Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Opinion writers weigh in on these health issues and others.
Could Supreme Court’s First Major Gun Case In Nearly A Decade Be Dismissed As Moot?
Although the case is being closely watched, much of the arguments focus on whether the court should even decide the merits of the legal challenge because New York City eliminated the limits that are central to the case.
Opinion writers focus on these public health issues and others.
How Many Teens Have Died Preventable Deaths In Psychiatric Wards? The Answer Isn’t Easy To Find
No single agency keeps tabs on the number of deaths at psychiatric facilities, yet they happen with startling frequency. A Los Angeles Times investigation reveals the scope of the problem in California.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health topics and others.
Researchers say the grim new reality isn’t just limited to rural deaths of despair, but rather the numbers reflect that many different people living in all areas of the U.S. are struggling. “We need to look at root causes,” said Dr. Steven Woolf, the author’s lead study. “Something changed in the 1980s, which is when the growth in our life expectancy began to slow down compared to other wealthy nations.”
‘Trying To Reduce Anxiety’: Instagram Explores Ways To Take Away Likes, Improve Mental Health
By removing users ability to see how many likes their followers got but allowing them to see likes on their own posts, might make social media less stressful. But marketing agencies say the change would not be beneficial for businesses looking to market through high-profile users. Other news on mental health comes from California, Connecticut, Wisconsin and Illinois.
The Wall Street Journal lifts the curtain on the behind-the-scenes work to build a public health legal challenge against a big company. In other public health news: football and CTE, caregivers, bias in science, dementia fears, screen time for toddlers, foster care, and more.
Guards Facing Charges In Epstein’s Suicide Say Blame Lies With Systemic Failures In Prison System
Jeffrey Epstein’s death has thrown a spotlight on the federal prison system, which has been plagued by staff shortages and chronic violence accusations for years.
PhRMA To Yank Millions In Funding From Nonprofit Geared Toward Helping Those Addicted To Opioids
PhRMA, which is responsible for 90 percent of the Addiction Policy Forum’s funding, will walk back and then end its support by 2020. The forum was at the eye of previous controversy, with critics blasting the fact that most of its funding came from the drugmakers who they said were responsible for the crisis in the first place. News on the opioid epidemic comes out of Massachusetts and Ohio, as well.
Warnings are being issued at all levels of the party–from union members to candidates running in swing states. “We won in Kentucky and Louisiana, barely, in part, because we won on health care. I don’t think we can afford to lose on health care,” Gov. Gina Raimondo (D-R.I.) said. Meanwhile, industry opponents for “Medicare for All” are starting to go after the moderates’ health plans as well. In other election news, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) has a plan to expand mental health treatment.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care topics and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health topics and others.
In some of the first research into longterm effects of gun violence, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania say not enough is being done to help tens of thousands of patients who can suffer for years from PTSD and other mental health problems following a shooting. Related news is also on: the effects of fatal police shootings and the lives of mass shooters.
Mysterious DNA Loops Common In Cancer Cells Could Unlock Key Information About How Our Bodies Work
Scientists have known about the loops of DNA for decades. But they’re starting to realize they could play a bigger role in diseases and aging than previously thought. In other public health news: measles immunity, sleep, speech, and the flu.
Two patients taking part in the trials have been free of transfusions to treat their diseases for months, showing the ”revolutionary” technology is working and the new cells are engrafting in bone marrow, researchers say. But they caution about celebrating too early. Public health news is on unwelcome changes in psychiatric wards, pledges to eradicate polio, harsh discipline of black girls, anal cancer, illiteracy’s impact on dementia, functioning with brain malformations, an app for recovery from addiction, and exercise’s benefits for older, sedentary people.
On Transgender Day of Remembrance, Many Victims’ Loved Ones Left Without Closure, Justice
Vigils will be held Wednesday to remember transgender people killed over the past year. For many, the day marks just how far there is left to go when it comes to securing a safe future for transgender people.
Research from the maker of Camel cigarettes showed that nicotine salts were a key ingredient in making the product palatable and addictive, a Los Angeles Times investigation uncovered. Juul’s salts contain up to three times the amount of nicotine found in previous e-cigarettes. In other news on the vaping crisis: more states sue Juul, President Donald Trump’s decision to back off a flavor ban angers advocates in both parties, a House panel approves its own ban, and more.
‘Please Just Let Me Out’: Children Locked Away In Isolation In Schools Across Illinois
A ProPublica and Chicago Tribune investigation reveals the extent to which schools use “quiet rooms” to put children in “isolated timeouts.” But advocates argue the practice, which isn’t broadly monitored, can cause trauma for the children — and they say there are better ways to deal with difficult behavior.
Executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Matthew Doherty wrote that the Trump administration “no longer wishes to have me” in the position. Doherty was appointed during the Obama administration.
