Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Poll: Cancer 'Moonshot' Garners Sweeping, Bipartisan Support From Public
STAT: Cancer Research 'Moonshot' Wins Enthusiastic Support In STAT-Harvard Poll
The American public has enormous confidence in the progress being made against cancer — perhaps more than warranted by actual treatment gains — and their faith is translating into overwhelming support for the Obama administration’s proposal to increase cancer research spending, a new STAT-Harvard poll finds. (Nather, 3/25)
The Washington Post's Wonkblog: Older Americans Are Taking Their Vitamins — And That Could Be Dangerous
The number of older Americans at risk for a potentially life-threatening drug interaction doubled between 2005 and 2010, according to a new study -- but not just from the prescriptions they fill at the pharmacy or the medicines they buy over the counter. The study of more than 2,000 people between ages 62 and 85 found that the majority of potentially dangerous drug combinations came from interactions between conventional drugs, such as a blood pressure drug and a cholesterol drug that together can increase risk of muscle damage and kidney failure. But there was an alarming uptick in the number of older Americans taking unproven vitamins and supplements, too -- a scary trend since the safety of those combinations is poorly understood. (Johnson, 3/24)
NPR: Scientists Reveal New Evidence Of Possible Zika Spread Beyond South America
Scientists now have evidence the Zika virus was spreading in South America long before health officials detected it. The findings suggest Zika could be hiding out in other corners of the world, and Southeast Asia may be the next region to see a big outbreak.
NPR: Scientists Build A Live, No-Frills Cell That Could Have A Big Future
Scientists announced Thursday that they have built a single-celled organism that has just 473 genes — likely close to the minimum number of genes necessary to sustain its life. The development, they say, could eventually lead to new manufacturing methods. Around 1995, a few top geneticists set out on a quest: to make an organism that had only the genes that were absolutely essential for its survival. A zero-frills life. It was a heady time. (Bichell, 3/24)
Meanwhile, the CDC says an ad campaign helped 104,000 people quit smoking, and tobacco lobbies are going full force in California —
The Hill: CDC: 104K People Quit Smoking Due To Ad Campaign
A government advertising campaign led 104,000 Americans to quit smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, 1.4 million people attempted to quit smoking as a result of the 2014 ad campaign, the CDC said, citing survey results published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease. (Sullivan, 3/24)
Center for Public Integrity: How Big Tobacco Lobbies To Safeguard E-Cigarettes
Nowhere has the tobacco fight been bigger, or more expensive, than in California, which has attracted at least two-thirds of tobacco companies’ state-level political donations since 2011. Public health advocates here say tobacco companies have used a potent combination of campaign contributions and behind-the-scenes lobbying to win enough friends in key places. The strategy is most apparent on the Assembly’s Governmental Organization Committee, which oversees an odd combination of issues, including public records, state holidays, gambling, alcohol and tobacco. (Kusnetz, 3/25)
