Latest KFF Health News Stories
Different Takes: Walmart’s Secret To Persuading The Vaccine-Hesitant; The Future With Omicron
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine issues.
All Incoming Flights From US, UK, 6 More Nations Barred By Hong Kong
Incoming flights from Canada, Australia, France, India, Pakistan and the Philippines are also banned under Hong Kong’s “zero covid” restrictions. In Europe, the daily case rate hit a million for the first time, with France alone hitting nearly a third of a million cases Wednesday.
Federal Appeals Court To Hear Case Against Texas Abortion Law Again
The case centers on whether state medical licensing officials can discipline medical personnel for performing abortions after the six-week limit. In other news, contradictory state laws aimed at halting drug overdoses, mental health care after Kentucky’s tornado, National Guard suicides and more.
Research Roundup: Covid; Hospital Infections; Vitamin D; And More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
EPA Expands Dangerous Air Pollutant List For First Time In Over 30 Years
The addition is 1-bromopropane, a dry-cleaning chemical suspected to cause nerve damage and cancer. Also: algorithmic overtreatment for Black heart patients, the “Disney Stress Test”, parental quality time with kids, extra food benefits in Texas and questions over end-of-life planning.
Preeclampsia Discovery Raises Hopes For Future Blood Test
Researchers have shown RNA molecules from a pregnant person’s blood could predict the dangerous condition months before symptoms appear. Separately, hedgehogs have been found to be a source of drug-resistant bacteria, rocking conventional ideas about the risky infections.
Study: If A Male Surgeon Operates On Them, Women Risk Worse Outcomes
The higher risk of an adverse outcome was discovered by a study of over 1.3 million patients in Canada. Nursing homes in Massachusetts are at a “tipping point” from staff shortages, and a Modern Healthcare report warns tensions between medical employers and staff will stay high this year.
Medicaid Expansion Question Makes South Dakota’s November Ballot
South Dakota voters will decide in November whether the state should become the 39th to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, a move that would provide coverage to 42,000 low-income residents.
Chicago Schools Shut For Second Day; White House Argues They’re Safe
A tussle between a teachers union in Chicago and Mayor Lori Lightfoot has continued, with in-person teaching vetoed by the union for the second day over covid safety rules. The battle reached the White House, with press secretary Jen Psaki telling reporters schools can open safely.
To Protect Patients Mayo Clinic Fires 1% Of Its Staff: The Vax-Refusers
Around 1% of roughly 73,000 employees were terminated for non-compliance with a covid vaccine mandate, as the Mayo Clinic takes “all steps necessary” to keep “patients, workforce, visitors and communities safe.” Separately, nurses unions sue the Biden admin over lapsing covid protections.
Every Cruise Sailing In US Waters Has Covid Cases Aboard
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show all 92 ships with passengers aboard are due investigation over covid cases. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have already canceled some sailings as fears of the omicron covid variant rise.
When Flu And Covid Collide: Doctors Worry About Potential For ‘Twindemic’
“Flurona.” It’s a snappy term some medical professionals are not fond of (though news editors and social media users clearly are). Yet, doctors are concerned about the rising cases of people infected with both influenza and the coronavirus.
Don’t Get Complacent About Omicron, Fauci Urges
Despite reports that omicron is a milder strain than delta, everyone needs to stay vigilant about wearing masks and protecting themselves, the infectious-disease expert says. And another medical expert says, “The next month is going to be awful.”
Vaccine Hesitancy Linked To Lack Of High School Education, Study Finds
A team led by University of North Carolina researchers concluded that “determining a strategy for decreasing hesitancy among less well-educated citizens appears to be the top challenge.” As CIDRAP reports, the top reasons for covid vaccine hesitancy were a lack of trust in the jabs, worries about side effects and low trust in the government.
Can At-Home Tests Detect Omicron Early Enough? Study Raises Doubt
In the small study, a group of people who tested positive for covid via a PCR test, tested negative with rapid antigen tests — ones most commonly used at home. The lag could lead to people unknowingly exposing others to the virus.
‘Fully Vaccinated’ Without A Booster? CDC Says Yes, Isn’t Updating Definition
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sticking with its current classifications: If you’ve completed your primary series of covid vaccinations, you’re considered “fully vaccinated.” If you’ve had a booster shot, you’re “up to date.”
All Kids 12 And Older Can Now Get A Pfizer Covid Booster Shot
With final sign-off from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand third Pfizer shots to ages 12 to 15, the Biden administration is urging adolescents to get their booster in order to combat omicron. Especially as more children are being hospitalized.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Different Takes: Deciding Who Gets Paxlovid; Omicron Forces Us To Review Triage Procedures
Opinion writers examine these covid issues.
