands of seniors ended up in hospitals since the holidays, even as NBC News covers words from an FDA adviser questioning whether younger, healthier people need another covid booster.
White House Renews Covid Public Health Emergency Again
The extension lasts for another 90 days. In related covid news on the XBB.1.5 variant: why it doesn’t get a Greek letter; what you should know about its spread; and more.
Alabama Could Prosecute Patients For Taking Abortion Pills, Attorney General Says
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says that a state chemical endangerment law could be used to charge people who have a medication abortion. Other state abortion news comes from Nebraska, Montana, New Hampshire, Florida, and elsewhere.
