Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Viewpoints: The Consequences Of Restricting Abortion Access; Tackling The Growing Drug Overdose Problem
The New York Times: What Happens To Women Who Are Denied Abortions
On Dec. 1, the Supreme Court will consider the constitutionality of Mississippi’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. If the court decides to uphold the Mississippi law — as it may well do — that would mean American abortion rights would no longer be protected up to the point of fetal viability, or about 24 weeks of pregnancy. Replacing this viability standard, which has been in place since 1992, with some lower threshold is sometimes framed as a necessary compromise between people who oppose abortion rights and those who support them. (Diana Greene Foster, 11/22)
NBC News: Fentanyl Drug Overdose Deaths Are Rising. But Biden Is Pushing A Policy That Doesn't Work.
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently revealed provisional data showing that more than 100,000 people died of overdoses in the 12 months that ended in April, President Joe Biden promised to take action, saying, “We cannot overlook this epidemic of loss, which has touched families and communities across the country.” However, not all action is good action — and one of the steps the administration is taking threatens to deepen the problem. (Maya Schenwar, 11/23)
Los Angeles Times: Surging Overdose Deaths Are A Tragic Racial Justice Issue
Drug overdoses, which gained attention in recent years as a “white problem,” are now more common among Black Americans. In 2020, drug overdose death rates among Black Americans overtook those of white Americans for the first time since the 1990s, according to our recent analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This was a sharp reversal from 2010, when white Americans were over twice as likely to die of overdose. (Joseph Friedman and Helena Hansen, 11/23)
Stat: The Staggering Toll Of Complications Due To Pregnancy And Childbirth
In conversations about the woeful state of maternal care in the United States — pregnancy-related death is three times more likely here than it is in 10 similar countries — pregnancy-related complications often take a back seat. They shouldn’t. Pregnancy and childbirth are generally safe, wonderful, and even transformative experiences. But they can turn dangerous, especially for people of color. (Laurie Zephyrin, So O'Neil and Kara Zivin, 11/23)
The Boston Globe: United States Can Be A Leader On Behalf Of People With Disabilities Around The World
For more than a decade, a United Nations treaty to protect people with disabilities from discrimination has been on the books. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, introduced in 2006, is the first international treaty to recognize the rights of people with disabilities. While 182 countries have signed and ratified the treaty to become state parties, not all countries have completed ratification. The United States, which signed the agreement in 2009, is one of nine countries that have signed but not ratified the treaty. Seven countries have taken no action. (James T. Brett, 11/22)
Stat: Laugh A Little: Medical Professionals Need To Reclaim Their Humor
Serious question: Is it OK for medical professionals to laugh at themselves or make fun of the profession in public? Some say no. I say it’s not only OK, but humor might be good for the professional — and the profession. (Alessandra Colaianni, 11/23)
