Vibrio Surges In Florida After Hurricane Ian
October 18, 2022
Morning Briefing
Flooding is to blame for the spike in infections. CBS News says at least 29 cases and four deaths have been confirmed in Lee County this year, with all but two cases diagnosed after the hurricane. Meanwhile, in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott called for distribution of overdose-reversal drugs.
Covid Hit American Life Expectancy Worse Than Europe’s
October 18, 2022
Morning Briefing
Data show that even as some European countries had life expectancy predictions rise to prepandemic levels in 2021, the U.S. reported the third-largest decline among 29 countries surveyed. Also: ocular monkeypox cases, access to monkeypox vaccines, healthy living habits, and more.
Uterine Cancer Risk Linked To Frequent Hair Straightener Use: Study
October 18, 2022
Morning Briefing
Researchers in an 11-year study found the odds of developing uterine cancer were more than two and a half times higher among study participants who had used hair straightening products more than four times the previous year. While still rare, uterine cancer is on the rise in the U.S., particularly among Black women.
1 In 6 People With Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Forced To Ration Their Doses
October 18, 2022
Morning Briefing
USA Today reports on startling statistics about Americans with diabetes: About 1.3 million people are not taking their full prescribed doses of insulin because it costs too much. Also in the news: the ongoing baby formula shortage, OTC hearing aids, and more.
In Unusual Twist, Medical Costs Rise Slower Than Inflation
October 18, 2022
Morning Briefing
Everyday expenses have been driven up by rising inflation, but a report in USA Today says health care costs have risen more slowly, for the first time in 40 years. Also: Medicare fraud accusations against Cigna, health care data breaches, and more.
House Resolution Aims To Reaffirm FDA’s Oversight On Abortion Pill Access
October 18, 2022
Morning Briefing
The resolution also emphasizes the authority of the U.S. attorney general to take action against any state that enacts a law that limits a patient’s ability to use such products, The Hill reports.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, October 18, 2022
October 18, 2022
Morning Briefing
Tuesday’s roundup covers covid treatments, variants, boosters, interference at CDC, abortion access, cancer, medical costs, vibrio, and more.
White House Worries New Variants Could Beat Evusheld Preventive Drug
October 18, 2022
Morning Briefing
Stat reports on Biden administration health officials’ concerns that AstraZeneca’s Evusheld, a monoclonal antibody drug that’s become essential for immunocompromised Americans, could be bypassed by emerging variants. Meanwhile, the covid czar urges seniors to get new boosters.
Trump White House Interfered With CDC Covid Reports, House Panel Finds
October 18, 2022
Morning Briefing
Routine “bullying” and job threats by Trump administration officials led to changes in pandemic-related public health guidance to suit the White House’s political message on issues like masking and travel bans, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials told the House select subcommittee on the coronavirus crisis.
Centene Gave Thousands to Georgia Leaders’ Campaigns While Facing Medicaid Overbilling Questions
By Maya T. Prabhu, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Andy Miller
October 18, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Centene is trying to settle accusations of Medicaid pharmaceutical overcharging in Georgia, and the St. Louis-based company has been giving thousands of dollars to the campaigns of the state attorney general and the governor.
First Edition: Oct. 18, 2022
October 18, 2022
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Campaigning Ramps Up as South Dakota Voters Decide on Medicaid Expansion
By Arielle Zionts
October 18, 2022
KFF Health News Original
A broad coalition of Medicaid expansion supporters faces off against a smaller group of opponents as early voting begins on a constitutional amendment that would increase coverage under South Dakota’s program.
Don’t Drill Your Own Teeth! And Quashing Other Rotten Dental Advice on TikTok
By Chaseedaw Giles
October 18, 2022
KFF Health News Original
TikTok videos extol doing your own cosmetic dentistry like gluing gems to your front teeth or filing down your teeth. The trouble is social media rarely shows the mistakes or the pain.
Comienzan a estar disponibles audífonos de venta libre desde $199
By Phil Galewitz
October 17, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Los audífonos de venta libre cuestan menos en parte porque no incluyen los servicios de un experto para una evaluación auditiva, ajuste y afinación del dispositivo. En cambio, los nuevos dispositivos deben ser configurados por los propios consumidores.
Worry Of Faulty Bottle Seals Prompts Abbott Baby Formula Recall
October 17, 2022
Morning Briefing
The recall is relatively small, CBS News notes, and is not likely to cause the same kind of supply chain issues that led to national baby formula shortages. Salmonella risks in poultry, food superbugs from grocery store antibiotic use, youth mental health, and more are also in the news.
Risk Of Legal Pathway For Red States To Defund Planned Parenthood
October 17, 2022
Morning Briefing
A pending Supreme Court case by the Health & Hospital Corp. of Marion County could have serious repercussions for Planned Parenthood’s financial future. Other news about abortion includes providers working around bans, its impact on elections, and more.
Biden Orders HHS To Report Plans On Lowering Drug Prices
October 17, 2022
Morning Briefing
The order released Friday calls on the Department of Health and Human Services to report plans for lowering costs for people on Medicaid and Medicare, plus boosting access to new drugs. Also: mental coverage under Medicare, pregnancy drug Makena, Roche’s Alzheimer’s drug and more.
Covid BQ.1 Variant Rising: Now Constitutes 10% Of US Cases
October 17, 2022
Morning Briefing
Subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 derived from omicron covid variant BA.5, and news outlets cover the rise of them across the country and worries that they may create a surge in cases this winter. Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke on the “highs and lows” of the Trump administration’s covid response.
As Monkeypox Cases Fall, Scientists Probe How It Spreads
October 17, 2022
Morning Briefing
The outbreak is slowing, although some experts express concern that it may still become a widespread problem. Separately, rising flu activity is reported ahead of usual patterns, with southeast and south-central states having the highest levels.