Screen Time For Young Kids Linked To Risk For Developmental Delays
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
New research found that as 1-year-olds spend more time in front of screens, the potential risk of later developmental delays rises, particularly when it comes to communication and problem-solving skills. Also in the news: “Barbie botox,” a chicken-strip recall, sleep habits, and more.
Some Illinois Prisoners Remain In Jail Despite New Medical Release Law
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP reports that although it’s been over a year since the Coleman Act went into effect, an investigation found fewer prisoners have been released than expected, thereby remaining in jail even though they are dying or disabled. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker defended the numbers in a press conference.
Viewpoints: Stop Using The Word ‘Cancer’ For Very Early-Stage Cancers
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers weigh in on cancer, abortion, drug withdrawal, and other topics.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 5, 2023
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Nursing home staffing, covid infections and variants, marijuana restrictions, hospital pricing, skin cancer, and more are in the news.
President Biden Testing Regularly For Covid After First Lady Contracts Virus
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
First lady Dr. Jill Biden tested positive for covid on Monday night after experiencing “mild symptoms.” President Joe Biden has so far tested negative for the virus but will be screened regularly as he prepares to leave for the G20 summit in India.
Covid BA.2.86 Could Be Less Worrisome Than Had Been Feared: Researchers
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Two teams of U.S. scientists have examined the highly mutated BA.2.86 covid subvariant and concluded it can be fought off by human immune systems and may be less contagious than was feared. This is good news, as news outlets report on a late summer wave of covid infections.
Most Nursing Homes Would Have To Hire More Staff Under Proposed Rule
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
An estimated three-quarters of nursing homes in the U.S. would be required to hire more workers under new rules proposed Friday by the Biden administration, the greatest change to federal nursing home regulations in three decades.
HHS Recommends Relaxed Federal Restrictions On Marijuana
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Politico notes that the Department of Health and Human Services “stopped short” of advising that weed should be removed from the Controlled Substances Act. Separately, research shows some marijuana users may have elevated levels of lead and cadmium in their bodies.
A Focus On Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Health As Congress Returns
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Lawmakers are tackling the potential government shutdown and wrangling over spending bills, but a lot of media attention is focused on health worries over Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who appeared to freeze during a press conference last week — the second such event in a month.
First Edition: Sept. 5, 2023
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Mississippi’s Cervical Cancer Deaths Indicate Broader Health Care Problems
By Virginia Anderson
September 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Mississippi has among the highest cervical cancer mortality rates in the U.S. When low-income women can’t afford regular preventive care, much less gynecological visits, this highly preventable and treatable cancer becomes a killer.
NPR and KFF Health News Share the Story of Two Health Heroes Who Helped Stop Smallpox
September 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Regina G. Barber from NPR’s “Shortwave” podcast speaks with physician-epidemiologist Céline Gounder about two men who were among the public health heroes who helped wipe out a 3,000-year-old virus, and the lessons that victory offers for the next public health emergency.
Workers Pay the Price While Congress and Employers Debate Need for Heat Regulations
By Amy Maxmen
September 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Studies suggest official numbers vastly underestimate heat-related injuries and illness on the job. To institute protections, the government must calculate their cost — and the cost of inaction.
Biden Administration Proposes New Standards to Boost Nursing Home Staffing
By Jordan Rau
September 1, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The proposal would require major hiring at the most sparsely staffed homes. But the proposal is already badly received by the nursing home industry, which claims it can’t boost wages enough to attract workers.
Activista distorsiona datos federales para afirmar falsamente que las vacunas contra covid causaron 676,000 muertes
By Tom Kertscher, PolitiFact
September 1, 2023
KFF Health News Original
La publicación fue escrita por el activista anti-vacunas Steve Kirsch, quien ha hecho otras afirmaciones sobre las vacunas que han sido desacreditadas por PolitiFact y otros verificadores de datos.
When Temps Rise, So Do Medical Risks. Should Doctors and Nurses Talk More About Heat?
By Martha Bebinger, WBUR
September 1, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The medical dangers of heat are real. But people often ignore public heat alerts or don’t realize how vulnerable they are. A new alert system prompts clinicians to talk about heat with patients.
Activist Misuses Federal Data to Make False Claim That Covid Vaccines Killed 676,000
By Tom Kertscher, PolitiFact
September 1, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Anti-vaccine tech entrepreneur Steve Kirsch, whose wild assertions have been repeatedly debunked, wrongly attributes deaths following vaccination to the vaccines themselves. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which runs the database, calls that inaccurate and irresponsible.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': 3 Health Policy Experts You Should Know
August 31, 2023
Podcast
In this special episode of KFF Health News’ “What the Health?” host Julie Rovner interviews three health policy experts.
How Far Will Montana’s Push to Remove Lead from School Drinking Water Go?
By Keely Larson
August 31, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Montana has earmarked $3.7 million to address widespread high levels of lead in school drinking water. But it likely isn’t enough to solve the problem.
Join Our Live Web Event
August 30, 2023
Page
Web Event: Thinking Big in Public Health, Inspired by the End of Smallpox Join an online conversation led by Céline Gounder, a physician-epidemiologist and the host of “Eradicating Smallpox,” Season 2 of the “Epidemic” podcast. The docuseries explores the parallels between the campaign to end a centuries-old disease and the challenges public health faces today. […]