Drug Against Most Common Pediatric Brain Cancer Achieves Trial Success
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
The new treatment from Day One Biopharmaceuticals, called tovorafenib, shrank tumors by at least 50% in a majority of children with low-grade gliomas in a study. A new wheelchair from the inventor of Steadicam, honey as a sugar alternative, and more covid research are among other science news.
Animal Sedative ‘Tranq,’ The ‘Zombie Drug’ Worsens Fentanyl Crisis
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover tragedies of the opioid crisis, with a New York Times report highlighting how animal tranquilizer drug xylazine is being mixed with illicit fentanyl, making its impact “even more devastating.” An expert quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle called the U.S. drug crisis a “national poisoning.”
Viewpoints: Don’t Use Grant Wahl’s Death To Spread Covid Disinfo; Keep Your Covid Guard Up: XBB Is A Threat
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers discuss covid, vaccine disinformation and working while sick in America.
In Suit, Seattle Schools Blame Tech Giants For ‘Youth Mental Health Crisis’
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Coverage of mental health also addresses changes happening at Texas schools following the Uvalde school shooting and mental health days off for students in New York. In other public health news: noise pollution, chest pads for young football athletes, alcohol liver disease among young people, and more.
Morning Briefing for Monday, January 9, 2023
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s roundup covers new Alzheimer’s drug approval, youth obesity, XBB.1.5 covid variant, mental health, the drug epidemic, and more.
EPA Takes Aim At Respiratory Illness Growth With Tougher Air Standards
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
As cases of asthma and other respiratory diseases grow, the EPA announced Friday new rules aimed at reducing dangerous particulate matter in the air. Public health advocates air concerns that the standards don’t go far enough, though.
Post-Holidays Covid Surge Sends More To Hospital Across US
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Boston Globe also reminds us that the virus “everyone wants to forget” is still killing people, with data showing a jump in deaths in Massachusetts. But in more upbeat news, the San Francisco Chronicle reports the percentage of adults experiencing long covid symptoms is declining.
Highly Contagious XBB.1.5 Races To Dominance In Northeast
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC said Friday that the omicron variant XBB.1.5 makes up 72 percent of new cases in the Northeast of the U.S. The “most transmissible” strain to date is making quick inroads both nationally and globally, further fueling concerns of a winter covid surge.
Childhood Obesity Guidelines Updated: Now Consider Medications, Surgery
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on new guidance out from the American Academy of Pediatrics addressing the treatment of children who deal with obesity. The recommendations emphasize early intervention, including the consideration of weight-loss drugs for kids 12 and older, and surgery for kids 13 and older.
Cost Is Next Hurdle To Clear For Newly-Approved Alzheimer’s Drug Leqembi
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval Friday for Leqembi, developed by Eisai, for use in Alzheimer’s patients with mild cognitive impairment or who at the mild dementia stage of the disease. The drug is priced at $26,500 annually and current Medicare rules would restrict coverage.
First Edition: Jan. 9, 2023
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Medicaid and Abortion Top Health Agenda for Montana Lawmakers
By Keely Larson
January 9, 2023
KFF Health News Original
State lawmakers say their health care goals for the new legislative session are to lower costs and improve access to care. They’ll have to grapple with a full slate of other issues, as well.
In PA County Jails, Guards Use Pepper Spray and Stun Guns to Subdue People in Mental Crisis
By Brett Sholtis, WITF
January 9, 2023
KFF Health News Original
An investigation of records from 25 county jails across Pennsylvania showed that nearly 1 in 3 “use of force” incidents by guards involved a confined person who was having a psychiatric crisis or who had a known mental illness.
Journalists Review 2022’s Top Health Stories and the CDC’s Policy on Remote Work
January 7, 2023
KFF Health News Original
KHN and California Healthline staffers made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
California Senate’s New Health Chair to Prioritize Mental Health and Homelessness
By Rachel Bluth
January 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
California state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman of Stockton has been appointed chair of the Senate’s influential health committee. A licensed social worker, Eggman said she will make mental health care and homelessness front-burner issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
January 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on “damp” January, new health tech for 2023, antibody drugs, and more.
Pushback Undoes Cutbacks In California’s Medi-Cal Insurance Plans
January 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
The California Department of Health Care Services announced it has now negotiated with five commercial health plans for 2024 Medi-Cal services, undoing a process that had cut the number to three. Also: Medicaid expansion, flavored tobacco in Ohio, marijuana use in Maryland, transgender health laws and more.
Thousands Of NYC Nurses May Strike Next Week
January 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Though some progress has been made toward averting a large Jan. 9 strike of nursing staff at several New York City hospitals, negotiations are still underway. Separately, Modern Healthcare covers how the FTC’s proposed noncompete hiring clause ban may impact physician salaries.
Annual Price Of New US Drugs In 2022 Hit Median Of $200K
January 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
An analysis by Reuters found the price of novel drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration during 2022 had a median annual value of $222,003. Separately, reports say the ADHD drug shortage has now spread to affect generic Ritalin and Concerta, as Adderall supplies remain limited.
Alleged Fentanyl-Trafficking Son Of El Chapo Arrested Ahead Of Biden’s Visit To Mexico
January 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report that Mexican security forces have arrested an alleged fentanyl trafficker wanted by the U.S. — one of the sons of former Sinaloa cartel boss El Chapo. In other news, two doctors’ “pill mill” opioid convictions are partly overturned, and more.