Latest KFF Health News Stories
America’s Pandemic Phase Is Over: Fauci
With covid cases and hospitalizations down, and even though infections are still spreading, Dr. Anthony Fauci says that the U.S. has moved “out of the pandemic phase.” Fauci, speaking to PBS NewsHour, also said he wasn’t surprised that a majority of Americans have been infected with covid.
CDC: 58% Of Americans Have Had Covid, With Omicron Driving Up Infections
The CDC analysis of blood samples found that proportion to be even higher among kids, with 3 in 4 showing signs of previous covid infection. The study did not measure whether people had high enough antibody levels to guard against reinfection, so CDC officials continue to stress the importance of vaccinations.
‘No Net Benefit’: Daily Aspirin For Most Now Discouraged By Task Force
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released a report that finds little to no benefit for people without cardiovascular disease in preventing a heart attack or stroke. And there is an increased risk of bleeding. Based on the evidence, the panel’s new guidance says people 60 and up should not start taking daily low-dose aspirin.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Restricting Teletherapy To Within State Borders Is First Amendment Violation
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Different Takes: Worldwide Vaccination Efforts Need A Boost; Covid Testing Is Hurting Our Kids
Opinion writers examine these covid-related issues.
Adenovirus-Child Hepatitis Link Probed; Ebola Outbreak Is From New Source
Scientists expand their investigation into an outbreak of hepatitis in children in several countries, with evidence that adenovirus is playing a role. Meanwhile, in Congo genetic data show the new outbreak of Ebola is not linked to earlier ones, and may have come from a new animal source.
San Francisco Court Case Against Opioid Distributors Begins
The San Francisco Chronicle says the city “wants to hold the prescription drug industry responsible” for the opioid crisis, with companies like Walgreens allegedly trivializing the risk of long-term use to customers. Also: the military fuel leak in Hawaii, efforts to block Alabama’s anti-trans law, and more.
Maine, California Move To Boost Access To Abortions
A law in Maine aims to suppress harassment and physical blockades by protestors outside abortion clinics by establishing a public “medical safety zone” at the entrance. California is reportedly improving its abortion facilities, as other reports show the difficulties providers now face in Texas.
Blood Tests, Smart Pen Show Promise For Finding Alzheimer’s Early
USA Today has a report on breakthroughs in detecting Alzheimer’s disease using blood tests earlier or more simply than current more invasive, expensive techniques. The Times, meanwhile, reports on a different technology: Using a smart pen to study a patient’s subtle movements to spot Alzheimer’s.
Rising Costs Straining US Hospitals As Pandemic Continues
A report in Bloomberg covers how pandemic-era rises in labor costs, plus prices of drugs and supplies mean some hospitals are having difficulty absorbing the costs. A hack of a North Dakota health care billing company, an emergency mental health system in Detroit, and more are also in the news.
Unvaxxed People Threaten Safety Of Vaccinated People, Study Confirms
The peer-reviewed study from the University of Toronto counters the popular narrative that vaccination is purely a matter of choice, Forbes reports. In other news, Arizona outlaws certain vaccine and mask mandates, and a California judge says prison workers don’t need to be vaccinated against covid.
If The Pandemic Put You In The ICU, Data Say Your Family Likely Got PTSD
Media outlets report on a study showing it’s likely that families will report symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in the months following a member’s ICU treatment — with rates twice that found before the pandemic. Lack of access to patients in lockdowns is blamed.
As Once-Unthinkable Death Toll Nears, Our Brains Literally Cannot Fathom It
The number of Americans who have died from SARS-CoV-2 reached 991,254 on Monday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The Philadelphia Inquirer explains why the human brain just isn’t built to comprehend such large numbers.
2020 Was Awful Year For Teen Suicide
A new study out of Boston compared the number of suicides among children and teens ages 10 to 19 to the average from 2015 to 2019, then analyzed the totals in relation to suicides across all age groups. The results showed that adolescents accounted for a larger share of all suicides in 2020 than they did during the five previous years, NBC and other media reported.
Rare Respiratory Cancers Added To VA’s List Of Illnesses Linked To Burn Pits
The move qualifies more veterans for disability services and compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The agency says it will fast-track filed claims for former service members with health conditions connected to toxic burn pits — which now adds 9 respiratory cancers to the previous list of asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis.
Judge Temporarily Stops Biden From Lifting Border Health Order
The Biden administration’s plan to end the public health rule, known as Title 42, has been blocked by a federal judge who granted requests from Missouri, Louisiana and Arizona. It’s estimated that thousands of migrants have been expelled at the Southern border since the pandemic order was imposed during the Trump administration.
White House Pushes To Make Covid Drug Paxlovid More Accessible
The Biden administration announced a new plan to make Pfizer’s covid treatment more widely available through pharmacies and to educate providers. The antiviral is authorized for high-risk patients who test positive for covid and has been found to decrease hospitalization risk by 90%.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers examine these covid related issues.
