Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Study Links Midlife Wealth To Longevity -- Even Between Siblings
Axios: Study: More Wealth Leads To A Longer Life
Americans who are wealthier at midlife tend to live longer than their less-wealthy peers — including peers who also happen to be their siblings, according to a new study published Friday in JAMA Health Forum. The study suggests that the association between wealth and longevity isn't an artifact of early life experiences or genetics. Even among twins, greater wealth correlated with a greater chance of survival later in life. (Owens, 7/26)
Modern Healthcare: SNAP Benefits Fall Short In 4 Out Of 10 U.S. Counties
Federal nutrition subsidies don't cover the average meal cost in more than four in 10 U.S. counties, even after Congress increased benefits, a new study found. Before the temporary 15% increase to the maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program benefit, the maximum subsidy did not cover the cost of a low-income meal in 96% of U.S. counties, according to research from the Urban Institute, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. While the temporary boost—set to expire on Sept. 30—has reduced rates of food insecurity, it still doesn't cover the average meal of $2.41 in 40.5% of U.S. counties. (Kacik, 7/26)
In covid news —
The Wall Street Journal: The Science Behind Jon Rahm’s Covid-19 DéJà Vu
If his positive case is confirmed, Rahm’s experience may be a preview of what’s in store for the rest of the world—and particularly the sports world—as Covid remains a fact of life. “You’re going to have this over and over again,” said Stanley Perlman, a University of Iowa coronavirus researcher and a member on the panel advising the FDA about authorizing Covid-19 vaccines. “This is a story more about being cautious and being sad for the golfer than it being any risk for the world.” (Hernandez and Beaton, 7/26)
Axios: The Delta Variant Doesn't Want You Back In The Office
Resurgent outbreaks — including breakthrough infections among vaccinated people — could throw a wrench in plans to bring workers fully back to offices in September. A number of companies and the federal government have targeted the end of summer as the time to bring in-person offices fully online. But rising numbers of COVID-19 cases from the Delta variant could render that goal unrealistic. (Walsh, 7/26)
Also —
Houston Chronicle: Some Texas Families Flee 'Toxic Environment' They Say Targets Their Transgender Children
The Taylor family of San Antonio left their friends, family and beloved Spurs for Austin and ultimately Hawaii in 2020 to shield their 9-year-old son from a spate of anti-transgender policies in Texas. The Rey family, who have been raising their kids in the Austin area, are relocating to Maryland in August to avoid a “toxic environment” that plunged their youngest son, bright 8-year-old Leon into a depression. The Stantons, who are deeply connected to the Jewish community in Houston, are monitoring the real estate market in Arizona, but as long as gender affirming health care is legally accessible, they hope to stick around and advocate for their 10-year-old Maya and children like her. (Banks, 7/27)
The Baltimore Sun: Dr. Leana Wen Tells Baltimore Stories In Her New Book: ‘LIFELINES: A Doctor’s Journey In The Fight For Public Health’
Former Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen has become a household name during the coronavirus pandemic, providing regular public commentary that nudges — and sometimes more bluntly pushes — public officials and the public to “follow the science” on masking, testing and vaccinating. Wen is now out with a new book available Tuesday: “LIFELINES: A Doctor’s Journey in the Fight for Public Health.” It takes readers on a path, directly through her adopted hometown of Baltimore, that shows her transition from a poor young immigrant with a stutter to medical school student at age 13 to positions in emergency medicine, public health, academia and punditry. (Cohn, 7/27)
