Latest KFF Health News Stories
Child Behavioral Health Systems Stressed By Pandemic, Lockdowns
Reports in Modern Healthcare highlight how mental health services for children have been impacted by the pandemic. Meanwhile a new analysis of federal data shows that adolescents may be more likely than adults to suffer addiction to drugs, including prescription ones.
Judge Says New York Prisoners Must Be Offered Covid Vaccines
A judge rules that New York state must offer covid vaccines to its prisoners. In other news from across the country, Arizona’s Senate lifts its mask mandate and federal investigators flag payments to a California clinic that received $81 million under a relief program.
Covid Cases Rise Globally, Particularly Where Few Are Vaccinated
Countries around the world are seeing significant increases in coronavirus cases, even as vaccine rollouts begin to take effect and some nations, like the UK, begin to unlock. Meanwhile a new variant emerging in India causes worries.
Black Americans More Likely To Be Admitted To Less Safe Hospitals
Meanwhile dialysis centers are touted as a solution for covid vaccine race inequalities, and racial disparities have also been linked to higher maternal deaths and postpartum mood disorders during the pandemic.
Hospitals See Opportunities in Covid Shots
Hospitals are reaching out to potential patients, especially among disadvantaged groups, via vaccines. Also, hospital recertification surveys begin again, health workers look back and malpractice premiums peak.
Supreme Court Will Hear Challenge Bid Over Kentucky Abortion Law
The conservative-majority court will consider a request by the Kentucky Attorney General to be allowed to intervene in a court case that knocked down a Kentucky abortion law — which would ban a surgical procedure commonly used after the 15th week of pregnancy — after the governor declined to do so.
Over 100 Compensation Claims Made Against Covid Treatments, None Paid
The 106 injury claims for vaccines, hydroxychloroquine and other COVID-19 treatments remained under medical review as of March 15. In other covid research news, pre-symptomatic covid cases are linked to virus spreading, an experimental drug from Humanigen helped keep patients off ventilators, and a decades-old antidepressant may hold covid treatment promise.
Arkansas Passes Ban On Gender-Affirming Medical Care For Transgender Kids
Arkansas is positioned to become the first state to prohibit doctors from providing treatments — such as puberty blockers, hormone therapies and transition-related surgeries — to transgender children. The bill next goes to Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Democrats Eye Drug-Price Reform As A Piggy Bank
Drug pricing reforms in Congress will be a tempting income source to pay for Democrats’ extensive wish list of spending projects. Lawmakers also urge an investigation of insulin price hikes.
Vaccine Mistrust Dropping, No Thanks To Spanish-Speaking Social Media
New studies show covid vaccine hesitancy is broadly dropping across the U.S., but a report in USA Today highlights how social media misinformation may be increasing mistrust among Spanish-speakers in the U.S.
More Troubles for AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine
This time it’s Canada, which has halted use of the vaccine for people under the age of 55 because of possible side effects reported in Europe. Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson will supply 400 million doses of its vaccine to the African Union.
White House Indicates Covid Vaccine Passports Are A Private Sector Matter
Messaging from the White House suggests that there is no federal mandate for rolling out covid vaccine passport systems, leaving the matter to the private sector. Other reports highlight the potential scam issues such passports may bring.
Over 20 World Leaders Call For Pandemic Cooperation Treaty
Official signatures from the U.S. and China were absent from a letter calling for future pandemic planning published in newspapers around the world. Meanwhile, worries deepen that the WHO’s report on the coronavirus’ source is inconclusive.
Moderna, Pfizer Covid Vaccines Shown Highly Effective In Real-Life Use
A new U.S. study shows that when covid vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are used in real-world applications — when given to 4,000 healthcare workers, other essential workers — they are 90% effective at preventing serious covid infections.
Biden: 90% Of Americans Eligible For Covid Vaccine By April 19
President Joe Biden confidently declared that at least 90% of U.S. adults will be eligible to receive coronavirus vaccines by April 19. States follow with expanded eligibility requirements. Meanwhile, all the “Operation Warp Speed” trappings have been jettisoned by the Biden administration.
‘Impending Doom’: Biden, CDC Director Warn Of Fourth Wave If Nation Lets Down Guard
President Joe Biden urged states to maintain or reinstate mask mandates and for Americans to remain cautious: “This is deadly serious.” At a briefing earlier in the day, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said she is “scared” over the direction the covid case numbers are taking in the U.S.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Is AI The Future Of Health Care?; Opioid Settlement Money Must Be Used Wisely
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Viewpoints: Vaccine Hesitancy Due To Government Distrust; Kids Vaccine Needed To End Pandemic
Opinion writers weigh in on vaccines and adolescent mental health.
Nearly 4,000 Brazilians A Day Are Dying From Covid
Global health news is reported from Brazil, Mexico, Germany, India, the United Kingdom and France.
