Latest KFF Health News Stories
Abortion Rates Rose For First Time In Decades
The Guttmacher Institute reports that abortions rose between 2017 and 2020, reversing trends from the previous 3 decades. In 2020, 1 of 5 pregnancies were terminated and medication abortion accounted for 54%.
Study Finds Possible Link Between Long Covid And Child Hepatitis
Experts caution that the results don’t fully explain the medical mystery behind the global child hepatitis surge. Separately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that child hepatitis rates in the U.S. aren’t necessarily higher than before the pandemic.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: How Valid Is The DSM In Making A Diagnosis?; FDA Must Revamp Blood Donation Rules
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Viewpoints: Rebound Fears Shouldn’t Prevent Patients Taking Paxlovid; Covid Has Changed Hospitals
Opinion writers tackle covid and abortion issues.
Fatal Overdoses Soar In Kentucky In 2021, Most Of Them Involving Fentanyl
The powerful synthetic opioid was identified in nearly 73% of the deaths, a recent report reveals. “We’ve never seen one drug this prevalent in the toxicology reports of overdose fatalities,” said Van Ingram, executive director of the state Office of Drug Control Policy.
Sizzling Temps, High Ozone Levels Threaten Health Of Millions Today
All of Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana are under excessive-heat warnings, as well as parts of more than a dozen other states. Oppressive humidity levels will make it feel up to 15 degrees hotter than what the thermometer says.
Following Covid Problems, AMA To Fight Medical Disinformation
The American Medical Association voted to support a variety of efforts, including improving access to evidence-based data, mobilizing health care workers to fact-check social media claims. and giving licensing boards the authority to penalize providers who disseminate disinformation. Also: news on health care data breaches and unnecessary medical tests.
‘The Need Is Huge’: FDA Approves First-Ever Drug For Alopecia
In clinical trials, Eli Lilly’s once-daily pill, known as Olumiant, helped treated patients regrow much of their lost hair. And in Canada, health authorities approved Amylyx’s new drug, Albrioza, for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, although the U.S. government says it needs more testing.
Ohio Makes It Easier For Teachers To Carry Guns In Schools
Previously school staff needed 700 hours of training in order to carry weapons on campus. A law just signed by Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, reduces that number to 24 hours. Meanwhile, senators continue to negotiate details of its limited gun deal, and Hollywood questions how firearms are represented in entertainment.
Study: Safety Of MRNA Vaccines Good, With Moderna Slightly Topping Pfizer
JAMA Internal Medicine publishes results from an observational study of U.S. veterans that finds very low risks with both covid vaccines. Meanwhile, news outlets look ahead to a pending decision on vaccine authorization for the littlest kids.
Colds, Flu, RSV Used To Be Predictable On The Calendar. Covid Upended That
Doctors say they are now seeing adenovirus, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, influenza, parainfluenza, and more at unusual times of the year. Health precautions taken during the height of the pandemic, as well as eliminating those precautions now, are likely to blame. “All of these decisions have consequences,” said one infection-control expert.
NY Law Shields Abortion Providers Serving Out-Of-State Residents
Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, signed a law that protects medical professionals who provide abortion from arrest, extradition, and legal proceedings in other states that might outlaw abortion by forbidding New York state and local courts and law enforcement agencies from cooperating in most scenarios.
Can Monkeypox Be Transmitted By Sex? Scientists Find Virus DNA In Samples
In a small number of semen samples studied in Italy, evidence of monkeypox DNA was discovered, raising the question of whether the virus may be a sexually transmitted disease. In the U.S., little testing and contact tracing for the disease stifles public health efforts to track outbreaks.
Biden Not Deemed Close Contact To Becerra, Trudeau Covid Cases
The White House says President Joe Biden is not believed to be a close contact of either Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, who both announced positive covid tests shortly after attending the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles. Other lawmakers and entertainers also contract the virus in this latest surge.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Low Rate Of Flu Shots Is Concerning; US Kids Need Help With Mental Health Care
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Different Takes: The Future of Covid Vaccines Is Bright; Is Anyone Worried About Covid Anymore?
Opinion writers examine these covid and abortion issues.
‘Poison In Every Puff’: Canada Will Require Warnings On Every Cigarette
Canada would become the first nation to stamp a warning on each stick, decades after it became the first to include graphic, picture-based warnings on packages.
New York Organization Apologizes For Its Role In Tuskegee Syphilis Study
The Milbank Memorial Fund covered funeral expenses — $100 at most — for black men who died in the U.S. government research project. To get the money, AP reports, widows had to consent to letting doctors perform autopsies on the men. “It was wrong. We are ashamed of our role. We are deeply sorry,” Christopher F. Koller, president of the fund, publicly acknowledged Saturday.
