Latest KFF Health News Stories
Advisory Panel Recommends That FDA Approve Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s Drug
FDA advisers voted unanimously Monday to back donanemab after reviewing data showing its effectiveness at slowing mild dementia. If cleared by the agency, Eli Lilly’s treatment would only be the second Alzheimer’s drug approved in the U.S.
Side Effect Of Flavored Vape Bans: Unintended Increase In Teen Smoking
Also in tobacco-related news: The Justice Department and FDA announce a new law enforcement unit aimed at tackling illegal e-cigarettes, with a particular focus on the impact the devices have on kids and adolescents.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
New York Moves To Import Cheaper Canadian Drugs In Bulk
The move follows a similar policy in Florida to try to tackle high drug prices. Also in the news: Bird flu variant that infected Texas dairy worker found lethal to ferrets in experiments; layoffs at Oregon Health and Science University; and more.
Kroger Health To Offer GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs At In-Store Clinics
In other industry news: providers push for expanded billing codes for remote patient monitoring; rural pharmacies finding it hard to stay open; the rise of unregulated home testing; CityMD will pay $12 million to Justice Department over alleged covid payments violations; and more.
Alzheimer’s Can Be Slowed By Healthy Diet, Exercise: Study
Early-stage Alzheimer’s disease patients in a group who made intensive lifestyle changes saw their dementia symptoms stabilize, a study found. Meanwhile, other researchers found higher rates of drug-resistant organisms in areas with more economic deprivation.
Verbal And Physical Aggression Is Recurrent In Long-Term Care Homes
Resident-against-resident incidents that could be classified as abuse in individual homes – verbal aggression and physical events that can even be violent – can affect large numbers of people living in elder-care group settings.
Uninsured Rates Among Minorities Took A Nosedive Under The ACA
Research out from the Department of Health and Human Services Friday points toward an impact of the Affordable Care Act on minority groups in the U.S: There was an increase in the number of those with health insurance between 2010 and 2022. In other news, Former President Donald Trump tries to take credit for insulin pricing.
Editorial writers discuss reproductive rights, Alzheimer’s, childhood diseases, and more.
United To Take Down Roe V. Wade, Conservatives Now Find Themselves At Odds
Defeats at the ballot box have prompted Republican lawmakers to consider what comes next in the abortion debate and how far they’re willing to go. Meanwhile, Democrats seize on the public backlash in hopes of boosting President Joe Biden’s chances in battleground states.
With Info Gleaned From MDMA Vote, Developers Press On With Psychedelics
Enthusiasm has not diminished among researchers, biotech executives and investors to find a new treatment for patients with mental health disorders—though some say it’s time to look elsewhere. Also, Stat examines Lykos’ journey to the thumbs-down FDA panel vote.
As Climate Change Hits Health, Debate Deepens On How Many People It Kills
NPR reports on the question of how many people climate change is killing: It depends on who you ask and how they’re counting. Separately, as utilities cut power to limit wildfires, the power outages are hitting nursing homes.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Ideas For Combating Medical Misinformation; Congress Must Act On Substance-Use Disorder
Editorial writers discuss these issues and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on artificial intelligence, IVF, outdoor therapy, the Sonoran Desert toad, plague, and more.
Texas Officials Reject Insurers’ Pleas Against Medicaid Shakeup
A plan that will shake up coverage for 1.8 million low-income Texans was resisted by several major insurers, but officials rejected their attempts. Also in the news: New Hampshire moves toward legalizing marijuana.
Your Sugar-Free Xylitol Gum? It Might Increase Heart Attack, Stroke Risk
A study links the popular sugar substitute, an alternative for people who are diabetic or trying to lose weight, to an elevated risk of cardiovascular events. Separately, a new drug combination is being tested as a post-stroke therapy.
Bonus Outcome Of Telehealth Cancer Care: A Smaller Carbon Footprint
NPR reports on a new study, which has revealed that telehealth visits and decentralized oncology care have significantly reduced the sector’s carbon impact. In other news: bare-bones hospitals in rural areas, the impact of Medicaid “unwinding” on UnitedHealth, Centene’s finances, more.
Veterans Affairs Nurses Protest Planned Staffing Cuts
About 70 Veterans Affairs nurses from 23 medical facilities across the country gathered Thursday outside the Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters in Washington, D.C., to protest the planned reduction of 10,000 jobs from the Veterans Health Administration.
Whooping Cough Surging In The US After Covid Protocols Fall By Wayside
The highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection has affected more than double the number of people so far this year compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, three more infants have died from the illness in the UK.
