Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
High Tolerance Levels Make Common Opioid Treatments Ineffective For Some
The New York Times: Regular Users Can Tolerate Previously ‘Unsurvivable’ Amounts Of Fentanyl
Habitual users of fentanyl have developed such a strong tolerance to the drug that standard doses of medications to manage withdrawal and initiate recovery are no longer working for many patients, a team of researchers in Los Angeles has found. Their study, published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, presents a picture of the dangerous volatility of the city’s street supply and the capacity of users to tolerate ever greater amounts of pure fentanyl, which is at least 50 times more potent than heroin. (Hoffman, 7/2)
San Francisco Chronicle: Stanford Scientist's Eye Implant Is Helping Blind People Read Again
A chip the size of a pencil point inserted into the eye has helped a few dozen blind adults in Europe regain some vision — they’ve been able to paint, to recognize faces and to read to their grandchildren again. The device, a prosthetic retinal implant, is the first of its kind to improve vision in people with a common form of blindness in older adults, afflicting roughly a million people in the United States. (Allday, 7/5)
Regarding vaccines —
CIDRAP: Most Women Opt For Maternal RSV Vaccination, Prefer It To Infant Immunization, International Study Finds
Women in eight countries often opted for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine during pregnancy and preferred this method of immunization to giving their babies the infant monoclonal antibody nirsevimab (Beyfortus), a study published in Vaccine found. “The multinational study demonstrates high acceptance of maternal RSV vaccination and a predominant preference for this strategy over infant immunizations,” wrote the authors, who were led by researchers at the School of Health Sciences at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland. (Holohan, 7/2)
STLPR: Could MRNA Transform Flu Shots? WashU Researchers Say Yes
Washington University researchers have found evidence that an mRNA flu vaccine could offer stronger protections against influenza than a traditional flu shot. The research, which appears in the journal Nature Immunology, is part of a larger set of studies investigating a flu shot made with mRNA technology. Instead of using a weakened or inactive virus, mRNA vaccines teach the body to produce antibodies to develop immunity. (Fentem, 7/2)
CIDRAP: Social Media Reflected US Adults’ Emotions At Initial COVID Vaccine Rollout
As the world watched people receiving the first COVID-19 vaccines in December 2020, social media revealed joy, anger, and receding fear in the United States, according to a recent study in JAMA Network Open. The paper showed that social media can provide a richer understanding of the emotions people experience after a major public health achievement. “These findings suggest that monitoring social media discourse can provide early signals of optimism, skepticism, and division, thereby informing targeted communication strategies,” wrote the authors, who were led by researchers at the National University of Singapore. (Holohan, 7/2)
The Washington Post: Why A Case Pivotal To The Anti-Vax Movement Could End Up At The Supreme Court
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit set the stage for a potential Supreme Court battle over vaccine mandates this week. The court affirmed its prior ruling upholding New York’s ban on religious exemptions to its law requiring schoolchildren be vaccinated. The case, involving Amish parents, hinges on the legal argument that excluding a religious exemption violates the First Amendment. Legal watchers say the case is likely to go to the Supreme Court, which would decide whether to take it up. (Weber, 7/2)
In other health and wellness news —
AP: More US Children Have Been Drowning In Recent Years
Doctors and others are sounding an alarm: More U.S. children have been drowning in recent years. “When drowning occurs, seconds matter,” said Dr. Rohit Shenoi, the lead author of a recent American Academy of Pediatrics warning. “Quick rescue and resuscitation can mean the difference between life, death and lifelong disability.” About 4,000 to 5,000 Americans drown each year. Most are adults who die in natural bodies of water, such as lakes, ponds or oceans. (Stobbe, 7/4)
The Hill: Rep. Tom Kean Jr.'s Depression Revelation Stirs Debate Over Mental Health Stigma
When Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) disclosed that his monthslong disappearance from the House was due to depression, he opened a delicate but difficult conversation: How much information about their personal health are politicians expected to share? After vanishing from public life for more than 100 days and offering almost no details, Kean returned to Washington Tuesday to explain his absence. (Weixel, 7/4)
Central Florida Public Media: During A Shortage, OneBlood Calls On African-Americans To Save Woman With Rare Blood Type
As the regional blood bank is grappling with a shortage of donations, OneBlood is calling on those of African descent to donate blood as soon as they can to save the life of a Florida woman with sickle cell disease in need of a rare blood type combination. (Pedersen, 7/4)
NPR: Pick Up The Walking Pace To Protect Your Brain Health
Crossword puzzles and brain teasers have long been touted as ways to keep the mind sharp. But a new study points to another strategy that may matter just as much: staying fast on your feet. Researchers have found that people in their 80s who maintain an exceptionally quick walking pace, dubbed "super movers," are also far more likely to stay mentally sharp compared to their slower-moving peers of the same age. (Aubrey, 7/6)
