Latest KFF Health News Stories
Black People Mostly Left Out Of Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials
A Bloomberg report says that only 2% of patients included in Alzheimer’s drug trials reported in the past decade were Black, despite Black people being more likely to develop the disease. Also: layoffs in Boston’s biotech hub and students trying out robotic surgery in Utah.
Ohio Judge Temporarily Blocks Restrictive Abortion Law
The law would likely shut down surgical abortion clinics in southwestern Ohio, and the judge’s order gives them until mid-June to meet new requirements under the law. In Texas, former State Sen. Wendy Davis has filed a suit challenging the state’s strict abortion law that bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
Brain Tumor Cluster in NJ Investigated
So far, the city of Woodbridge, New Jersey, is taking the lead in the investigation, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for testing at a school that graduated roughly 15,000 people over the last 30 years. About 100 people who attended the school reportedly have been diagnosed with brain tumors. In other news, a record number of Americans have died of drug overdoses, and a strange story of a man who inhaled a dentist’s drill bit during a procedure.
Shingles Developing After Some Mild Covid Cases
A research paper says that people over 50 who had mild cases of covid are more likely to develop shingles within six months. More on other studies involving covid.
See Your Entire Face ‘Real Soon’: Disney Dumps Mask Mandates
Meanwhile, a Stateline report notes parents are concerned that optional masking at school and elsewhere is problematic for high-risk or immunocompromised children.
A Variant Of A Variant Of A Variant Spreading In the US
Yet another covid variant, BA.2.12.1, accounts for about 20% of new cases in the United States. It is spreading fast.
Scientists Stress That Masks Still Work Against Covid
Though the federal transportation masking requirement was tossed out by a Florida judge, health experts note it’s still advisable to wear masks on aircraft and in other places depending on the risks — because masks do reduce your chances of inhaling virus-carrying particles.
Immunocompromised, Some Parents Of Small Kids Dismayed As Rules Lifted
While many people cheered the lifting of the masking requirement for public transportation, others are fearful that the lax rules now could lead to more cases of covid infections. Those who face higher risks say they are especially nervous.
Decision On Legal Appeal Of Travel Mask Mandate Left To CDC
The Justice Department announced that it is prepared to challenge a federal district judge’s ruling that struck down the federal mask requirement on most public transit if the CDC deems it necessary in the interest of public health.
CDC Creates A Forecasting Center
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it will be like the National Weather Service for infectious diseases, supplying data to help government officials make better decisions.
Moderna Encouraged By Test Results Of Redesigned Covid Vaccine
The modified version — a so-called bivalent mRNA covid vaccine — provides strong protection against variants in clinical trials, Moderna reports. Some experts, though, say the results are not as impressive as the drugmaker characterizes, or that it’s unknown what other factors are at play.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: How Should Doctors Help Chronic Pain Patients?; Fentanyl Is Killing Our Teens
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
J&J-Janssen Opioid Settlement Sends $99 Million To West Virginia
Janssen, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, has settled with West Virginia over its role in the opioid crisis. In other news, a jury is deadlocked over the murder trial of William Husel — an Ohio doctor accused of overprescribing fentanyl — and will continue its deliberations.
Opinion writers examine these covid related issues.
FEMA Distributed $2 Billion For Covid Funerals
The federal government spent $2 billion in covid funeral assistance awards, some of it ineligibly. In other news, President Biden is convening a global covid summit in May to discuss funding and coordination.
CDC Moves Down All Countries From Its Highest Covid Risk Rank
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now designates its highest-risk “level 4” category as “Special Circumstances/Do Not Travel”, and it’s empty; 120 nations are now in level 3, “high” risk. Meanwhile, in Shanghai authorities reported another 7 deaths as an omicron outbreak continues.
Fentanyl Made Teen Overdose Rates Double Over 2 Years
A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that teen drug use over the last decade stayed level but that fentanyl in the supply chain is killing twice as many teens. Other reports say the crackdown on prescribing opioids has pushed people to use illegal drug markets.
Trial Data Behind Alzheimer’s Drug Simufilam Questioned
A report in the New York Times says the efficacy of an Alzheimer’s drug from Cassava Sciences is questioned by experts due to potential issues with some of its clinical trials. Axios and Stat report on hospital cancer drug markups. The risks of mixing viagra and nitrates, and more are also in the news.
Study Says Doctors Overlook Some Benefits Of E-Cigarettes
A study says most doctors falsely believe all tobacco products are equally harmful, which makes them overlook benefits like recommending switching to less damaging products. The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute. In other health industry news, thousands of Sutter Health employees staged a one-day strike, and Stanford Health staff are also planning one.
