Latest KFF Health News Stories
Drug Cocktails Reduce Risk Of Dying From Covid, Research Shows
Combining tocilizumab and sarilumab along with corticosteroids reduced the risk of death by 17% compared with corticosteroids alone.
Dr. Meena Seshamani Named Director Of CMS’ Center For Medicare
Seshamani previously served as vice president of clinical care transformation at MedStar Health. The Center for Medicare oversees health benefits for tens of millions of seniors, people with disabilities and dialysis patients.
Half Of States Report Covid Spikes Thanks To Fourth Of July, Delta Variant
From Nevada to Oklahoma, reports note that covid cases across the U.S. are rising thanks to the combination of the highly transmissible delta variant, low vaccination rates in some places, and what people were up to over the long July 4th weekend.
Delta Now Responsible For More Than Half Of New US Covid Infections
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the more transmissible delta variant, or B.1.617.2, is now estimated to be the dominant coronavirus strain in the U.S. The rapid growth worries public health experts.
Oh My! Lions, Tigers And Bears Get Covid Shots
Those animals and others have received an experimental animal vaccine at the Oakland Zoo. The Denver Zoo has also received the shots and will soon begin vaccinating several gorillas and lions.
Partisan Chasm Over Covid Shots Risks National Turnaround
Two new surveys find that conservatives — especially among white men — lag disproportionately behind in vaccination rates, despite pleas from Republican governors.
Biden Says Vaccine Campaign Will Go Door-To-Door As Urgency Spikes
The quick spread of the delta variant in the U.S. is making the push to quickly vaccinate remaining Americans critical. The Biden administration is switching its focus to community outreach, but news outlets report on the difficult obstacles in reaching holdouts.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Galleri Cancer Detection Test Shows Potential; Steps To Prevent The Next Pandemic
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Perspectives: Vaccine Lotteries Not Increasing Numbers; FDA Approval Will Decrease Vaccine Hesitancy
Opinion writers examine these Covid and vaccine topics.
Pope Francis Had Intestinal Surgery, Now Recovering In Hospital
The pope was treated for symptomatic stenotic diverticulitis and had half his colon removed. Separately, the delta covid variant is surging in poorer nations; India has a fake vaccine scandal; and Singapore advises less exercise after covid vaccines.
England To Lift Covid Restrictions July 19, With A Surge Expected After
Amid a surge of delta covid cases across the U.K., particularly in Scotland, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said almost all of England’s pandemic limits will be lifted soon. Reports suggest a surge of over 100,000 new covid infections per day is then expected.
Pacific Northwest Heat Wave Swamped Local Health Care Services
The Wall Street Journal reports on how hospitals and medical staff in a part of the country not used to extreme high temperatures were overwhelmed last week. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued a heat alert for Las Vegas.
Health Warnings Issued For Outbreaks Of Listeria, Tick Bites, Fecal Bacteria
Tyson Foods has recalled about 8.5 million pounds of frozen chicken over listeria fears. Meanwhile, the tick population has climbed 15% since last year, and many beaches in Texas and Washington have recorded high levels of fecal bacteria. Got the heebie-jeebies yet?
Losing Wisdom Teeth Improves Taste; Eating A Southern Diet May Kill You
Researchers find that having your wisdom teeth removed can improve your ability to detect key flavors later in life. Meanwhile, a long-term study of the Southern diet links it to increased risk of death from sudden cardiac arrest.
Excitement Over New Migraine Drug; Cost Concerns Over One For Obesity
Fox News reports on “paradigm shift” excitement over a new drug, rimegepant, that blocks migraine attacks. NPR notes that an effective new obesity drug, Wegovy, is raising questions over whether insurers will cover its over $1,000 monthly cost.
Judge: Private Insurance Firm In W.Va. Must Cover Transgender Health Care
Also in the news: sickle-cell patients, health care worker burnout, rural ambulance services, teletherapy and more.
Insurers And Providers Brace For Tricky Fallout From Surprise Billing Law
As the Biden administration begins to implement new protections for consumers, the health industry prepares for the changes that will have a big impact on bills for services like childbirth care and ambulance rides.
In Lancet Report, Two Dozen Experts Say There’s No Proof Of Covid Lab Leak
“We believe the strongest clue from new, credible and peer-reviewed evidence in the scientific literature is that the virus evolved in nature,” the authors wrote in the journal. The same team of scientists had last year dismissed the lab leak idea as a conspiracy theory.
Fauci Highlights Vaccines’ Role In Preventing June Covid Deaths
Speaking to news outlets, Dr. Anthony Fauci noted 99% of “avoidable” covid deaths last month were among unvaccinated people. He also said people should still wear masks even if vaccinated when visiting places with low vaccination rates.
