Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Prenatal Exposure To Certain Health Issues Linked To Child Mental Health
USA Today: Kids Mental Health Problems Linked To Prenatal Exposures, Study Says
Doctors have long known that unplanned pregnancies in women with certain chronic health problems and exposure in the womb to substances like drugs and alcohol can lead to a child's increased risk for psychiatric or behavioral problems. But a study published Wednesday by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found the combined exposure of two or more specific risk factors significantly increases that likelihood. “While individually these factors had previously been associated with similar risks in prior, often smaller studies, this is the first time that we were able to gauge the effect of cumulative exposures, which were fairly dramatic,” said lead author Dr. Joshua Roffman, director of the Massachusetts General Early Brain Development Initiative. (Rodriguez, 4/28)
In other public health news —
Axios: Study: Air Pollution Disproportionately Kills Americans Of Color
Americans of color are disproportionally and pervasively affected by fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5), the nation's most deadly pollutant, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances. PM2.5 exposure in the U.S. causes roughly 85,000 to 200,000 more deaths of all Americans than anticipated, the study notes. (Saric, 4/29)
The Wall Street Journal: Cruise Lines Could Start U.S. Sailings By Mid-July, CDC Says
Cruise operators could restart sailings out of the U.S. by mid-July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, paving the way to resume operations that have been suspended for longer than a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The CDC, in a letter to cruise-industry leaders Wednesday evening, also said cruise ships can proceed to passenger sailings without test cruises if they attest that 98% of crew members and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated. The move was a result of twice-weekly meetings with cruise representatives over the past month, the agency said. (Sebastian, 4/29)
CIDRAP: Study Finds Low Uptake Of HPV Vaccine In Young US Men
A research letter yesterday in JAMA shows that less than 20% of US men 18 to 21 years old have had at least one dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, was based on data collected during the 2010 through 2018 National Health Interview Surveys. Only 16.2% of men ages 18 to 21 during any year of the survey said they had received one or more doses of the HPV vaccine, compared with 42% of women in that age-group. (4/28)
AP: Advocates Detail 'Shadow Pandemic' Of Violence Against Women
Cases of domestic violence against Indigenous women and children and instances of sexual assault increased over the past year as nonprofit groups and social workers scrambled to meet the added challenges that stemmed from the coronavirus pandemic, advocates said Tuesday. Their testimony came in the opening session of a two-day summit focused on ending violence against Indigenous women and children. Native American leaders from pueblos throughout New Mexico and from the Navajo Nation gathered virtually for the event. (Bryan, 4/28)
WLRN 91.3 FM: Nation's First Trial Of Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Starts In Florida Keys
Boxes containing the eggs of genetically modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, water and a little food are being placed in six locations in the Lower and Middle Keys this week — in a trial that will be the first of its kind in the United States. The genetic modification is intended so that female offspring won't survive. Female mosquitoes are the ones that bite and can transmit diseases like dengue and Zika. (Klingener, 4/27)
CBS News: Bud Light Is Giving Away 100,000 Sports Tickets And Free Beer
Sports fans and lovers of live music could have their next tickets paid for by Bud Light under a new promotional campaign. Bud Light said Tuesday it will pay for and give away 100,000 sports tickets so people can attend professional baseball, basketball, hockey, football and soccer games this year. The Anheuser-Busch subsidiary is also giving away an undetermined amount of concert tickets. People over age 21 who attend a game or concert will get a Bud Light for free, the company said. Bud Light and its $10 million promotion aims to get Americans back outside and attending events where people frequently consume alcohol. (Brooks, 4/27)
KHN: Covid Forces Cohousing Communities To Examine Shared Values And Relationships
Tensions were running high at PDX Commons, a cohousing community for adults 55 and older in Portland, Oregon. Several people wanted to keep visitors off-site until all 35 residents were vaccinated. Others wanted to open to family and friends for the first time in a year. How do communities with dozens of members decide what to do during a public health crisis when members have varying tolerance for risk and different opinions about safe practices? (Graham, 4/29)
