Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Poll: 72% Say Cops Are The Wrong Responders For Mental Health Crises
The Hill: Most Say Police Shouldn't Be Primary Responders For Mental Health Crises: NAMI Poll
A wide majority of Americans say mental health professionals, rather than law enforcement, should be the primary first responders to mental health crises, a poll released Monday found. The poll, conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), found broad support for police, with 72 percent of respondents having a favorable view of law enforcement. Still, nearly 80 percent of respondents said mental health professionals, not police, should respond to mental health and suicide situations. (Coleman, 11/15)
The Wall Street Journal: Ohio Sues Meta Alleging Facebook Parent Misled Public About Its Products’ Effect On Children
Ohio’s attorney general is suing Meta Platforms Inc., FB 1.96% formerly known as Facebook Inc., alleging the company misled the public about how it controlled its algorithm and the effects its products have on children. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Meta investors and the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, seeks more than $100 billion in damages and demands that Meta make significant changes so as to not mislead investors again, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement. “This suit is without merit and we will defend ourselves vigorously,” Joe Osborne, a Meta spokesperson, said. (Bobrowsky, 11/15)
A flu outbreak prompts an official response —
The Hill: CDC Investigators Going To University Of Michigan Amid Flu Outbreak
Investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are going to the University of Michigan to look into the flu outbreak on campus and examine how the illness is spreading. Since the first positive flu case was detected on the Ann Arbor campus on Oct. 6, a total of 528 cases of the flu have been diagnosed at the University Health Service (UHS), according to a statement from the university. Of those cases, 77 percent were among people who did not get a flu shot. (Schnell, 11/15)
In news on premature births —
GMA: Premature Births Continue To Rise For Black, Native American Mothers: Report
The rate of babies born premature in the United States has declined for the first time in six years, but experts warn it is not a cause for celebration, as a maternal and infant health crisis still exists. Preterm birth rates in the U.S. decreased 0.1% from 10.2% in 2019 to 10.1% in 2020, according to a report published Monday by the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization focused on improving the health of pregnant people and babies. (Kindelan, 11/15)
