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NPR and KFF Health News Share the Story of Two Health Heroes Who Helped Stop Smallpox

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1 year ago

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<br><center><a href=”https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/npr-and-kff-health-news-share-the-story-of-two-health-heroes-who-helped-stop-smallpox/”target=” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>https://kffhealthnews.org/</a> – Eric Harkleroad – Tue, 05 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000</center>

KFF Health News’ editor-at-large for public health, Céline Gounder, and Regina G. Barber, host of NPR’s podcast “Shortwave,” team up to discuss the work of two public health workers who went to great lengths — sometimes traveling by speedboat to remote islands — to root out smallpox in Bangladesh.

Hear the full episode of “Speedboat Epidemiology” here — it’s Episode 4 of the latest season of the “Epidemic” podcast, “Eradicating Smallpox.”

Shahidul Haq Khan, a Bangladeshi health worker, and Tim Miner, an American with the World Health Organization, worked together on a smallpox eradication team in the early 1970s.

In a country packed with people and crisscrossed by rivers, squashing the virus required tactics specific to each local community: its needs, its culture, its worries and terrain.  

But New York University microbiologist Joe Osmundson said public health leaders have an uneven track record applying these lessons today: “We know what the problems are and yet we seem reluctant to actually do the right thing, which is to build processes that meet people where they’re at.”

Osmundson was a community liaison for the New York City health department and helped coordinate responses to the mpox outbreak in summer 2022. That initiative used mobile vans to improve health equity and reach people at highest risk of contracting the disease.

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https://www.biloxinewsevents.com/biden-administration-proposes-new-standards-to-boost-nursing-home-staffing/

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Texas Measles Outbreak Nears 100 Cases, Raising Concerns About Undetected Spread

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2 days ago

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February 21, 2025

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kffhealthnews.org – Amy Maxmen – 2025-02-21 10:15:00

SUMMARY: A measles outbreak in West Texas has led to private school closures, overwhelming local health departments. Since the outbreak began three weeks ago, 90 cases have been confirmed, mostly in children under 18, with 16 hospitalizations. Health officials fear the outbreak will worsen, and some parents may be avoiding testing their children. The outbreak has been exacerbated by low vaccination rates, particularly in communities like Gaines, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Texas. Local officials are working to contain the virus through pop-up clinics, mobile testing, and educating schools, but the situation remains challenging.

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Kaiser Health News

GOP Takes Aim at Medicaid, Putting Enrollees and Providers at Risk

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3 days ago

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February 21, 2025

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kffhealthnews.org – Phil Galewitz, KFF Health News – 2025-02-21 04:00:00

SUMMARY: Republicans are again targeting Medicaid, proposing significant funding cuts to finance President Trump’s agenda on tax cuts and border security. Approximately 79 million people rely on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), vital for numerous hospitals and states. Amid Democratic resistance, potential cuts could include reducing federal matching funds and imposing work requirements, which critics argue adds unnecessary barriers. Historically controversial, these efforts reflect deep partisan divides over Medicaid’s role as a safety net versus a welfare program. Many Americans favor Medicaid, making proposed cuts politically sensitive. The outcome remains uncertain as GOP leaders face internal challenges.

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Kaiser Health News

An Ice Rink To Fight Opioid Crisis: Drug-Free Fun vs. Misuse of Settlement Cash

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4 days ago

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February 20, 2025

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kffhealthnews.org – Aneri Pattani – 2025-02-20 04:00:00

SUMMARY: Carter County, Kentucky, has controversially spent $15,000 of its opioid settlement funds on an ice rink, raising concerns about its relevance to the ongoing opioid crisis. Advocates argue that resources could be better allocated to overdose prevention, such as Narcan kits or local substance abuse programs. Brittany Herrington, a local in recovery, criticized the decision as neglecting community needs. While officials claim the rink fosters drug-free youth activities, critics note it lacks direct ties to combating addiction. Local leaders are calling for stricter oversight on how settlement funds are used, emphasizing the need for targeted support in addressing substance use disorders.

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