Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
WHO: Health Workers Face Mental Health Challenges
The Washington Post: Health-Care Workers At Higher Risk Of Insomnia And Burnout As Pandemic Resurges, Warns WHO
As new coronavirus cases and deaths surge again across most regions of the world, with new deaths rising by 5 percent over the past week, health-care workers are facing mounting mental health challenges, the World Health Organization warned Wednesday. Doctors, nurses and other medical staff now report higher levels of anxiety and depression than other professional groups, the WHO said in its weekly epidemiological report. The organization cited a recent study published by the British Medical Journal that found that insomnia, sleeping disorders and burnout were significant risk factors for covid-19 infection among health-care workers in six Western countries. (Cunningham, 3/31)
NPR: Many Nursing Home Staff Opted Out Of Getting COVID Vaccines
Janet Caldwell was looking forward to visiting her mother again as she did before the pandemic, with no dirty window or awkward outdoor booth between them. Her 87-year-old mom's nursing home in Arkansas had announced in mid-March it would allow family members to visit residents indoors — something it had not permitted for an entire year in the coronavirus pandemic. But a few days later, the nursing home called Caldwell back to say the visits were off. There was a COVID-19 outbreak among the staff, even though weeks before the workers at the facility had already been offered the coronavirus vaccine twice. (Essley-Whyte, 3/31)
KHN and The Guardian: Lost On The Frontline: Explore The Database For This Week's New Profiles
As of Wednesday, the ongoing KHN-Guardian project is investigating 3,605 deaths of U.S. health workers in the fight against covid-19. Today we add 10 profiles, including a dialysis technician who was a "protector" of his tribe and "drag mother" at the club, and an EMT and 9/11 responder who taught firefighters to save lives. Our interactive database investigates the question: Did they have to die? (3/31)
Modern Healthcare: Loretto Hospital CEO George Miller Suspended Amid COVID Controversy
Now we know the sanctions against the chief of Chicago's Loretto Hospital after weeks of revelations about improper distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. CEO George Miller will be suspended without pay for two weeks from the hospital—but not until the board finds a replacement for another high-ranking executive, according to sources. The punishment was decided at a March 19 board meeting. (Quig, 3/30)
