Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: February 28, 2022
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Florida Abortion Ban Has No Exceptions; Alzheimer’s Research Must Diversify
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Longer Look: Interesting Reads (And Listens) You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds stories worth your time reading or listening to over the weekend. This week’s selections include stories on a post-‘Roe’ world, home health care, the Olympics, military base pollution, mono, and more.
Different Takes: Covid Made Anti-Vax Movement Worse; Tackling Exorbitant Prescription Drug Costs
Opinion writers examine some unexpected consequences of the pandemic, as well as prescription cost issues.
Canada To Accept Rapid Covid Tests At Border For The Fully-Vaxxed
Meanwhile in England all covid restrictions were dropped, including requirements for covid-positive people to isolate at home. The Queen is still reportedly experiencing mild covid symptoms. And in mainland China, covid’s grip hasn’t loosened — the highest number of daily cases were reported in nearly two years.
Maine To Spend $9 Million On Mental Health, Substance Disorder Support
West Virginia, meanwhile, is getting over $1.2 in federal funds to tackle HIV prevention. Also in West Virginia, a baby was reportedly the first case to be sickened after ingesting recalled formula. Homelessness, legal health issues, organ donation and more are also in the news.
Health Care Costs: ‘The Big Honking Problem’
The amount of money that the insured pay, either by themselves or through their employer’s health insurance, continues to grow, but there is little agreement about what to do about it, says an Axios report.
Owning Medical Offices Becomes A Bigger Business
An owner of medical office buildings is merging with another to create a $10 billion company. In other health care industry news, a digital mental health start up gets funding and a spinout of a gene-therapy company looks troubled.
Covid Linked To Poor Pregnancy Outcomes
Covid infections could lead to more pre-labor caesarean births, very early pre-term births and stillborn births according to research in the U.K. In South Africa, a study carried out before omicron covid hit found 80% of people over 50 had antibodies indicating previous covid infections.
Covid Left At Least 5.2 Million Children Without A Parent Or Guardian
A study published in The Lancet tallies the extraordinary number of children who’ve lost key adult figures so far during the pandemic, with authors noting the count is probably a big underestimation due to official case undercounts. A new drug against heart failure, IV vitamin infusions and avian flu are also in the news.
DOJ Sues To Block UnitedHealth’s Giant Acquisition
The Department of Justice’s antitrust lawyers filed a suit to block UnitedHealth Group’s $13 billion purchase of Change Healthcare, a claims processing technology company. In other news from Washington, the Treasury Department said 80% of pandemic renters’ aid went to low-income households. And a federal judge bars Martin Shkreli, the “pharma bro,” from running any publicly traded company.
54% Of US Abortions Happen By Pill, Not Surgery
The AP and the New York Times report on new data showing the figure has risen from 44% in 2019, and note pill-based abortions are less expensive and obviously less invasive. In Arizona, a Republican helped to defeat an abortion pill ban. And Texas’ strict anti-abortion law is again in the news.
Vaccine Skeptics Garner More Attention Than Credible News
A new study claims that just two sources of anti-vaccination disinformation drew larger audiences on Twitter and Facebook than some news organizations. And in other news about vaccines, Canada approves a plant-based covid vaccine.
But has behavior changed and will many people still wear masks to protect themselves and others?
CDC Loosens Mask Guidance For Most People In Dramatic Shift
Under new guidance released by the Biden administration Friday, about 70% of the American population could consider skipping masks in indoor public settings. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky emphasized that the covid situation could shift again but that “we want to give people a break from things like mask wearing when our levels are low, and then have the ability to reach for them again should things get worse in the future.”
First Edition: February 25, 2022
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: Cancer; ALS; Dementia; Childhood Obesity
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Climate Change Is Making People Ill; Makena Should Be Pulled From Market
Editorial pages tackle these public health issues, and a look back at the contributions of Dr. Paul Farmer.
Different Takes: Should Schools Be Unmasking?; Examining Covid’s Effects On Our Mental Health
Opinion writers weigh in on covid, mask mandates and how the pandemic has affected our mental health.
Covid Hitting Once Virus-Free New Zealand
Protests against covid restrictions intensify in New Zealand, even as new cases surge across the country. Meanwhile, in the U.K. studies show that most pregnant women are avoiding getting covid shots, even though the vaccines are known to be safe for both mother and child.
