WHO Alarmed By Explosive Spread Of Zika Virus Through Americas
January 28, 2016
Morning Briefing
As a case of the mosquito-born infection is confirmed in California, experts say that the U.S. must prepare for a potential outbreak. While the virus poses little threat to most people, it is believed to be linked to rare birth defects when a pregnant woman contracts it.
Lawmakers Question CDC Head Over Abortion Funding In $1.8 Billion Zika Request
February 11, 2016
Morning Briefing
At a House subcommittee hearing, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden told concerned members that the request does not allocate spending for abortions, a perception public health advocates worry will derail funding. In other Zika news, a Catholic group makes a plea to the pope to allow women to use contraception, WHO offers advice to women, and European researchers discover a clue that may help unlock the mysteries surrounding the virus’ effects.
Pope Says Contraception Could Be Used To Avoid Zika Complications, Maintains Abortion Is ‘Absolute Evil’
February 19, 2016
Morning Briefing
The pontiff cited a decision by one of his predecessors, Pope Paul VI, to allow nuns in the Belgian Congo in 1960s to use contraception because they were in danger of pregnancy from rape.
After Ebola Missteps, Politicians Walk Delicate Line On Zika Messaging
January 29, 2016
Morning Briefing
The White House and other political leaders need to strike a balance between preparedness and disproportionate reactions that go beyond public health recommendations. Meanwhile, new research calls into question the link between the virus and a rare birth defect, even as women worry about abortion and childlessness as a result of the crisis.
Research Roundup: Pediatric ACOs; High-Deductible Health Plans; Zika And Women
February 5, 2016
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Private Donations Also Needed To Achieve Cancer ‘Moonshot,’ Biden Says During Speech
March 30, 2016
Morning Briefing
Philanthrophic investments, like the ones that will help build John Hopkins’ new cancer center, and government funds are needed, according to the Vice President Joe Biden. In other public health news, online fantasy sports are driving an increase in gambling addicts. And Marketplace and USA Today report on the latest Zika virus developments.
Blood Banks Rejecting Donors Who Have Visited Zika-Affected Areas To Protect Supply
February 4, 2016
Morning Briefing
The FDA is still considering if it should make binding recommendations. Meanwhile, partisan rumblings over the administration’s response to the virus are starting to emerge from Capitol Hill, and researchers are frustrated with the lack of data coming out of Brazil.
House Panel Turns Down $1.8B Zika Request, Saying HHS Should Use Left Over Ebola Funds
February 19, 2016
Morning Briefing
The Health and Human Services Department still has about $1.4 billion, but the White House says that money should go toward following through on their efforts to fight Ebola. In other Zika news, the administration is making a push to help Puerto Rico deal with the crisis and the World Bank has calculated the monetary cost of the outbreak.
Researchers: ‘There’s No Silver Bullet’ To Eliminating Mosquitoes, But Progress Can Be Made
February 9, 2016
Morning Briefing
As the Zika virus spreads, scientists are looking for ways to wipe out the species that carry life-threatening diseases, but the solution isn’t a simple one. In other news, experts find it hard to offer advice to pregnant women as they themselves receive ever-changing information about the virus; 12 groups are racing to find a vaccine; and workers have few legal avenues to pursue if they want to avoid being sent to Zika-afflicted areas for their jobs.
Longer Looks: Zika Virus, Privatized Medicaid, When Home Birth Goes Wrong
January 21, 2016
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
As CDC Put On Highest Level Of Alert Over Zika, Obama Asks For $1.8 Billion In Emergency Funding
February 9, 2016
Morning Briefing
The president says there’s no need to panic, and experts do not expect a large U.S. outbreak. They say, however, that the extra funding will help them prepare as spring and summer approach.
Poll: Cancer ‘Moonshot’ Garners Sweeping, Bipartisan Support From Public
March 25, 2016
Morning Briefing
The STAT-Harvard poll found that 90 percent of Democrats and 79 percent of Republicans support at least a 20 percent boost in cancer research spending. In other public health news, older Americans’ vitamins could be interacting with their medications with dangerous results, new evidence emerges that could help suss out where else in the world Zika is hiding and scientists create a cell with the smallest number of genomes possible.
HIV Disparity: Infection Rates Still On The Rise For Black And Latino Gay Men
February 26, 2016
Morning Briefing
While HIV rates have plunged for many groups, current rates indicate that half of black and one quarter of Latino gay or bisexual men could contract the virus HIV in their lifetimes. Meanwhile, NPR and KHN report on other public health developments related to the opioid treatment methods, Zika testing and nursing home readmissions.
Doctors Telling Patients To Hit The Gym, Not The Pharmacy
March 15, 2016
Morning Briefing
Instead of treating chronic problems with medication, health care providers are increasingly prescribing exercise for their patients. In other public health news, pregnant women who traveled to Zika-infected areas are facing tough decisions at home, a new study finds that it might be discharged patients who are spreading “superbug” infections, and an oncologist talks about the choice she had to make after she discovered she was predisposed to breast and ovarian cancer.
