Chicago Says Measles Outbreak Is Done After 64 Confirmed Cases
May 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Chicago Tribune reports that there have been no new cases in the past two incubation periods. But in California, Tulare County reported its first measles case of the year.
Tattoo-Lymphoma Link Discovered, But Cancer Experts Cast Doubt On Findings
May 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
Researchers “found no evidence to suggest that the risk increased” because of tattoos. Elsewhere, patients in England will be participating in a study to determine whether a cancer vaccine is as promising as they hope at killing cancer cells and preventing a resurgence of the disease.
Senator Asks FTC, SEC To Investigate UnitedHealth Over Cyberattack
May 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
In a letter sent Thursday, Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon argued that the hack could have been averted if the company had adhered to industry best practices, Becker’s reported.
Remote Abortion Care Likely Accounts For National Uptick In Numbers
May 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
An analysis by the Society of Family Planning finds that the estimated abortions in 2023 increased slightly over the year before. Telehealth abortion consultations and shield laws are likely behind that trend. States with abortion bans saw their numbers drop significantly, some to nearly zero.
After Infant Formula Shortage, FDA Plans To Shake Up Its Food Division
May 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, Dairy Manufacturers Inc. has recalled some versions of the infant formulas Crecelac and Farmalac, sold in Texas, because they didn’t meet FDA standards.
Most Of Doctors’ X Posts Endorsing Drugs Or Devices Came With Payment
May 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
An analysis finds strong financial ties between drug and device manufacturers and the doctors who endorse their products on X, formerly known as Twitter. Other pharmaceutical news is on the drug discount program, weight loss drugs, and more.
Some Covid Symptoms Can Persist Years After Infection, Study Finds
May 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
Four years in, researchers are learning that for some patients, particularly those who suffered severe bouts, the virus caused lasting effects for more than three years. And although boosters offered good protection against severe illness, research shows the need for a jab targeted at the JN.1 subvariant.
Latest Human Case Of Bird Flu Could Change Trajectory Of Illness
May 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
Another dairy farmworker in Michigan has been infected with bird flu, but the unidentified person is the first to suffer from respiratory symptoms. The presence of a cough sparked alarm over the potential for spread to others. “Simply put, someone who’s coughing may be more likely to transmit the virus than someone who has an eye infection like conjunctivitis,” CDC Deputy Director Nirav Shah said at a news conference Thursday.
First Edition: May 31, 2024
May 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
The Chicken and Egg Problem of Fighting Another Flu Pandemic
By Arthur Allen
May 31, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The spread of an avian flu virus in cattle has again brought public health attention to the potential for a global pandemic. Fighting it would depend, for now, on 1940s technology that makes vaccines from hens’ eggs.
After Grilling an NIH Scientist Over Covid Emails, Congress Turns to Anthony Fauci
By David Hilzenrath
May 31, 2024
KFF Health News Original
In a trove of emails brought to light through a congressional probe, a former close adviser to longtime National Institutes of Health official Anthony Fauci spoke of hiding messages from public disclosure.
El problema del huevo y la gallina en la lucha contra otra pandemia de gripe
By Arthur Allen
May 31, 2024
KFF Health News Original
La propagación de un nuevo virus entre múltiples especies en un área geográfica amplia eleva la amenaza de que más mutaciones puedan producir un virus que se propague de humano a humano a través de la transmisión aérea.
Third US Case of Bird Flu Confirmed; First With Respiratory Symptoms
May 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Michigan health officials and the CDC confirmed Thursday that a second person in the state has been infected with bird flu. It’s the third human infection associated with the U.S. outbreak in cattle. This dairy farm worker is the first to present with respiratory symptoms — a cough, though no fever — as well as “eye discomfort” present in the other two cases. All three people were exposed to infected cattle and there’s no evidence the virus is spreading from person to person.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Waiting for SCOTUS
May 30, 2024
Podcast
June is when the Supreme Court typically issues rulings in the major cases it hears during that year’s term. This year, those interested in health policy are awaiting decisions in two abortion-related cases and one that could reshuffle the way health policies (and all other federal policies) are made. In this special episode, KFF’s Laurie Sobel, associate director for women’s health policy, joins Julie Rovner for a review of the cases and a preview of how the court might rule.
Wyden Demands Penalties for Obamacare Enrollment Fraud
By Julie Rovner
May 30, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Lawmakers and state officials are turning up the heat on federal regulators to stop unscrupulous, commission-hungry insurance agents from enrolling thousands of people in Affordable Care Act plans, or switching their coverage, without their knowledge. Customers often don’t discover the changes until they’re denied medical coverage or get stuck with a bill for ACA tax […]
Night Owls Take Note: Study Finds Late Bedtimes May Harm Mental Health
May 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Research shows that going to sleep later may have a negative impact on mental health, regardless of whether the person is a night owl or early bird. Separately, another study finds that placebo drugs can improve mental health symptoms.
Fla. Gov. DeSantis Signs Into Law ‘Rural Emergency Hospitals’ Designation
May 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
The legislation, which passed unanimously, goes into effect July 1. Other health news from around the country is on sex designation on Montana birth certificates, naloxone in Texas, homelessness in California’s San Mateo County, and more.
Research Roundup: Dengue Virus; Alzheimer’s; Bird Flu Vaccines; Covid
May 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Is There Really A Maternal-Mortality Crisis?; EMTALA Threatens Reproductive Health Care
May 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers examine issues in reproductive health care, mpox, syphilis, and more.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, May 30, 2024
May 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
ACA subsidies, drug discount program, Medicaid “unwinding,” vaping, reproductive health, cyber security, weight loss drugs, and more stories.