Southern AGs Fight White House Move To Protect Out-Of-State Abortion Data
July 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration’s plans to protect abortion rights using updated HIPAA rules to shield abortion-seekers from investigation is under fire from Republicans. Regional news outlets cover objections from 19 state attorneys generals and their efforts to gather exactly this type of medical data.
Viewpoints: Too Many Insured People Can’t Afford Health Care; Mandy Cohen Is Right Choice For CDC Director
July 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss health insurance, the new CDC director, parenting with cancer and more.
In-N-Out Burger Bans Employee Masks, Drawing Criticism
July 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Los Angeles Times says the fast food company is exempting California and Oregon, where employees can mask to protect from covid, but in five other states masks are banned. Leaking Texas oil wells, the closure of a mental health unit in Mississippi, and more are also in state health news.
Allina Health Laying Off 350 Workers, Blames ‘Financial Challenges’
July 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Allina currently employs around 28,500 people in full- and part-time positions, but the company said “unprecedented” financial problems are forcing it to cut jobs in non-direct-caregiving roles. The proliferation of digital health tech is among other industry news.
Researchers Link Brain Inflammation To High-Fat Diet, Weight Gain
July 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Scientists have identified an inflammatory pathway in the brain linking high-fat diets to the activation of appetite-promoting neurons. Separately, a study found kids’ obesity levels worsened during the pandemic.
US Excess Death Rate Returns To Normal, Signaling Waning Covid
July 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
The New York Times calls the statistic a “milestone,” since the number of excess deaths can capture the impact of covid even if the number of cases is underreported — hence covid may now be considered an “ordinary” illness. Also in public health news: lead contamination, toxic algae, childhood drownings, and more.
Medicare Proposes Hospital Stockpiles Of Essential Drugs To Tackle Shortages
July 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
But Stat reports that some experts worry such a move could exacerbate rather than solve drug shortage issues. Other CMS news reports on PET scan coverage and physician fee schedules.
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.