Republicans are learning the admonition “be careful what you wish for,” as conservative judges cause them political problems over abortion in a crucial election year.
Category: Public Health
New York City reports rise in leptospirosis cases
Last year, New York City saw 24 cases of human leptospirosis — the highest number in a single year. Six cases have been reported so far this year, the city’s department of health and mental hygiene said in an April 12 health advisory.
The second leading cause of death worldwide
Viral hepatitis is the second leading cause of death among non-COVID-19 communicable diseases in the world, according to the World Health Organization.
Measles spike poses 'renewed threat' to elimination: CDC
Nearly one-third of U.S. measles cases reported since 2020 have occurred this year, the CDC said in an April 11 report.
As Bans Spread, Fluoride in Drinking Water Divides Communities Across the US
The broad availability of over-the-counter dental products containing fluoride has some community leaders arguing that its addition to public drinking water is no longer necessary. But public health experts worry that, much like vaccines, fluoridation may be a victim of its own success.
Bernie Sanders proposes $10B long COVID moonshot
Sen. Bernie Sanders on April 9 released a draft proposal for legislation that calls for $10 billion in mandatory funding over the next 10 years to address long COVID-19, which affects millions of Americans.
KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: Arizona Turns Back the Clock on Abortion Access
A week after the Florida Supreme Court said the state could enforce an abortion ban passed in 2023, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that state could enforce a near-total ban passed in 1864 — over a half-century before Arizona became a state. The move further scrambled the abortion issue for Republicans and posed an immediate quandary for former President Donald Trump, who has been seeking an elusive middle ground in the polarized debate. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat, and Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Molly Castle Work, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” feature, about an air-ambulance ride for an infant with RSV that his insurer deemed not medically necessary.
4 hospitalized from fake Botox injections: CDC
The CDC is investigating fake Botox injections that have hospitalized at least four people in two states, NBC News reported April 10.
Arkansas Led the Nation in Measuring Obesity in Kids. Did It Help?
For more than 20 years, children in Arkansas have been measured in school as part of a statewide effort to reduce childhood obesity. But the letters have had no impact on weight loss — and obesity rates have risen. Still, the practice of sending letters has spread to other states.
Google searches about 'hurt eyes' spiked following eclipse
Google searches about “hurt eyes” spiked following the total solar eclipse, suggesting that some people are worried about possible injuries, NBC News reported April 8.
