Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Prevalence Of Hypertension At Record High, Study Finds
The Washington Post: Hypertension Is Now More Common In Poor And Middle-Income Countries Than Rich Ones
Middle- and lower-income countries now have a higher rate of hypertension than high-income countries. Worldwide, the prevalence of hypertension is at a record high, according to a new study in the journal Circulation. From 2000 to 2010, the rate of hypertension in middle- and lower-income countries increased by nearly eight percentage points. For higher-income countries in that same time period, it decreased by nearly three percentage points. (Beachum, 8/9)
The Fiscal Times: The $400 Million Flint Water Scandal Is Just The Beginning
The biggest tragedy of the Flint, Michigan, drinking water scandal is that an estimated 8,000 children under the age of six may have been exposed to lead poisoning for two years before the outrageous mismanagement of the municipality’s water system was finally exposed. Many of those children may have already suffered brain damage or developmental problems from drinking tap water with lead levels ten times higher than the levels recommended by federal regulators. And given the relatively limited health care services in the economically depressed city of 95,000 mostly low-income and minority residents, some medical experts say the long-term prognosis for these kids is not encouraging. (Pianin, 8/9)
NPR: Young Inventors Work On Secret Proteins To Thwart Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Three college-age scientists think they know how to solve a huge problem facing medicine. They think they've found a way to overcome antibiotic resistance. Many of the most powerful antibiotics have lost their efficacy against dangerous bacteria, so finding new antibiotics is a priority. It's too soon to say for sure if the young researchers are right, but if gumption and enthusiasm count for anything, they stand a fighting chance. (Palca, 8/9)
Politico Pro: FDA Memo Urges Reset On Nutrition Work
The FDA should fundamentally rethink its nutrition policy work, recommends an internal agency memo obtained by POLITICO. The FDA, under the Obama administration, has pushed to enable healthy choices by giving consumers more information, whether it be through disclosing calories on menus or mandating added sugars be listed on nutrition labels. But a yearlong review urges the agency to go a step further and make its goal to actually improve health outcomes. (Evich, 8/10)
The Hill: Think Tank Challenges Ban On Using E-Cigs During Flights
A think tank challenging a federal ban on the use of electronic cigarettes during flights has filed its opening brief in the lawsuit. The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) and the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association are suing the Department of Transportation (DOT) over the regulation, which was published in March and prohibits passengers from using e-cigarettes while onboard planes. (Zanoma, 8/9)
