Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Study Links Vaping With Eating Disorder Risks Among College Students
Fox News: Vaping Linked To Increased Eating Disorder Risk Among US College Students
Recent vaping or e-cigarette use was associated with an increased risk of an eating disorder and a higher likelihood of a self-reported eating disorder diagnosis, according to a recent study. While vaping is common among young adults and eating disorder onset typically occurs before age 25, the association was unknown among a national sample of college students, researchers wrote. An estimated 22% of college kids reported recent nicotine vaping in 2019, authors noted, while up to "29% of female, 16% of male and 14% of transgender/gender non-conforming college students report symptoms of eating disorders," the study notes in part. (Rivas, 9/14)
In other public health news —
Anchorage Daily News: 3rd And 4th Known Cases Of ‘Alaskapox’ — Both Mild — Were Recently Diagnosed In The Fairbanks Area
In July, a young child in the Fairbanks area showed up at an urgent care clinic with a “pox-like” mark on the inside of her left elbow, along with other symptoms including a mild fever and pain. Three weeks later, the mark — which at first resembled an insect bite — had gone away, as had her other symptoms. In August, an unrelated Fairbanks-area woman sought medical care for a similar lesion on her right thigh accompanied by joint pain. After three weeks, she had mostly recovered too. According to a report recently issued by the Alaska Division of Public Health, both patients were later diagnosed with the third and fourth known cases of a recently discovered species of double-stranded-DNA virus called “Alaskapox,” which comes from the same genus as smallpox, monkeypox and cowpox. (Berman, 9/14)
The Boston Globe: Two New Human Cases Of West Nile Virus Detected In Massachusetts
Two new human cases of West Nile virus have been detected in Essex and Middlesex counties bringing the state’s total this year to six human cases and one animal case, Massachusetts public health officials said Tuesday. The virus was found in a woman in her 70′s who was exposed in Essex County, and a man in his 60′s who was exposed in Middlesex County, according to a statement from the state Department of Public Health. The cases bring the state total for this year up to six, one more than last year, the state said. (Redefer, 9/14)
CBS News: Broadway Reopens At Full Capacity With Shows Including "Hamilton"
Four big shows are returning to Broadway, and at full capacity. Audience members are required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. ... After a year and a half in the dark, not only have Broadway's lights, performers and workers returned, but so have the audiences. One pair of friends came from Illinois and Colorado. Marie Jarrell told CBS News that seeing a Broadway show again was "gonna make me cry." (Wax, 9/14)
Dallas Morning News: Sam’s Club Sets $15 As Its Minimum Wage, Raises Pay For Some Hourly Workers
Sam’s Club is officially setting $15 an hour as its minimum wage, even though 95% of its warehouse club workers are already making that. The division of Walmart said it also is raising department leader position pay from $18 to $19 an hour and increasing pay for tire and battery center technicians, personal shoppers who fill online orders, and forklift drivers. About a third (34%) of Sam’s Club hourly employees will see their pay rise on Sept. 25. Starting pay for Sam’s Club now ranges from $15 to $20 an hour, depending on the market and store location. (Halkias, 9/14)
In obituaries —
The New York Times: Norm Macdonald, ‘Saturday Night Live’ Comedian, Dies At 61
Norm Macdonald, the acerbic, sometimes controversial comedian familiar to millions as the “Weekend Update” anchor on “Saturday Night Live” from 1994 to 1998, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 61. His manager, Marc Gurvitz, confirmed the death. Lori Jo Hoekstra, his longtime producing partner, told the entertainment news outlet Deadline that the cause was cancer, something he had been dealing with for some time but had kept largely private. (Genzlinger, 9/14)
