October 11 news: Vaping Illness increases, lead contaminated water, alarming Measles upsurge, Opioid management , STDS, and Mental health related 911 rescues

The New York Times - Vaping illnesses climb upward, nearing 1,300 
The outbreak of lung illnesses linked to vaping grew by more than 200 cases in a week, now totaling 1,299, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday.

Associated Press – EPA proposes rewrite of rules on lead contamination in water
The Trump administration on Thursday proposed a rewrite of rules for dealing with lead pipes contaminating drinking water, but critics say the changes appear to give water systems decades more time to replace pipes leaching dangerous amounts of toxic lead.

Reuters – 'Alarming upsurge' in measles has devastating impact, WHO warns
Measles is staging a devastating comeback in epidemics across the world as the virus exploits dangerous gaps in vaccination coverage, World Health Organization experts said on Friday.

NPR - Don't force patients off opioids abruptly, new guidelines warn
HHS has issued new guidelines for physicians on how best to manage opioid prescriptions. The agency recommends a deliberate approach to lowering doses for chronic pain patients who have been on long-term opioid therapy.

CNN — Three STDs reach all-time highs in the US, new CDC report says
For the fifth consecutive year, combined cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis have risen in the United States, according to a Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report.

Kaiser Health News – Taking the police out of mental health-related 911 rescues
Denver is one of at least eight cities considering a program, to decriminalize and improve the treatment of people with severe mental illness — while saving the city money. The program diverts nonviolent, often mental health-related 911 calls to a medic and a mental health professional.