Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In North Carolina, Elsewhere, GOP Lawmakers Target Trans Health Care
Reuters and AP focus on a case concerning North Carolina’s health insurance plan for state workers, challenging whether the state can exclude coverage for gender reassignment surgery and hormone therapy. The New York Times explains other legal efforts to regulate trans people’s lives.
Viewpoints: Metal Mouth Is Serious Side Effect Of Paxlovid; How Should Childhood Obesity Be Handled?
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Study Explains Genes May Have Role In Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
In other news, autism rates have tripled among children in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area from 2000 to 2016 according to a new study. While genetic and environmental factors play a part, better diagnosis techniques are key, NBC News explains. Also: memory storage research and more.
Juul Trying To Sell Itself To Large Tobacco Companies
While the Wall Street Journal reports that the e-cigarette maker is seeking a potential sale, investment, or partnership with Philip Morris International Inc., Japan Tobacco Group, or Altria Group Inc., the Daily Mail reports on study results that show vaping causes DNA damage.
Research Roundup: H. Pylori; Covid Vaccine; Prostate Cancer; CPR
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
US Suffering ‘Dire’ Shortage Of Infectious Disease Specialists
Fox News reports that the Infectious Diseases Society of America warns the staffing shortage is caused by “complex” reasons, including new doctors not showing a strong interest in the field. Meanwhile, in Texas, doctors successfully separated conjoined twins after an 11-hour operation.
Secret Service Traces Half Of Mass Attacks To Personal Or Work Disputes
A new Secret Service report aimed at preventing mass-violence events examined incidents from 2016 to 2020. Researchers found that three-quarters of perpetrators behaved or communicated in a way that raised concerns for others ahead the attack.
Federal Watchdog Finds Errors In NIH Tracking Of Group Studying Covid
The New York Times says an internal watchdog found “significant errors” in the National Institutes of Health’s oversight of grants to a nonprofit group researching covid. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Chronicle notes that Georgia Republican and covid conspiracy theorist Marjorie Taylor Greene will join the panel investigating the government’s handling of the pandemic.
Updated Covid Boosters Protect Effectively Against XBB.1.5 Strain: CDC
Early data published by the CDC Wednesday offers evidence that Moderna and Pfizer’s updated bivalent booster shots — tailored last summer for the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 omicron strains that were predominant at the time — remains protective against the XBB.1.5 subvariant that is currently spreading.
Lawsuits Target States That Restrict Abortion Pill Sales, Postal Delivery
News outlets report on a set of lawsuits that hinge on the difference between federal and state legal positions on abortion pills, challenging restrictive state laws limiting access to the drugs. Conversely, a third case from a conservative group is aimed at undoing the FDA’s approval of mifepristone itself.
FDA Official In Charge Of Food Safety Resigns
Frank Yiannas, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for the office of food policy and response, will step down next month. On the heels of the baby formula shortage, Yiannas in his resignation letter called for a new, “fully empowered” deputy commissioner for foods position, in order to avoid such future crises.
ACA Enrollment Hits Record High Of 16.3 Million Insured
HHS released final numbers Wednesday from the 2023 open enrollment period for the federal exchange. 3 million of those who signed up this year are new to Obamacare. A few state exchanges remain open until the end of the month.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Hawaiians’ Long Life Expectancy Tied To Low Rates For Smoking, Obesity
In addition, Hawaii was No. 1 in state health care system performance in 2022, according to a study from the Commonwealth Fund. Other news is from Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, California, and Georgia.
Experts Monitor Bird Flu Spread Amid Concerns It May Jump To Humans
Experts say the risk of any such jump of H5N1 from birds to humans is low, Axios notes. But the global spread of the illness, plus the fact it’s jumped to some other species, is raising concern. Meanwhile, a new study into rising sleep medication use highlights which groups are using the meds.
Data: Cassava Sciences Alzheimer’s Drug Only As Effective As Placebo
Stat says the experimental drug, called simufilam, has long been claimed to be capable of improving patients’ cognition. But a mid-stage study shows its results only compare with a placebo. Separately, the FDA denied marketing orders for two menthol vape products.
3 More Top Medical Schools Withdraw From US News Rankings
Following Harvard University, three more top-10 medical schools — at the University of Pennsylvania and at Columbia and Stanford universities — have now also withdrawn their data from the U.S. News list. Audits of Medicare Advantage insurers, clawbacks, and price transparency are also in the news.
CDC Revamp To Include A New Office For Public Health Data, Tech
The new office for data, surveillance, and technology, Bloomberg reports, is aimed at boosting monitoring for potential public health threats. Another new office, set to be part of a CDC shake-up, will tackle equity in health care. Meanwhile, the WHO criticizes U.S. plans for yearly covid shots.
