Research Roundup: COVID-19; Flu-Like Illness; Bariatric Surgery; Zika
October 15, 2020
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Hollowed-Out Public Health System Faces More Cuts Amid Virus
By Lauren Weber Laura Ungar Michelle R. Smith, The Associated Press Hannah Recht Anna Maria Barry-Jester
July 1, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The U.S. public health system has been starved for decades and lacks the resources necessary to confront the worst health crisis in a century. An investigation by The Associated Press and KHN has found that since 2010, spending for state public health departments has dropped by 16% per capita and for local health departments by 18%. At least 38,000 public health jobs have disappeared, leaving a skeletal workforce for what was once viewed as one of the world’s top public health systems. That has left the nation unprepared to deal with a virus that has sickened at least 2.6 million people and killed more than 126,000.
FAQ: How Does New Trump Fetal Tissue Policy Impact Medical Research?
By Michelle Andrews
June 7, 2019
KFF Health News Original
The scientific use of tissue from aborted fetuses has frequently been a hot point of contention between anti-abortion forces and researchers. It heats up again as federal officials announced this week they were ending NIH research using the tissue.
Cómo impacta a la ciencia las nuevas normas del gobierno sobre el uso de tejido fetal
By Michelle Andrews
June 7, 2019
KFF Health News Original
El anuncio de que el gobierno federal está cambiando su política sobre el uso de tejido fetal humano en la investigación médica podría retrasar importantes avances.
Partisan Bickering In Congress Crippled Response To Zika In 2016. Experts Warn Lawmakers: Don’t Repeat History.
March 2, 2020
Morning Briefing
Lawmakers are discussing emergency funding for the coronavirus, but there’s not even a draft of the legislation yet. Public health experts worry that the funding will get held up in the gridlock created by a hyper-partisan Congress, leaving cash-strapped state health departments underwater. Meanwhile, Democrats seize on the Trump administration’s response to the crisis as a talking point on the campaign trail.
CDC Used To Be One Of World’s Preeminent Disease-Fighting Bodies, But Agency Gutted Under Trump
April 16, 2020
Morning Briefing
The CDC played a major role in eradicating smallpox, as well as the near-elimination of polio. Globally, it won acclaim for helping fight AIDS, Ebola and Zika. Now, under President Donald Trump, experts say its a non-entity in the battle against the coronavirus. In other news from the Trump administration: Vice President Mike Pence put to the test; HHS Secretary Alex Azar snubbed by White House; health experts getting pushed to side in briefings; and more.
Remember Zika? Yes, It Is Still A Problem
July 3, 2019
Morning Briefing
Even though the media coverage of the disease almost completely dropped off, it doesn’t mean Zika vanished entirely. “The next outbreak is not a matter of if, but when,” said Dr. Ernesto T.A. Marques, a public health researcher at The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Rio de Janeiro. In other public health news: the idea of “real-world” evidence, acupuncture, stories from veterans, weight loss, Ebola, and more.
Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes
By Brianna Labuskes
August 10, 2018
KFF Health News Original
Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health articles from the week so you don’t have to.
‘Closely Associated With People:’ Species Of Mosquitoes That Can Transmit Zika Is Spreading Out In Parts Of California, Health Official Warns
September 23, 2019
Morning Briefing
California health officials are monitoring aggressive and invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. In New Hampshire, officials warn about the spread of the mosquitoes carrying the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus. Public health news is on weedkillers, sickle cell disease, pancreatic cancer, food safety, cesarean deliveries, and a smoking ban at VA facilities, as well.
The Feds’ Termination Of A Tiny Contract Inflames Bitter Fight Over Fetal Tissue
By Emmarie Huetteman
October 8, 2018
KFF Health News Original
Just weeks before midterm elections, a move by federal health officials spotlights a contentious issue: the use of human fetal tissue in research. Here’s what you need to know to understand the debate.
Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes
By Brianna Labuskes
June 8, 2018
KFF Health News Original
KHN’s newsletter editor, Brianna Labuskes, wades through hundreds of health articles from the week so you don’t have to.
On Paper, More Americans Can Opt To Choose Aid-In-Dying Than Ever. But Reality Looks A Lot Different.
July 9, 2019
Morning Briefing
There are still many obstacles that face those who want to access medication to end their lives on their own terms, even after legislation is passed guaranteeing them that right. In other public health news: primary care doctors, Zika, noise in hospitals, cancer research, accessibility apps, and more.
Trump Administration Restricts Fetal Tissue Research, Securing Another Victory For Anti-Abortion Activists
June 6, 2019
Morning Briefing
The Trump administration took steps to sharply curtail fetal tissue research by blocking scientists from using federal funds to conduct research that relies on material collected from elective abortions. HHS will also cancel an existing HIV research contract with the University of California, San Francisco. Officials say that the decision came from the president. Scientists are dismayed by the announcement and worried that the restrictions will curtail major breakthroughs on diseases such as HIV, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, Zika and more.
Adolescents Treated With Some ADHD Drugs Like Adderall May Be At Higher Risk Of Having Psychotic Event
March 21, 2019
Morning Briefing
The risk is “low enough that you can’t say, ‘just don’t prescribe Adderall,’” said Dr. Lauren Moran, the study’s lead author. “But from a public health perspective, there’s so many millions of people being prescribed these medications that it actually leads to thousands of people at increased risk of psychosis.” In other public health news: Zika, sugary drinks, depression and more.
As Public Concern Over Zika Eases In U.S., Efforts To Find Tests, Treatments For Dangerous Virus Stall
October 17, 2018
Morning Briefing
The inability to provide quick, inexpensive tests to diagnose the virus is hindering efforts in Angola to track the disease that can cause severe disabilities in babies, health experts say. In other news on Zika, mothers in Brazil give around-the-clock care for their disabled children.
Scaling Back On Foods, Drinks With Added Sugars Can Reduce Fatty Liver In Millions Of Overweight Children
January 23, 2019
Morning Briefing
Added sugars, typically high in fructose, aren’t discouraged in current health guidelines and can lead to obesity. Other public health news looks at liver disease causes, definitions of toxic masculinity, new insights into MS, a report on black lung disease, benefits of insta-workouts, educating future doctors about LBGTQ issues, protection from Zika and more.
For Therapeutic Clowns, Silliness Is Serious Business
December 13, 2018
Morning Briefing
A quest to find out if therapeutic clowns were really helping disabled children who could not respond to their antics leads to an exploration of those kids’ silent worlds. In other public health news: gene-editing, eczema and suicide, Zika, dirty air, tampons, salmonella, diabetes, and more.
A esta madre hispana no le dijeron que tenía zika
By JoNel Aleccia
June 21, 2017
KFF Health News Original
Los resultados estuvieron listos en diciembre, pero Andrea Pardo no fue notificada hasta abril, cuando ya tenía 37 semanas de embarazo, de que había estado infectada con el virus del zika.
A Clinic Mix-Up Leaves Pregnant Woman In Dark About Zika Risk
By JoNel Aleccia
June 21, 2017
KFF Health News Original
A Washington state woman didn’t find out for months that she was likely infected with the virus that can cause serious birth defects. Clinic officials say they’ll do better.
Zika en América: la saga de una mamá hispana
By JoNel Aleccia
Photos by Heidi de Marco
June 13, 2017
KFF Health News Original
Lo primero que hizo María Ríos cuando nació su beba es chequear el tamaño de su cabeza. Fue entonces cuando supo que sus miedos se habían hecho realidad: la niña había nacido con microcefalia, una consecuencia del zika.
