Viewpoints: Intense Heat Waves Are Lethal To Many; Doctors Take Action To Protect Kids’ Mental Health
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle climate change, social media, medical-assisted suicide and more.
A Majority Of Doctors Worry Over AI’s Role In Diagnoses, Treatments
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Only 36% of physicians surveyed by Medscape said they weren’t “very” or “at all” concerned about the influence of AI on diagnoses and treatment decisions. In other news, Eli Lilly is buying gene-editing tech from Beam Therapeutics; strong sales of RSV vaccines lift GSK’s profits; and more.
Ban On Businesses’ Covid Shot Mandates Heads To Texas Governor
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Under the law, private companies that punish workers for refusing a covid shot could get a $50,000 fine. Meanwhile, Houston Independent School District nurses are voicing their anger at a plan to have them staff two covid clinics without extra pay. Other news is from California, Florida, Long Island, and elsewhere.
Public Isn’t Taking AMR Seriously; Protein That Causes Clotting After Covid Vaccine Identified
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Teens’ Internet Use Is More Worrying Than Drugs To Parents: Survey
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
The risks of cyberbullying and addiction are more worrying to parents of teen children than the notion the youngsters will abuse drugs. Separately, millions of people say they’ve used the 988 mental health crisis line but the majority say they won’t use it again.
Hospitals Brace For Influx Of Kids With RSV, With Drug In Short Supply
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Widespread access to a new antibody drug is currently lacking, which may mean a surge of children with RSV. Among other news, a focus on the sugar content of popular Halloween candy; a study into coulrophobia — the fear of clowns; the high U.S. gun violence rate; and more.
Study: In First 8 Months, Covid Shots Saved 2.4 Million People Globally
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
The working paper from University of Southern California and Brown University estimates that another 670,000 people wouldn’t have died if vaccines had been distributed equitably. Meanwhile, researchers show that covid vaccines are not linked to miscarriages.
Missouri Appeals Court Says Language In Abortion Ballot Was Misleading
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
A panel of the Western District Court of Appeals upheld revised ballot titles in a blow to the original writer, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, whose words describing “dangerous” abortions were “replete” with partisan language. Meanwhile in Idaho, restrictive anti-abortion laws fuel an OB-GYN exodus.
FDA Panel Says Innovative Sickle Cell Gene Therapy Is Safe Enough For Use
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
The advisory committee’s review may lead to the FDA’s first approval of a treatment for humans that uses the CRISPR gene-editing system.
Second Person To Receive Pig Heart Transplant Dies
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report that the patient, Lawrence Faucette, of Frederick, Md., began to show initial signs of organ rejection. Faucette, who died six weeks after his transplant, was the second patient at the University of Maryland Medical Center to receive a transplanted pig heart. The first recipient, David Bennett, died two months after receiving his transplant last year.
CDC Plan To Tackle Health Worker Burnout Focuses On Mental Health
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
A big part of the CDC campaign focuses on hospitals and health care managers, challenging them to institute systemic changes to support employees.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, November 1, 2023
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Infant mortality, gene therapy, health worker burnout, internet addiction, covid vaccines, AI diagnoses, and more are in the news.
Infant Mortality Rate Rose 3% Last Year, Reversing Trend Of Last 20 Years
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
CDC data show that the rate of babies dying was higher between 2021 and 2022 than in the two decades prior, when mortality rates consistently dropped. The U.S. rate is double that of many developed countries.
First Edition: November 1, 2023
November 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Medical School on Cherokee Reservation Will Soon Send Doctors to Tribal, Rural Areas
By Arielle Zionts
November 1, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Native Americans and rural residents are underrepresented in medical schools. But in this new program, 25% of students are Indigenous and half are from rural areas.
Gubernatorial Candidates Quarrel Over Glory for Winning Opioid Settlements
By Aneri Pattani
November 1, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Some gubernatorial candidates are sparring over bragging rights for their state’s share of $50 billion in opioid settlement funds. Many of the candidates are attorneys general who pursued the lawsuits that produced the payouts.
In ‘Tokelahoma,’ Once-Booming Medical Pot Industry Is Dwindling
October 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
At its peak, Oklahoma had nearly 14,000 licensed medical marijuana businesses. But one veteran says the industry is “struggling” and predicted two-thirds of current businesses could soon shut down.
FDA Panel Meeting Today To Review Proposal For Sickle Cell Gene Therapy
October 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
A FDA advisory panel will hear proposals Tuesday from Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics in an all-day meeting. USA Today examines the potential and high cost of using gene therapy to treat diseases.
Hold That Sneeze — This Year’s Flu Season May Not Hit So Hard
October 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
Doctors and scientists note that positive signs from the Southern Hemisphere’s flu season point to a potentially milder season in the North, too. Also in the news, the Biden administration has acknowledged problems with the transition from government to private control over the covid vaccine program.