Category: Public Health

US Surgeon General Declares Gun Violence ‘a Public Health Crisis’

Gun violence is the No. 1 cause of death for children and teens in America. Vivek Murthy says the toll extends beyond deaths, as survivors deal with “a lifetime of physical and mental health impacts” and those who witness shootings become traumatized.

How quality sleep can be your secret weapon for effective weight loss

Imagine snuggling up in bed and drifting off into dreamland after a long day. Did you know that those precious hours of sleep could be more than just time for rest? Let’s explore the interesting connection between sleep and weight loss and why ge…

Summer COVID wave emerges: 5 notes

As “FLiRT” coronavirus variants account for about 77% of infections, COVID-19 cases are ticking upward this summer, according to CDC data. 

Compare the Candidates on Health Care Policy

The side-by-side comparison tool provides a quick overview of former President Trump’s and Vice President Harris’ records, positions, public statements, and proposed policies on a range of key health care topics.

Compare the Presidential Candidates’ Health Care Records and Positions

The side-by-side comparison tool provides a quick overview of former President Trump’s and President Biden’s records, positions, public statements, and proposed policies on a range of key health care topics.

Young Gay Latinos See Rising Share of New HIV Cases, Leading to Call for Targeted Funding

Since being diagnosed with HIV in 2022, Fernando Hermida has had to move three times to access treatment. A KFF Health News-Associated Press analysis found gay and bisexual Latino men account for a fast-growing proportion of new diagnoses and infections, showing they are falling behind in the fight against HIV.

EDs seeing higher gun injury cases than before pandemic: 4 notes

The CDC found gun injury-related visits to emergency departments remained high for the fourth year in a row, especially among patients under 24.

KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: Live From Aspen: Health and the 2024 Elections

Health policy may not be the top issue in this year’s presidential and congressional elections, but it’s likely to play a key role. President Joe Biden and Democrats intend to hold Republicans responsible for the Supreme Court’s unpopular ruling overturning the right to abortion, and former President Donald Trump aims to take credit for government efforts to lower prescription drug prices — even in cases in which he played no role. Meanwhile, some critical health care issues, such as those involving Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, are unlikely to get discussed much, even though the party in power after the elections would control the future of those programs. This week, in an episode taped before a live audience at the Aspen Ideas: Health festival in Aspen, Colorado, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.

Super Bowl Parade Shooting Survivors Await Promised Donations While Bills Pile Up

Families of the people hurt during the Feb. 14 mass shooting are carrying what one expert calls “victimization debt.” In the third story of our series “The Injured,” we learn about the strain of paying small and large medical bills and other out-of-pocket costs.

USPSTF recommends behavioral intervention for kids with high BMI

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends 26 hours of intensive behavioral intervention for kids 6 and older with a high body mass index.