Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Risks Of Alcohol: Less Is Better, Cut Back To One Drink A Day
The Wall Street Journal: Men Urged To Limit Alcohol To One Drink A Day Amid New Concerns
Men should consume no more than one alcoholic drink a day, according to a federal committee’s recommendations for new U.S. dietary guidelines. That’s a reduction from the current recommended limit of two drinks a day, and matches the guidance for women. The shift reflects scientists’ evolving thinking on moderate drinking, and comes as a 20-year rise in Americans’ drinking is accelerating during the pandemic. (Reddy, 8/17)
The Washington Post: Child Abuse Victims: 40,000 Fewer Kids Seen By Advocacy Centers During Pandemic
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, advocates and educators have warned that the closures of schools would make it terrifyingly difficult to keep a watchful eye on children who are being abused. Child abuse reports began to plummet across the country — not because it wasn’t happening, but because teachers, doctors and others had fewer ways of catching it. Now, a new survey of children’s advocacy centers across the country offers some of the clearest data yet on the scope of this gap in child abuse reporting. (Schmidt, 8/19)
CNN: How To Quit Vaping: The Steps And What To Expect
There is no denying that vaping is popular among teens, with one-third of US high school students reporting they have vaped or used other electronic nicotine products recently, according to a 2019 study. It doesn't stay cool for all of them, with almost half of surveyed teens reporting they seriously thought about quitting, according to new research. Nearly 25% said they tried to quit but failed. (Rogers, 8/19)
Kaiser Health News: We Put Off Planning, Until My Father-In-Law’s Medical Crisis Took Us By Surprise
Earlier this month, my husband picked up the phone and learned his 92-year-old father had been taken to the hospital that morning, feeling sick and short of breath. We were nearly 2,000 miles away, on a vacation in the mountains of southern Colorado. No, it wasn’t COVID-19. My father-in-law, Mel, who has diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease, was suffering from fluid buildup in his legs and around his lungs and excruciating knee pain. Intravenous medications and steroid injections were administered, and he responded well. (Graham, 8/20)
In food safety news —
CNN: Peaches May Be Linked To Salmonella Outbreak That Has Sickened 68 People In 9 States
The US Food and Drug Administration is investigating a salmonella outbreak affecting 68 people in nine states that could be linked to tainted peaches. The bagged peaches were sold under the Wawona brand name in 2-pound clear, plastic bags at ALDI stores in 16 states starting on June 1. (Lin Erdman, 8/20)
CIDRAP: Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Onions Grows By More Than 200 Cases
A multistate Salmonella Newport outbreak linked to onions grew in the past week, with 229 new cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC, officials have confirmed 869 cases in 47 states, including 116 hospitalizations. No deaths have been recorded. Thomson International, Inc. of Bakersfield, California, is the likely source of potentially contaminated red onions, which were used in a variety of food products, according to a list of recalled produces from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition to onions, cheese dips, salsa, and pre-diced onions have all been recalled. The products have been sold at retailers throughout the country, including Aldi, Public Super Market, Walmart, and Kroger. (8/19)
