Norovirus Is Surging Hardest In The Northeast
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Cases of the stomach virus are blossoming across the country, with the hardest-hit region being the Northeast in recent weeks. Meanwhile, as measles outbreaks continue, Florida’s surgeon general defies scientific advice over unvaccinated kids attending school.
Study Finds That Trans People Taking Testosterone Can Still Get Pregnant
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
A small study published Thursday found that 33% of the participants — transgender men and gender-diverse people who take testosterone — still ovulate and could therefore potentially become pregnant. In other news, Oklahoma’s gender policies are in the spotlight after the death of a nonbinary high schooler.
First Edition: Feb. 23, 2024
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Pregnancy Care Was Always Lacking in Jails. It Could Get Worse.
By Renuka Rayasam
February 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A lack of oversight and standards for pregnancy care in jails is becoming more problematic as the number of incarcerated women rises and abortion restrictions put medical care further out of reach.
Florida Defies CDC in Measles Outbreak, Telling Parents It’s Fine to Send Unvaccinated Kids to School
By Amy Maxmen
February 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The state’s surgeon general grants parents permission to send unvaccinated children to school during a measles outbreak, risking their health and that of others.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Alabama Court Rules Embryos Are Children. What Now?
February 22, 2024
Podcast
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, the Alabama Supreme Court has determined that embryos created for in vitro fertilization procedures are legally people. The decision has touched off massive confusion about potential ramifications, and the University of Alabama-Birmingham has paused its IVF program. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to endorse a national 16-week abortion ban, while his former administration officials are planning further reproductive health restrictions for a possible second term. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too.
Nikki Haley Wants ‘Consensus’ on Contraception. It’s Not That Easy.
By Julie Rovner
February 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Nikki Haley, the last candidate standing between Donald Trump and the GOP presidential nomination, insists that being “unapologetically pro-life” doesn’t make her anti-birth control. “Let’s find consensus,” she urged at a GOP presidential debate in November. “Let’s make sure we make contraception accessible.” If only consensus were that easy. In some conservative circles, contraception is […]
Research Roundup: C. Diff; HPV Vaccine; Heart Disease; Heart Attack
February 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Different Takes: Has Alabama’s ‘Personhood’ Ruling Destroyed IVF Options?
February 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers examine the possible aftermath of the Alabama IVF ruling.
Viewpoint: How Safe Are Our Cleaning Products?; Sharp Increases In Malaria Cases Must Be Brought Under Control
February 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle cleaning product health concerns, malaria, gene therapy, and more.
FDA Issues Warning On Smartwatches That Claim To Measure Blood Sugar
February 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
AP and Reuters report on the FDA’s warning about noninvasive smartwatches and rings that claim to measure blood sugar levels without a needle. Other health tech news is on the use of AI in fighting burnout, addiction apps leaking sensitive data, and more.
Study: ‘Dozens’ Of Obstetricians Stop Practicing After Idaho Abortion Ban
February 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Data also show only two obstetricians moved to Idaho in the past 15 months. Also in the news: An anti-abortion group’s video may soon be part of sex education classes; Georgia GOP senators seek to ban “sexually explicit” books from school libraries, reduce sex education, and force displays of the Ten Commandments; and more.
Intellectual Rights For Vaccines, Drugs At Issue In Pandemic Treaty Talks
February 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Democratic senators are raising concerns over measures in a possible WHO pandemic treaty that could weaken intellectual property protections for pharmaceutical companies and medical device makers. Other news stories report on the ACA, voters’ top health issues, abortion politics, and more.
Analysis Of CDC Data Reveals Side Effects Of Covid Shot Mandates
February 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
An analysis of CDC data suggests that state-level covid shot mandates didn’t really impact uptake and may even have lowered vaccine coverage — for flu vaccinations, too. Meanwhile, another child measles case was confirmed in Florida amid an outbreak.
As Acute Phase Of Pandemic Faded, Death Rate Disparities Remerged
February 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
New research shows that disparities in pre-covid all-cause mortality rates persisted after the acute phase of the pandemic — showing the disparities are endemic, and that even a global health shock didn’t upset demographic death rate differences in the U.S.
Though More Health Staff Were Recruited In 2023, Shortages Remain
February 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare reports that despite a “monumental” effort to boost health industry staffing levels back to pre-pandemic norms, the gains aren’t enough to offset understaffing problems. Separately, health workers are pushing for confidential mental health treatments.
Mississippi May Follow Georgia With Medicaid Work Requirements
February 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
AP reports that while some Mississippi Republican lawmakers are warming to the idea of expanding Medicaid, they seem set on requiring new enrollees to have a job. Also in the news: a possible medical debt erasure in Illinois; Oklahoma’s anti-trans laws in the spotlight; and more.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
IVF treatment, measuring blood sugar, doctor shortages, pandemic treaty talks, vaccine mandates, Medicaid, and more are in the news.
Alabama Hospital Stops IVF Procedures Following Frozen Embryos Ruling
February 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
The University of Alabama at Birmingham health system is pausing in vitro fertilization treatments while health providers across the state assess the impact of the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling that frozen embryos are “children.” The change has left patients with pending appointments uncertain and fearful about future steps.
First Edition: Feb. 22, 2024
February 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.