Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Judge In Capitol Riot Case Cites Md. Man’s Autism During Sentencing
U.S. District Court Judge Trevor McFadden found that a rioter with Asperger’s syndrome was susceptible to mob persuasion and therefore won’t serve jail time. Also in the news: States dropping the teen mental health survey, a North Carolina nurse charged with murder, and more.
Pressure Grows For Congress To Ban Asbestos
Public health advocates and two lawmakers, ProPublica reports, are pressing for a ban on the carcinogen because people are still dying due to asbestos, which has never been fully banned in the U.S. Separately, a study finds a link between seniors watching TV and dementia.
Menthol Vapes Don’t Help People Quit Smoking, FDA Says
The FDA said Logic Technology Development had not shown its menthol products were more likely than non-flavored ones to help people quit smoking, and also said the products risked enticing young people. An epilepsy treatment, OptumRx, and more are in the news.
Job-Based Premiums Stay Flat For 2022, But Increases Expected Ahead
Also in the news on health insurance: rates in Colorado and Montana, Medicaid remote patient care, uninsured kids, and more.
‘Immune Imprinting’: How It Affects Booster Shots — And Spoiled The Party
As Fortune explains, immune imprinting is a phenomenon in which an initial exposure to a virus — such as the original strain of covid, by infection or vaccination — limits a person’s future immune response against variants. In 2021, Australian scientists warned that repeatedly updating vaccines “might not be fully effective” because of it. Even so, health experts stress that the booster drastically reduces your risk of dying from covid.
Majority Of Hospitalized Monkeypox Patients Also Had HIV
A report in The New York Times says “nearly all” those hospitalized for monkeypox had weakened immune systems due to HIV. Monkeypox deaths in the U.S., meanwhile, have hit 10. Separately, RSV cases are rising across the country, straining some hospitals.
News Media Slammed For Ableist Headlines After Fetterman-Oz Debate
Some news outlets said the Pennsylvania Democrat “struggled” and gave a “painful” performance. Disability advocates and neurologists point out that even though Lt. Gov. John Fetterman “may not be good at delivering a speech” right now, it is not indicative of his intelligence or his ability to serve.
FDA Puts Off Decision On OTC Birth Control Pill
A decision on allowing prescription birth control pill Opill to be available over the counter has been pushed back, reports say. A Food and Drug Administration spokesperson told Axios the delay doesn’t reflect on any decision it may make. “Period pills” and abortion issues across the country are also in the news.
People Tend To Die Earlier In Conservative States: Study
The Hill and USA Today cover a new 50-state study that shed surprising light on how American political choices impact health: In states with more conservative policies, people die younger. Data also show that changing state policies to fully liberal could have saved over 171,000 lives in 2019.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Where Will Kids Go When A Pediatric Hospital Is Full?
Editorial writers tackle this public health issue and more.
Research Roundup: Covid; Vitamin D Deficiency; Lyme; Colonoscopy
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: How Worried Should We Be About New Variants?; US Needs More Sports To Help With Anxiety
Editorial writers discuss covid variants, anxiety, stroke, and more.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Study Will Examine If Psychedelic Can Help In Quitting Smoking
The National Institutes of Health grant to Johns Hopkins University marks the first time in 50 years that a federal grant has gone to study a psychedelic drug as a treatment, NBC News says. Meanwhile, the health care impact of words and labels related to addiction is discussed, among other news.
Firm Aims To Revamp Radiotherapy; Help Ahead For Balding People?
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Centene’s Medicare Advantage Quality Scores Missed Their Targets
The scores were worse than executives expected. Modern Healthcare reports that the insurer is hiring a chief quality officer as a result. Separately, Cigna’s Express Scripts reportedly won Centene’s pharmacy benefit manager contract.
Task Force: Courts Must Direct More Cases To Mental Health Care
A task force from the National Center for State Courts advised that courts should try harder to divert people needing mental health care to treatment instead of jail. The impact of vitality on mental, physical health; states opting out of teen mental health tracking; and more are also in the news.
Study Suggests Not All Breast Cancer Patients Need Surgery
Usually surgery to remove a tumor in breast tissue is deemed critical, but new research suggests that chemotherapy may be enough for some patients. Also: benzene in consumer products, rising uterine cancer cases, the high cost of an old cancer drug, and more.
