Latest KFF Health News Stories
Covid Mortality Rates For Young People Worse In 2021 Than 2020: Study
Research reported in CIDRAP may suggest that younger people had lower vaccination rates and were worse at sticking with covid rules than older adults in the U.S. In other news, toxic chemicals in the blood may be linked to myocarditis risks after covid vaccines.
CDC To Award Over $3B To Reinforce Public Health System
The money is aimed at strengthening the public health work force and infrastructure after the stresses of the pandemic, Reuters reports. In other news, a study found that covid screenings at hospital entries weren’t very helpful despite the considerable cost.
Fetal Remains Must Be Again Cremated Or Buried In Indiana: Court
An earlier ruling blocked a 2016 law requiring providers bury or cremate fetal remains, including from abortions, but a federal appeals court has now overturned that. Meanwhile, in North Dakota, a state attorney has asked the state Supreme Court to strike down a block of an abortion ban.
Rates Of Americans Dying By Gun At Highest Levels In 3 Decades
Gun death rates have been steadily on the rise every year since 2005, a new study finds, with a 20% spike from 2019 to 2020.
For Those 65 And Up, Drug Overdose Deaths Have More Than Tripled
A separate report found that from 2019-20, alcohol abuse among seniors increased more than 18%.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug May Slow Memory Loss; Needs More Safety Study
Stage 3 clinical trials of lecanemab, a drug developed by Eisai and Biogen, appeared to slow down losses of memory and thinking by 27% in trial patients with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Researchers say that further study of potential serious adverse effects is needed.
Spreading Covid Misinformation On Twitter No Longer Banned
Elon Musk’s Twitter has stopped all efforts to monitor and catch disinformation about covid or vaccines posted on its social media platform, according to an update of its policies.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Should There Be Age Limits For Doctors?; We Need Higher Standards For Maternal Mortality
Editorial writers discuss aging in doctors, the renaming of monkeypox to “mpox,” preventable maternal deaths and more.
Telemedicine Abortions Allowed In Kansas As Judge Blocks Ban
Shawnee County District Court Judge Teresa Watson granted a preliminary injunction Wednesday that blocked enforcement of a Kansas law banning telemedicine abortions. Meanwhile, in Colorado, Kaiser Permanente says it will offer more abortion services because of long waits at clinics.
Protections At Stake In Medicaid Case To Be Decided By Supreme Court
Stateline explores what’s at stake in the case heard earlier this month by the Supreme Court that could curtail or narrow legal protections for Medicaid beneficiaries. Other Medicaid news is reported out of New Mexico, Michigan, Florida, and Georgia.
To Protect Substance Abuse Patients, HHS Looks At Records Privacy
Axios reports on how efforts to marry HIPAA with CARES Act standards could prevent providers unknowingly prescribe opioids for those with a history of addiction. Plans for old opioid disposal, plus stemming the flow of chemicals from India for making fentanyl, and more, are also in the news.
Trans Care Lawsuit In Illinois Could Impact Insurer-Employer Relationship
Modern Healthcare reports on a legal battle between a patient and Blue Cross and Blue Shield which could affect third-party administrators’ potential liability under the ACA’s anti-discrimination provisions. Other transgender care legal matters, veteran suicides, and more are in the news.
Study: 70% Want To Age At Home, But Only 10% Have Long-Term Insurance
A study from HCG Secure/Arctos Foundation shows a disconnect between people’s plans for funding “aging in place” and the mechanisms to ensure care. Separately, Children’s Wisconsin’s is working to place a therapist in all pediatrician’s offices in Wisconsin.
Second Recipient Of Eisai/Biogen Alzheimer’s Trial Treatment Dies
Media outlets report on mounting concerns over the safety of Eisai and Biogen’s Alzheimer’s disease treatment lecanemab. Separately, Axsome Therapeutics says its drug reduces agitation in Alzheimer’s patients. Nestle and PhRMA are also in the news.
Covid Deaths Skewing Older: Nearly 90% Among Over-65s
The Washington Post reminds us that covid is still killing many more people than the flu does, with over 300 people dying every day. But data show that those deaths are increasingly among older generations. Separately, a study found lower sperm counts are found after covid infections.
Corticosteroid Shots For Arthritis May Be Making It Worse, Studies Find
The two small, unpublished studies will be presented Tuesday at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting, NBC News reported. The researchers found that on average, knee arthritis progressed more quickly among people who got the injections than those who didn’t. Other news is on Lyme disease, organ donation, and colon cancer.
‘Nothing To Suggest’ Alito Violated Ethics Standards: Supreme Court Letter
In a letter to Congress, the Supreme Court’s lawyer defended Justice Samuel Alito following a New York Times report related to a 2014 decision Alito wrote that was leaked in advance of its public announcement. Alito had already denied that he or his wife were involved.
Flu Hospitalizations Up 30% In 1 Week; Vaccines Still A Good Match, CDC Says
NBC News reported that of the samples reported to the CDC, about 76% are the H3N2 strain, and the rest are H1N1. Meanwhile, in North Texas, there are more people hospitalized for flu than for covid — a first since the pandemic began.
