Latest KFF Health News Stories
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on COVID-19, developmental disabilities, long QT syndrome, mental endurance and health care in the prison system.
Case Numbers In Nursing Homes See 40% Increase
Shortage of PPE and staff are impacting many care facilities, as well as staff who unknowingly transport the virus in parts of the country where spread is accelerating.
Report: 80% of Inmates in Texas Jails Who Died Of COVID Were Awaiting Trial
The analysis by researchers at the University of Texas also shows that of the inmates in prison who died, nine of them had been approved for parole and were awaiting release, 21 of them had served 90% or more of their sentence and 58% of those who died in prisons were eligible for parole.
Ivy League Cancels Winter Sports; Cruise Ship Reports More Positive Tests
In other sports and recreational news: Hawaiian Airlines will let you swap miles for COVID test kits; 80% of Japanese people think the Tokyo Olympics shouldn’t be held at all; and more.
Mental Health-Related Emergencies Increase 31% For Teens
The CDC analyzed data from 47 states and noted that visits for girls were higher. Other public health news is on online shopping, testing, prostate cancer, Thanksgiving gatherings and more.
Data Breaches Fewer Than September’s High, But Nearly 60 Reported
Hacking and IT incidents accounted for 70% of the events, according to Modern Healthcare. News is on United Healthcare, a health information exchange and more.
‘AARF’ Bill Aims To Prevent Use Of Dogs In Pharmaceutical Research
In certain cases, the FDA won’t allow companies to pursue alternatives that do not require animal testing. The bill, known as the Alternatives to Animals for Regulatory Fairness Act, or AARF, would change that.
California Approves Ballot Measure on Stem-Cell Research
Following Thursday’s vote count update, Proposition 14 had a 325,000-vote lead and 51% of the votes. It was the narrowest margin of victory for any of this year’s 12 ballot questions, AP reports.
Drugs For Multiple Sclerosis And OCD Studied As Possible COVID Treatments
Both may help prevent patients from getting worse. In other news: The Trump administration has reached a deal with pharmacies across the nation to distribute a coronavirus vaccine for free; Pfizer says vaccine volunteers who received a placebo will eventually receive the real vaccine; and more.
Alito Calls Pandemic ‘Constitutional Stress Test’ In Provocative Speech
“The pandemic has resulted in previously unimaginable restrictions on individual liberty,” Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said during remarks to the Federalist Society in which he also discussed religious freedom and gay rights.
Biden Team Says Transition Delays Hurt Efforts To Battle Virus Surge
Democrats allege that the Trump administration is endangering lives by denying President-elect Joe Biden access to transition resources needed to put his coronavirus response plan in place.
Testing, ICU Beds And Health Workers Are Once Again In Short Supply
Months into the pandemic, there are worries that the U.S. health care system still does not have the capacity to test and care for the latest flood of coronavirus patients.
Trump Absent From Coronavirus Fight At Emergency’s Worst Moment Yet
Since the election results he disputes, President Donald Trump has remained silent about the alarming virus surge and taken no new actions to combat it.
More States Add Restrictions As COVID Cases Shoot Past 160,000 In One Day
Daily infections have nearly doubled in less than three weeks. Some city and state governments are scrambling to combat the out-of-control increase, shuttering schools and reimposing other restrictions. The rapid deterioration “should frighten all of us,” a health care system CEO told the AP.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers express views about these pandemic topics and others.
Research Roundup: COVID; MIS-C; Leukemia; Childhood Cancer
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
New York Plans To Limit Size Of Private Gatherings; Curfews Set In Parts Of New Jersey
Media outlets report on news from New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio and other states, as well.
Generic Drugmakers Team Up To Help Poorer Nations Get COVID Treatments
Other global news is from Turkey, Brazil, New Zealand, France and Lebanon.
First Caribbean Cruise Since Sailings Restarted Has A COVID Case
Also in the news: Ticketmaster is working on a plan to verify concertgoers’ vaccine status; a child with measles had possible exposures at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; Ohio State postpones its game against Maryland because of COVID; and more.
