Majority Of Americans Concerned Government Isn’t Prepared For Zika Outbreak
August 17, 2016
Morning Briefing
A recent poll shows that about 1 in 4 Americans are very concerned about the Zika virus, but more than double have qualms about the federal government’s ability to adequately handle an outbreak.
Scientists See Promising Results By Repurposing Existing Drugs To Fight Zika
August 30, 2016
Morning Briefing
Rather than starting from scratch, researchers test already-developed drugs — and initial results are described as dramatic. Meanwhile, a new study finds that a female mosquito can transmit the virus to her eggs.
Puerto Ricans Shrug Off Concerns As Zika Ravages Island
August 11, 2016
Morning Briefing
For many residents, Zika is just the latest virus to hit the island — and it doesn’t seem as scary as some that have come before it. But for researchers trying to contain it, it’s terrifying. “This is something you would imagine if you were writing science fiction — but it’s the reality,” says Brenda Rivera Garcia, the state epidemiologist for Puerto Rico.
Planned Parenthood Still At Center Of Impasse Over Stopgap Funding Bill, Zika Compromise
September 13, 2016
Morning Briefing
Lawmakers prepare for the procedural steps necessary to pass a short-term continuing resolution to keep the government funded.
Zika Vaccine Now Being Tested On Humans
August 4, 2016
Morning Briefing
Officials previously thought it would be at this stage in September, but researchers beat that prediction.
Clinton Latest To Urge Congress To Pass Zika Funding ‘Immediately’
August 10, 2016
Morning Briefing
In response, Republican leaders called out Hillary Clinton’s running mate Sen. Tim Kaine, saying he and other Democratic lawmakers should end their filibuster. In other news, a report reveals the struggle public health officials had trying to understand and contain the first home-grown case of Zika, and Americans still aren’t worried a poll finds even as Florida reports more cases.
Officials: Studying Zika’s Sexual Transmission Risk Can’t Wait For Congress
June 30, 2016
Morning Briefing
Public health officials are borrowing money from other programs so researchers can delve into how Zika is transmitted sexually, a study that could impact millions of Americans and take years to complete. “We are going out on a limb, but we have to,” says Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Meanwhile, a new poll shows that a large majority of Americans want federal money to go toward fighting the virus.
Zika Highlights Reproductive Health Disparities: ‘This Is Not A Battle-Ready Infrastructure’
August 8, 2016
Morning Briefing
Family planning and reproductive health services have been cut across the country — just as the nation braces for a virus that hits pregnant women the hardest. Meanwhile, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio says Zika is not a valid reason to allow abortions and doctors are offering women in Puerto Rico free contraception.
U.S. Declares Public Health Emergency In Puerto Rico Over Zika
August 15, 2016
Morning Briefing
There have been 10,690 cases of Zika confirmed in Puerto Rico, including infections in 1,035 pregnant women.
One Of The Biggest Lessons Lawmakers Learned From Zika? Don’t Rely On Lawmakers
August 15, 2016
Morning Briefing
While it could be a long-shot, members of the House want to set up a fund for the next time the country is hit with a public health emergency like Zika. Meanwhile, health departments continue to ramp-up control methods, officials stress the risk of sexual transmission of the virus, and a look at Brazil’s history with the Zika mosquito.
Doctors, Scientists Rush To Adapt Diagnostic Tools And Treatment Plans For Zika Cases
August 18, 2016
Morning Briefing
In other news about the virus outbreak, Florida delays tests of genetically modified mosquitoes while Texas state health officials try to make up ground in preparations for Zika spreading to the state.
Ryan Digs In On Planned Parenthood, Biden Fumes Over ‘Dysfunction’ — And Still No Zika Funding
September 9, 2016
Morning Briefing
Some congressional officials say a deal is in sight, but politics continue to throw a wrench in any forward movement on funding the health crisis response.
California Confirms 2 Babies Born With Zika-Linked Microcephaly
August 5, 2016
Morning Briefing
“This is a sobering reminder for Californians that Zika can cause serious harm to a developing fetus,” says Dr. Karen Smith, director of the California Department of Public Health. Meanwhile, blood banks take steps to protect the nation’s supply, few mosquitoes are seen in Rio as Olympics get started, spraying begins in Miami and more.
Longer Looks: Catching Zika Mosquitoes, Climbing Drug Prices And Treating Sugar Like A Drug
September 15, 2016
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Fla. Republicans Relent, Urge Colleagues To Strip Everything Other Than Zika From Funding Bill
September 6, 2016
Morning Briefing
The lawmakers are desperate to get the legislation passed. They’re even willing to drop the Planned Parenthood fight that has been the main holdup in the Senate. Meanwhile, NARAL targets Marco Rubio over his stance on Zika-related abortions.
Latest On Zika: CDC Issues Miami Travel Advisory, Screening Guidance For Pregnant Women
August 1, 2016
Morning Briefing
As 10 new cases of Zika are confirmed, the CDC advises pregnant women to stay away from a 1-square-mile area in northern Miami. The agency also recommends that all prenatal screenings should include questions about travel to Zika-infected areas.
Viewpoints: Congress Fails Leadership Test On Zika; Clinton’s Plan On Mental Health ‘Solid’
September 6, 2016
Morning Briefing
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
State Highlights: Calif. Governor Signs Surprise Medical Bills Measure; Miami Herald Suing For Zika Information
September 26, 2016
Morning Briefing
Outlets report on health news from California, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland and Ohio.
Obama To Congress Over Zika: Do Your Job
August 5, 2016
Morning Briefing
The president stops short of explicitly calling for a special summer session, but implores lawmakers to act on the “critical” public health situation.
Even With Hundreds More Cases In U.S., Zika Scares Americans Less Than Ebola
July 1, 2016
Morning Briefing
Two-thirds of Americans say they are “not too” or “not at all” worried about Zika. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats say Congress shouldn’t take August recess without reaching a Zika funding deal, three more babies in the U.S. are born with Zika-linked birth defects, a look at where the mosquitoes are in California and an expert talks Zika and the Olympics.
