Category: Public Health

Health officials probe 1st cases of new drug-resistant gonorrhea strain in Massachusetts

A unique strain of gonorrhea identified in two residents in Massachusetts showed little or no response to five classes of antibiotics, health officials said Jan. 19.

COVID-19 admissions dip: Where they're lowest, falling fastest

COVID-19 hospitalizations are declining nationwide even as the highly transmissible omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 gains prevalence. 

The ‘KHN Health Minute’ Debuts on CBS News Radio

Launched Jan. 12, the “Health Minute” brings original health care and health policy reporting from the KHN newsroom to the airwaves each week.

The discrepancies behind recent COVID-19 hospitalization, death data

Holiday disruptions are likely behind discrepancies in COVID-19 data that have emerged in the last few weeks, according to health experts. The nation’s daily average for hospitalizations has fallen by about 15 percent over the last two weeks, data from…

St. Louis Children's hospital saw 50% rise in patients with gun injuries amid pandemic

In the first two years of the pandemic, St. Louis Children’s Hospital saw the average number of children and teens needing treatment for gunshot wounds increase by 50 percent, St. Louis Public Radio reported Jan. 18. 

HHS' oversight of pathogen research is lacking, report finds

HHS does not have a strong framework in place to adequately monitor research involving potential pandemic pathogens, the U.S. Government Accountability Office said in a Jan. 18 report. 

Hybrid immunity offers one year of protection against COVID-19 recurrence: Study

Hybrid immunity, the combination of COVID-19 recovery and immunization, provides up to 12 months of protection against severe reinfection or hospitalization, according to a study published in The Lancet on Jan. 18. 

Readers and Tweeters Diagnose Greed and Chronic Pain Within US Health Care System

KHN gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.

'Tripledemic' has peaked, CDC data suggests

The weekly rate of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus peaked in early December, new CDC data shows. 

What Older Americans Need to Know About Taking Paxlovid

Covid-19 continues to hit seniors with disproportionate severity. Experts say Paxlovid is an effective therapy that is being underprescribed for people 65 and older.