health-and-policy293.7 min read
Danish University Approves Controversial Hepatitis B Trial in Guinea-Bissau Despite Ethical Protests
19 hours ago•Source: MS NOW
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4.255 min•2 days ago
California Prepares to Ban Quartz Countertops as Silicosis Crisis Deepens
California is set to become the first US state to ban the manufacturing and installation of engineered stone countertops containing more than 1% crystalline silica. This emergency regulation, expected to pass in October 2026, responds to a severe occupational health crisis. Since 2019, the state has recorded 662 silicosis cases among stone workers, including 35 deaths and 75 lung transplants. The move mirrors Australia’s 2024 nationwide ban, which successfully reduced risk without significant job losses.
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Bipartisan Push for Medicare Coverage of Alzheimer's Blood Tests Gains Momentum
The Washington Post•4 days ago
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Pediatricians Renew Call for Nationwide Raw Milk Ban Amid Rising Outbreaks
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its policy statement to call for a nationwide ban on the sale of unpasteurized dairy, citing rising outbreaks and severe risks to children. While over 10 million Americans consume raw milk, experts warn it carries over 100 times the risk of foodborne illness with no proven nutritional benefits. Recent outbreaks, including a recent E. coli incident involving cheese, have sickened dozens, including many children. The AAP urges families to choose pasteurized products, noting that pasteurization preserves nutritional value while eliminating pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. This move follows a period of increased state-level access to raw milk and growing political support for the industry, despite evidence of serious health consequences.
health-and-policy5 days ago
California poised to ban quartz countertop manufacturing over silicosis crisis
California is preparing to become the first U.S. state to ban the manufacturing and fabrication of engineered stone countertops containing more than 1% crystalline silica. This emergency regulation, expected to be finalized in October 2026, follows a surge in fatal lung disease cases among workers. The move aims to protect laborers from silica dust exposure, which causes irreversible lung scarring, while acknowledging that existing safety standards have failed to prevent widespread illness.
FDA Weighs Temporary Peptide Sales Amid Safety Concerns
The Trump administration is considering temporary enforcement discretion to allow compounding pharmacies to sell specific unapproved peptides, despite FDA scientists warning that safety data is insufficient. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports broader access, while industry groups advocate for regulated sales to curb black markets. An advisory panel recommended six peptides for approval, though experts criticize the lack of clinical trials and potential conflicts of interest in the panel’s composition.
Lampard Inquiry Weighs Urgent Action on Mental Health Monitoring Tech
Baroness Kate Lampard may issue interim recommendations within weeks after hearing evidence on the Oxevision monitoring system and inpatient safety. The inquiry, which covers over 2,000 deaths in Essex mental health services between 2000 and 2023, is examining whether remote monitoring technology compromises patient dignity and safety. Hearings are scheduled for October 5-15, with a decision on interim measures expected before the final report in 2028.
health-and-policy13 days ago
ACT for ALS Reauthorization Passes Congress with One Day to Spare
The ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act passed the US Senate on September 28, 2026, by unanimous consent, just one day before the previous authorization was set to expire. The bill, which extends funding for ALS research and experimental treatments through 2031, has now been sent to President Trump for signature. The passage was driven by intense advocacy from the I AM ALS community and public pressure, including a petition campaign promoted by AEW wrestler Rebel, who is living with terminal ALS. The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and other advocacy groups are urging the President to sign the bill quickly to prevent a lapse in critical funding for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
NYS Health Department Suspends 21 Providers Over Vaccine Fraud Allegations
The New York State Department of Health has barred 21 healthcare providers from administering pediatric vaccines over the past four years amid a crackdown on suspected fraud. The suspensions, which include permanent and temporary bans, follow investigations by a specialized unit created in 2021 to combat falsified records. Notable cases include a former Bronx nurse practitioner and a Long Island mix-up involving nearly 1,500 children. While the department cites public health risks, providers and legal experts criticize the process for lacking due process and failing to notify practitioners before listing them on a public 'fraud alert' website.
Ont authorities probe death of 83-year-old who allegedly cried 'I made a mistake' before MAiD
Canadian authorities are investigating the July 10 death of Brigitte Stegemann, an 83-year-old care home resident who died under the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program. Her granddaughter, Brigitte Kranendonk, alleges that Stegemann previously rejected assisted dying due to her Christian faith and showed signs of cognitive decline. The family claims Stegemann cried and said she had 'made a mistake' two days before her death, despite being deemed capable of consenting. While the care home and practitioners maintain that legal consent was obtained, police and coroners are reviewing whether safeguards were properly followed.
Op-ed urges US-China cancer research ties despite geopolitical tensions
Lizzi Lee and Jennifer Kwan argue that the US and China should collaborate on cancer research despite strategic mistrust, noting that such cooperation could benefit patients and mirror existing bilateral talks on AI safety.
Thirlwall Inquiry Demands 'Cot Cams' and Systemic NHS Reform After Countess of Chester Failures
A public inquiry has concluded that several infant deaths and injuries at the Countess of Chester Hospital could have been prevented if management had acted on earlier concerns. Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to urgently implement live-streaming 'cot cams' in neonatal units and other safeguards. The report, chaired by Lady Justice Thirlwall, criticizes a 'complete failure' in safeguarding, governance, and communication with parents, though it does not adjudicate on the guilt of convicted nurse Lucy Letby.
Federal and State Regulations Shape the Future of Hemp and Marijuana Products
In North Carolina, marijuana remains illegal, but hemp products with less than 0.3% THC are legal, though a new federal law set to take effect in 2026 may ban these products due to increased THC limits, threatening the state's multi-billion-dollar hemp industry and raising public safety concerns. The debate involves federal and state regulations, industry impacts, and public health considerations.