Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pfizer To Soon Quadruple Price Of Covid Shots In US
Prices will rise to about $110 to $130 per dose after the current United States government’s current purchase program expires, Reuters reports. Meanwhile, pressure on drugmakers to widen access to medicines comes even as Novartis says it will allow some generic leukemia drug production.
Neurological Issues Found In Nearly 1 In 10 Kids Hospitalized With Covid
A team of researchers found 7% of young covid patients hospitalized from covid had neurological issues. Meanwhile, Moderna found its covid shot safe and quite effective in children younger than 5, but research showed vaccines weren’t as effective at preventing hospitalization during the Summer.
Data Breach Exposed Health Info Of 3 Million In Illinois, Wisconsin
Up to 3 million patients may have had personal information exposed to outside companies thanks to a data tracking issue at Advocate Aurora Health. Separately, a new study suggests to minimize impacts on public health, health conspiracy theories online should be debunked in real time.
Viewpoints: Telemedicine Is Worth Keeping; Are We Prepared For The New Covid Variants?
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Workplace Issues Hurt Mental, Physical Health: Surgeon General
Media outlets report on words from U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy concerning risks to workers’ health from unhappy workplace environments. Separately, Murthy’s efforts to tackle youth mental health are facing stiff criticism, but efforts to tackle military suicides are working.
Obamacare Takes A Back Seat In Midterm Campaign
After a decade of pledging to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act, Republicans this year are not talking much about the health law. Meanwhile, efforts at the CDC to improve responses to crises are lagging.
Drugmakers Seeking Some Relief On New Medicare Rules
The Inflation Reduction Act, which allows Medicare to negotiate the prices of some drugs, was strongly opposed by drugmakers and one of their very rare losses on Capitol Hill. They are now hoping to help influence the Biden administration as it sets the regulations from the new law.
Gas Stoves Can Emit Cancer-Causing Benzene, Even When Off: Study
The potential dangers of natural gas in homes mount as researchers find that stoves and pipes in California homes leak toxic pollutants, even when not in use. The concentrations of detected benzene — a chemical linked to cancer — was as high as seven times the state’s safety levels.
Pentagon To Fund Abortion Travel For Service Members And Families
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a series of policies Thursday aimed at shoring up access to reproductive health care for troops and their dependents. The moves include paying travel costs for families assigned to states that restrict abortion, extending the time a pregnancy must be disclosed, and adding privacy protections.
CDC Vaccine Advisers Vote To Add Covid Shot To Pediatric Schedule
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously voted in favor of including the covid vaccine on the list of routine immunizations that doctors follow when recommending vaccinations and that schools consult when setting requirements.
First Edition: October 21, 2022
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
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 hospital payment systems, psychedelics, the hypothesis of “depressive realism,” and more.
Genetic Legacy Of Medieval Plague: Outbreak Still Shapes Our Immunity
Researchers explored the DNA of people who survived or died from the “Black Death” — the 14th century outbreak that was the deadliest in recorded history — and traced those outcomes to human immune systems today.
Opinion writers discuss these pandemic issues.
Research Roundup: Codeine And Tramadol Use In Kids; Vitiligo; Covid
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Michigan Study Finds Manufacturing Jobs Linked To ALS Risks
The Detroit Free Press covers a University of Michigan study that links worker exposure to metals, solvents or pesticides with a higher risk of developing ALS. Meanwhile, in Washington state, the air quality in Seattle was just ranked as the worst in the world due to wildfire pollution.
People Can Now Select Preferred Gender In Social Security Records
The Social Security Administration also said it was exploring allowing people to use an “X” designator in the future. Meanwhile, NBC News reports on a national “Don’t Say Gay” bill effort by Republicans. Memory boosts, running benefits, and “voice biomarkers” are also in the news.
Patients With Disabilities? No Thanks, Say Some Doctors
A group of doctors expressed their disinclination to work with patients with disabilities during anonymous or first-name-only surveys, citing reasons like the shortened amount of time they’re able to spend with individual patients. The research was published in Health Affairs. Also: problems with the VA electronic record system, provider racism in cardiac care, and more.
CDC Study Finds Antihistamine Link In Opioid Overdose Deaths
CDC researchers found that 18% of victims of opioid overdoses in 2019 and 2020 tested positive for antihistamines. Separately, parents are warned, again, to check for drugs mixed with candy during Halloween after a fentanyl bust found drugs in candy wrappings.
FDA Advisers Agree Premature Birth Drug Makena Should Be Withdrawn
The Food and Drug Administration has been making an effort to withdraw the controversial drug, Stat notes, and now a panel of expert advisers has voted to support that goal. Separately, Pittsburgh-based insurer Highmark chose to cover prescription digital mental health therapies.
