Tag

Health And Policy

All articles tagged with #health and policy

health-and-policy1 day ago•291 min saved

Danish University Approves Controversial Hepatitis B Trial in Guinea-Bissau Despite Ethical Protests

The University of Southern Denmark has approved a controversial clinical trial in Guinea-Bissau that will withhold the hepatitis B birth vaccine from half of 14,000 newborns. The study, backed by the US CDC and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has faced intense international criticism for ethical violations and potential harm to infants. While the trial was previously suspended, recent funding allocations and revised protocols have allowed it to move forward, raising concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable populations.

via MS NOW|

#cdc #clinical-trials #guinea-bissau

health-and-policy3 days ago•2 min saved

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.

via The Times of India|

#california #health-and-policy #occupational-health

health-and-policy3 days ago•4 min saved

FDA Proposal to Expand Toxic Chemical Loophole Sparks Backlash Over Hidden Risks

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed expanding the 'threshold of regulation' (TOR) exemption, which would allow certain toxic chemicals to be added directly to food without safety review. Critics argue this move undermines recent claims by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that the agency is closing regulatory loopholes, potentially exposing consumers to harmful substances like perchlorate and endocrine disruptors at low levels.

via The Guardian|

#fda #food-safety #health-and-policy

health-and-policy4 days ago•6 min saved

UK Adoptees Face Critical Gaps in Accessing Vital Family Medical Records

Adopted adults in the UK often lack access to biological family medical histories, creating significant health risks. While genetic testing can mitigate some gaps, systemic barriers in record-keeping and data sharing remain a major concern for patients and policymakers.

via BBC|

#adoption #data-privacy #genetic-health

health-and-policy4 days ago•3 min saved

Bipartisan Push for Medicare Coverage of Alzheimer's Blood Tests Gains Momentum

Bipartisan lawmakers introduced the ASAP Act to mandate Medicare coverage for FDA-cleared blood tests that detect Alzheimer's disease early. The legislation aims to bridge a gap between new diagnostic technology and outdated coverage rules, potentially saving billions in long-term care costs. Recent research confirms these blood tests, combined with genetic markers, can predict cognitive decline years before symptoms appear, though current treatments remain expensive and limited.

via The Washington Post|

#alzheimers-disease #asap-act #biomarker-testing

health-and-policy5 days ago•10 min saved

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.

via ProPublica|

#food-safety #health-and-policy #pediatrics

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.

via AOL.com|

#california #calosha #health-and-policy

health-and-policy5 days ago•4 min saved

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.

via The Washington Post|

#compounding-pharmacies #drug-regulation #fda

health-and-policy8 days ago•1 min saved

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.

via BBC|

#health-and-policy #lampard-inquiry #mental-health

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).

via Fightful|

#act-for-als #als-research #congress

health-and-policy21 days ago•11 min saved

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.

via Newsday|

#health-and-policy #medical-licensing #new-york-health-dept

health-and-policy22 days ago•7 min saved

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.

via Fox News|

#canada #consent #euthanasia

health-and-policy23 days ago•22 min saved

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.

via The Washington Post|

#cancer-research #diplomacy #health-and-policy

health-and-policy28 days ago•5 min saved

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.

via BBC|

#health-and-policy #lucy-letby #nhs-reform

health-and-policy1 month ago

25 Years After 9/11: Former Legislator Discloses Illness as New Studies Link Long-Term Health Crises to Environmental Exposure

Former Rep. Carolyn Maloney, a key architect of the 9/11 health legislation, has disclosed that she is suffering from a 9/11-related respiratory illness. This personal disclosure coincides with new research and data released on the 25th anniversary of the attacks, indicating that long-term health consequences for survivors and responders are expanding. Studies now link later-life exposure to air pollution and heat with higher rates of depression and frailty, while compensation claims have surged. Officials warn that the health impacts of the disaster are not ending but are evolving, affecting a broader group of people than initially anticipated.

via WBUR|

#911-health-crisis #environmental-health #health-and-policy