Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Viewpoints: PASTEUR Act Vital To Fight Superbugs; Texas Adds Murder Charges Into Abortion Debate
Chicago Tribune: Antibiotic Development Crucial To Stopping Superbugs
We don’t know when the next pandemic will strike. But we have a good idea of where it’ll start — in hospitals. Bacteria and fungi are constantly evolving and growing more and more resilient to the antibiotics we use to treat them. These “superbugs” will eventually mutate to resist even our last-line-of-defense treatments. (Nicolos Joseph, 4/12)
Miami Herald: Texas Woman Is Arrested For Self-Induced Abortion
Last week, Texas gave us a glimpse of the future. It was not pretty. It seems that on Thursday, a 26-year-old woman was arrested and charged with murder. Specifically, according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Department in tiny Starr County on the Mexican border, Lizelle Herrera “intentionally and knowingly” caused “the death of an individual by self-induced abortion.” Thankfully, her ordeal was not long-lived. On Monday, the district attorney asked a judge to dismiss the charge. Although Texas is among the states that have imposed harsh limits on a woman’s constitutional right to end a pregnancy, it has no statute covering what Herrera is alleged to have done. In fact, Texas law specifically prohibits criminal prosecution of a woman who has an abortion. (Leonard Pitts Jr., 4/12)
NBC News: Moderna Developing A Herpes Vaccine Is A Game Changer For People Like Me
I’ve had herpes for as long as I can remember, likely contracting the virus as a grabbing toddler reaching for my mother’s face. Over the decades, I have spent a considerable amount of time agonizing over how to skip work, school and social events. When hiding from the world, I have tried every home remedy, topical cream and ointment and antiviral drug available. Sadly, there is no cure for herpes, only options to limit or prevent outbreaks. But a new vaccine on the horizon could prove to be a game changer. (Deidre Olsen, 4/12)
Also —
Stat: Amid The Nation's Mental Health Crisis, We Need More Psychiatrists Now
Every day, people call my office looking for help: A loved one has not left their bed in a week. A father is experiencing panic symptoms while preparing his children for school. A young woman is using substances in a way that feels dangerous to her. These are not the worried well. They are people in crisis. Their conditions are complex and acute, and require the expertise of a psychiatrist who can talk with them, assess possible medical causes for their problems, manage withdrawal, prescribe medications when needed, and connect with other providers. (Christin Drake, 4/12)
Lewiston Sun Journal: Mental Health Is Not Addressed Behind Bars
Throughout the course of the pandemic, the importance of mental health awareness and treatment has been drawn to the forefront of state and national attention. However, as the need has arisen, the availability of services has dwindled to the point that officers are often thrust into the role of primary mental health responders. (Hannah Longley And Eric Samson, 4/11)
Miami Herald: First Responders Are Human. We Must Take Care Of Their Mental Health And Well-Being
Not many people can understand or empathize with the things first responders encounter during an emergency — or even on a daily basis. Public safety service comes with great personal sacrifice, and many first responders silently carry the burden. The trauma many of them experienced at the site of the Surfside condo collapse or in the wake of devastating hurricanes can be difficult to discuss. First responders are dedicated to protecting others and, too often, put themselves at the bottom of the priority list. (Anna Courie, 4/12)
