Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
WHO Raises Concerns Over Health Care In Ukraine
Separately, the World Health Organization has warned that an obesity “epidemic” is hitting Europe, with nearly 60% of adults either overweight or obese. India’s 2020 death data, Beijing closing 10% of subways to control covid and zero covid deaths in Vietnam.
5 Massachusetts Nursing Homes Fined
The state levied $250,000 in fines against five nursing homes citing grim details of neglect. Other articles from across the country.
Medication Is Now Leading Type Of Abortion Care; Drug Combination May Treat Diabetes And Obesity
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Fatal Opioid Overdoses Rising Among Native Americans
In other news, shortages of Naloxone are predicted and more details emerge about the outbreak of hepatitis among children.
Study: Most Children Who Transition Gender Identity Stick With It
Essentially the study, which looked at 317 young people aged 3 to 12 years old over a five year period, found that gender identities developed at a young age tend to “stick” — 94% of the youngsters still identified with their new gender five years later. The report sharply contradicts recent political rhetoric, and new laws around gender health care for young trans people.
The company also said it would give up nearly all its marketing of Aduhelm, its Alzheimer’s drug. In other news, the Gates Foundation expects Melinda Gates to remain with the organization and two large healthcare-focused real-estate investment trusts plan to merge.
Scientists: Covid Can Cause IQ Drop, Worsen Asthma In Children
In separate reports, scientists looking into the virus behind the covid pandemic have discovered an infection can worsen asthma in children, that a severe infection can drop a person’s IQ by 20 points, and that infections during pregnancy are linked to worse maternal health outcomes.
Despite Concerns For Roe, Sinema’s Defense Of Filibuster Stays Firm
Some abortion supporters are calling for the Senate to throw out the rule that requires 60 votes to stop a filibuster so that Democrats can pass legislation to guarantee abortion rights through legislation. But Sen. Kyrsten Sinema says in a statement that the filibuster has been an important tool to help protect the rights of women. Also on Capitol Hill, Republicans are setting a new plan for drug pricing.
FDA: Annual Covid Shots Expected
Top Food and Drug Administration officials said they expect annual covid shots will be necessary. In other news about covid, Pfizer offers advice to patients who used its Paxlovid and had relapses, and the new BA.4 and BA.5 variants appear to be reinfecting covid survivors.
Swift, Fiery Reaction On Display In Demonstrations, Global Attention
Protests erupted across the nation after the Supreme Court leak, including outside the court itself. The news also echoed around the world, spurring alarm and criticism. In Canada, the prime minister went as far as emphasizing the rights of Canadian woman to choose.
Poor, Minorities, People With Higher-Risk Pregnancies Imperiled In Post-Roe World
Media outlets look at the maternal health impacts of overturning of Roe v. Wade, highlighting that minority women have the most to lose, that more births will occur in a nation where pregnancy itself is getting riskier, and that the costs associated with abortions will rise.
Contraception, Other Privacy Issues At Risk, Legal Experts Warn
The privacy language framed in the Supreme Court draft abortion opinion raised red flags for lawyers and Democratic lawmakers, who warn that the same arguments could be used to roll back access to birth control, gay marriage and other such protections.
Jumble Of State Abortion Laws About To Get Even More Complicated
Existing state abortion laws are already a conflicting patchwork of restrictions and protections. That’s about to get worse as lawmakers vow to take further actions on surgical and medication abortions. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s governor signs a 6-week ban into law.
Biden, Democrats Condemn ‘Radical’ Supreme Court Abortion Draft Opinion
Fallout in the nation’s capital was swift to news that the Supreme Court is poised to strike down Roe v. Wade. Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the authenticity of the draft opinion and launched an investigation into how it was leaked. President Joe Biden and Democratic lawmakers blasted the majority decision, while Republicans’ reaction was more muted. The future of legislative action is unclear though, especially with the upcoming midterm elections.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine these public health topics.
Different Takes: Can The CDC Regain Public Trust?; Covid Is Still A Pandemic For Young Kids
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
Denmark To Destroy A Million Unused, Expiring Covid Shots
Danish health officials said Monday that efforts to donate the unused shots — around 81% of Danes have had two shots already — had failed. Meanwhile, in South Africa a surge of covid cases is worrying experts who suggest the pattern may be repeated in the U.S. soon.
