Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study: Moderna’s Bivalent Shot Offers Strong Protection Against Variants
The findings did not clarify whether the updated shot offers better protection than its original jab. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden repeated his vow Monday that Americans will need to get only one covid booster shot each year.
Democrats Likely Won’t Have Enough Votes To Codify Abortion, Biden Admits
The Democratic Party doesn’t appear to have gained enough ground in the House of Representatives to ensure passage of a national right to abortion, the president said Monday.
CDC, Army Remove From Apps Russian Code Cloaked As American
Reuters found that tech company Pushwoosh is Russian, though it presents itself as based in the U.S. Its computer code is used in thousands of apps, including 7 by the CDC. The health agency says that code has been removed over the security concerns.
Longer Lifespans Drive Global Population To 8 Billion
Over the last 12 years, the tally jumped from 7 billion to 8 billion, the United Nations announced. This “milestone in human development” is attributed to improved access to health care, food, and more sanitary living conditions, though dropping birth rates are expected to slow the future pace.
Life May Seem Normal, But Our Mental Health Might Have Missed The Memo
Some people never quite shook off the anxiety and blues that spiked during the height of the pandemic. Doctors say covid depression is real and shouldn’t be ignored as the pandemic drags on and people return to their new version of normal.
Small And Premature Babies Benefit From Skin-To-Skin Contact: WHO
New guidelines from the World Health Organization point to benefits of skin contact with caregivers for low weight or early babies, rather than being immediately placed in an incubator — called “kangaroo mother care.” Also in the news, a link with artificial light during sleep and diabetes risk.
Viewpoints: Mental Health Apps Have A Data Dark Side; Evusheld Not Protecting Against New Variants
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Different Takes: Will We Ever Know How Covid Originated?; Some New Covid Variants Appear More Mild
Opinion writers weigh in on covid and alzheimers.
California Sues 18 Companies Over ‘Staggering’ Chemical Water Pollutants
California Attorney General Rob Bonta says the manufacturers, including DuPont and 3M, should be held liable for “hundreds of millions of dollars” in penalties and cleanup costs across the state of “forever chemicals.” Other state health news comes from Ohio, Texas, North Carolina, and elsewhere.
Scientists Find Mutation Clues To Monkeypox Outbreak
Separately, CIDRAP reports on CDC data showing that Black and Hispanic men who have sex with men are the most affected by the monkeypox outbreak. In other news, teen weight loss surgeries, toxic wildfire smoke, lack of long-term care plans for Americans with disabilities, and more.
HHS Releases Policy Ensuring Abortion Access For Migrant Youth
Under a new policy, the Biden administration says that unaccompanied pregnant minors can be transported or reassigned to shelters in states where abortion is legal.
California Plans Partnership With Civica Rx to Make Low-Cost Insulin
Civica Rx, a nonprofit generics company, will partner with California as part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to combat high insulin prices, NBC News reports. In other news, the pharmaceutical company behind Suboxone will buy the maker of the U.S.’s bestselling overdose reversal drug: Narcan.
Health Care-Related Infections Still Above Pre-Covid Levels
CDC data show that levels of health care-associated infections remain elevated. Clover Health, Cigna, University of North Carolina hospitals, a rural hospital closure in Iowa, and more are also in the news.
Path For Biden Health Nominees Smoother In Democratic-Led Senate
News outlets explore the post-midterms prospects for health and science legislative initiatives. In other election updates, Colorado has become the second state to legalize “magic mushrooms.”
Surge Of Children In ERs With Suicidal Thoughts: Study
A new study finds the uptick in emergency room visits driven by children with suicidal thoughts began even before the pandemic. Bangor Daily News reports on higher risk of poor mental health in two Maine counties. Other news covers Alaskan soldiers, Texas veterans, and more.
Alzheimer’s Drug From Roche Fails In Much-Watched Trial
The drug candidate did not demonstrate that it could slow the progression of dementia in two drug trials. Stat reports that it did slightly slow decline compared to placebo, but not meaningfully enough. Separately, the benefits of crossword puzzles against cognitive decline are reported.
Flu Activity High In At Least 25 States, CDC Data Show
Levels are “very high” in seven states and Washington, D.C. Axios says CDC data also show the flu season is hitting harder and earlier than in previous years. AP reports that several California hospitals have had to erect tents to cope with overflow patients.
Study Finds That Masks In Schools Curbed Covid Cases
A newly published study compared schools that required universal masking and those that did not. It found “striking” evidence that face coverings were effective in limiting spread to students and staff members.
