Category: Public Health

KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: The Struggle Over Who Gets the Last Word

As science skepticism pervades politics, the Supreme Court will soon consider two cases that seek to define the power of “experts.” Meanwhile, abortion opponents are laying out plans for how Donald Trump, if reelected as president, could effectively curtail abortion even in states where it remains legal. Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Samantha Liss, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” feature about a husband and wife who got billed for preventive care that should have been fully covered.

FDA issues warning on contaminated copycat eye drops

The FDA Is warning consumers not to purchase copycat eye drops from online retailers due to the potential risk of infection. 

US syphilis rates soar: 10 states where they're highest

More than 207,000 syphilis cases were reported in the U.S. in 2022, the greatest number of cases since 1950 and an 80% jump since 2018, the CDC said in its annual report on sexually transmitted infection trends. 

Surge in Syphilis Cases Leads Some Providers to Ration Penicillin

Injectable penicillin is the go-to treatment for syphilis and the only treatment considered safe for pregnant people with the disease. But as rates of syphilis increase across the U.S., a shortage of the injectable has prompted some public health agencies to ration it.

Tuberculosis cases are on the rise in California, reversing decades-long trend

Santa Clara County in Northern California saw a 19% increase in tuberculosis cases between 2022 and 2023. It’s a trend that is also happening statewide, The Mercury News reported Jan. 30.

Tuberculosis cases are on the rise in California, reversing decades-long trend

Santa Clara County in Northern California saw a 19% increase in tuberculosis cases between 2022 and 2023. It’s a trend that is also happening statewide, The Mercury News reported Jan. 30.

Washington confirms 1st C. auris outbreak after infections at Seattle hospital

Washington health officials are investigating the state’s first known outbreak of Candida auris after at least five cases were confirmed among patients at Kindred Hospital Seattle-First Hill. 

HHS confirms syphilis epidemic, unveils response

As U.S. syphilis rates reach the highest levels since the 1950s, HHS deemed the public health issue as a “surging epidemic” and rolled out resources to stop the sexually transmitted infection’s decadeslong upward trend. 

Montana Vows Changes to Avoid Delayed Contracts. Some Health Providers Still Await Back Pay.

The head of Montana’s health department said the agency is catching up on a months-long backlog of contracts with organizations that connect people to medical care that left organizations without pay, halted some services, and triggered job cuts.

Contaminated medical products tied to cases of early Alzheimer's

Researchers in the U.K. may have uncovered evidence that Alzheimer’s disease can be transmitted via some medical procedures.