Doctors Warn Extreme Heat May Cause Mass Casualties
July 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Stat covers the stark warning from ER doctors, as temperatures in cities like Phoenix remain at worryingly high levels. The Washington Post says the heat wave isn’t going to fade soon. Europe’s heat woes also continue. And poor air quality remains a danger across lots of the U.S.
Iowa’s Strict New Fetal Heartbeat Abortion Ban Is Suspended
July 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
The freshly-signed ban only went into effect days ago and now it’s been blocked by a district court judge while a large legal challenge proceeds, with a case that is deemed likely to succeed. Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, condemned the ruling.
Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s Drug Slows Disease Progression By 35%; More When Taken Early
July 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Eli Lilly released full clinical trial results that shows promising results for donanemab, which could slow cognitive decline by 60% in patients with mild symptoms. Plus, a first-of-its-kind study provides insight in what parts of the country Alzheimer’s is most prevalent.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, July 18, 2023
July 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
RSV shot for infants, Alzheimer’s drug, extreme heat dangers, abortion law, drug shortages, covid, smallpox, and more are in the news.
FDA OKs First RSV Preventive Shot For All Infants
July 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
The FDA approved a monoclonal antibody shot — Beyfortus, produced by Astra Zeneca and Sanofi — to help protect the youngest Americans against respiratory syncytial virus. The treatment is expected to be available by the start of the fall RSV season.
First Edition: July 18, 2023
July 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Epidemic: The Goddess of Smallpox
July 18, 2023
Podcast
To defeat smallpox in South Asia, public health workers had to navigate the region’s layered cultural ideas about the virus. They also dreamed big. In Episode 1, host Céline Gounder wonders how the U.S. might tap into similar “moral imagination” to prepare for the next public health crisis.
Timeline: The Final Years of the Campaign to End Smallpox
July 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Many people working in global health thought eradicating smallpox was impossible. They were wrong. Season 2 of the Epidemic podcast, “Eradicating Smallpox,” is a journey to South Asia during the last days of variola major smallpox. Explore the timeline to learn about significant dates in the final push to end the virus.
En las personas mayores, un poco de sobrepeso no es tan malo
By Judith Graham
July 17, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Comprender las pruebas científicas y la opinión de los expertos sobre los problemas de peso en los adultos mayores no es fácil.
Viewpoints: Newer Energy Drinks Targeted To Kids Have Harmful Levels Of Caffeine
July 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers delve into energy drinks, body donation, maternal mortality and other public health issues.
Mississippi Begins Allowing Religious Exemptions To Child Vaccines
July 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP, reporting on the news, reminds us that Mississippi is one of the poorest states, with high health problem rates but nevertheless was previously praised for its high childhood vaccination rates. The new exemptions come after a legal ruling. Other news is from Texas, Oklahoma, and elsewhere.
Federal Judge Allows Kentucky’s Youth Gender Care Ban To Take Effect
July 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
A federal judge lifted an injunction he’d issued last month that had temporarily blocked restrictions on gender-affirming care for young transgender people. The ACLU reportedly said it’s “not the final word.” Also in the news: legal restrictions targeting trans youth in Texas, and HHS spending for trans care.
As Arrests Are Made, Harvard Faces New Lawsuit Over Stolen Body Parts
July 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Another family filed a lawsuit over Harvard Medical School’s role in a ring that allegedly sold human remains on the black market, while some arrests are made in the case. Meanwhile, a dispute that threatened transplant organ supplies is heading to arbitration, not court.
Exoskeleton Allows Disabled Doctor To Perform Surgery While Standing
July 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Newsweek reports on what’s being called “medical history:” a device designed to support surgeons who have to to stand for long periods has now allowed a disabled doctor in Spain to perform surgery standing up for the first time. Also in the news, lab-grown human eggs, regrowing teeth, and more.
More Americans Are Seeking Mental Health Care In A ‘Therapy Boom’
July 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Media outlets cover news that Americans of all ages, gender and race are seeking mental health treatment than two decades ago. It represents a mental health crisis growing across the country, but also improving attitudes to therapy, Axios says. Also in the news: salmonella, aspirin, TB, and more.
Defense Bill With Anti-Abortion Clause Won’t Pass: National Security Adviser
July 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover a prediction from national security adviser Jake Sullivan who said the Republican-controlled House’s annual defense policy bill, with amendments that target abortion, gender care, and other social issues, has “zero” chance of passing. Separately, worries that “deep” cuts to health spending will hit the HHS and CDC.
CDC Data Show Hints Of A Covid Uptick
July 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Fresh data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows rising covid activity. On the good news-side of the ledger: California’s covid hospitalizations are near an historic low. Also in the news: worries of cross-species covid infections.
Progress Reported For 2 Experimental Alzheimer’s Treatments
July 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals says that patients in a small study that received its gene-silencing treatment showed benefits for 6 months. And another experimental Alzheimer’s drug from Acumen Pharmaceuticals cleared an initial safety test.
Morning Briefing for Monday, July 17, 2023
July 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Alzheimer’s drugs, extreme heat and air quality, abortion access, obesity, covid, a mental health care “boom,” and more are in the news.
Iowa’s 6-Week Abortion Ban Now In Effect
July 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the law Friday night, which prohibits most abortion after 6 weeks. A judge is weighing a temporary block on the measure. Separately, Senate Democrats ask the Department of Justice to protect patients ability to travel across state lines for an abortion.