American Red Cross Warns Of Emergency Blood Supply Shortage
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
The American Red Cross said it was experiencing the lowest number of blood donors in 20 years, with hospitals demanding blood products faster than the organization can replenish supplies. Also in the news: Bayer to expand in U.S., despite blood thinner fails; the “better” ApoB cholesterol test; and more.
Human Error In ICUs Has Led To Patient Harm In 23% Of Cases: Study
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study finds that delayed diagnoses, misdiagnoses and other such human errors made in intensive care units have hurt patients more often than previously estimated. More health industry news reports on Medicare Advantage, private investments, cancer treatments, and more.
Sanders, Democrats To Investigate Asthma Inhaler Prices
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) joined a group of Senate Democrats to say that they are looking into the high cost of asthma inhalers: The group wrote to CEOs of four of the biggest manufacturers. Meanwhile, GSK said Tuesday it would buy asthma drug-focused Aiolos Bio for $1 billion.
Stopped Weight Loss Drugs? You May Eat More Calories Than Before
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
A survey from Deutsche Bank found that when patients stop taking drugs such as Wegovy or Ozempic, they eat more — in some cases, more than they did prior to treatment. Also in the news: the effect of weight loss drugs on alcohol cravings.
Respiratory Illness At ‘High’ Or ‘Very High’ Levels Across Most Of US: CDC
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Of the 38 states plus New York City that are experiencing elevated levels of illnesses like RSV and covid, 21 are at the “very high” level, the CDC warned. The San Francisco Chronicle, meanwhile, reports that analysis of wastewater data is showing an alarming spike in Bay Area covid infections.
Congressional Spending Bill Faces Continued Opposition From Far Right
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
House Speaker Mike Johnson is again trying to wrangle the most conservative members of his caucus as the clock ticks down on a first spending deal deadline to fund parts of the government. Some on the Senate side are already floating the idea of another short-term patch.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, January 9, 2024
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Diagnostic errors, plastics in water, blood shortages, weight-loss drugs, asthma, respiratory illnesses, and more are in the news.
You’re Drinking Far More Nanoplastics From Bottled Water Than Previously Thought
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study finds that bottled water contains up to 10 to 100 times more pieces of nanoparticles — microscopic plastics that must be detected with the help of a laser — than was previously estimated. An average liter of such water contains around 240,000 nanoplastics.
First Edition: Jan. 9, 2024
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
These Patients Had to Lobby for Correct Diabetes Diagnoses. Was Their Race a Reason?
By Bram Sable-Smith
January 9, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Adults who develop one autoimmune form of diabetes are often misdiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Those wrong diagnoses make it harder to get the appropriate medications and technology to manage their blood sugar. Many Black patients wonder if their race plays a role.
Rising Malpractice Premiums Price Small Clinics Out of Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
By Cecilia Nowell
January 9, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Even in states where laws protect minors’ access to gender-affirming care, malpractice insurance premiums are keeping small and independent clinics from treating patients.
Hay una nueva variante de covid-19 y aumentan los casos. Lo que necesitas saber
By Julie Appleby
January 8, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A nivel nacional, se ha registrado un marcado aumento en las visitas a salas de emergencia y hospitalizaciones por covid-19, influenza y el virus respiratorio sincitial.
Study Shines Spotlight On TB Outbreak From Contaminated Bone Graft
January 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Bone allografts contaminated with tuberculosis are the subject of the new study. The donated tissue caused two deaths. Also in the news: CVS Health predicts Aetna will enroll many more Medicare Advantage beneficiaries than it had predicted; Marshfield Clinic and Essentia Health called off a merger; and more.
When Unhealthy Sugary Drinks Are Taxed More, Sales Fall
January 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study published Friday in the journal JAMA Health Forum shows the benefits of applying soda taxes to unhealthy sugary drinks: Sales fell in five cities in the study, with benefits lasting over time. Separately, the FDA has found contaminated applesauce pouches also contained chromium.
Florida Republican Files Proposal To Let Younger People Buy Rifles
January 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
The effort would lower the minimum age for buying long guns in Florida from 21 to 18 and would potentially reverse part of a law that passed after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. In California, a law banning concealed firearms in “sensitive places” was again blocked.
Viewpoints: Maybe Our Cancer Fears Are Overblown; Are Health And Fitness Trackers Working?
January 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle “cancerphobia,” fitness trackers, obstetric fistulas and more.
Morning Briefing for Monday, January 8, 2024
January 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Covid variants, flu, the spending deal, emergency abortions, tainted medicines, illegal drug use, Medicare, and more are in the news.
Lawmakers Reach Spending Deal Needed To Avert Partial Shutdown
January 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
With a Jan. 19 deadline looming when funding for many federal programs would expire, congressional negotiators announced a $1.7 trillion agreement. If passed in time, the deal would preserve money for veterans assistance, food and drug safety services, and other health programs, while canceling unspent pandemic aid.
Supreme Court Allows Idaho Abortion Ban In Emergencies To Stand
January 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Supreme Court will hear the case over Idaho’s abortion law that bans the procedure even for certain medical emergency situations. In the meantime, the court will allow the measure to be enforced.