GLP-1 Drugs Suggested For Diabetics At Risk Of Stroke, Heart Disease
October 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association issued guidelines Monday that also look at the effects of testosterone and estrogen on the body. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly sues three makers of copycat versions of its weight loss drug.
After Dual Storms, Florida Sees Uptick In Flesh-Eating Bacteria Infections
October 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
So far, 76 people have become sick, and 13 of them have died, because of Vibrio vulnificus. The bacteria is commonly found in floodwaters after storm surges. Elsewhere, 46 people have been hospitalized because of food poisoning in Maryland, and New York City’s health commissioner has stepped down.
Women Are Less Likely Than Men To Receive Pain Meds In The ER
October 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
The study, published in PNAS, looked at emergency department data from the U.S. and Israel and found wide disparities between how men and women are treated. Also, a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that few transgender and nonbinary youths regret receiving gender-affirming medical care.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, October 22, 2024
October 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Opioids, bird flu cases, election news, post-Roe infant death rates, GLP-1 drugs, infections following storms, emergency care, and more
Infant Death Rates Higher Than Expected In Months After Dobbs Decision
October 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Researchers examining data from the 18 months after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade have found a 7% absolute increase in infant mortality. That number is higher for babies with birth defects like heart abnormalities, spina bifida, and other disorders.
Washington State Reports 4 Suspected Bird Flu Cases In Poultry Workers
October 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
If positive, these cases would be the first infections in the state. Also: the accuracy of tracking norovirus in wastewater, and exploring why mental illness raises the risk of severe covid.
Cigna-Humana Merger Might Only Happen If Trump Wins Election
October 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
As Bloomberg notes, the Biden administration has previously moved to block some large health care deals. Several analysts say the only way forward is if Donald Trump is in charge. Meanwhile, some female health care workers would prefer Democrat Kamala Harris for president: “We have seen what happened in the first administration under Trump,” one said.
First Edition: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024
October 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Mothering Over Meds: Docs Say Common Treatment for Opioid-Exposed Babies Isn’t Necessary
By Taylor Sisk
October 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Amid what has been called the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic, doctors and researchers are walking back medication-heavy methods of treating babies born experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms, replacing the regimen with the simplest care: parenting.
Morning Briefing for Monday, October 21, 2024
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Birth control coverage, Medicare drug plans, election previews, weight loss medication shortages, flu, RSV, dementia, and more are in the news.
Beneficiarios de Medicare gastarán menos en medicamentos en 2025
By Susan Jaffe
October 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
El período de inscripción anual para que los beneficiarios de Medicare renueven o cambien su cobertura de medicamentos, o elijan un plan Medicare Advantage, comenzó el 15 de octubre y se extiende hasta el 7 de diciembre.
More Reason To Get Vaxxed: Research Ties Dementia To Flu, Other Infections
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The new study, lauded as “a leap beyond previous studies,” found that severe infections can lead to long-term cognitive problems. In other news about the brain, the military has begun testing new ways to protect troops from the effects of blasts.
Cases of ‘Walking Pneumonia’ And RSV Are Increasing In Children
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The CDC said the cases of Mycobacterium pneumoniae in kids ages 2-4 are notable because the illness “historically hasn’t been recognized as a leading cause of pneumonia in this age group.” Plus: concerns about yellow fever, malaria, listeria, and more.
After Helene, Clean Water Is Main Concern In North Carolina
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Conditions are improving, but some nursing homes still don’t have running water. Also: prevention measures for overdoses and suicides, psychiatry options for the unhoused, and more.
FDA Backtracks; Pharmacies Continue With Knockoff Weight Loss Drugs
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post reports that intense public backlash and a lawsuit led the FDA to reconsider its declaration, made two weeks ago, that the shortage of weight loss drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound is over. The flip allows compounding pharmacies to continue making unbranded copies while the FDA reevaluates its decision.
Acadia Healthcare Under Scrutiny By VA Over Alleged Fraud Scheme
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The psychiatric hospital chain is accused of extending stays of patients longer than medically necessary and profiting from U.S. insurance programs in the process. Other industry news covers a potential Cigna-Humana merger, elder care services, and more.
The Prospect Of RFK Jr. On Trump’s Health Policy Team Unnerves Some
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
“It scares the bejesus out of me because he is really, I would say, one of the big leaders in an anti-science philosophy that we see in this country — which is really concerning, deeply concerning,” one biotech investor says.
Biden Administration Advances Plan For Free OTC Contraceptives
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Birth control, condoms, emergency contraception, and other products would be covered by insurance under the proposed rule. “We have made clear that in all 50 states, the Affordable Care Act guarantees coverage of women’s preventive services without cost sharing,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said.
First Edition: Monday, Oct. 21, 2024
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
