General
January 21 News: Countries gear up response to new coronavirus, immune discovery may treat all cancer, California goes big on health care
Associated Press – Countries around the world gear up response to new coronavirus
Countries in Asia and elsewhere have begun body temperature checks in hopes of detecting people carrying a new coronavirus that is believed to have spread from Wuhan in central China and sickened more than 290 people in that country. The recent confirmation that the disease can spread between humans has heightened fears as millions of Chinese people travel during the annual Lunar New Year holiday.
CNN – Patients at risk for heart problems should be cautious about using marijuana
About 2 million American adults with cardiovascular disease say they've used marijuana, despite the drug being a potential risk for heart health, a new research paper says.
Kaiser Health News – For 2020, California goes big on health care
California politicians have made proposals to lower prescription drug costs, increase access to health coverage, and restrict and tax vaping. But most lawmakers agree that homelessness will dominate the agenda, including proposals to get people into housing while treating some accompanying physical and mental health problems.
BBC News – Immune discovery ‘may treat all cancer’
A newly-discovered part of our immune system could be harnessed to treat all cancers, say scientists. The Cardiff University team discovered a method of killing prostate, breast, lung and other cancers in lab tests. The findings, published in Nature Immunology, have not been tested in patients, but the researchers say they have "enormous potential".
Wall Street Journal – How legal weed shops feed the vaping crisis
According a newly released report, state-sanctioned marijuana shops are contributing to the rise in vaping lung illnesses and deaths at a higher rate than previously believed. Moreover, the growth in contraband coming from states that have legalized marijuana has made it nearly impossible for health officials to keep track of actual data in real time.
The Hill – Second-largest doctors group in US endorses Medicare for all, public opinion
The second-largest doctors group in the U.S., the American College of Physicians, is endorsing Medicare for all as well as a public option as possible opportunities for achieving the goal of universal coverage.
NPR – Roe v. Wade: Settled law or bad precedent? States prep for an overturn
Jan. 22 marks the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that legalized abortion nationwide. People on both sides of the furious debate say this could be the year when everything changes.
