Biden Inconsistent On Covid Masking During Ceremony
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
The AP notes while President Joe Biden turned up to a ceremony for an elderly Vietnam veteran wearing a mask a day after Jill Biden tested positive for covid, he ditched it and then the two shared a “hearty handshake.” Meanwhile, Newsweek reports that Republicans are declaring “war” on mask rules.
CDC Concerned Over Rise In RSV Cases Among Very Young
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC is concerned about a rise in severe RSV cases in young children in Florida and Georgia, and alerted doctors that a national RSV surge usually follows such regional ones. This fall’s potential triple threat of covid, flu, and RSV is also in the news.
Overdose-Reverser Narcan Goes On Sale Over-The-Counter
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover what to know about the opioid overdose-reverser drug naloxone, available for the first time as an over-the-counter medication with a suggested retail price for a two-spray kit of $44.99. Meanwhile, in California lawmakers consider plans to cap naloxone prices at $10 or less.
First Edition: Sept. 6, 2023
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Even in the Most Depressed County in America, Stigma Around Mental Illness Persists
By Phil Galewitz
September 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
An estimated 32% of adults in Logan County, West Virginia, have been diagnosed with depression, the highest rate in the United States, according to a recent CDC report.
Cozy Images of Plush Toys and Blankets Counter Messaging on Safe Infant Sleep
By Colleen DeGuzman
September 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Unsafe sleep environments are among the main reasons accidental suffocation or strangulation is a hard-to-solve public health problem.
Trabajadores sufren mientras el Congreso y empresarios debaten la necesidad de normas contra el calor
By Amy Maxmen
September 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
No existen normas federales para proteger a los trabajadores cuando los días son excesivamente calurosos. Y sin el apoyo bipartidista del Congreso, incluso con la atención urgente de la administración Biden, es posible que el alivio no llegue en años.
Hospitals Recognized For Making Progress In Price Transparency
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Meet the 15 hospitals and health systems that are being awarded for making top progress in instituting federal price transparency requirements. Other health industry news covers long wait times, medical bills, insurance, generative AI, and more.
FDA Warns 3 Baby Formula Makers Over Inadequate Safety Procedures
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
ByHeart, Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition, and Perrigo Wisconsin were warned that they didn’t do enough to find out why some of their products tested positive for cronobacter in instances that happened after the peak of recent supply shortages.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Found In Mass. For First Time Since 2020
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
EEE, which can affect humans, was confirmed in mosquito samples in Worcester County, The Boston Globe reports. Separately, CIDRAP covers EEE and new dengue fever cases in Florida, and AP notes the first death from West Nile virus in New Mexico this year.
Jimmy Buffett Died From Merkel Cell Carcinoma, A Rare Skin Cancer
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on the death of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett from a rare but aggressive type of skin cancer — about 2,500 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Also in the news: prostate and cervical cancer, plus AI’s potential for detecting cancers.
Screen Time For Young Kids Linked To Risk For Developmental Delays
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
New research found that as 1-year-olds spend more time in front of screens, the potential risk of later developmental delays rises, particularly when it comes to communication and problem-solving skills. Also in the news: “Barbie botox,” a chicken-strip recall, sleep habits, and more.
Some Illinois Prisoners Remain In Jail Despite New Medical Release Law
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP reports that although it’s been over a year since the Coleman Act went into effect, an investigation found fewer prisoners have been released than expected, thereby remaining in jail even though they are dying or disabled. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker defended the numbers in a press conference.
Viewpoints: Stop Using The Word ‘Cancer’ For Very Early-Stage Cancers
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers weigh in on cancer, abortion, drug withdrawal, and other topics.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 5, 2023
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Nursing home staffing, covid infections and variants, marijuana restrictions, hospital pricing, skin cancer, and more are in the news.
President Biden Testing Regularly For Covid After First Lady Contracts Virus
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
First lady Dr. Jill Biden tested positive for covid on Monday night after experiencing “mild symptoms.” President Joe Biden has so far tested negative for the virus but will be screened regularly as he prepares to leave for the G20 summit in India.
Covid BA.2.86 Could Be Less Worrisome Than Had Been Feared: Researchers
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Two teams of U.S. scientists have examined the highly mutated BA.2.86 covid subvariant and concluded it can be fought off by human immune systems and may be less contagious than was feared. This is good news, as news outlets report on a late summer wave of covid infections.
Most Nursing Homes Would Have To Hire More Staff Under Proposed Rule
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
An estimated three-quarters of nursing homes in the U.S. would be required to hire more workers under new rules proposed Friday by the Biden administration, the greatest change to federal nursing home regulations in three decades.
HHS Recommends Relaxed Federal Restrictions On Marijuana
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Politico notes that the Department of Health and Human Services “stopped short” of advising that weed should be removed from the Controlled Substances Act. Separately, research shows some marijuana users may have elevated levels of lead and cadmium in their bodies.
A Focus On Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Health As Congress Returns
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Lawmakers are tackling the potential government shutdown and wrangling over spending bills, but a lot of media attention is focused on health worries over Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who appeared to freeze during a press conference last week — the second such event in a month.