Microcephaly Before Zika
October 17, 2016
Morning Briefing
In 2006, Christine Grounds gave birth to her son Nicholas, who was diagnosed with microcephaly. The costs and difficulties of raising a child with the disease changed the course of their family’s life.
Achoo! Flu Cases Spiking In More States
January 6, 2017
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, concerns grow about the long-term efficacy of insecticides in the Zika fight, and new research finds that the Ebola virus can linger in the lungs.
Serious Brain Damage Found In High Percentage Of Babies Born To Mothers Infected With Zika
December 14, 2016
Morning Briefing
Three new studies quantify the impact of Zika infection during pregnancy on the brain development of newborns. Defects are not limited to microcephaly — the virus is also linked to empty spaces in the brain, cataracts and hearing loss.
Babies Can Develop Microcephaly From Zika Months After Birth
November 23, 2016
Morning Briefing
Zika-infected infants who are born healthy can go on to develop severe brain damage, researchers discover.
Flu Shot’s Protection Wanes Over Time, Studies Warn
January 12, 2017
Morning Briefing
But some scientists caution that more information is needed before changing any guidelines. In other public health news: HPV vaccinations, PTSD on the job, Zika, and stress in preschoolers.
‘Shazam For Mosquitoes’: Phone App Tells Zika-Carrier Apart From West-Nile Carrier
November 22, 2016
Morning Briefing
The technology uses wing beats to identify mosquito varieties. In other Zika news, Florida confirms 11 new cases.
WHO Shifts Zika Classification From Emergency To Ongoing Threat
November 21, 2016
Morning Briefing
Experts worry the distinction — that the virus is here to stay and should have longterm resources devoted to it — will be lost on many, and could slow research and funding efforts. In other news, Florida moves forward with plans to release genetically engineered mosquitoes and a look at the race for a vaccine.
Doctor’s Social Media Promos For His Company’s Cancer ‘Breakthrough’ May Violate Federal Rules
March 27, 2017
Morning Briefing
Following questions from Stat about promotion of a non-Food and Drug Administraiton approved treatment, NantKwest softened the language. Meanwhile, The New York Times writes on how more surgeries are being conducted while patients are awake. And other news outlets report on tuberculosis, the flu vaccine, Zika, another virus that can cause birth defects called Cytomegalovirus and more public health stories.
Million-Dollar Question: Will There Even Be Demand For Zika Vaccine When It’s Ready?
December 5, 2016
Morning Briefing
Despite the warp speed with which vaccinations are moving through the process to get to market, it will still be a couple of years until one will be able to be used.
Why Spending The Zika Money Isn’t As Easy As It Seems
October 28, 2016
Morning Briefing
Marketplace looks at why allocating and spending the funds to fight the Zika virus is more complex than it would seem.
Second Human Zika Vaccine Trial Begins Using Inactive Virus
November 8, 2016
Morning Briefing
Army researchers recruit volunteers for an experimental vaccine called ZPIV. Another human trial began this summer. It’s still estimated that a publicly available Zika vaccine is two to three years away.
Longer Looks: Life After Zika; Reforming Medicare; Cures Explained; And Tom Price
December 8, 2016
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Officials Struggle To Overcome Parents’ Reluctance Over HPV Vaccinations
February 3, 2017
Morning Briefing
Because the virus is sexually transmitted, many shy away from getting their pre-teen children vaccinated, but officials say that’s not the right way to think about it. In other public health news, pregnant women and marijuana, restaurant menus, the purpose of sleep, heart defects and Zika.
Puerto Rico’s Zika Cases Plunge, But Its Lasting Effect Still Felt On Island
November 30, 2016
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, a company in Florida has developed medication for people who have contracted the virus.
Texas Confirms Locally Transmitted Zika Case: ‘We Knew It Was Only A Matter Of Time’
November 29, 2016
Morning Briefing
No travel alert suggesting that pregnant women avoid the area will be issued now because a single case does not constitute evidence of continuing local transmission.
One Thing Missing From Colombia’s Zika Outbreak: Babies Born With Microcephaly
November 1, 2016
Morning Briefing
In Brazil there have been 2,000 babies born with Zika-linked microcephaly. In Colombia there have been 47. Experts want to know why.
Longer Looks: Health Law Repeal, A Zika Guide And Identifying Disease Outbreaks
November 17, 2016
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Podcast: The GOP’s Path To ‘Repeal And Replace’ May Not Be So Easy
November 16, 2016
KFF Health News Original
KHN’s Julie Rovner and Mary Agnes Carey, The New York Times’ Margot Sanger-Katz and The Lancet’s Richard Lane discuss the future of the Affordable Care Act under GOP control of both the White House and Capitol Hill.
All Eyes Are On Zika But A Far More Common Threat To Babies Lurks In Shadows
October 25, 2016
Morning Briefing
Experts say cytomegalovirus — which causes hearing loss, microcephaly, intellectual deficits and vision abnormalities — affects more people than Zika, but no one is talking about it. In other news, a study lays out the importance of well-child visits.
Researchers: Zika Can Be Passed Through Sweat, Tears
September 29, 2016
Morning Briefing
The son of a man who died of the virus contracted it after sitting by his father’s bedside, touching his skin and wiping his eyes. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention responds to a whistleblower’s claims that it is not using the most effective test for Zika.