Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 1, 2024
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Airborne disease spread, breast cancer screenings, pot classification, Medicaid, abortion law, hospital safety, and more are in the news.
Biennial Breast Cancer Screening Should Start At 40, Task Force Suggests
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
The group based its recommendation to bump up mammograms by 10 years on studies showing “moderate net benefit.” The group also found that Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer. Experts from other groups contend testing every other year isn’t enough.
Gigantic DEA Policy Shift May See Pot Classified As Less Dangerous
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
The AP reports that the DEA is moving to reclassify marijuana, though the drug will remain listed as a controlled substance. News outlets examine what the ripple effects of reclassification will be, including facilitating research into the drug.
Florida’s Abortion Ban After 6 Weeks Now In Effect
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Starting today, the window in which a pregnant person can get an abortion in Florida was reduced from 15 weeks to six. Leading up to the new law taking effect, abortion clinics rushed to treat as many patients as possible.
First Edition: May 1, 2024
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
La OMS confirma cómo se propagan los virus por el aire. Los CDC tal vez miren para otro lado
By Amy Maxmen
May 1, 2024
KFF Health News Original
La OMS concluyó que la transmisión aérea ocurre cuando las personas enfermas exhalan patógenos que quedan suspendidos en el aire, contenidos en pequeñas partículas de saliva y moco que, a su vez, son inhaladas por otros.
WHO Overturns Dogma on Airborne Disease Spread. The CDC Might Not Act on It.
By Amy Maxmen
May 1, 2024
KFF Health News Original
After grave missteps in the covid pandemic, the World Health Organization revisited the science and now confirms that many respiratory viruses are inhaled as airborne particles. The new framework implies that stopping transmission relies on costly measures like ventilation and masking.
AC, Power Banks, Mini Fridges: Oregon Equips Medicaid Patients for Climate Change
By Samantha Young
May 1, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Oregon is giving Medicaid patients air conditioners and other equipment to help them cope with soaring heat, smoky skies, and other dangers of climate change. Oregon health officials hope to show other states and the federal government that they can save lives and money.
The Neglected U.S. Victims of Agent Orange
By Hannah Norman
April 30, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The Department of Veterans Affairs has long given Vietnam veterans disability compensation for illness connected to Agent Orange, widely used to defoliate Southeast Asian battlefields during the U.S. war. Less well known: The powerful herbicide combination was also routinely used to kill weeds at domestic military bases. Those exposed to the chemicals at the bases are still waiting for the same […]
Troubled CPAP Manufacturer Philips Reaches $1.1 Billion Settlement Deal
April 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
USA Today reminds us that Philips has had to recall over 15 million CPAP breathing devices since 2021 over concerns of health injuries from inhaling eroded foam inserts in the machines. Also in the news: the FDA grants full approval of Pfizer’s cervical cancer drug Tivdak.
As Population Ages, Connecticut House Passes Bill To Overhaul Elder Care
April 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
The bill includes more oversight of home care work, speeding up Medicaid access, and a new registry to make finding caregivers easier. In other health news across the country, addiction treatment in Massachusetts, autism support efforts in Florida, toxic gas in Memphis, and more.
Teens Who Often Vape Have High Uranium, Lead Levels In Their Bodies
April 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Researchers have found a troubling link between teens who frequently vape and levels of potentially toxic metals in their urine. Separately, a study links e-cigarettes to a higher risk of heart failure — with just one vaping experience having a significant influence on risk.
If Early Death Is Written In Your Genes, A Healthy Life Can Fight It: Study
April 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study shows that living a healthy lifestyle can significantly battle increased risk of early death due to genetic predisposition — nearly 2 in 3 people with risky genes can mitigate the risk. Separately, a study links physical fitness to better mental health in young people.
Viewpoints: Interspecies Organ Transplants Could Fix Long Wait Times; Are We Damaging Teens?
April 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss organ transplants, mental health in kids, reproductive health care, and more,
Southerners Soon May Be One Abortion Crisis Away From Financial Ruin
April 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
With farther to go and travel assistance funds already under strain, urgent abortion care might become out of reach for many women when Florida’s abortion ban goes into effect this week. Meanwhile, some cities in Texas and California are throwing up more barriers for abortion care.
California Will Make Available Free Opioid Overdose-Reversal Medicine
April 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
First responders and other eligible groups will receive a generic drug to combat overdoses. Elsewhere, as Colorado contemplates prescription drug cost controls, patients and their caregivers fear a future without the meds they need to survive.
WHO Advisers Say Next Covid Vaccine Should Use Monovalent JN.1 Lineage
April 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
CIDRAP reports on the advisory group meeting earlier this month, where the experts predicted that in the near term, circulating variants of covid will likely be derived from JN.1. Also in the news about infectious disease: a covid booster’s impact on odds of long covid; what we’re learning about H5N1 bird flu virus infections in cows; and more.
State Officials, Insurers Push Back At Medicaid Wait Time Reduction Plan
April 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
While the White House would like to see Medicaid enrollees not having to wait so long to see a physician, the industry and officials say it’s not realistic. Meanwhile, CMS’ effort to enforce ratios of nursing home staff to residents may end up in court.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, April 30, 2024
April 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Lab test regulations, the opioid crisis, high medical bills, toxic gas, covid vaccines, vaping dangers, cancer, and more are in the news.
Labs Developing Medical Tests Will Now Face Some FDA Scrutiny
April 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Historically, such tests escaped federal regulation because they were considered low risk. But after the Theranos debacle, and as lab-developed tests become more complex and test for important things like genetic conditions, the FDA will start regulating them more. About 12,000 labs are affected, and legal action challenging the change is expected.
