Latest KFF Health News Stories
Who Wants To Be A Vaccinated Millionaire? New York Ups The Ante
As an incentive for more New Yorkers to get the shot, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a lottery with a first prize of $5 million. With Ohio’s program showing success at bumping up vaccine rates, Maryland is also trying its luck while Oregon considers it.
Vaccination Rate Halves; Fauci Says 70% Need Shots To Avoid Fall Surge
Over the last month the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. has fallen by half. Amid worries that new variants could make herd immunity difficult to attain, Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned that 70% of Americans need at least one covid shot by July 4 to avoid a surge later in the year.
Up To 8 Million Have Died So Far From Covid, Says WHO
The world’s official covid death count is off by a factor of two to three, says the World Health Organization, citing a real total of between 6 and 8 million people. Separately, Texas school reopenings may have triggered hundred of deaths, and Florida has a covid surge in nursing homes.
Viewpoints: Why Are Vaccinated Still Masking?; What Methods Work To Convince The Vaccine Hesitant?
Opinion writers discuss masks and vaccines.
Viewpoints: Congenital Syphilis Cases Rise; Texas Anti-Abortion Policies Harmful To Public Health
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Malware Attack Disrupts Alaska’s Health Department Website
Meanwhile, California lawmakers are voting on a bill for biosecurity of mailed-in DNA samples; US-Canadian border closures will last through June; doctors push back on Florida’s “Parents’ Bill of Rights”; and Black entrepreneurs target a post-pandemic healthy food-growing market.
Africa Needs More Covid Vaccines, UN Says
And China says it has been sending vaccines to 40 countries there. The status of Europe’s vaccination campaign and the buckling Gaza health system are also in the news.
Perspectives: Vaccine Certificates Help Avoid Confusion; Unmasking Hesitancy Among The Vaccinated
Opinion pages take on masks and vaccine issues.
Covid Inflammatory Syndrome Linked To Higher Risks For Poor, Minority Kids
Separately, a study shows that long-haul covid may be more common than thought, even in those who had mild symptoms. In other news, US cervical cancers fall but other sex-related cancers rise, and actress Salma Hayek speaks about her near-fatal covid infection.
Warnings Raised For Children’s Pandemic Mental Health Struggles
In other health news about children, Axios reports on a poll that shows nearly 70% of LGBTQ youth surveyed found more acceptance when online than in person at home or school.
New Cancer Treatments Shows Promise
A new Bristol Myers Squibb drug used in combination with its big-selling cancer medicine Opdivo extended the time it took for advanced melanoma to worsen. Other promising cancer drug news from J&J, Allogene and Merus.
Bipartisan ‘Havana Syndrome’ Bill Introduced
U.S. officials abroad who have contracted mysterious symptoms while working abroad — that some believe could be caused by a foreign weapon — may get financial support from the legislation. Patent protections is also in the news from Capitol Hill.
Study: Medicare Can Be A More Expensive Option
Lowering the age for Medicare may not be the panacea some see because it could cost more than current health insurance, a study found.
Expansion Of Medicaid In Three States Struggles
Updates from Missouri, Texas and Mississippi on Medicaid expansion efforts.
Texas Passes One Of Nation’s Strictest Anti-Abortion Laws
The bill signed by Governor Abbott would restrict most abortions from six weeks, has no exceptions for circumstances of rape or incest, and allows anyone to sue a person they thought aided an abortion. Separately, Iowa approved an anti-abortion constitutional amendment.
CDC Mask Rule Changes Branded A Public Health ‘Failure’, A ‘Gamble’
And Dr. Anthony Fauci said that many Americans are “misinterpreting” the new mask guides, thinking they give the OK for unmasking. The New York Times reports on Dr. Wu Lien-Teh who’s credited with helping promote mask wearing as a public health tool in the 20th Century.
Mask Wars Even Extend To Schools Though Most Kids Still Unvaccinated
Iowa’s governor signs and Utah’s legislature passes a ban on local mandates for face coverings for school districts. Meanwhile, Michigan is taking another approach, urging teachers and students to keep wearing masks.
Investigation Into Cuomo Expands To Covid Testing Access
Federal prosecutors are looking into the allegations of favoritism for rapid covid tests in the early days of the pandemic granted by the Cuomo administration. Also news on wastewater testing for covid.
Uneven Covid Vaccine Adoption Revealed
Data from the CDC, that it didn’t want to release, shows that vaccination rates lag for Black Americans and Hispanic Americans. Vaccines for children are doing better.
Covid Cases Falling Across the United States
Particularly in nursing homes, that were hit so hard during the early days of the pandemic.
