 Health Care |
Health Care |
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Mpox outbreaks aren't over |
Cases of mpox in the U.S. have been elevated for the past six months after a relatively calm period following the 2022 outbreak. Health experts are hoping a summer surge can be averted. |
Since October 2023, an average of 200 mpox cases have been detected every month. This is still a fairly low rate of transmission, but experts worry this could be a harbinger of a larger surge in the summer when travel and socializing pick up. Health experts monitoring the trend are calling for targeted action. "I would encourage them to continue to provide the information so that people have the information to make decisions about their preventative health care, and also to increase their communication efforts," Brian Hujdich, executive director of the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health, told The Hill. The virus spread through the social networks of men who have sex with men during the summer of 2022, and it still appears to mainly be spreading through this demographic. According to Hujdich, the continued presence of mpox in the U.S. reflects the inequitable access that different communities have to immunization. He attributed this to the fact that the mpox vaccine was only available through public health agencies up until recently, meaning factors such as distance from a clinic or supply stood in the way. The federal government has signaled an awareness of the current trend, with an interagency initiative promoting mpox vaccination in the works. "CDC is collaborating with federal partners and advocacy groups to think about summer opportunities to promote vaccine awareness and uptake, as well as to increase awareness of ongoing mpox risks in the United States," a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spokesperson told The Hill in a statement. "The 'Summer of Pride' Initiative for LGBTQI+ Events started in 2023, and will continue into 2024. It is being developed out of HHS's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. Planning is in the early stages." |
Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. |
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How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: |
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When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, it allowed states under Republican control to impose abortion bans or severe limitations, a long-sought goal for many GOP anti-abortion lawmakers. Abortion access now is a state-by-state patchwork of laws that is ever-changing as new restrictions take effect. Here’s where the laws stand as of today: Full ban Alabama: Bans abortions with … |
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| The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is calling for action to increase U.S. measles immunization amid a rise in cases that could threaten the nation’s status as one where the virus is eliminated. The number of measles cases detected in 2024 has already nearly reached double the total confirmed in 2023. The CDC has confirmed 113 cases so far, compared to 58 detected last year. The most recent Morbidity … |
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The Biden campaign launched an ad Thursday aimed at Arizona voters after the state’s Supreme Court upheld an 1864 law earlier this week that makes performing abortion a felony. The ad features President Biden speaking directly to voters about the risk former President Trump poses to abortion access for millions of women. “The question is — if Donald Trump gets back in power, what freedom will you lose … |
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Branch out with a different read: |
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Tennessee GOP senators OK criminalizing helping minors get transgender care, mimicking abortion bill |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers are considering criminalizing adults who help minors receive gender-affirming care without parental consent, a proposal advancing in one of the most eager states to enact policies aimed at the LGBTQ+ community. Republican senators advanced the legislation Thursday on a 25-4 vote. It must now … | |
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Local and state headlines on health care: |
- One-third of West Virginians may soon have a harder time getting health care after lawmakers declined to fully fund Medicaid (Mountain State Spotlight)
- Arkansas led the nation in measuring obesity in kids. Did it help? (KFF Health News)
- State health regulators to meet to discuss Steward Health (NBC Boston)
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Health news we've flagged from other outlets: |
- How Florida and Arizona Supreme Court rulings change the abortion access map (NPR)
- Medicare expects to spend $3.5 billion on new Alzheimer's drug in 2025 (Stat)
- 'I wish I would have known': Stories of taking abortion pills at home in states with bans (The Washington Post)
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Most read stories on The Hill right now: |
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Former President Trump is facing a do-or-die moment in his effort to delay the start of his first criminal trial, with his choice of punting tactics … Read more |
| House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Thursday that Democrats will not help GOP leaders with a procedural vote to advance legislation … Read more |
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Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: |
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You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! |
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