Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: November 12, 2021
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Data Shows Biogen’s Alzheimer’s Drug Also Tackles A Second Protein
The drug maker said its recent controversially-approved drug Aduhelm also lowers levels of a second protein that accumulates in the brains of people suffering Alzheimer’s. A separate Alzheimer’s drug from Cortexyme is moving forward in trials under a new regime.
Long Covid Begins To Be Understood; Covid Shots Safe For Cancer Patients
Scientists say they’re beginning to understand that long covid is not caused by one thing, but that there are multiple diseases happening. A different study has shown that covid vaccines are safe for people undergoing cancer treatments, and produce immune responses, albeit moderately.
Editorial writers tackle these public health matters.
Opinion writers weigh in on vaccines and covid’s effect on British health care.
Germany Hit With Record Covid Cases; Worries About Europe’s Uptick
More than 50,000 new covid cases were reported by German authorities. The government plans new measures to try to control the outbreak. Separately, worries emerge about a covid winter in Europe, and the Netherlands and Cayman Islands are added to the CDC’s travel warning list.
World Record For Premature Birth Goes To Alabama Baby Born 19 Weeks Early
Curtis Means, now 16 months old, was awarded the Guinness World Record for youngest surviving premature birth, after only 132 days of gestation. Meanwhile, a judge approves a Flint water settlement, medical marijuana in Georgia is delayed and Texas is in the news for its abortion law and the governor’s war on “pornography.”
Hospitals Expect Higher Revenue And Expansions
In other industry news, covid immunity appears to be waning among health workers, telemedicine expands and patient safety declines.
Promising Alzheimer’s Drug Research Hits Snag In Clinical Trials
Genentech’s semorinemab drug confused researchers by showing a slower rate of cognitive decline for some patients, but it didn’t improve patients’ functions compared with a placebo. Separately, reports say Google is aiming to use artificial intelligence to boost breast cancer screening.
Some Resistance To Remdesivir Found
Numerous fascinating studies related to covid and covid treatments make news: possible resistance to Gilead’s antiviral in some patients who are immune compromised, T-cell targets, a corticosteroid treatment and the impact of sleep apnea.
Medicare Advantage Plans Cost Taxpayers More
In other reports on Medicare, the savings in drug price legislation won’t be felt immediately, but rather over a decade or more; advice on the Medicare gap; and appealing income-related charges.
Los Angeles County Sees Its First Flu Death Of The Season
The middle-aged male victim was reported to have multiple underlying conditions, and hadn’t been vaccinated against flu. In other news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization warned of a potential measles outbreak since kids’ vaccines have been delayed.
Biden Administration Ups Investment In Covid Testing, Vaccine Outreach
Millions more will be invested to try to reach out to vulnerable communities and convince vaccine hesitant residents to get the covid shot. Other news from the Biden administration is on vaping, people with disabilities and the NIH-Moderna vaccine patent dispute.
Hospitals Still Struggling With Covid Overload
Colorado and other mountain states are still dealing with overwhelmed hospitals due to the high number of covid cases there. Amd California prepares for a winter covid surge while the Surgeon General says Americans have to think about covid the way we think about flu–as a persistent threat.
Now Vaccine Mandates Are Blamed For Supply Chain Delays
Postal service and logistics firms express concern that vaccine mandates will cause delays in the supply chain and mail. And more lawsuits are filed against the federal rules. In California, state officials are examining exemptions to vaccinations granted by doctors.
Strong Start For Kids’ Covid Vaccinations
Almost a million children between 5 and 11 have gotten a covid shot and health officials seem encouraged by the initial response of parents.
Texas Ban On School Mask Mandates Barred By Federal Judge
U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel’s ruling prohibits Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, from carrying out any action against state schools that require face coverings.
First Edition: November 11, 2021
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Essential Program In Managing Dementia Care; Biden’s Plan For Curbing Drug Overdoses
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Different Takes: Covid Experience In Europe Differs From East To West; Vaccine Mandates Are Working
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine mandate issues.
