Netizens may rightly be scratching their heads over a Pepsi commercial featuring Lindsay Lohan in which the actress enjoys a glass of soda with just a little milk.
On health today, the Biden administration says it does not plan to renew the public health emergency that was declared for the monkeypox outbreak earlier this year once it expires at the end of January.
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The White House does not expect an emergency renewal
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said Friday it does not plan to renew the public health emergency declaration for the monkeypox outbreak when it expires early next year, citing the low number of cases currently reported.
“Given the low number of cases today, HHS does not expect that it will have to renew the emergency declaration when it ends on January 31, 2023. But we will not let go of the accelerator – we will continue to monitor case trends. closely and encourage everyone at risk to get the vaccine for free,” Health Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement.
- HHS said the decision was based on “current data” and added that it would “not be afraid” to change course if conditions change in the future.
- Similar to the COVID-19 public health emergency, HHS had said it would issue a 60-day notice indicating whether or not it planned to renew the emergency declaration for monkeypox as a courtesy to stakeholders and health care providers.
The statement was renewed once in November, with Becerra citing the “continuing aftermath of an outbreak of monkeypox cases in multiple states.”
In its statement, HHS called U.S. progress in responding to the monkeypox outbreak “virtually unheard of.”
“Over the next 60 days, we will focus on supporting jurisdictions and the Department to ensure that the expiration of the PHE will not impede response efforts,” the agency noted. “Mpox continues to be a priority for HHS and the administration at large, and we do not expect the expiration of PHE to impact the administration’s ability to vaccinate, test, and treat patients. persons concerned.”
Learn more here.
New York State Health Commissioner resigns
New York State Health Commissioner Mary Bassett announced on Friday that she will leave her post on January 1 and return to Harvard University Chan School of Public Health.
“It was a very difficult decision. I have immense respect for the work done by our staff during a very difficult year in response to COVID, mpox, polio and the daily challenges of protecting the environment. health of New Yorkers,” Bassett said in a statement.
“I am grateful that the governor has given me the opportunity to serve as commissioner, and I know that the department and public health will be in safe hands thanks to his leadership and the incredible talent and dedication of the staff,” Bassett said of Hochul and his administration in the statement.
A new start: Bassett explained in the statement that she chose to step down early next year to give her successor a chance to lead the state’s “large” health department for “a full 4-year term.” under Governor Kathy Hochul (D).
- Hochul defeated Republican challenger Lee Zeldin in the gubernatorial race in a tighter-than-expected election in November, narrowly winning his first full term as the state’s highest office.
- Bassett served as the state’s top health official for just one year, replacing former New York State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, who resigned his post about a month after the governor at the time. Departure in disgrace of Andrew Cuomo (D).
Learn more here.
INVITATION TO A VIRTUAL EVENT
Reinventing the pharmaceutical supply chain – Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
Natural disasters, war, weaknesses in the global supply chain and unexpected spikes in demand all threaten the country’s pharmaceutical stocks. How do we ensure our manufacturing practices and healthcare supply chains are sustainable and able to meet demand? Reps. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Darren Soto (D-Fla.), NAM’s Jay Timmons, Brookings’ Marta Wosińska, and BIO’s John Murphy join The Hill to discuss. RSVP today to reserve your spot.
FEW AMERICANS AWARE OF CANCER RISKS POSED BY ALCOHOL: STUDY
Less than a third of Americans know that alcohol can increase the risk of certain cancers, while 25% say the same about beer and 20% wine, according to a new study from the American Association of Cancer Research ( AACR).
- More Americans believe wine lowers cancer risk compared to beer and alcohol, and more than half of those surveyed did not know how beverages affect cancer risk.
- The data was gleaned from a nationally representative survey of more than 3,000 American adults conducted in 2020. The results were consistent whether respondents drank or not.
“All types of alcoholic beverages, including wine, increase cancer risk,” lead author William MP Klein, associate director of the National Cancer Institute’s Behavioral Research Program, said in a statement.
Any drink containing ethanol, including wine, beer and alcohol, increases the risk of cancer. Alcohol consumption accounts for 6% of all cancer cases in the United States and 4% of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.
Learn more here.
DOCUMENTARY: THE MATERNAL HEALTH CRISIS IMPACTING BLACK WOMEN
A new documentary highlights how the maternal health crisis disproportionately affects black women — and how black women are pushing to end the disparities.
“The national sorority of black women and sisters are coming together to make sure we end this crisis,” Monique Matthews, the documentary’s co-producer, told The Hill.
The documentary, “Birthing Justice,” centers on the experiences of black women and families as they navigate the joys and fears of being pregnant.
The film follows several women on their motherhood journey as they advocate for themselves and their babies in a medical system that routinely downplays the concerns of black patients.
The project, along with the work of black women across the country, is an opportunity for people to listen to black women and come together to create better outcomes for everyone, Matthews said.
“Being led by black women doesn’t mean only black women,” Matthews explained. “We are very clear that we want allies. We want people who get involved in the work but who listen, go to the grassroots level and say what you need? »
Learn more here.
COVID infections rise as new omicron variants spread
New omicron subvariants are rapidly becoming the dominant strain, leading to an increase in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.
- The BQ.1.1, BQ.1 and XBB subvariants combined accounted for about 68% of all cases in the United States through Dec. 3, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This accounted for around 61% of cases in the week to November 26.
- Nationwide hospitalizations are up 20% from the previous week and stand at 4,378 according to the CDC.
The rise in cases caused by the subvariants comes as the Food and Drug Administration said this week that Eli Lilly’s COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment, bebtelovimab, is no longer licensed because it shouldn’t not be effective against BQ.1.1 and BQ.1.
At the same time, Los Angeles County may reimpose an indoor mask mandate. Community transmission has reached “medium” levels, and the county will require face coverings if it reaches levels the CDC deems “high.”
WHAT WE READ
- The business of clinical trials is booming. Private equity has taken notice (Kaiser Health News)
- ‘Hospital never supported midwives’: As more birthing centers open, viability depends on neighboring hospitals (Stat)
- Neurologists say accelerated brain aging in black people can be countered with lifestyle changes (NBC News)
STATE BY STATE
- In Philadelphia, the “tranq” leaves drug addicts with horrible wounds. Other communities are preparing for the same (Stat)
- Oregon Health Authority brings in dozens of contract nurses for children’s hospitals (Oregon Capital Chronicle)
- Alabama firefighters receive funding to expand mental health services (WAFF)
That’s all for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hill’s healthcare page for the latest news and coverage. See you next week!
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