Category: Public Health

KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: Creating Chaos at HHS

President Donald Trump was sworn in Monday and by Wednesday had virtually stopped scientific policymaking at the Department of Health and Human Services. While incoming administrations often pause public communications, the acting HHS head ordered an unprecedented shutdown of all outside meetings, travel, and publications. Meanwhile, Trump issued a broad array of mostly nonbinding executive orders, but notably none directly concerning abortion. Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Rodney Whitlock, a former congressional staffer, who explains the convoluted “budget reconciliation” process Republicans hope to use to enact Trump’s agenda.

5 long COVID study findings to know

Women and patients with multiple COVID-19 infections face an increased risk of developing long COVID, recent studies suggest. 

Long-Covid Patients Are Frustrated That Federal Research Hasn’t Found New Treatments

The federal government has allocated $1.15 billion to long-covid research without any new treatments yet brought to market. Patients and scientists say it’s time to push harder for breakthroughs.

The Growing Inequality in Life Expectancy Among Americans

To deliver on pledges from the new Trump administration to make America healthy again, policymakers will need to close gaps in longevity among racial and ethnic groups.

How Does the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Impact Health and Health Care?

This policy watch provides a short overview of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), describing its history, budget, organizational structure and its major programs and responsibilities.

$800M+ vaccine investment aims to boost pandemic readiness

HHS is investing more than $800 million in vaccine development and manufacturing capacity to strengthen the nation’s response capabilities to emerging infectious disease threats, including bird flu. 

16 states report high respiratory virus activity: 5 notes

Respiratory illness activity remains elevated across the U.S., with emergency department visits and positive test rates rising for COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, according to the CDC. 

CDC urges more bird flu testing in hospitals

Clinicians serving influenza A patients should test them for bird flu, ideally within 24 hours of hospital admission, the CDC said Jan. 16. 

Junk Food Turns Public Villain as Power Shifts in Washington

Some Trump insiders are ready to take on the food industry. It remains to be seen whether their entrée will result in any meaningful change in government oversight of “Big Food” — or in American health.

For Homeless Seniors, Getting Into Stable Housing Takes a Village — And a Lot of Luck

The number of unhoused seniors in the U.S. is expected to triple by 2030. About half of this population is becoming homeless for the first time. Homeless services struggle to help. Finding affordable housing that’s also accessible for older Americans with medical conditions is an extra challenge.