Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Changes Needed In Nursing; Congress Must Strengthen FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Different Takes: Delta Straussian Is The New Covid Attitude; Doctors Are Frustrated With New Surge
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine issues.
Millions Of Covid Vaccines Expire
A report in the Washington Post sets out some of the numbers for expired covid vaccine disposal and costs, with North Carolina alone set to dispose of nearly 1 million doses. News on covid also comes from Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Germany and more.
Research Roundup: Covid; Heart Disease; Toxic Cosmetics
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Gender-Affirmation Surgery Declared A Form Of Child Abuse In Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department for Family and Protective Services to make the ruling. Meanwhile in Virginia, the Loudon County School Board controversially approved policies that expand and protect the rights of transgender students.
US Kids Get More Calories Than Ever From Ultra-Processed Food, Candy
A study found that 67% of calories consumed by kids and adolescents in 2018 were in ultra-processed foods; the biggest jump was for ready-to-eat foods. Also: West Nile virus is found in Louisville, salmonella sickens more people and air travel sees a decline.
Heat Wave Rolls Over Northwest Again; Cooling Centers Set Up For Protection
News outlets report on another heat wave affecting the Pacific Northwest, noting authorities have had to set up public air-conditioned cooling centers and distribute water to protect vulnerable citizens. A heat death murder in Georgia, and an air quality warning in the Bay Area are also reported.
Aetna Set To Provide Virtual Primary Care To Some Policyholders
Aetna Virtual Primary Care, the new service, available under self-funded employer plans, gives access to telemedicine and in-person care. Meanwhile, a cyberattack cost Scripps Health $113 million, and Apple aims to expand its digital health initiative, sharing more data from devices with doctors.
Drug Overdose Deaths Top US Record; Worries Over Naloxone Supply Issues
Federal projections show overdose deaths leaped 31% between January 2020 and January 2021, with the total for 2020 a record 95,000 victims. Separate reports cover the worry that low supplies of the overdose antidote drug Naloxone will result in unnecessary deaths from opioid abuse.
Political Divide Igniting Smoldering Anger Over Masks In Schools, Vaccines
Even as some low-vaccinated states run out of hospital beds, some Republican leaders are battling any sort of covid-related mandate.
Officials Raise Warning Flag For Mississippi Health Systems Amid Surge
A 50-bed field hospital will open and the state will get federal aid in the form of medical professionals, combating low staff numbers and a shortage of space. Surges are also reported in Iowa, New Orleans and Los Angeles County. Meanwhile, Florida settles a disagreement over its case count.
Rand Paul Files Late Disclosure Of Wife’s Gilead Investment In Early Outbreak Days
On Feb. 26, 2020 — the early days of the looming global health emergency — Kelley Paul bought stock in Gilead, maker of the antiviral drug remdesivir that went on to get authorization as a covid treatment. Sen. Rand Paul just disclosed his family’s financial interest, 16 months later than required in what his office says was a paperwork mistake.
Testing, Mask Mandates, Fake Vaccine Cards: Universities Face Thorny Return
More schools are layering in safety requirements for the fall semester. Stanford University announced that it will require all students to test for covid every week, regardless of vaccination status. And administrators requiring vaccinations are on the lookout for fake cards.
Cardona Wants To Require Jabs For Teachers; Mask Mob Erupts In Tenn.
The U.S. education secretary’s stance has sharpened; Miguel Cardona previously urged teachers to get covid shots voluntarily. In Tennessee, protesters threatened people at a school board meeting after it reinstated a mask mandate for some students. “You can leave freely, but we will find you,” one man said.
Gov. Abbott Hits Back At Dallas County For Enacting A Mask Mandate
He and the state attorney general filed a petition to halt a judge’s order requiring face masks inside schools and businesses. Meanwhile, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona confirmed he had spoken to Abbott and relayed his concerns about the state’s covid policies as hospitalizations spike.
Rare Skin, Kidney Side Effects Of MRNA Vaccines Probed by EU
While data on exactly how many patients are affected is not forthcoming, the European Union has said it’s investigating erythema multiforme, glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome links to Pfizer’s and Moderna’s covid shots. Fierce Pharma reports “few” people are affected, Reuters says “a small number.”
CDC Backs Vaccine During Pregnancy As Data Shows No Extra Miscarriage Risk
But the coronavirus poses a big risk to a healthy pregnancy, other research found. So in the face of the surging delta variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending that pregnant women get the shot. Only about 23% in the U.S. have received at least one dose to date.
FDA Set To Authorize Booster Dose For People With Weaker Immune Systems
The Food and Drug Administration is expected as soon as Thursday to expand its emergency use authorization to allow a third dose of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for people who are immunocompromised.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
