White House Announces Funding For Clean Water, Women’s Health Projects
February 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Vice President Kamala Harris announced on Tuesday that the federal government will distribute $5.8 billion to water infrastructure projects across the country. And the first lady, Dr. Jill Biden, will outline $100 million in planned federal spending for research and development initiatives into women’s health.
Efforts To Diagnose Symptomless Alzheimer’s Early Are In The Spotlight
February 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Los Angeles Times takes us inside the fight to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease even among people with no memory complaints and normal cognition. Separately, WUFT reports on an outreach program in Florida to help those in rural communities needing Alzheimer’s assistance.
Over Half Of Antibiotics VA Dentists Prescribe Are Unnecessary: Study
February 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Researchers looking into the use of antibiotics in Department of Veterans Affairs dentistry found that most do not have guidelines supporting their use and were likely unnecessary. Meanwhile, other researchers say the world’s leading economies have work to do against antimicrobial resistance.
Teledoc Health Looks At Expanding Overseas To Offset US Costs
February 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare explains that the startup, which grew during the pandemic’s social-distancing norms, is looking for business overseas to offset the high costs of advertising in the U.S. in order to attract new customers. Also in the news: AbbVie, Yale New Haven Health, Cost Plus Drugs, and more.
GOP Prosecutor Pushes For Fast Decision On Wisconsin Abortion Ban
February 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, had filed a lawsuit arguing the 174 year-old state abortion ban is too old, but Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanski, a Republican, is pushing the state’s Supreme Court to decide on the matter without waiting for a lower court ruling.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, February 21, 2024
February 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The opioid crisis, long covid, ultra-processed foods, cancer, early Alzheimer’s, antibiotics, telehealth, and more are in the news.
First Edition: Feb. 21, 2024
February 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
‘Fourth Wave’ of Opioid Epidemic Crashes Ashore, Propelled by Fentanyl and Meth
By Colleen DeGuzman
February 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A report based on millions of urine drug tests found the United States is facing a rise in the use of multiple drugs at once, which not only is often more deadly but complicates treatment efforts.
Death and Redemption in an American Prison
By Markian Hawryluk
February 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
More than a quarter century after an inmate helped start a hospice program in one of the nation’s most notorious prisons, he is trying to spread the idea.
CDC Study Finds Teens Use Drugs To Find Calmness
February 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
In an ever-noisier, ever more-complex world, it’s perhaps not surprising that a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis found that teens are using drugs to help them find calm and relieve stress. Also in the news: Oregon’s drug decriminalization experiment, and more.
New Covid Vaccine Study Finds Some Potential Adverse Effects
February 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Hill reports that the largest multi-country study yet into covid vaccinations linked the shots to increased risks of certain adverse effects, including myocarditis and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Separately, another study found official U.S. covid death stats are likely an undercount.
Worries Over Regulation As AI’s Role In Critical Health Care Decisions Rises
February 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Politico says the government is “slow walking” regulation of AI, even as its role in critical health care decisions expands every day. Health tech startups, meanwhile, are reportedly asking for clarity on some rules and on how future regulations will work.
Measles Outbreak At Florida School Prompts Investigation
February 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Florida Department of Health in Broward County is reported to be looking into four confirmed cases at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston. Other public health news is on the long-term risks of measles, maternal syphilis rates, falls among older Americans, dengue, and more.
Concerns Rise Over Vitamin B3 And Link To Heart Health Risks
February 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on worrying results from a study that linked niacin — vitamin B3 — with increased risks of heart attack and stroke. The vitamin is, by law, added to cereal products. Also in the news: lab-grown testicles; inflammatory bowel disease drugs; and more.
Celebratory Gunfire May Be Banned In Missouri After Parade Shooting
February 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
With the deadly shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade less than a week ago, the Republican-led Missouri House passed a bill to ban celebratory gunfire in cities. State Democrats are also pushing for stricter gun laws. Also in the news: San Francisco, New York, and elsewhere.
Perspectives: Policies Hurting Prenatal Care; Weight-Loss Drugs’ Impact On Mental Health
February 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle prenatal care, weight-loss drugs, data security, caregiving, and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, February 20, 2024
February 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Catholic hospitals, health industry consolidation, frozen embryos, Medicaid, teen drug misuse, covid vaccines, AI, and more are in the news.
Alabama Supreme Court’s Frozen Embryo Decision Could Jeopardize IVF
February 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled 7-1 on Friday that frozen embryos qualify as children under state law. Reproductive rights advocates say that the decision could have a wide-ranging impact on in vitro fertilization.
Red States Eye More Medicaid Work Rules Under A Second Trump Term
February 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Politico reports that some states’ Republican officials are already laying the groundwork for new Medicaid requirements that they would expect a new Trump administration to approve. Other federal health policy news reports on weight-loss drug coverage under the ACA, SNAP application errors, and ACO accreditation.