Latest KFF Health News Stories
Omicron BA.2 On The Rise: Symptoms To Look Out For, Precautions To Take
As this subvariant dominates new covid infections in many parts of the country, doctors give anecdotal reports on the way this version is presenting. And state newspapers provide updates on regional transmission indicators.
Omicron Covid Hit Young People Worse, Vaxxed Or Not
Reports in The New York Times and Bloomberg show vaccines offered reduced protection for adolescents during the omicron surge, and that unvaccinated children also experienced more severe omicron infections and deaths than for previous waves. Low U.S. rates for vaccinated kids are also in the news.
Ivermectin Fails To Guard People With Covid From Hospitalization: Study
Researchers in a large clinical study based in Brazil also found that the anti-parasitic ivermectin provided no benefit in other health measures like viral clearance after a week, speed of recovery or risk of death. The researchers ruled the drug out as an effective covid treatment.
Covid Aid Package Shrinking As Senators Seek A Deal
Down from a proposed $15.6 billion, senators are now considering $10 billion in funding to keep federal government covid response efforts afloat. With a two-week congressional break approaching, the White House presses lawmakers on the importance of approving the money before leaving town.
Biden Gets Boosted Again With Fourth Shots Now Open To Older Americans
Following up on his September covid vaccine booster, President Joe Biden got his second booster dose during an on-camera event Wednesday. In other news reports, public health experts provide timing advice to people 50 and up who may be weighing an additional shot.
Biden Might Soon End Trump-Era Public Health Policy On Immigration
Pandemic restrictions have largely blocked migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border from entering the country. According to CNN and US Customs and Border Protection data, 1.7 million migrants have been sent back to Mexico or their origin country since March 2020.
CDC Launches COVID.gov To Help Americans Access Antivirals, Tests, Shots
The new federal website bills itself as a one-stop toolkit to find covid vaccines, treatments and testing and to look up CDC community level data.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Doctors Deserve Mental Health Care Without Judgment; Do Ovarian Stem Cells Exist?
Editorial writers tackle physician mental health, ovarian stem cells and gender affirming care.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Different Takes: Virus Causes More Problems Than Just Long Covid; Who Should Get The Second Booster?
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid related issues.
Wholesale Pharmaceutical Prices Fall, Adding To Hot Debate Over Drug Costs
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Worries Grow About A Looming Global Food Crisis
The head of the U.N.’s World Food Program and the president of the African Development Bank warn that supply chain disruptions from the Russian invasion of Ukraine could have dire effects on food supplies.
Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico Have The Most-Stressed Populations
A study by personal finance site WalletHub measured 41 key stress indicators, leading to a list of where people experience the most and least stress. In other news, Florida’s governor signed a law for schools to create “individualized” plans for students with epilepsy.
States Move To Fix Gaps In Medical Insurance Coverage For Ride-Shares
Stateline covers a complexity in legal coverage for ride-share passengers who are injured during incidents. Meanwhile, researchers have found that eating avocados can dramatically reduce the risk of heart attacks in both men and women when the avocados replace some other foods.
Rising Temperatures Are Making Pollen Season Longer, Worse
The Washington Post reports on how pollen season is getting worse and longer, which impacts the health of people with allergies or asthma. Meanwhile, the Houston Chronicle reports on how people switching to using electric vehicles could lead to fewer asthma cases.
UnitedHealth Buying In-Home Health Provider LHC For $5.4 Billion
The deal by Optum — UnitedHealth’s health-services arm — is to purchase LHC Group, one of the largest home-health companies. Fraud in California’s hospice industry, a $5 million fine for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Black-owned health care centers in Indianapolis and more are also in the news.
Ky. Lawmakers Send Governor Bill With New Abortion Restrictions
The bill would ban abortions after 15 weeks and require women seeking medical abortions to see a physician in person. Meanwhile, in Maryland where Democrats control the Statehouse, lawmakers voted to expand access to abortion.
Covid Striking Black Communities Worse
News outlets cover reports on how the pandemic is impacting Black Americans on an ongoing basis with high hospitalization rates, and how Black cancer patients were significantly more likely than white peers to have severe outcomes regardless of other factors.
21 States Sue To End Federal Mask Rules For Public Transit
The transportation mandate is in effect until April 18, but federal officials have indicated they are weighing scaling back the rules for a more targeted approach.
