Kaiser Health News

PAMELA WINN, A REGISTERED NURSE BY TRAINING, WAS PREGNANT WHEN INCARCERATED IN 2008. AFTER A MISCARRIAGE, SHE WAS PUT INTO SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR WHAT SHE WAS TOLD WAS MEDICAL OBSERVATION. THAT EIGHT MONTHS IN SOLITARY SCARRED HER FOR LIFE, SHE SAYS./KATJA RIDDERBUSCH/KHN

Solitary Confinement Condemns Many Prisoners To Long-Term Health Issues

At the height of the pandemic last year, up to 300,000 incarcerated individuals were in solitary, according to estimates.

Oct 5, 2021

DR. PAULA BRAVEMAN, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER ON SOCIAL DISPARITIES IN HEALTH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-SAN FRANCISCO, SAYS HER LATEST RESEARCH REVEALED AN “ASTOUNDING” LEVEL OF EVIDENCE THAT RACISM IS A DECISIVE “UPSTREAM” CAUSE OF HIGHER RATES OF PRETERM BIRTH AMONG BLACK WOMEN./NANCY ROTHSTEIN/KHN

Racism A Strong Factor In Black Women’s High Rate Of Premature Births, Study Finds

Black women are about 1.6 times as likely as whites to give birth more than three weeks before the due date — a statistic with costly health consequences.

Oct 5, 2021

BRITNEY SPEARS PERFORMS IN 2014./RHYSADAMS/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Opinion: The Part Of The ‘Free Britney’ Saga That Could Happen To Anyone

Like Britney Spears, every year hundreds of thousands of psychiatric patients also receive involuntary care, and many are stuck with the bill.

Sep 30, 2021

ILLUSTRATION BY THE LUND REPORT.

As Democrats Bicker Over Massive Spending Plan, Here’s What’s At Stake For Medicaid

Health experts say this could be the only time a fix to the “Medicaid gap” in Republican controlled states will be possible for many years.

Sep 30, 2021

ANTIVIRAL DRUGS LIKE THE INVESTIGATIONAL PILL MOLNUPIRAVIR COULD CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE COVID PANDEMIC, EXPERTS SAY./PHOTO COURTESY OF MERCK & CO./KHN

A Daily Pill To Treat COVID Could Be Just Months Away, Scientists Say

At least three promising antivirals for COVID are being tested in clinical trials, with results expected as soon as late fall or winter.

Sep 28, 2021

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY HANNAH NORMAN/KAISER HEALTH NEWS

Public Health Experts ‘Flabbergasted’ Biden Still Hasn’t Picked An FDA Chief

Health leaders agree Biden’s foot-dragging on finding a new director during a national health crisis has demoralized the staff and sent the wrong message about the agency’s importance.

Sep 23, 2021

MASTERTUX/PIXABAY

Biosimilar Drugs Are Cheaper Than Biologics. Are They Similar Enough To Switch?

Medical professionals look to biosimilar drugs as a way to increase competition and give consumers cheaper options, but doctors and patients are raising concerns.

Sep 23, 2021