Viewpoints: Here Is Why Your Medical Bills Are Skyrocketing; Heartbreaking Consequence Of Overturning Roe
September 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle increasing medical bills, consequences of Tennessee’s anti-abortion laws and more.
Inspectors Find Contamination At Novo Nordisk Factory Making Diabetes Drug
September 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
Bacterial contamination was detected in batches of the main ingredients for Rybelsys in a Novo Nordisk plant in North Carolina. Separately, the drugmaker is partnering with Valo health to search for new drugs using AI.
Scientists Find Concrete Evidence Of Blood Changes In Long Covid Patients
September 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
The finding that patients suffering long covid symptoms have detectable immune and hormonal imbalances in blood tests could be a breakthrough in understanding and diagnosing the condition. Other researchers found delta covid put people at higher risk of heart and brain complications.
A Shutdown Would Increase Hunger Risks With SNAP, WIC Benefits Disrupted
September 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
An estimated 7 million women and children would feel the hunger pinch if food assistance programs funds dry up during a federal government shutdown, the Biden administration warns. It’s also expected that other federal health care programs would be impacted and a large number of HHS employees furloughed.
AstraZeneca Will Negotiate With Medicare On Price For Diabetes Drug
September 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
Drugmaker AstraZeneca tells Politico that it plans to participate in negotiations with CMS over the price Medicare pays for Farxiga, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, as well as heart failure and chronic kidney disease. In other news, a new study quantifies the big impact of the “pink tax” on womens’ health care costs.
Overdose Crisis Tops Death Records In San Francisco, New York City
September 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
The impact of fentanyl on San Francisco is highlighted with descriptions of people dying in the streets. In New York City, data show overdose deaths in 2022 were the highest since official records began in 2000 — and fentanyl was detected in over 80% of them.
CDC Tries A Rebrand To Promote This Season’s Flu Vaccine Program
September 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
The surprising “Wild to Mild” campaign contrasts pictures of wild animals with cute pets as a metaphor for how a flu shot can tame the potentially dangerous illness. The campaign is all about setting reasonable expectations for the vaccine. Also in the news: Republican voter vaccine skepticism.
Study Raises Concerns Merck’s Covid Drug Affects Virus’ Future Mutations
September 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
New research links patients taking Merck’s molnupiravir drug with mutations in the covid virus that can occasionally spread to other people. The results are raising questions over whether the drug could impact covid’s evolution. Also in the news: covid rebound and how the new vaccine rollout is stuttering.
Missouri Abortion Petition Is Rewritten By Judge To Remove Biased Wording
September 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
A Cole County judge said some original summaries written by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican, were unfairly biased. Ashcroft’s language included phrases like “dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth.” His office plans to appeal.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 26, 2023
September 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
Teen birth rates, health worker strikes, long covid, flu vaccine, hunger, fentanyl, Medicare drug prices, and more are in the news.
First Edition: Sept. 26, 2023
September 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A Decades-Long Drop in Teen Births Is Slowing, and Advocates Worry a Reversal Is Coming
By Catherine Sweeney, WPLN
September 26, 2023
KFF Health News Original
After three decades of declines in teen pregnancies, data shows the rates are starting to plateau. The reversal of “Roe v. Wade,” coupled with efforts to suspend sex education in schools and higher rates of youth mental health issues post-pandemic, could culminate in a perfect storm.
Epidemic: The Tata Way
September 26, 2023
Podcast
Episode 5 of the “Eradicating Smallpox” podcast explores how a partnership between public health institutions and a huge, influential private company was key in the campaign to eliminate smallpox.
Massive Kaiser Permanente Strike Looms as Talks Head to the Wire
By Bernard J. Wolfson
September 25, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Both sides, still at loggerheads over pay and staffing, agreed to keep bargaining after unions announced a possible strike Oct. 4-7. If no deal is reached, a walkout by about 75,000 KP workers in five states could disrupt care.
Spending On Weight-Loss Drugs Projected To Hit $100 Billion By 2035
September 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
Fortune reports that, in the U.S. alone, revenue for medications like Ozempic and Wegovy could hit $70 billion. Other industry news is on the Kaiser Permanente health care worker strike, “unengaged” nurses, cancer drug shortages, and more.
North Carolina Set to Expand Medicaid, Covering 600,000 Low-Income Adults
September 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion is set to take effect, extending coverage to about 600,000 low-income adults. It’s a long-sought victory for the state’s Democratic governor, Roy Cooper.
Viewpoints: New Pill For Postpartum Depression Is A Good First Step; Let’s Reframe How We Discuss Addiction
September 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle postpartum depression, opioid addiction, PEPFAR and more.
Gene Variant Linked To Parkinson’s Risk For Some Of African Descent
September 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
A worldwide push to increase diversity in genetic studies has led to a discovery about Parkinson’s disease. Among other research, a federally funded daycare food program is linked to better overall health in children and their families; another study links short naps to improved memory and heart health.
Researchers Found Type 2 Diabetes Soared In US Youngsters During Covid
September 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
The US saw a 62% jump in the onset of type 2 diabetes among U.S. youth after the beginning of the pandemic, particularly in Black and Hispanic children, according to a study. Separately, research by Diabetes U.K. links depression with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Report Focuses On How September Is Especially Bad For Asthmatic Children
September 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
As summer’s heat gives way to fall weather and kids return to school, asthma exerts say the shift takes a “toll” on those with asthma, especially in communities of color. Also related to respiration, a study finds that secondhand smoke is a source of lead exposure for kids.