Health concerns drive voters to back Medicaid, weed and trans rights Jen Christensen There were more than 150 statewide measures on ballots this midterm election, and several involved health-related issues. Alabama and West Virginia voted measures into their constitutions that…
First FDA-approved cannabis-based drug now available in the US Ben Tinker Epidiolex is the first cannabis-based medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is now available by prescription in all 50 states. Epidiolex is a twice-daily oral…
What those teal pumpkins mean, plus non-candy treats to pass out on Halloween Jennifer McClellan This Halloween, the Teal Pumpkin Project is fighting to keep kids with food allergies safe. By putting a teal pumpkin outside their door, homeowners can let trick-or-treaters…
Spain to lead Japan in global life expectancy, US continues to slide Rob Picheta New research finds that Spain will overtake Japan's long-held position at the top of the world's life expectancy table by 2040. People in Spain will live…
FDA expands investigation of illegal e-cigarette marketing to kids Michael Nedelman The FDA recently sent letters to 21 e-cigarettes companies in an effort to discover if they are marketing products illegally and outside of the agency's compliance policy. This investigation…
Will Congress Bring Sky-High Air Ambulance Bills Down To Earth? Jackie Fortier An investigation by Kaiser Health News and NPR found that the cost of getting medivac helicopter rides range from $28,000 to $97,000. Unlike most markets, increased competition has…
Globally, losing the fight against cancer and other chronic diseases Susan Scutti New analysis shows that more than half of the countries making up the United Nations will fail to reduce premature deaths from cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease,…
​New Medicare Advantage Tool To Control Drug Prices Could Narrow Choices Susan Jaffe New restrictions under the Medicare Advantage plans could require patients to try low-priced drugs before high-priced ones. Medicare Advantage plans, which are run under private companies approved…
​'Pandemic' of inactivity increases disease risk worldwide, WHO study says Susan Scutti With physical activity levels continuing to trend downwards worldwide, a World Health Organization (WHO) study has shown that people are in need of lifestyle modifications. The researchers recorded…
Surgeon general wants Naloxone widely on hand. Is this feasible? Kaiser Health News Surgeon General Jerome Adams has issued an advisory, which calls for more people to carry naloxone. Naloxone is a lifesaving treatment used for opioid overdoses. The surgeon…