Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Viewpoints: Why Don't People Know About 988?; Ohio Passed Abortion Vote But There Is Still More To Be Done
USA Today: 988 Suicide Hotline Launched Last Year, But Too Many Still Calling 911
Call centers for 911 have a more technical name: public safety answering points, or PSAPs. People who work at these centers can do a lot, but they have limited resources and training to address behavioral health issues. That is in part why, more than a year ago, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline became the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, transitioning to a three-digit number and expanding its focus to include mental health crises. (Stephanie Brooks Holliday, 11/14)
Stat: Ohio Still Needs To Do More To Protect The Right To Abortion
Last week those of us who work in reproductive health care celebrated a historic victory in Ohio: Voters overwhelmingly favored Issue 1, which enshrines a right to abortion into the state constitution and makes the six-week ban many of us feared unenforceable. As an abortion provider in Cleveland, I’m relieved that my patients’ freedom to access abortion care, miscarriage care, and contraception is protected. But obstacles still prevent patients from receiving the care they need and make life challenging for practitioners. (Emily Freeman, 11/13)
The Washington Post: Three Big Questions About Obesity Drugs
For the more than 100 million American adults with obesity, medications such as semaglutide (known by its brand names Wegovy and Ozempic) and tirzepatide, a version of which the Food and Drug Administration approved last week, could be transformative. These drugs are remarkably effective in reducing weight, managing diabetes and reducing cardiovascular complications. (Leana S. Wem, 11/14)
Scientific American: Newborn Genomic Screening Needs To Build The Evidence
Should all babies have their genomes sequenced at birth? The question has been hotly debated for the past 15 years. Unlocking the genome’s 3.2-billion-letter code promises understanding of both health and disease. But practical and ethical challenges loom large. (Richard Scott and Zornitza Stark, 11/13)
Dallas Morning News: Giving Out Expired Naloxone Is Not The Right Solution
Scientists and doctors agree that most medications are still effective past their expiration date. The reality is that their full potency cannot be guaranteed past that date. This distinction is important in the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the United States, where naloxone, a drug that reverses an opioid overdose, has become a lifesaving tool. (11/14)
The CT Mirror: Opinion: Colorectal Screening In CT Needs To Be More Accessible
Chances are, you or someone you know has been affected by colon cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, Connecticut had nearly 61 cases of colon cancer per 100,000 residents in the early 2000s. In 2020, the incidence decreased by half. You may ask, why is that? The answer is: screening, early detection and early intervention. (Arianna Burkard, 11/14)
