Category: Public Health

KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: Abortion Pill’s Legal Limbo Continues

A federal appeals court issued a split decision on whether the abortion pill mifepristone should remain on the market — rejecting a lower court’s decision to effectively cancel the drug’s FDA approval in 2000, while ordering the rollback of more recent rules that made the drug easier to obtain. Nothing changes immediately, however, as the Supreme Court blocked the lower court’s ruling in the spring. It will be up to the high court to determine whether the pill remains available in the U.S. and under which conditions. Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Shefali Luthra of The 19th join KFF Health News’ chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too.

When experts anticipate RSV's arrival this year

After COVID-19-related disruptions last year, experts anticipate respiratory syncytial virus to follow a more typical seasonal pattern this year, with activity ramping up in the fall and peaking in December or January, CNN reported Aug. 17. 

Drugs Used for Weight Loss Could Cost Americans Much More Than People in Peer Countries

In addition to having the highest obesity rates, the U.S is currently facing significantly higher prices for several major drugs used for weight loss and other health needs, according to a new KFF analysis of the list prices for semaglutide and tirzepa…

How Do Prices of Drugs for Weight Loss in the U.S. Compare to Peer Nations’ Prices?

A class of drugs initially approved for diabetes treatment has captured the public’s and policymakers’ attention as interest in their off-label use for weight loss rises. The weight-loss benefits of these drugs have led to their prescribed use for obes…

Where COVID-19 admissions are highest, rising fastest

More than 10,000 people in the U.S. were hospitalized with COVID-19 for the week ending Aug. 5, up 14.3 percent from the previous week and marking the fourth straight week of increase. 

6 things to know about US leprosy cases

While 95 percent of people are immune to leprosy — also called Hansen’s disease — multiple cases have popped up across Central Florida and the Southern U.S. in recent years, concerning physicians. One recent study concluded that the disease may even be…

6 things to know about US leprosy cases

While 95 percent of people are immune to leprosy — also called Hansen’s disease — multiple cases have popped up across Central Florida and the Southern U.S. in recent years, concerning physicians. One recent study concluded that the disease may even be…

Homelessness at record high: What it means for hospitals

A record number of Americans are experiencing homelessness in 2023 amid rising housing costs and other societal challenges. The increase could put additional strain on the U.S. healthcare system and lead to worse patient outcomes if health systems do n…

Epidemic: Zero Pox!

In the early 1970s, public health workers buoyed by the motto “zero pox!” worked across India to achieve 100% vaccination against smallpox. This episode is about what happened when these zealous young people encountered hesitation.

5 notes on the tick-borne syndrome many physicians are unfamiliar with

 In July, the CDC published findings indicating up to 450,000 people in the U.S. may have alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne meat allergy most clinicians are unfamiliar with.