Latest KFF Health News Stories
Spread Of Covid Likely Linked To Temperature, Humidity
A new study suggests that transmission of the virus may be linked to the seasons: Warmer regions may see more transmission in the summer, while colder regions may get more cases in the winter.
‘Stealth’ Omicron Spreading Across US, But Vaccines Can Fight It, Data Show
The subvariant, known as BA.2, is 1.5 times more contagious than the original variant, research shows. Experts say BA.2 is no reason to panic but that it could drag out this phase of the pandemic.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: ACT For ALS Paves Way For New Therapies; UNOS Updates Improve Transplant Equity
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid, meditation, bone density, senior health, skin tags, and more.
Winter Olympics Poised To Begin, In Shadow Of Covid And Strict Rules
On Wednesday, U.S. bobsled team member Josh Williamson tested positive for covid, meaning he can’t travel to the Games, and in China itself, authorities are fighting to prevent flare-ups of the virus caused by omicron, including previous lockdowns of whole cities.
Study Shows Late-Stage Colon Cancer Found In More Younger Adults
The University of Colorado School of Medicine study found more younger adults with colon cancer, including cases in 20- to 29-year-olds. In other news, the U.S. blood shortage continues, and a study found a link between vitamin D and fish oil supplements and preventing autoimmune disease.
Meningitis Might Have Been Spread At Parties At Michigan State University
Health officials are warning that people who attended two college fraternity events on Jan. 20 and 22 may have been exposed to rare bacterial meningococcal meningitis and should start antibiotics immediately.
Chiefs Fans Raise Over $300K For Buffalo Children’s Hospital
Many of the donations were for $13 – the same amount of seconds it took the Chiefs to tie the game against the Buffalo Bills, CBS reported. In Massachusetts, Mass General Brigham defended a $2.3 billion expansion plan after criticism from regulators over excessive spending.
Pre-Surgery Immunotherapy Linked To Better Liver Cancer Outcomes
A third of patients enrolled in a study who received immunotherapy treatment before surgical interventions had their liver tumors die off. Separately, reports say two new, little-known drugs are adding to the overdose crisis. AbbVie is also in the news over a Humira trade secrets investigation.
For First Time, Grants For Medicaid, CHIP Target Those Who Are Pregnant
Modern Healthcare reports that state and local governments, not-for-profits, schools and more can now apply to receive up to $1.5 million each over three years to help more kids get health coverage.
Covid Rules Eased In San Francisco; Boston Vax Mandate Paused By Judge
San Francisco is easing its mandate for masking in gyms and offices, if people are vaccinated, and will relax vaccine proof requirements for indoor sports arenas, restaurants and bars. Meanwhile in Boston, a judge ruled some unionized city workers won’t have to get vaccinated under a mandate. Media outlets cover other moves toward and away from mandates across the country.
White House Considering New Slimmed-Down Covid Paid Leave Plan
The Build Back Better plan included 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave for all workers, and reports suggest the White House may again be considering a scaled-down version. Stateline and Modern Healthcare report on time off and raises for incentivizing frontline workers.
Biden At-Home Test Program Accused Of Impacting Supply Chain
Pharmacists and state officials are reportedly critical of the Biden administration’s billion-test plan for impacting the existing network for supply and distribution of covid tests. A poll in The Hill said over 60% of U.S. adults who’ve tried to get an at-home test have had difficulty.
Universal Covid Shot Underway, But It May ‘Take Years,’ Says Fauci
Media outlets cover developments in covid vaccines, including research into a “pan-coronavirus” shot that can tackle multiple variants of the virus. Moderna, meanwhile, warns that omicron will be a persistent problem this year and that its targeted vaccine won’t be ready before summer.
Mast Cells, Clues From ‘Chemo Brain’ May Help Unmask Long Covid
Reports in Stat and St. Louis Public Radio show how researchers are trying to uncover the secrets behind what causes long covid, with its lingering post-infection effects. Another study shows pulse oximeter readings are an unreliable tool for measuring covid’s severity across ethnic groups.
Omicron Might Have Peaked, But The Pandemic’s Not Over — Nor Is Delta
News outlets remind us that 1) delta covid, more severe if less infectious than omicron, is still a persistent threat; 2) the omicron surge may be fading in places, but the pandemic isn’t done amid still-spotty immunity; and 3) omicron isn’t “over,” and the effects of covid on health and care will linger through 2022.
Moderna Begins Trial Of HIV Vaccine
The vaccine is based on the same mRNA technology used to create its covid vaccine. On Thursday, it administered the first doses to volunteers at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, news outlets reported.
Future Crises Will Be Just As Bad If HHS Doesn’t Fix Problems, Watchdog Warns
A GAO report Thursday said the Health and Human Services Department is at “high risk” of mismanaging future pandemics because of “persistent deficiencies” in how it has dealt with this one.
