Loneliness Is Officially A Public Health Crisis, Declares A California County
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
San Mateo County, which includes part of the world-famous Silicon Valley, just declared loneliness a health emergency. It’s pledged new efforts to boost social connections in the community. Also in the news: how a Minnesota city used anti-crime laws against people with mental illnesses.
Amgen Sees Successes For MariTide Weight-Loss Drug
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on a new weight-loss drug called MariTide that is showing success. Early data show it can provide longer-lasting weight loss than its rivals, and maker Amgen is testing if it can wean patients to lower or less frequent doses. Also in the news: Tirzepatide, Ozempic and more.
Ohio GOP Still Inventing Ways To Circumvent Voters On Abortion
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
An Ohio judge is hearing a case over a six-week abortion ban that is circulating through the court system even though voters approved a constitutional amendment in November that guaranteed the right to an abortion. On Friday, Republican Attorney General Dave Yost asked a judge to dismiss the case, which would effectively leave the ban in place.
Federal Appeals Court Tosses Opioid-Prescribing Doctor’s Conviction
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
The doctor had prescribed over 500,000 opioid doses in less than two years, but a federal judge threw out his conviction and ordered a new trial. Separately, reports say that less than 5% of the $50 million that Massachusetts received as opioid settlement cash has been spent on addiction-related efforts.
Morning Briefing for Monday, February 5, 2024
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Calling all poets! We’re looking for your best Health Policy Valentines. The winner will be featured in the Feb. 14 edition of KFF Health News’ Morning Briefing. Click here to see how to enter!
Employment In Health Care Grew Faster In 2023 Than It Has For 30 Years
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
New data show health care jobs grew by nearly 4% in 2023, way above the 1.5% growth rate across all other industries — despite health industry struggles with staff burnout. Also in the news: Cano Health files for bankruptcy; Steward Health’s deal to keep Massachusetts hospitals open; and more.
Big Changes Are Likely Coming For Pulse Oximeters, FDA Hints
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
The FDA plans to propose that companies conduct better evaluation of pulse oximeters before applying for approval. Manufacturers will have to increase accuracy and test on patients with many different skin colors. Separately, the FDA approved a device to help post-menopausal women fight bone loss.
Flu Appears To Be Making A Comeback; 57 Kids Have Died From It This Season
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
The CDC says influenza cases are beginning to climb again, especially in the Midwest and south-central regions of the U.S. Cases of covid and RSV, meanwhile, continued an overall decline.
First Edition: Feb. 5, 2024
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Back From COP28, California Climate Leaders Talk Health Impacts of Warming
By Samantha Young
February 5, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Three leading California officials who represented the state at the United Nations climate talks late last year reflect on climate change’s growing threat to human health — and explain what the state is trying to do about it.
Congressman Off-Base in Ad Claiming Fauci Shipped Covid to Montana Before the Pandemic
By Katheryn Houghton
February 5, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Facts don’t support claims by a likely Republican Senate candidate that a federal research laboratory in Montana infected bats with a coronavirus from China before the covid-19 outbreak.
Journalists Catch Up on Top Issues Facing 2024 Voters, From Obamacare to Opioids
February 3, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Advocates Say a Practice Harms Disabled Children, Yet Congressional Action Is Stalled
By Fred Clasen-Kelly
Illustration by Oona Zenda
February 2, 2024
KFF Health News Original
In the photos, a 9-year-old boy with autism appears barricaded between cubbies and furniture stacked near the walls of a North Carolina classroom. His mother, Erin McGrail, said her son was physically restrained at least 14 times while in third grade at Morrisville Elementary School. She said she learned details of his seclusion only after […]
Viewpoints: Measles Is Back, Thanks To Low Vaccination; Here’s How To Halt The Physician Shortage
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers delve into measles outbreaks, physician shortages, abortion access, and more.
Different Takes: What Medications Should, And Also Shouldn’t, Be Covered By Medicare?
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers tackle these public health issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on organ donation, research integrity, concussions, schizophrenia, and more.
CDC Releases New Guidance For Physicians On PFAS Testing
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
The new guidance was released by the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Also: the EPA says PFAS “forever chemicals” should be considered hazardous substances for human health. Climate change and health, wildlife-to-human illness crossovers, and more are also in the news.
Senator Wants Justice Department To Investigate Prison Health Contractor
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, wrote to the Department of Justice, calling on the agency to halt “abusive” practices by Corizon Health. An affiliate of the company, Tehum Care, has declared bankruptcy related to allegations of prisoner neglect and malpractice.
Study Finds Switching Disinfectants For Skin Can Reduce Hospital Infections
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
The type of disinfectant used on patients’ surgical sites could have an impact on hospital-acquired infections, researchers find. Other industry news reports on home health devices, X-rays, and more.
Researchers Find X Chromosome Linked To Autoimmune Diseases
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Standford researchers may have found a clue as to why women are more vulnerable to autoimmune diseases like lupus than men. Also in the news: Marijuana and asthma risk in youngsters; lung cancer screening and “one size fits all;” music as a weapon against dementia; and more.
