Category: Public Health

KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: A Very Good Night for Abortion Rights Backers

Abortion rights backers won major victories in at least five states in the 2023 off-year elections Nov. 7, proving the staying power of abortion as a political issue in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Meanwhile, the National Institutes of Health finally has a new director, after Democrats temporarily blocked President Joe Biden’s nominee over a mostly unrelated fight about prescription drug prices. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Julie Appleby, who reported and wrote the latest “Bill of the Month” feature.

Another GOP Primary Debate … Another Night of Verbal Clashes

In a faceoff that took some strange turns, five presidential hopefuls focused on foreign affairs and inflation but still revealed the party’s political struggles over its abortion position. Once again, former President Donald Trump did not appear on the debate stage.

A New RSV Shot Could Help Protect Babies This Winter — If They Can Get It in Time

Supply problems, a high price tag, and bureaucratic obstacles are slowing the distribution of a therapy that can protect infants from the respiratory syncytial virus. That will leave them unnecessarily at risk of hospitalization this winter, pediatricians fear.

3 states where abortion access was preserved on election Tuesday

Abortion policy and pro-choice candidates sustained victories in several states in what was the second election cycle since Roe v. Wade was overturned.

CDC: Number of babies born with syphilis increase 1022%

Compared to 2012, more than 10 times as many congenital syphilis cases were reported in 2022, marking a 1,022% jump in newborn syphilis cases, according to CDC data released Nov. 7.

Ohio Voted on Abortion. Next Year, 11 More States Might, Too.

Ohio is the latest state where voters have directly weighed in on abortion, and the next wave of such ballot measures is in the works in at least 11 other states, including Missouri.

US to Cover HIV Prevention Drugs for Older Americans to Stem Spread of the Virus

The government has proposed that Medicare fully cover preexposure prophylaxis drugs that prevent HIV, a change that could help America catch up with nations in Europe and Africa that are on track to end new infections decades before the U.S. under its current approach.

Victims of Maine shooting soon to be released from hospital

Three victims from the Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewistown, Maine, that killed 18 and wounded 13 may soon be released from Central Maine Medical Center, according to a Nov. 7 news release.

300+ warned about possible TB exposure at California casino

Health officials in Northern California have contacted more than 300 people who could have been exposed to tuberculosis at a casino in Pacheco.

ED visits for flu, RSV tick up

Weekly emergency department visits for flu and respiratory syncytial virus have been on the rise the past few weeks, while visits for COVID-19 have decreased.