Latest KFF Health News Stories
Covid Cases Nearly Six Times Higher Than This Time Last Year
While many Americans enjoyed a more “normal” Memorial Day weekend, current official covid infection levels — which are likely an undercount — reinforce that the pandemic is far from over. News outlets report on regions of the country where cases are known to be ballooning or plateauing.
HHS Creates New Office To Tackle Environmental Inequities In Health
The Office of Environmental Justice will be part of the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity and will be headed by interim director Sharunda Buchanan, who used to work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specializing in environmental health issues like lead exposure. In other news, President Joe Biden has scheduled a meeting today with industry leaders on the infant formula shortage.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers tackle these covid and covid related issues.
Editorial writers examine pregnancy, baby formula and mental health.
US Homeless Deaths Spike Wasn’t From Covid: It Was Overdoses
A study into the sharp increase in deaths of unhoused people during the pandemic in the U.S. which found the main cause was surging drug overdoses. Meanwhile in Oklahoma, a medical cannabis regulator will track products from “seed to sale” to try to prevent abuse.
Organic Strawberries May Be Linked To Hepatitis A Outbreak: FDA
The Food and Drug Administration, plus other agencies, is investigating organic fresh strawberries as a source of a hepatitis A outbreak in the U.S. and Canada. Expanding the 9/11 health treatment list, a lower mortality risk for coffee drinkers, and other public health stories are also in the news.
AMA Opposes Plan To Mandate Doctors Learn About Opioid Abuse Disorder
Stat notes the position of the American Medical Association against a new bill to mandate training on opioid use disorder seems uncomfortably at odds with other moves by the same body to boost treatment. Also: burnout in emergency staff, a doctors’ alleged kickback scheme in Texas, and more.
Vaccines Lower Long Covid Risks, Chances Of Death: Study
A study of 13 million U.S. veterans reported by CIDRAP says that covid vaccines reduce risks from serious long covid side effects, compared to unvaccinated people. A report in Fortune, meanwhile, says that up to 23 million Americans (about 7% of the population) may have the condition.
In Studies, Symptom-Free Patients Didn’t Spread Covid As Easily
Compared to symptomatic infections, the rate of viral spread to contacts was about two-thirds lower, new research has found. Also: Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom has tested positive for covid; federal officials urge mask-wearing in Florida as cases there rise; and more.
WHO Says Monkeypox Outbreak Still Stoppable, Prepares For Bigger One
Media outlets cover the response from the World Health Organization to the ongoing and worsening global monkeypox outbreak, which has now affected around 200 people.
New Hampshire’s Anti-Abortion Bill Slightly Relaxed
The post-24-week ban on abortions in New Hampshire was modified Friday to include exceptions where the fetus has been found unable to survive, AP reports. And in Texas, the capital of Austin is pushing to effectively decriminalize abortion ahead of the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade.
GOP Focuses On Mental Health, But Few Shooters Have Diagnosed Illness
After mass shootings, gun rights advocates often argue that more mental health services are needed to stop the violence instead of controlling the guns. But an analysis by Bloomberg points out that research shows that only a small percentage of violent behavior is connected to mental illness. Also, a look at the deep scars survivors of these shootings carry, the burdens on parents, and how those touched by the overwhelming news of the day can cope.
Pandemic Drop In Breastfeeding Exacerbates Stress On Formula Supply
The Wall Street Journal reports on a pandemic-fueled decline in the number of babies being breastfed in the U.S., which has contributed to the national infant formula shortage. And NPR writes about how a lack of maternal support and aggressive marketing by formula makers has contributed to that trend.
Sens. Murphy And Cornyn Seek Framework For Modest Gun Bill
The senators head up an effort to find actions that would be able to get bipartisan support in Congress and help tame gun violence. It’s an effort that has fallen short in many previous attempts, and they likely have only a short time to strike a deal before the political momentum will change.
HHS: Higher Medicare Premiums Stay In Place This Year, Will Drop In 2023
Medicare’s highest-ever price increase in 2022 was driven by estimated costs for the controversial Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm. But even with severely limited coverage, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services determined that a mid-year premium adjustment is not operationally feasible. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra announced though that they would go down next year.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: More Research Needed On ALS; California’s CARE Court For Mentally Ill Has Too Many Flaws
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Different Takes: Both FDA And Abbott Failed To Protect US Babies; FDA Must Approve OTC Birth Control
Opinion writers tackle baby formula, reproductive rights, and covid.
North Korea’s Official 0.002% Covid Death Rate Met With Disbelief
AP reporting notes only 69 are said to have died among about 3.3 million people infected. Meanwhile, North Korea’s vaccine program is limited to only select groups of soldiers. Separately, the World Health Assembly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
