Latest KFF Health News Stories
White House Reveals Funds To Boost 24/7 Mental Health Care
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra revealed millions of dollars in grants, which will go toward all-hour mental health care and substance abuse care across the U.S. Separately, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy also spoke on the issue of mental health care for young people in need.
Boston University Clarifies Its Covid Research: Variant Was Less Deadly
The U.K.’s Daily Mail tabloid newspaper stirred controversy by saying Boston University had engineered an artificial covid variant with an “80% kill rate,” the Boston Globe notes. The university has responded aggressively, and noted its experiments actually made the virus less dangerous.
With Eye On Midterms, Biden Presses Need To Codify Abortion Rights
President Joe Biden told voters on Tuesday that securing national abortion access would be his top legislative priority next year — if Democrats secure enough seats in November to pass. If Republicans retake congressional control though, the president warned that they would try to push a federal ban.
Biden Aims To Bolster Biodefenses Ahead Of Next Pandemic
The Biden administration’s new national biodefense strategy unveiled Tuesday adopts lessons learned from the covid pandemic. Among its key measures are plans to expedite future vaccines, smooth interagency disputes, and detect threats earlier.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Too Many Are Refusing A Flu Shot; Ideas To Boost US Mental Health Care
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Viewpoints: Long Covid Still A Battle; Why Aren’t More People Getting Their Covid Booster?
Opinion writers examine these covid related issues.
Vibrio Surges In Florida After Hurricane Ian
Flooding is to blame for the spike in infections. CBS News says at least 29 cases and four deaths have been confirmed in Lee County this year, with all but two cases diagnosed after the hurricane. Meanwhile, in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott called for distribution of overdose-reversal drugs.
Covid Hit American Life Expectancy Worse Than Europe’s
Data show that even as some European countries had life expectancy predictions rise to prepandemic levels in 2021, the U.S. reported the third-largest decline among 29 countries surveyed. Also: ocular monkeypox cases, access to monkeypox vaccines, healthy living habits, and more.
Uterine Cancer Risk Linked To Frequent Hair Straightener Use: Study
Researchers in an 11-year study found the odds of developing uterine cancer were more than two and a half times higher among study participants who had used hair straightening products more than four times the previous year. While still rare, uterine cancer is on the rise in the U.S., particularly among Black women.
1 In 6 People With Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Forced To Ration Their Doses
USA Today reports on startling statistics about Americans with diabetes: About 1.3 million people are not taking their full prescribed doses of insulin because it costs too much. Also in the news: the ongoing baby formula shortage, OTC hearing aids, and more.
In Unusual Twist, Medical Costs Rise Slower Than Inflation
Everyday expenses have been driven up by rising inflation, but a report in USA Today says health care costs have risen more slowly, for the first time in 40 years. Also: Medicare fraud accusations against Cigna, health care data breaches, and more.
House Resolution Aims To Reaffirm FDA’s Oversight On Abortion Pill Access
The resolution also emphasizes the authority of the U.S. attorney general to take action against any state that enacts a law that limits a patient’s ability to use such products, The Hill reports.
White House Worries New Variants Could Beat Evusheld Preventive Drug
Stat reports on Biden administration health officials’ concerns that AstraZeneca’s Evusheld, a monoclonal antibody drug that’s become essential for immunocompromised Americans, could be bypassed by emerging variants. Meanwhile, the covid czar urges seniors to get new boosters.
Trump White House Interfered With CDC Covid Reports, House Panel Finds
Routine “bullying” and job threats by Trump administration officials led to changes in pandemic-related public health guidance to suit the White House’s political message on issues like masking and travel bans, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials told the House select subcommittee on the coronavirus crisis.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: How Do We Protect Youth From Vaping?; Pandemic Created Mental Health Burnout In Kids
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Worry Of Faulty Bottle Seals Prompts Abbott Baby Formula Recall
The recall is relatively small, CBS News notes, and is not likely to cause the same kind of supply chain issues that led to national baby formula shortages. Salmonella risks in poultry, food superbugs from grocery store antibiotic use, youth mental health, and more are also in the news.
Risk Of Legal Pathway For Red States To Defund Planned Parenthood
A pending Supreme Court case by the Health & Hospital Corp. of Marion County could have serious repercussions for Planned Parenthood’s financial future. Other news about abortion includes providers working around bans, its impact on elections, and more.
Biden Orders HHS To Report Plans On Lowering Drug Prices
The order released Friday calls on the Department of Health and Human Services to report plans for lowering costs for people on Medicaid and Medicare, plus boosting access to new drugs. Also: mental coverage under Medicare, pregnancy drug Makena, Roche’s Alzheimer’s drug and more.
