Latest KFF Health News Stories
What We’ve Lost To Covid: 28 Million Years Of Life, 750,000 Americans Dead
A study of 37 nations estimates the extra years lost in 2020 total 28 million and found a greater decline in life expectancy among males. In the U.S., it fell by about 2.3 years for men, while women lost 1.6 years. Meanwhile, the U.S. covid death toll surpassed 750,000 people.
Rush For Appointments Is On For Parents Eager To Vaccinate Kids
It’s been a long wait for the parents ready to vaccinate their younger kids against covid. Now that federal authorization has been issued, hunting for a shot is the next step.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into these public health concerns.
Different Takes: Why Is Covid More Fatal To Men?; No Evidence Found Of Covid Lab Leak
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
Perspectives: Police Officers Could Save Lives If They Carried Narcan
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Demand Is Exceeding Supply For Wegovy Weight-Loss Injections
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Britain, Still Ravaged By Covid, Worries About A Difficult Winter
The U.K. Parliament has tightened its covid rules amid a covid case surge. England’s deputy chief medical officer also warned the public the pandemic isn’t over and said careful behavior and boosters will be critical in winter. Separately, China’s delta outbreak has hit more provinces than ever.
Facebook Kills Its Facial Recognition System Over Safety Concerns
The social media company will delete data of over a billion users’ face templates. Meanwhile, Dole Fresh Vegetables is recalling garden salads sold in 10 states due to worries over listeria contamination.
Lead Levels In Some Michigan Water Must Be Made Safe, EPA Orders
Benton Harbor’s water system has tested for lead levels above the federal action limit since 2018, but the Environmental Protection Agency has now ordered the city to take immediate remedial action. Medical marijuana in Missouri, LGBTQ discrimination in Fort Worth and more are also in the news.
White House Cracks Down On Hospitals Defying Price Disclosure Rules
The new rule will take effect at the start of 2022, sharply increasing the penalties that will be imposed on hospitals that obscure their pricing, and also tackling tricks like hiding prices from Google searches. CMS, meanwhile, will boost pay for home health and hospital outpatient services.
Abortion Restrictions Modeled After Texas Law Proposed In Ohio
Two Ohio House Republicans introduced an abortion bill that includes controversial measures that are currently being challenged in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, more fallout from Monday’s high-profile hearings on Texas’ law are in the news.
Covid Infections Ticking Up Before Childhood Vaccines Arrive
The timing of vaccine approvals for younger children couldn’t be better, USA Today reports, as the new case rate has risen 5.4% in the last week. Reports say the entire Bay Area is back in the CDC’s red and orange tiers, and Clark County, Nevada, has returned to the “high risk” category.
Escalating Numbers Of Suicides By Gun Propel White House Initiatives
The Biden administration rolled out a new plan to increase gun storage and safety products, as well as to tackle alarming rates of suicide among military service members and veterans. Firearms were used in over half of all 2019 suicides in the U.S. Separately, 2020 statistics show a drop in some populations, but not all.
Democrats’ Compromise Would Allow Medicare Drug Price Negotiations For First Time
Democrats announced a deal on Tuesday for pared-back drug pricing measures as part of ongoing talks to secure intraparty support for massive spending bills. Under the compromise plan, Medicare Part D would be able to negotiate with drugmakers on the cost of some prescriptions.
Majority Obey Military Vax Mandates; Oklahoma Gov. Wants Exemptions
News outlets cover covid vaccinations among the armed forces, noting the “vast majority” have had shots, partly because very few religious exemptions have been allowed. But Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is asking the federal government for exemptions for local National Guard members.
CDC Report: Immunocompromised People Are Less Protected By Vaccines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that both Pfizer and Moderna shots were less effective at protecting people with weakened immune systems. Two other studies showed covid survivors who get two doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines have stronger protection against infection.
Covid Vaccine For Younger Kids Clears Final Hurdle With CDC Greenlight
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on allowing a lower dose of the Pfizer covid vaccine to be administered to kids ages 5 to 11. News outlets report on what comes next for parents seeking out the shot for their children.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers examine these covid issues.
