Morning Briefing for Friday, August 1, 2025
August 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
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First Edition: Friday, Aug. 1, 2025
August 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Deep Staff Cuts at a Little-Known Federal Agency Pose Trouble for Droves of Local Health Programs
By Sarah Jane Tribble Henry Larweh
August 1, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The workforce of a federal agency that oversees billions in grants for primary health care, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health services, and workforce training has been slashed, sparking fears of what’s to come.
This Test Tells You More About Your Heart Attack Risk
By Paula Span
Updated August 1, 2025
Originally Published August 1, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Coronary artery calcium scans can offer a more precise estimate of a patient’s chances for major cardiac events. Some cardiologists say it remains underused.
Una prueba que ofrece información clave sobre el riesgo de infarto
By Paula Span
August 1, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Se trata de una tomografía computarizada breve e indolora que indicaría si se estaba desarrollando calcificaciones y placa en las arterias que llegan al corazón.
What the Health? From KFF Health News: Next on Kennedy’s List? Preventive Care and Vaccine Harm
July 31, 2025
Podcast
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of Health and Human Services, is eyeing an overhaul of two more key entities as part of his ongoing effort to reshape health policy. And President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week that would enable localities to force some homeless people into residential treatment. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, and Shefali Luthra of The 19th join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also, Rovner interviews Sara Rosenbaum, one of the nation’s leading experts on Medicaid, to mark Medicaid’s 60th anniversary this week.
Health Officials Warn Of Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak In NYC
July 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
The city’s health department is investigating a cluster of cases that has killed one person and sickened more than 20 others. Separately, researchers have noted a surge in pediatric cases of influenza-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
July 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news
California Governor Signs Executive Order To Boost Men’s Mental Health
July 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
The order is aimed at improving the mental health struggles of men and boys ranging from loneliness to suicide rates. Other states making news: New Hampshire, Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Illinois, North Carolina, West Virginia, and New York.
Type Of HPV On Skin Can Cause Skin Cancer In The Immunocompromised
July 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
While HPV can help UV-damaged DNA build up in cells and turn cancerous, the study found that the virus itself could cause cancerous lesions to form. More studies in the news focus on how extreme heat makes us sicker, how SNAP participation is linked to slower cognitive decline, and more.
Communities In A Bind After Private-Equity Payouts Gutted Hospitals
July 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Wall Street Journal delves into the bankruptcies of two hospital systems that left gaps in health care and financially strained state and local governments. Separately, the workforce shortage afflicting the health care sector might worsen under President Trump’s budget cuts.
White House Teams Up With Big Tech On A Consumer Health Records System
July 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
Experts raised questions over privacy and security related to a consumer health tracking system following President Donald Trump’s Wednesday announcement. Other administration news is on the FDA, CDC, and more.
Estimated Average Cost Of Health Care For Retirees Sees 4% Rise, Fidelity says
July 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
The average cost now sits at $172,500, according to research by Fidelity Investments. The research also shows that a quarter of Gen Xers have not factored in health care costs to their retirement plans. Also in the news: Democrats attempt to repeal health cuts; pharmaceutical costs are expected to rise; and more.
First Edition: Thursday, July 31, 2025
July 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Readers Weigh In on Making American Health Care Affordable Again
July 31, 2025
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
Chronically Ill? In Kennedy’s View, It Might Be Your Own Fault
By Stephanie Armour
July 31, 2025
KFF Health News Original
In their zeal to “Make America Healthy Again,” top Trump administration officials depict patients and the doctors who treat them as partly responsible for whatever ails them.
A Tourist Ended Up With a Wild Bat in Her Mouth — And Nearly $21,000 in Medical Bills
By Tony Leys
July 31, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Health insurance generally doesn’t cover treatment for injuries sustained shortly before a customer buys a policy. A Massachusetts woman found that out the hard way.
Alzheimer’s Association Recommends Favoring Diagnostic Blood Tests
July 30, 2025
Morning Briefing
The group says certain blood tests can be used as high fidelity negative tests, since they have over 90% sensitivity. Positive results would still need to be confirmed with traditional tests like PET scans or spinal taps. In other news: a home test for melanoma; risks from ultraprocessed foods; and more.
