Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: Drug Prices Unaffordable For Many
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Covid Vaccine Boosted Pharma’s Trustworthiness
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Global Vax Efforts Slipping As Rich Countries Slow Cash Supply
Meanwhile, in China, reports say an ongoing covid outbreak is worsened by a lack of home-produced mRNA vaccines, and in Mexico, the government said that covid is now an endemic problem, rather than pandemic. Also: Tennis star Novak Djovovic can play at Wimbledon even though he’s unvaxxed.
Investigation Finds Health Risks Posed By Military Housing Provider
Balfour Beatty Communities, a Senate panel found, was responding inadequately to mold and other problems causing health risks in military housing. In other news, Maine may screen some newborns for the hearing-damaging cytomegalovirus, Bangor will repeal the first in-state flavored tobacco ban, and more.
Liver Damage May Be Caused By PFAS Exposure: Study
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances may be linked to liver damage and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease according to researchers, and around 200 million Americans may have PFAS in their drinking water. Separately, a new technology may be able to clean water of these substances.
Kansas Abortions Rise; Dems Worry Public Doesn’t Grasp Threat To Roe
The Kansas numbers show fewer people coming from Texas and Oklahoma in 2021 but more from Missouri. Meanwhile, Democratic pollsters, campaign operatives and candidates say the party needs to be more active to explain the stakes of an anticipated Supreme Court decision in June that could upend Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that made abortion legal across the country.
Tenet Healthcare Hit By Cyberhack
The cybersecurity incident affected Tenet last week, causing a temporary disruption to some services at the giant hospital chain. Also: Rite Aid must pay Humana $123 million for high drug price claims; another conviction in Mississippi’s pain cream fraud scheme; the antitrust suit against Sutter Health and more.
WHO Warns Of Social Media Health Misinformation Risks
The reminder, from the executive director of the health emergencies program, came in response to Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter. Meanwhile, a study links exposure to online misinformation to problems of vaccine hesitancy and refusal early in the pandemic.
Covid Catches Up To Vice President
Vice President Kamala Harris previously had a few close calls, including when her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, tested positive March 15. Harris, who says she has no symptoms and has taken Paxlovid, is not considered a close contact of President Joe Biden.
FDA Official Says Vaccines For Children Under 5 Waiting For Complete Data
Dr. Peter Marks, who oversees vaccine regulation for the F.D.A., was pressed by members of Congress about the delay but said, “We can’t actually finish our reviews until we actually have complete applications.” Moderna expects to file an application by the end of April, and Pfizer is expected to file its application in May.
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.
