Category: Public Health

Rare symptoms popping up among syphilis patients, physicians say

Strange symptoms in syphilis cases are appearing sooner and in higher incidence rates than normal, CNN reported April 26. 

What Florida’s New 6-Week Abortion Ban Means for the South, and Traveling Patients

Florida has served as a haven for Southern pregnant women with little or no access to abortions. But the Florida Supreme Court upheld a six-week abortion restriction that begins in May — so now women across much of the South seeking abortions will have to look farther afield.

Ohio county reports mpox outbreak

There have been at least nine mpox cases reported in Cuyahoga County — which encompasses Cleveland and surrounding suburbs — since February, health officials said April 25. 

KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: Abortion — Again — At the Supreme Court

For the second time in as many months, the Supreme Court heard arguments in an abortion case. This time, the justices are being asked to decide whether a federal law that requires emergency care in hospitals can trump Idaho’s near-total abortion ban. Meanwhile, the federal government, for the first time, will require minimum staffing standards for nursing homes. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too.

FDA: Bird flu virus fragments detected in pasteurized milk

On April 23, the FDA said remnants of the bird flu virus have been detected in samples of pasteurized milk in the U.S. The agency said the finding does not change its assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe. 

Biden Administration Sets Higher Staffing Mandates. Most Nursing Homes Don’t Meet Them.

The staffing regulation was disparaged by the industry as unattainable. Patient advocates say it doesn’t go far enough. Labor unions welcomed the requirement.

Bird flu a 'great concern' to public health: WHO

While emphasizing that no human-to-human transmission has occurred, global health officials are urging countries to closely track bird flu to detect any potential changes in the virus that may make it more adept at spreading to and among humans.

CDC probe into fake Botox grows: 5 notes

Health officials are now investigating at least 22 reports of harmful reactions linked to counterfeit or mishandled Botox injections in 11 states, the CDC said in an April 19 update. The agency first announced the probe earlier this. At that time, it w…

Hospitals could be asked to report emissions in 2026

Starting in 2026, CMS could ask hospitals to report emissions.

WHO updates terminology for airborne diseases

Following several years of collaboration with major public health agencies, the World Health Organization has broadened its classification of airborne diseases — a move that could have significant influence over infection control policies in countries …