Latest KFF Health News Stories
Alopecia Gets Time In Spotlight After Oscars Controversy
Though much of the media coverage of the Oscars controversy, that centered around Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss, missed a prime opportunity to educate people about the medical condition alopecia. The AP reports that it affects about 2% of the U.S. population.
Mothers With Female Partners Face Greater Childbirth, Postpartum Risks: Study
Stanford University researchers discover health disparities and higher risks for new moms with partners who also identified as mothers than those whose partners identify as fathers. Other reproductive health news reports on home births, abortion, and more.
Experimental ALS Drug Gets Negative Review From FDA
Patients have been advocating for regulators to approve the drug from Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, but the Food and Drug Administration has issued a negative review, skeptical of its prospective benefits. Stat notes the FDA did mention “regulatory flexibility” when it comes to drug approval, however.
Health Spending Expected To Level Off For Decade After Pandemic Highs
Axios and The Wall Street Journal report on new expectations for U.S. health care spending after covid prompted soaring figures. For the rest of the decade, spending is likely to level out, only growing at inflationary rates. Meanwhile, reports say hospitals remain at an operating loss after omicron.
Anti-Mandate Trucker Convoy Says It’s Leaving DC For California
After three weeks in the District and surrounding areas, the protesters say they will head to the Golden State to protest bills coming up for votes soon. Meanwhile in Idaho, Republican Gov. Brad Little vetoed legislation that would make it illegal for most businesses to require the covid vaccine.
US Starts Vaccinating Migrants Seeking Asylum At Southwest Border
The Department of Homeland Security announced Monday that it has begun to give covid vaccines to people seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. Migrants who refuse the shot will be placed in removal proceedings.
Study Shows Early US Contact Tracing Stopped Covid Infections
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention model seems to show that up to 1.36 million U.S. covid cases were averted by contact-tracing efforts over a 60-day period during winter in 2020-21. Separately, as the overall U.S. death count sadly continues to grow, the rate has dramatically slowed.
Pandemic Response Feels The Pinch As Aid Funds Start To Dry Up
News outlets report on the initial testing and treatment fallout on medical providers and uninsured patients. Other areas of the U.S. pandemic response are also expected to be impacted soon by financial shortages.
HHS Budget Gets 27% Boost In Biden’s Proposed Blueprint
President Joe Biden’s fiscal 2023 budget proposal was released Monday. It recommends investments around pandemic preparedness, public health infrastructure, mental health care, and more health-related measures.
Walmart To Cease Cigarette Sales In Some Of Its Stores
Anonymous sources tell The Wall Street Journal that retail stores in California, Florida, Arkansas and New Mexico are on the list.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers examine these covid and vaccine issues.
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Invasion, Supply Disruptions Mean Ukraine Facing Public Health Disaster
Media outlets cover impacts of the invasion of Ukraine, including disruption of supplies of vital medications and a destabilization of covid controls. Separately, first lady Jill Biden visited Ukrainian refugee kids suffering from cancer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Georgia Bill Aims To Reduce Harm From Surgical Smoke
At issue is smoke as a byproduct of thermal destruction of tissue, which may pose health risks for people present during surgery. Separately, a bill to improve access to mental health, which had been moving through the Georgia legislature, faces sudden opposition.
Taking Antibiotics Midlife May Slightly Hit Cognitive Scores Later: Study
A new study, which looked at women who reported at least 2 months of antibiotic exposure in their mid-50s showed lower mean scores on a standard cognitive assessment 7 years later. Meanwhile, ten lots of three oral drugs shipped to hospitals, nursing home, and clinics nationwide have been recalled.
Study Shows Pain Perception Can Be Reduced By Nostalgia
During a study about feelings of pain, researchers have found that feelings of nostalgia can actually lead to weaker pain sensations. Meanwhile a report in Bangor Daily News says no one knows exactly how much chemical pollution from “forever” chemicals is found in Maine rivers.
Former ICU Nurse Found Guilty Of Homicide In Drug Error
News outlets report on the conviction of former Tennessee nurse RaDonda Vaught for criminally negligent homicide — a case that has gripped the health care industry. Addiction recovery workers in Oregon, the North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, a record-breaking 911 operator in Cobb County, and more are also in the news.
Families Fighting For Justice Long After Covid Deaths In Nursing Homes
USA Today describes how many lawsuits have slowed to a crawl as nursing homes have sought court deadline extensions, filed appeals, petitioned to change courts, or sought legal protections from states to shield their liability from the covid-19 pandemic.
Long Covid Symptoms Might Depend On Which Variant You Had, Study Finds
Researchers found when the alpha variant was the dominant strain, the prevalence of muscle aches and pain, insomnia, brain fog and anxiety/depression significantly increased, but the loss of smell, dysgeusia (a distorted sense of taste), and impaired hearing were less common, Fox News reported.
