Latest KFF Health News Stories
Covid Was Third Leading Cause Of US Deaths For A Second Year
Heart disease, cancer and covid made up the top three killers in 2021, according to a CDC report. With some people not getting vaccinated and the emergence of the delta variant, covid was cited as the underlying cause of more than 415,000 American deaths.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Maryland Closer To Heath Care Equity; Tennessee Expands Coverage For Postpartum Women
Editorial writers examine these health care and pregnancy issues.
Different Takes: It’s Still Too Hard To Get Covid Meds; Ideas For Maskless Covid Prevention
Opinion writers discuss these covid related issues.
Puerto Ricans Cannot Claim SSI Disability Benefits: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court issued a ruling denying access to disability benefits to residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Meanwhile, in news from other countries, covid cases declined last week.
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 loneliness, PTSD, “magic mushrooms,” scuba diving with disabilities, and more.
Vermonters Exposed To Toxic Substances Can Sue For Medical Expenses
The bill, signed by Governor Phil Scott, a Republican, allows victims exposed to toxic substances to sue the facility where it happened. Meanwhile, in Maine a person has died from the rare Powassan virus after a tick bite and in Wisconsin norovirus spreads after a prom.
VA Closes Medical Facility In Montana Over Safety Issues
The Veterans long-term care center in Miles City, Montana, temporarily closed following a Department of Veterans Affairs investigation into a self-report of patient safety issues. Residents must be relocated.
Covid Helped Drive US Pharmaceuticals Spending Up 12% In 2021
A study shows the cost of covid vaccines and therapies played a part in a large rise in spending on pharmaceuticals in 2021. Separately, a report dives into what Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican, wrongly tried to blame for the rise in insulin costs. Other news covers marijuana issues across the states.
Covid Testing Company Faked Results
A Los Angeles covid-testing company, Sameday Technologies, accused of faking results has agreed to pay $20 million in a settlement. Dr. Jeff Toll, who was accused of teaming with the company, agreed to pay nearly $4 million to resolve allegations of insurance fraud. In other covid news, some patients reports covid symptoms return after using Paxlovid, and unionized nursing homes had fewer covid fatalities.
Philadelphia Rescinds Mask Mandate After Just Days
The mandate, which came under intense criticism from businesses and residents, had required people to wear masks at all indoor public settings. Meanwhile, Boston and other cities are also urging residents to continue to wear masks even without mandates.
Kentucky Abortion Law Blocked, Temporarily
U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings paused Kentucky’s strict abortion law in response to a restraining order request from the state’s abortion providers. In Tennessee, a law that would tightly regulate medication abortion advances.
Study: Over 18,000 Cancer Samples Gene-Sequenced To Help Treatments
A report in AP notes that “no one has ever done so many” cancer sample genetic blueprints, and the hope is to track down new mutations that could point to future treatments. Also: A potential breakthrough in early detection of multiple myeloma.
Leading Cause of Child and Teen Deaths: Guns
For the first time, guns killed more people ages 1 to 19 in the U.S. than vehicle crashes, drugs overdoses or cancer. And a spate of articles on the epidemic of teen gun violence and suicide.
Army Expands Pregnancy Leave Policies
Also: a cluster of suicides among crew of a drydocked aircraft carrier.
White House Releases Strategy To Tackle Record Overdoses
President Joe Biden’s plan emphasizes harm reduction, urging states and local agencies to take steps to prevent deaths and illness while helping drug users to get treatment. Improving access to clean needles, fentanyl test strips and naloxone are examples.
Vaccination Rates For Kindergarten Students Fall During Pandemic
Vaccine coverage levels for diseases such as measles fell below the target of 95%, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Causes include people cutting back on medical appointments during the height of the pandemic and a spillover of covid vaccine hesitancy into attitudes toward routine immunizations.
CDC Alert Warns Of Puzzling Hepatitis Cluster In Young Kids
The CDC issued a nationwide health alert Thursday over 9 cases among kids ages 1 to 6 that the agency are investigating with the Alabama Department of Public Health, telling doctors to be on the look out for others. North Carolina reports that it may have two more. There have also been cases in the U.K., Europe and Israel.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
