Even after multiple massive power outages — including one from a 2021 winter storm in Texas that prompted a U.S. Senate investigation — little has changed for older Americans in senior living facilities when natural disasters strike.
Category: Public Health
5 Cases of Bird Flu Reported in Colorado Poultry Workers, Doubling This Year’s US Tally
So far, all nine cases reported nationally this year at dairy and poultry farms have been mild, consisting of respiratory symptoms and eye irritation. Scientists have warned that the virus could mutate to spread from person to person, like the seasonal flu, and spark a pandemic.
5 infections on the rise this year
Five viruses and infections are on the rise in 2024, according to the CDC.
ED visits for COVID jump 24%
For the week ending July 6, about 1.3% of emergency department visits in the U.S. involved a COVID-19 diagnosis at discharge — a nearly 24% increase from the previous week, according to the latest updates on respiratory virus activity from the CD…
Trump treated at Butler Memorial after assassination attempt
Former President Donald Trump was transported 11 miles from a July 13 rally in Pennsylvania to Butler (Pa.) Memorial Hospital, part of Independence Health, for treatment after being shot in the right ear during a political rally in Butler, Pa., CBS rep…
States Set Minimum Staffing Levels for Nursing Homes. Residents Suffer When Rules Are Ignored or Waived.
The Biden administration set stringent new federal staffing rules. But for years, nursing homes have failed to meet the toughest standards set by states.
How to Find a Good, Well-Staffed Nursing Home
Here are the telltale signs to look for in nursing homes to avoid, and resources that can point to better places.
KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: GOP Platform Muddies Abortion Waters
As Donald Trump prepares to be formally nominated as the GOP’s candidate for president next week, the platform he will run on is taking shape. And in line with Trump’s approach, it aims to simultaneously satisfy hard-core abortion opponents and reassure more moderate swing voters. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission takes on pharmacy benefits management firms. Shefali Luthra of The 19th News, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News’ chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Jennifer Klein, director of the White House Gender Policy Council, about the Biden administration’s policies to ensure access to reproductive health care.
Finland Is Offering Farmworkers Bird Flu Shots. Some Experts Say the US Should, Too.
Even with a stockpile of bird flu vaccinations, the federal government is not offering them to those at high risk. Along with testing and measures to prevent spread, vaccinations may protect people and stop the outbreak from becoming a pandemic.
COVID activity remains low despite increases in ED visits, hospitalizations
As of June 29, emergency room visits for COVID-19-related illnesses have increased 18.4% and hospitalizations have increased 13.3% from the previous week, the CDC found.
