Category: Public Health

KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: Less Than Two Weeks To Go

With Election Day rapidly approaching, abortion is gaining traction as a voting issue, according to public opinion polls. Meanwhile, states with abortion bans are reviving the lawsuit — dismissed by the Supreme Court on a technicality this year — that could roll back the availability of the abortion pill mifepristone. Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Tricia Neuman, senior vice president of KFF and executive director of its Program on Medicare Policy, about Medicare open enrollment and the changes to the federal program for 2025.

CDC recommends 2 COVID shots a year for older adults

On Oct. 23, the CDC updated its timeline recommendations for COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines. 

XEC poised to become dominant COVID variant: Preprint study

COVID-19 variant is expected to surpass KP.3.1.1 as the most dominant circulating variant, according to a preprint study from researchers at universities in Japan and the United Kingdom.

Flesh-eating bacteria cases hit record in Florida in wake of Helene

Florida is experiencing a surge in flesh-eating bacteria cases weeks after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck, USA Today reported Oct. 22.

Marylanders To Vote on Expansive ‘Right to Reproductive Freedom’

The Right to Reproductive Freedom amendment would enshrine in the state constitution a right “to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end one’s own pregnancy.”

3 respiratory illnesses on the rise: 5 things to know

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus and XEC cases are on the rise, according to the CDC.

Infections raise dementia risk, new study suggests: 3 notes

Common infections such as the flu and respiratory tract infections may increase the risk of dementia years later, according to a new study published in Nature Aging. 

Medicare Drug Plans Are Getting Better Next Year. Some Will Also Cost More.

Every year, Medicare officials encourage beneficiaries to shop around for their drug coverage. Few take the time. This year, it might be more important than ever.

Watch: ‘Silence in Sikeston & The Effects of Racial Violence’

KFF Health News Midwest correspondent Cara Anthony talks about how racism affects health on Nine PBS’ “Listen, St. Louis with Carol Daniel,” stemming from her reporting for the “Silence in Sikeston” multimedia project, on the impact of a 1942 lynching and a 2020 police killing on a rural Missouri community.

California Continues Progressive Policies, With Restraint, in Divisive Election Year

This legislative cycle, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed bills affirming reproductive rights and mandating insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization, but the Democrat was reluctant to impose new regulations and frequently cited costs for vetoing bills.