Latest KFF Health News Stories
Warnings Over Falling Accuracy Of Health Care Algorithms
An investigation by Stat and MIT reports that the accuracy of some popular health care algorithms can drift over time, potentially impacting patient care including warnings of impending medical crises. Separately, a science advisory panel called for the overhaul of the U.S. organ transplant system.
Safety Concerns Stop Trial Of RSV Vaccine In Pregnant Women
Enrollment and vaccinations have been halted, drug maker GSK said, but it didn’t clarify reasons why. In other news, researchers found almost no risk of hearing loss after covid vaccination, and data from another study suggests that diabetes diagnoses relating to covid may be a temporary problem.
Australian Study Finds CTE In Over Half Of Deceased Athletes’ Brains
Evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which can affect mental health, was found by the Australian Sports Brain Bank. Separately, a post-mortem of former Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan found he had Stage 1 CTE. Personal space, college mental health, and more are also in the news.
Landmark $26 Billion Opioid Deal Finalized With J&J, Distributors
After three years of negotiations, Johnson & Johnson and pharmaceutical wholesalers AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson agree to the payout that will settle around 3,000 lawsuits with many states and local governments. They also accept limits on how they market and distribute addictive pain pills.
Experts Watch Flu Trends For Remainder Of This Season And Next
Flu activity is on the rise in some parts of the U.S., according to CDC tracking. Separately, WHO advisers look ahead to next season’s likely strains that should be included in the vaccine.
With Testing Demands Down, Half Of Free Government Kits Go Unclaimed
In other pandemic response news, some Democratic lawmakers and advocacy group say the White House must increase its funding request. And news outlets look ahead to President Joe Biden’s Tuesday night State of the Union address.
Covid Vaccination Uptake Receding With Omicron
Demand for vaccinations and booster shots is dipping to its lowest levels, even among vulnerable groups. Meanwhile, new research points to the Wuhan animal markets as the origin of the novel coronavirus.
More States Loosening Mask, Vaccine Rules
In the wake of revised recommendations from the CDC, New York City, California and Illinois drop some covid-related requirements. And other states and cities are in the process of considering changes.
New CDC Guidelines Mean Most Americans Can Go Maskless In Public
Under new metrics 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 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.
