Latest KFF Health News Stories
Al-Shabab Bans U.N., Other Aid Agencies From Working In Somalia; U.N. SG Condemns Actions
“Al-Shabab rebels banned some U.N. and international aid agencies from working in Somalia on Monday and began seizing and looting some of their offices in southern and central areas of the country, the Islamist group and aid sources said,” Reuters reports (Ahmed et al., 11/28). “Among the agencies al-Shabab banned on Monday were UNICEF, the World Health Organization, UNHCR, the Norwegian Refugee Council, the Danish Refugee Council, German Agency For Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Action Contre la Faim, Solidarity, Saacid and Concern,” the Associated Press/Washington Post notes (11/28). In a statement, al-Shabab, “[t]he main Islamist insurgent group in Somalia, which is still in the throes of a major food crisis classified as famine in some regions, … accus[ed] them of ‘illicit activities and misconduct,'” IRIN writes (11/28). “The al-Shabab statement accused the groups of exaggerating the scale of the problems in Somalia for political reasons and to raise money,” according to BBC News (11/28)
First Edition: November 29, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about states’ bleak economic forecast.
Researchers involved with a multi-armed clinical trial designed to evaluate different antiretroviral (ARV) interventions for HIV prevention on Friday announced the arm testing a vaginal gel had been stopped because it was not working, the New York Times reports. The announcement marks “a major disappointment for AIDS research” because the gel “had seemed to work surprisingly well in a previous” trial, according to the newspaper. That study, called CAPRISA, found that the vaginal gel, which contains the ARV tenofovir, reduced the risk of HIV infection by 39 percent among women overall and by 54 percent among women who used it most consistently, the newspaper notes, adding, “It was hoped that the new trial, nicknamed VOICE (for Vaginal and Oral Interventions to Control the Epidemic), would confirm that earlier trial” (McNeil, 11/25).
IPS Examines Efforts To End Violence Against Women, Including U.N. Trust Fund And International Day
Inter Press Service profiles the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, writing, “Since it launched in 1997, [it] has distributed more than 78 million dollars to 339 projects around the world, but even these resources fall far short, meeting less than five percent of demand.” Noting that the Fund “provides services to women and girl survivors of violence, including legal aid, health care, shelter and psychosocial support,” the news service highlights a number of programs supported by the Fund through past grants and writes, “This year alone, more than 2,500 applications requesting about 1.2 billion dollars for programs across 123 countries have been received.”
This New York Times editorial responds to the latest UNAIDS report (.pdf), which it says “reveals substantial success by some measures and stagnation by others,” writing, “The challenge, in tough times, that must be met is to find enough resources to capitalize on scientific breakthroughs and keep the campaign moving forward.”
Despite Limitations Of Global Fund Programs, Dangers Of Cutting Funding Are Worse
In this Financial Times opinion piece, journalist Andrew Jack examines how, “[a]fter a period of fast expansion, and strong progress in tackling AIDS, [tuberculosis (TB)] and malaria alike,” the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria “has become a target in the era of austerity. With a shift in power between the world’s traditional and emerging economies, and donors seeking ways to cut support, billions of dollars and millions of lives are at stake.” Jack recaps a brief history of the Fund in the 10 years since its inception; highlights a number of ways in which the Fund has been distinctive from other organizations; and notes several issues that have led to calls for reform within the Fund.
“Children’s well-being has improved dramatically thanks to increased global political will and efficient supportive programs and policies, according to a report released [Wednesday] by [UNICEF] and Save the Children U.K., but it also warns that benefits need to reach the most disadvantaged children for gains to be sustainable,” the U.N. News Centre reports, adding, “Among the most prominent accomplishments highlighted by the report is the significant decline in child mortality rates.” According to the news service, “The authors of the report cite a number of factors for these advancements, but place particular emphasis on the high-level commitment and supportive government policies that have placed children’s well-being as a priority” (11/23).
5M Pakistanis Affected By Flooding Need Humanitarian Assistance, U.N. Agencies Say
“United Nations aid agencies said Friday more than five million Pakistanis are in need of humanitarian assistance following the floods earlier this year,” with nearly half of those being children, the VOA “Breaking News” blog reports (11/26). “UNICEF spokesperson Marixie Mercado said the most urgent risks to children are those related to safe water and malnutrition, with malnutrition rates in the affected areas already found to be high before the floods began,” according to the U.N. News Centre (11/25).
Harvest Improves In North Korea But Malnutrition Concerns Remain, U.N. Food Agencies Say
“A United Nations assessment published [Friday] finds that the main annual harvest in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has improved compared to last year but serious nutrition concerns persist, especially among young children,” the U.N. News Centre reports. “The joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that while harvests are expected to increase by about 8.5 percent over 2010, the country will still have a cereal import requirement of 739,000 tons,” the news service writes (11/25). According to the Associated Press/Washington Post, “The report says nearly three million people will continue to require food assistance next year. U.N. officials have appealed to wealthy countries to put aside politics to help hungry North Koreans” (11/25).
Nine African countries — Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Next On Capitol Hill: Skirmishes Over Tax Breaks And The ‘Doc Fix’
The Associated Press terms it a “symbol” of the “federal government’s budget dysfunction” because physicians again are facing a steep cut in Medicare payments unless Congress intervenes. This time, however, such action will be considered in the context of other difficult budget questions.
CMS Chief Resigns, White House Taps His Deputy As Successor
Marilyn Tavenner was named last week by the White House to succeed Donald Berwick as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, but it is unclear how her nomination will be received by Congress.
Ariz. Insurer To Offer ACOs For Small Biz; Md. Plans Rated By State
Some health insurance news from Arizona, California and Maryland.
N.J. Nurses Sue Over Abortion Policy; St. Paul Hospital Stops Abortions
A dozen nurses say the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey violated laws by mandating they help with abortion patients. Meanwhile, Regions Hospital in St. Paul will stop providing abortions in December.
Hospitals Spend Billions On New Defibrillators
The LA Times reports that this trend has recently been questioned and even criticized.
Three-Way Contest: Prize Is $30 Billion Veterans Drug Contract
McKesson, which has been the sole medicine supplier for veterans’ hospitals and mail-order pharmacies since 2004, is now competing against Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Corp.
Federal Funding, Medicare Plan Specifics Draw Campaign-Trail Reports
News outlets examine the federal funds received by Texas while Rick Perry has been the state’s governor as well as some of the positions taken by Mitt Romney.
State Roundup: Wash. Hospitals’ ER ‘Boom’; Rehab Scams In Florida?
Health policy news from California, Florida, Washington state, Oregon, Vermont and Texas.
