Lingering Summer Heat Waves Will Hit Health Of Over 50 Million In US: Data
August 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
Federal health officials warn about the extreme heat conditions, which are expected to extend through August in many areas and put millions of Americans at risk of health impacts. The Los Angeles Times reports the “heat dome” will again hit that region this weekend.
Morning Briefing for Friday, August 4, 2023
August 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
RSV shots, covid, Medicare, drug shortages, weight loss, addiction treatment, telehealth, youth mental health, and more are in the news.
Nearly All Younger Americans Have Mental Health Challenges: Survey
August 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
A startling set of figures is reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, covering a Harris Poll/Blue Shield of California survey: nearly 90% of teens and young adults say they have regular mental health issues. Separately, a study reported in Stat links childhood stress with old-age problems.
White House Held Private Meeting With Drug Stakeholders Over Shortages
August 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
Stat says the in-person meeting of the drug shortage task force with representatives from hospitals, drugmakers, pharmacies and more was a rare occurrence, and its goal was tackling shortages of cancer drugs. Also: staff cuts at biotech startup Celsius, cystic fibrosis medications access, and more.
Medicare Cuts 2024 Payments For Safety Net Hospitals By Almost $1B
August 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CMS cut of $957 million to a fund destined to help pay hospitals that treat poor and uninsured patients is more than eight times larger than one proposed in April, Stat says. Also in the news: Cigna reports a net income fall, people want weight-loss drugs despite the costs, and more.
Democratic House Leadership Endorses Anti-Abortion Texas Rep. Cuellar
August 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
The endorsement of what Politico says is the Democrats’ last anti-abortion lawmaker is a “sharp reversal” of how Rep. Henry Cuellar was mostly abandoned by top figures last year. Other abortion-related news is from Missouri, Wyoming, Guam, and elsewhere.
Global Early Warning System For Disease Outbreaks Is In Jeopardy
August 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
ProMED, the disease surveillance network that identified the beginnings of the covid pandemic and other emerging outbreaks, is at risk of collapsing. A plan by the International Society for Infectious Diseases to start charging for the service has led some senior moderators to suspend work and call for new management.
American Academy Of Pediatrics Reaffirms Position On Gender Treatments
August 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
The American Academy of Pediatrics says it continues to back gender-related medical care for children — treatments that have been banned in 19 states — but is commissioning a review of the latest research on effectiveness in youth.
CDC Recommends RSV Shot For Babies Under 8 Months, Some Toddlers
August 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC’s panel of vaccine advisers unanimously endorsed the RSV shot for infants as well as kids between 8- and 19 months old who may be at increased risk of severe disease. The recommendations were officially accepted by CDC Director Mandy Cohen.
First Edition: Aug. 4, 2023
August 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Survey: Americans Want Weight Loss Drugs Despite High Cost
By Julie Appleby
August 4, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A new poll reveals enthusiasm for a pricey new generation of weight loss drugs, but interest drops if users potentially have to deal with weekly injections, lack of insurance coverage, or a need to continue the medications indefinitely to avoid regaining weight.
As Water Reuse Expands, Proponents Battle the ‘Yuck’ Factor
By Jim Robbins
August 4, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As drought and climate change threaten water supplies, municipalities around the country are ramping up water reuse efforts. But they have to overcome the “yuk” factor.
Teens With Addiction Are Often Left to Detox Without Medication
By Markian Hawryluk
August 4, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Facilities that offer medically managed substance use treatment for patients under 18 are few and far between in the United States. A Denver hospital is trying to help fill the gap.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Congress Is Out. The Presidential Campaign Is In.
August 3, 2023
Podcast
Congress is in recess until after Labor Day, and lawmakers won’t have much time when they return to get the government funded before the next fiscal year. Meanwhile, the Republican campaign for president has begun in earnest, and while repealing the Affordable Care Act is no longer the top promise, some candidates have lively ideas about what to do with federal health programs. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Phil Galewitz, who reported the latest KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month,” about how a bill that should never have been sent created headaches for one patient.
Look Up Your Hospital: Is It Being Penalized by Medicare?
By Jordan Rau
August 3, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Each year, Medicare punishes hospitals that have high rates of readmissions and high rates of infections and patient injuries. Check out which hospitals have been penalized.
Más niños pequeños se intoxican al inhalar la nicotina líquida de los cigarrillos electrónicos
By Liz Szabo
August 3, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Miles de menores al año están expuestos a la nicotina líquida de los cigarrillos electrónicos, también conocidos como vapeadores. Para un niño pequeño, incluso unas pocas gotas pueden ser fatales.
Research Roundup: Candida Auris; Myopia; Covid
August 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Men Are The New Targets Of Diet Culture; How Efficient Is AI At Finding Cancer?
August 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle diet culture, AI in cancer detection, mental health and more.
Syphilis Spiking In Kansas City Area; Florida Doctors Quell Leprosy Worries
August 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Kansas City Star reports that even as syphilis is growing more prevalent, the drugs used to treat the infection are in short supply. Separately, WMFE says that doctors are trying to stem worries over a spike in leprosy cases in Central Florida because the illness is easily treated.
Experts Worry Sheltering From Heat Waves Could Drive Up SAD Cases
August 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
As well as obvious immediate health risks from extreme heat, now ABC News reports psychiatric experts are concerned that as more people are forced to stay indoors, it could drive a “mental health emergency” of summer seasonal affective disorder cases. The U.S. loneliness epidemic is also in the news.