Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Viewpoints: Pediatric Flu Shot Rates Are Abysmal; How Concerning Are China's New Respiratory Illnesses?
As of Nov. 4 (the most up-to-date data), just 32.6% of children had received their flu vaccine, compared to 36.5% at that same point last year. That鈥檚 the lowest rate in the last five years, driven by about a dozen states with downright dismal adherence to pediatric flu shots. (Lisa Jarvis, 11/30)
Chinese hospitals in recent weeks have reported an increase in respiratory illnesses, including 鈥渃lusters of undiagnosed pneumonia鈥 in Beijing, Liaoning and other cities, as the World Health Organization (WHO) put it. Children seem especially affected. Some pediatric hospitals are already over capacity, with social media users in China detailing wait times of more than 13 hours. (Leana S. Wen, 11/30)
Studies show diversity, inclusion and equity in the health care workforce lead to better patient outcomes. While Black Americans represent 13% of the U.S. population, fewer than 6% of U.S. physicians are Black. Only 3% of U.S. doctors in dermatology are Black. (Willie Wilson, 11/30)
A baby is born 12 weeks early. He is terrifyingly small and vulnerable and will need to stay in the hospital for a while, being monitored and cared for. Breast milk is both nourishment and medicine for this child, but his mother鈥檚 milk supply has not had a chance to develop yet. That鈥檚 where donated breast milk, from a milk bank, comes in. (Wickersham, 12/1)
During the annual Medicare open enrollment period (Oct. 15-Dec. 7), senior Americans are inundated with advertisements, phone calls and other gimmicks to convince them to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan rather than traditional Medicare. Those ad campaigns apparently work: The market share of Medicare Advantage plans has increased from 13% in 2004 to more than 50% in 2023. But many U.S. seniors may not understand what they鈥檙e signing up for.聽(Hagop M. Kantarjian and Mary Alma Welch, 11/30)
Within the bewildering behemoth that is the U.S. health care system, the pharmaceutical industry stands out for being particularly opaque and profit-oriented. Americans pay two to five times more than peer nations for the same name-brand drugs. Colorado鈥檚 Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is changing all that 鈥 and the pharmaceutical industry is digging in its heels. (Hope Stonner, 12/1)
Trump has declared that if he returns to the White House, he鈥檒l once again seek to do away with the Affordable Care Act, the reform that has produced a significant decline in the number of Americans without health insurance. (Paul Krugman, 11/30)
