Latest KFF Health News Stories
Officials Study Role Of Monkeypox In Second US Death
Media outlets report on the death of a patient with monkeypox in Los Angeles County, with health officials examining if the diagnosis of the virus was linked to the death. Other monkeypox news includes vaccine eligibility for men with HIV, and questions about the dose-sparing vaccine effort.
FDA Warns Breast Implant Scar Tissue Linked To Cancers
Though cancers caused by breast implants may be rare, the Food and Drug Administration is now warning that all types of implants may be linked to increased risk of malignancies in scar tissue around them. Separately, the FDA approved a new anti-wrinkle drug.
Arteries, Valves Fused To Existing Heart In First Partial Transplant
The surgery was performed on a newborn with truncus arteriosus at Duke Health in North Carolina, and is said to be the world’s first partial heart transplant. USA Today reports, meanwhile, that the U.S. is expected to pass 1 million solid-organ transplants Friday, with the surgery on the rise.
Biden Administration Unwinds Trump-Era ‘Public Charge’ Policy For Immigrants
Green card applications will no longer be impacted by a person’s use of government-funded services like Medicaid or SNAP. The revised final rule, issued by the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday, formally eases health care access for noncitizen immigrants. The Biden administration had previously stopped enforcement of the Trump-era policy.
Doctor Groups Warn ‘Confusing’ Post-Roe Landscape Jeopardizes Patients
Four health organizations, including the American Medical Association, urge state officials to clarify their abortion laws: “Without such guidance, we are deeply concerned that our patients will lose access to care and suffer irreparable harm.” Meanwhile, President Joe Biden leaned into the abortion issue during a speech to Democratic activists.
Abortion Amendment Will Be On Michigan Ballot, State Supreme Court Says
Michigan Supreme Court justices ruled 5-2 that the question of a state constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights would go before voters in November. Anti-abortion activists and Republican members of the state’s election board tried to have the ballot measure stricken over font size and typos in the petition text.
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 booster shots, abortion, mental health, human sexuality, useful apps, a troubled surgeon, and more.
Not So Sweet: Artificial Sweeteners Linked To Heart Disease
Artificial sweeteners Aspartame, Sucralose, and Ace K may be culprits behind some heart disease, and researchers are reportedly warning they shouldn’t be thought a healthy sugar substitute. Also: Forehead thermometers, the new Apple Watch with women’s health features, and more.
In West Virginia, Drug Overdose Deaths Fell. Elsewhere, The Crisis Continues.
From March 2021 to March 2022 deaths from drug overdoses fell nearly 4% from the previous year, the CDC says. And Rolling Stone covers a “staggering” number of soldier overdose deaths in Fort Bragg. Separately, the DEA warns of rainbow candy-like fentanyl and the risk to kids.
CDC Says 1 In 4 Young Adults Are Seeking Mental Health Care
New data from the CDC shows that the biggest rise in adults seeking care in the last year was in the 18- to 44-year-old group. Separate reports show nearly a third of non-newborn pediatric admissions from 2016 to 2020 were linked to mental health care.
Major Hospital’s Generators Fail During Calif.’s Heat-Driven Blackouts
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose was left without power for about four hours Tuesday when backup generators failed to work. News outlets report on other impacts of dangerous heat, gender-affirming care, and more public health stories.
Walmart, UnitedHealth Pair To Provide Preventive Care For Seniors
Value-based care for Medicare beneficiaries are one target, but reports say the team effort will also offer virtual health care to all age groups. Separate reports say UnitedHealthcare is planning on selling Affordable Care Act plans to people in Missouri and 3 other states starting 2023.
Cancer Cases On The Rise Worldwide For Those Under 50: Study
Researchers find a global increase in early onset cancer diagnoses, and that the risks may increase with every generation. The rise is likely due to shifts toward more sedentary lifestyles and Western diets heavy on processed foods.
Vaccines Working: US Monkeypox Outbreak Slows
Media outlets report on the successful impact of vaccines and public awareness of how to reduce exposure risk on slowing the monkeypox outbreak. Racial differences in reported cases remain, however — but during Atlanta’s Black Pride event the vaccine effort is shown to have worked.
Michigan’s 1931 Law Criminalizing Abortion Blocked
A state court judge placed a permanent injunction on prosecuting cases under the 90-year-old law, which bans abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest. It’s one of three abortion-related cases working through the court that could be appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court.
Reversing Course, FDA Committee Backs Experimental ALS Drug
News outlets report that the FDA is not required to follow the panel’s advice on the drug, developed by Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, but that is the likely outcome. The decision, in a 7-2 vote Wednesday from the FDA’s Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee, came as a reversal from a vote against the drug in March.
Another Spending Showdown Looms Over Covid Funding
Republicans are positioned to oppose President Joe Biden’s request for billions in emergency relief funding for Ukraine, natural disasters, covid and monkeypox, and could rock stopgap spending bill negotiations.
Stress, Depression May Worsen Long Covid Risk
Severe covid and higher long covid risks have been linked to physical conditions, but now it’s also thought that psychological conditions like stress and anxiety are connected too. Scientists also warn of a possible link between long covid and suicide.
Clue To Long Covid Could Be Lingering Virus, Spike Proteins
Reports say it’s increasingly thought the covid virus lingers in the body of long covid sufferers longer than for people who fully recover. Other research efforts into the illness are continuing, including by a billionaire-backed group.
