Latest KFF Health News Stories
Different Takes: Can 13th Amendment Protect Abortion Rights?; Overturning Roe May Criminalize IVF
Opinion writers weigh in on the consequences of losing abortion rights, monkeypox and covid vaccines for kids.
Research Roundup: Cancer; Covid; Croup
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Over 2 Billion Faced Moderate Or Severe Hunger In 2021, UN Says
Around 2.3 billion people were moderately or severely hungry, says the United Nations, and it’s also concerned that the invasion of Ukraine has sparked further famine. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is saying that Europe is in the middle of a new covid surge due to summertime activities.
Truth Prevails: Study Links Lying Less To Better Health
Notre Dame researchers found that lying less leads to better mental and physical health. Separately, a shocking story reported in the New York Times details children dying by choking and a lawsuit against TikTok that claims those choking deaths came after viewing a challenge on the social media platform.
In Uncommon But Significant Move, NC Budget Defines Treatment For Opioid Disorder
The move on funding is set to change how people with addiction get treatment, says North Carolina Health News. Meanwhile, a small, rural Florida county saw nine deaths from fentanyl overdoses over the July 4 weekend, just shy of the entire number of such deaths in 2021.
State Blocks Plan To Close Connecticut Maternity Ward
The maternity ward at Windham Hospital had been scheduled for permanent closure, but the state Office of Health Strategy denied the application. In Medicaid news, St. Anthony Hospital is allowed to sue Illinois over delayed payments. Also: “phantom” doctors, the Epic-Tata lawsuit and more.
FDA Plans Continued Support For Overseas Baby Formula Imports
The Wall Street Journal reports long-term imports are going to be supported by federal health regulators even after the current shortage is solved. The court battle between Juul and the Food and Drug Administration, AbbVie’s tax situation, the pig-heart transplant and more are also in the news.
Mental Preparation Is Key To Surviving Gun Violence, Experts Say
No matter where you go, safety experts say, you should have an escape route mapped out in your head. As Americans wrestle with the reality that nowhere is safe, authorities investigate how the alleged Illinois shooter was able to buy a rifle despite his troubled mental health background.
4 Covid Jabs Protect Against Omicron; BA.4, BA.5 Strains Can Evade 3 Doses
Researchers studying the highly contagious strains also tested the ability of 19 monoclonal antibody treatments to neutralize them and found that only one of the available treatments remained highly effective against both BA.2.12.1 and BA.4 and BA.5, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Glitch Hits New York Monkeypox Vaccine Program
Meanwhile, in Hawaii, health officials are distributing monkeypox shots to close contacts of people who’ve contracted the virus. Media outlets report on the rising number of cases across the country, and the world. A report in NBC News covers one man’s painful experience with the illness.
FDA Says State-Licensed Pharmacists Can Prescribe Paxlovid
The Food and Drug Administration’s Wednesday statement specified certain limitations to make sure the treatment is appropriate. Stat reports on how doctors were “clamoring” for clarity on prescribing guidelines for the drug, used for treating high-risk covid patients. Separately, a study found a cancer drug can cut the risk of covid death.
Republicans Mull Federal Abortion Restrictions Ahead Of Midterms
In anticipation of retaking the majority in November, House Republicans are internally discussing whether to pursue a national-level abortion ban or to leave restrictions to the states.
Last Day For The Mississippi Clinic At Center Of Supreme Court Case
Jackson Women’s Health Organization shuttered Wednesday. News outlets cover other providers’ plans following the dismantling of Roe v. Wade.
North Carolina, Colorado Governors Issue Orders To Protect Abortion Access
The executive orders signed by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, take steps to stop state officials from helping in other states’ prosecutions of abortion providers or patients seeking legal reproductive health care services.
Louisiana Supreme Court Maintains Hold On Abortion Ban For Now
The high court said the case should first go through district and appellate courts. In Kentucky, two abortion clinics head to court to try to block that state’s near-total ban.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: We’re Ready For Monkeypox Thanks To Vaccines; Constitution Must Protect Health Care
Opinion writers weigh in on monkeypox and abortion issues.
Perspectives: States Can’t Ban Mailing Of FDA-Approved Drugs; Kansans Struggle To Afford Medications
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Postmortem Finds Former NFL Player Demaryius Thomas Suffered CTE
The player’s family announced the news Tuesday. Thomas was found dead at his Georgia home in December. The pandemic’s toll on the behavior and emotional development of students, black children dying by suicide, a 7-year-old saving a classmate’s life with the Heimlich maneuver and more are also in the news.
