Overdose deaths decline, a cross-species kidney transplant, poems help conservation efforts: Catch up on the day's stories
Here's what else you might have missed during your busy day:
1️⃣ Unprecedented drop: US drug overdose deaths in 2024 hit the lowest they've been in five years, according to a new estimate from the federal government. Last month, the Trump administration laid out its drug policy priorities for 2025, but cuts to funding for agencies like the CDC could threaten the progress made.
2️⃣ Costs an arm and a leg: Home-renovation professionals tell CNN that they've been bracing for higher prices due to tariffs. From Tuscan tilework to Chinese refrigerators, the US imports billions of dollars worth of home goods from around the globe. Here's how tariffs are threatening this booming industry.
3️⃣ A shot at living: In the US, nearly 90,000 people are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. The typical wait is three to five years, but that time was doubled for Tim Andrews, who also has a rare blood type. Now, Andrews is thriving as one of only a handful of patients to undergo an experimental cross-species transplant of a kidney from a genetically modified pig.
4️⃣ Poems & porpoises: The Yangtze finless porpoise — a smaller dolphin-like creature — has faced extreme declines in numbers in the past four decades. A research team in China used ancient poems to find clues as to where the animals historically thrived, to help with conservation efforts.
5️⃣ 'A magical place': This extraordinary desert country aims to be a major tourist destination by 2030. In January 2023, its government introduced changes, making a once-challenging-to-obtain visa guaranteed upon arrival after paying fees. As a result, tourism has significantly increased.
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• Trump's embrace of Syria could reshape the Middle East• First on CNN: New book reveals how Biden's inner circle kept Cabinet from him in final two years of presidency• Defense cross-examination of Cassie Ventura will begin Thursday in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial
🍟 That's how many people McDonald's says it plans to hire this summer. It's the fast-food chain's biggest employment initiative in five years.
☠️ Fossil find: A cicada pressed into rocks approximately 47 million years ago is so well preserved that you can see the veins in its wings. The discovery gives scientists new hints about how the bug evolved.
🎤 Speaking out: Robert De Niro used his acceptance speech at the Cannes Film Festival to criticize President Donald Trump, calling him a 'philistine president.'
📺 What did ESPN name its new flagship streaming service?A. Disney+ SportsB. Sports on DemandC. ESPND. Sports Now⬇️ Scroll down for the answer.
🤩 Surprise! Celine Dion made an unexpected video appearance at Eurovision, 37 years after winning the contest. The Canadian-born star delivered a heartfelt message to contestants, organizers and viewers at the semi-final event.
👋 We'll see you tomorrow.🧠 Quiz answer: C. ESPN. 'There's power in our name, and there's trust in our name,' network chairman James Pitaro said on the decision to stick with the company's four letters.📧 Check out all of CNN's newsletters.
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CNN
7 minutes ago
- CNN
Fearing Medicaid coverage loss, some parents rush to vaccinate their kids
For two decades, Washington, D.C., pediatrician Lanre Falusi has counseled parents about vaccine safety, side effects, and timing. But this year, she said, the conversations have changed. 'For the first time, I'm having parents of newborns ask me if their baby will still be able to get vaccines,' Falusi said. Throughout the country, pediatricians say anxious parents are concerned about access to routine childhood immunizations, especially those with children on Medicaid, the government insurance program for low-income families and people with disabilities. Medicaid covers 4 in 10 children in the U.S. 'It really became an issue when RFK Jr. stepped into the role of HHS secretary,' said Deborah Greenhouse, a pediatrician in South Carolina. The concern accelerated after the shake-up of a key Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine advisory body in June, raising fears that millions of American families could soon have to pay out-of-pocket for shots now covered by their health insurance. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist, removed all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the panel responsible for recommending which shots are included in the nation's adult and childhood immunization schedules. Kennedy replaced the panelists with new members aligned with his views, prompting alarm among medical professionals and public health experts. 'People should be worried about what's going to happen to the availability of vaccines for children,' said Jennifer Tolbert, deputy director of the Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured at KFF, a national health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurers are required to cover all ACIP-recommended vaccines. States and other jurisdictions use the childhood vaccine schedule to set immunization requirements for schoolchildren. ACIP's recommendations also determine which vaccines get covered by the Vaccines for Children Program, a CDC-funded initiative that provides free immunizations to low-income and uninsured children. Half of children in the U.S. are eligible for the VFC program. If the new ACIP members withdraw support for a particular vaccine and the CDC director agrees, Tolbert said, the consequences would be immediate. 'It would automatically affect what is covered and therefore which vaccines are available to children on Medicaid,' she said. Health insurance companies have not yet said how they would alter coverage, but Tolbert said such a move would open the door for private insurers to refuse to cover the vaccine. Pediatricians worry about a future where parents might have to choose — pay hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket for shots or leave their kids unprotected. The health insurance industry group AHIP said that health plans 'continue to follow federal requirements related to coverage of ACIP-recommended vaccines and will continue to support broad access to critical preventive services, including immunizations.' Pediatricians say news about President Donald Trump's new budget law, which is expected to reduce Medicaid spending by about $1 trillion over the next decade, also prompted questions from parents. While parents may be worried about losing their Medicaid, the law doesn't mention vaccines or change eligibility or benefits for children's Medicaid, Tolbert said. But less federal funding means states will have to make decisions about who is covered and which services are offered. To raise the revenue needed to pay for Medicaid, states could raise taxes; move money earmarked for other spending, such as education or corrections; or, more likely, reduce Medicaid spending. 'And they may do that by cutting eligibility for optional populations or by cutting services that are optional, or by reducing payments to providers in the form of provider rates,' Tolbert said. 'It's unclear how this will play out, and it will likely look different across all states.' In May, Kennedy announced in a post on X that the CDC is no longer recommending the covid-19 vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women. The move prompted a lawsuit by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other physician groups that seeks to freeze Kennedy's directive. In June, the new ACIP members appointed by Kennedy voted to recommend that adults and children no longer receive flu vaccines with thimerosal, a preservative rarely used in some flu vaccines. Anti-vaccine activists, including Kennedy, have rallied against thimerosal for decades, alleging links to autism despite no evidence of any association. 'There is no cause for concern,' Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Emily Hilliard said in a statement. 'As Secretary Kennedy has stated, no one will be denied access to a licensed vaccine if they choose to receive one.' 'When the ACIP committee met last month, they reaffirmed that flu vaccines will remain accessible and covered, and they emphasized safety by ensuring these vaccines are mercury-free,' Hilliard wrote. 'The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program continues to provide COVID-19 vaccines at no cost for eligible children when the parent, provider, and patient decide vaccination is appropriate. Medicaid will continue to reimburse the administration fee.' But the possibility that a vaccine could be restricted or no longer covered by insurance is already changing how parents approach immunization. In Falusi's practice, parents are scheduling appointments to coincide precisely with their child's eligibility, sometimes making appointments the same week as their birthdays. Melissa Mason, a pediatrician in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has evaluated some patients who contracted measles during the multistate outbreak that started in neighboring Texas. She's concerned that any new limitations on access or reimbursement for childhood vaccines could lead to even more preventable illnesses and deaths. Nationally, there have been more than 1,300 measles cases since January, including three deaths, according to the CDC. 'We're seeing this outbreak because vaccination rates are too low and it allows measles to spread in the community,' Mason said. Children and teens account for 66% of national measles cases. Mason has begun offering the measles vaccine to infants as young as 6 months old, a full six months earlier than standard practice, though still within federal guidelines. Last year, overall kindergarten vaccination rates fell in the U.S. At the same time, the number of children with a school vaccination exemption continued to rise. Pertussis, or whooping cough — another disease that can be deadly to young children — is spreading. As of July 5, more than 15,100 cases had been identified in U.S. residents this year, according to the CDC. Mason said pertussis is especially dangerous to babies too young to receive the vaccine. For now, pediatricians are trying to maintain a sense of urgency without inciting panic. In Columbia, South Carolina, Greenhouse used to offer families a flexible age range for routine vaccinations. 'I'm not saying that anymore,' the pediatrician said. She now urges parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. She described anxious parents asking whether the HPV vaccine, which helps prevent cervical cancer, can be administered to children younger than the recommended age of 9. 'I actually had two parents today ask if their 7- or 8-year-olds could get the HPV shot,' Greenhouse said. 'I had to tell them it's not allowed.' With the vaccine requiring multiple doses months apart, Greenhouse fears time may run out for families to get the series covered by insurance. If they have to pay out-of-pocket, she's afraid some families may choose not to get the second dose. A second dose could cost about $300 if no longer covered by insurance. 'I cannot be 100% sure what the future looks like for some of these vaccines,' Greenhouse said. 'I can tell you it's a very scary place to be.' Kennedy's newly appointed vaccine advisory committee is expected to hold its next public meeting as soon as August. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.
CNN
24 minutes ago
- CNN
Fearing Medicaid coverage loss, some parents rush to vaccinate their kids
For two decades, Washington, D.C., pediatrician Lanre Falusi has counseled parents about vaccine safety, side effects, and timing. But this year, she said, the conversations have changed. 'For the first time, I'm having parents of newborns ask me if their baby will still be able to get vaccines,' Falusi said. Throughout the country, pediatricians say anxious parents are concerned about access to routine childhood immunizations, especially those with children on Medicaid, the government insurance program for low-income families and people with disabilities. Medicaid covers 4 in 10 children in the U.S. 'It really became an issue when RFK Jr. stepped into the role of HHS secretary,' said Deborah Greenhouse, a pediatrician in South Carolina. The concern accelerated after the shake-up of a key Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine advisory body in June, raising fears that millions of American families could soon have to pay out-of-pocket for shots now covered by their health insurance. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist, removed all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the panel responsible for recommending which shots are included in the nation's adult and childhood immunization schedules. Kennedy replaced the panelists with new members aligned with his views, prompting alarm among medical professionals and public health experts. 'People should be worried about what's going to happen to the availability of vaccines for children,' said Jennifer Tolbert, deputy director of the Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured at KFF, a national health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurers are required to cover all ACIP-recommended vaccines. States and other jurisdictions use the childhood vaccine schedule to set immunization requirements for schoolchildren. ACIP's recommendations also determine which vaccines get covered by the Vaccines for Children Program, a CDC-funded initiative that provides free immunizations to low-income and uninsured children. Half of children in the U.S. are eligible for the VFC program. If the new ACIP members withdraw support for a particular vaccine and the CDC director agrees, Tolbert said, the consequences would be immediate. 'It would automatically affect what is covered and therefore which vaccines are available to children on Medicaid,' she said. Health insurance companies have not yet said how they would alter coverage, but Tolbert said such a move would open the door for private insurers to refuse to cover the vaccine. Pediatricians worry about a future where parents might have to choose — pay hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket for shots or leave their kids unprotected. The health insurance industry group AHIP said that health plans 'continue to follow federal requirements related to coverage of ACIP-recommended vaccines and will continue to support broad access to critical preventive services, including immunizations.' Pediatricians say news about President Donald Trump's new budget law, which is expected to reduce Medicaid spending by about $1 trillion over the next decade, also prompted questions from parents. While parents may be worried about losing their Medicaid, the law doesn't mention vaccines or change eligibility or benefits for children's Medicaid, Tolbert said. But less federal funding means states will have to make decisions about who is covered and which services are offered. To raise the revenue needed to pay for Medicaid, states could raise taxes; move money earmarked for other spending, such as education or corrections; or, more likely, reduce Medicaid spending. 'And they may do that by cutting eligibility for optional populations or by cutting services that are optional, or by reducing payments to providers in the form of provider rates,' Tolbert said. 'It's unclear how this will play out, and it will likely look different across all states.' In May, Kennedy announced in a post on X that the CDC is no longer recommending the covid-19 vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women. The move prompted a lawsuit by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other physician groups that seeks to freeze Kennedy's directive. In June, the new ACIP members appointed by Kennedy voted to recommend that adults and children no longer receive flu vaccines with thimerosal, a preservative rarely used in some flu vaccines. Anti-vaccine activists, including Kennedy, have rallied against thimerosal for decades, alleging links to autism despite no evidence of any association. 'There is no cause for concern,' Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Emily Hilliard said in a statement. 'As Secretary Kennedy has stated, no one will be denied access to a licensed vaccine if they choose to receive one.' 'When the ACIP committee met last month, they reaffirmed that flu vaccines will remain accessible and covered, and they emphasized safety by ensuring these vaccines are mercury-free,' Hilliard wrote. 'The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program continues to provide COVID-19 vaccines at no cost for eligible children when the parent, provider, and patient decide vaccination is appropriate. Medicaid will continue to reimburse the administration fee.' But the possibility that a vaccine could be restricted or no longer covered by insurance is already changing how parents approach immunization. In Falusi's practice, parents are scheduling appointments to coincide precisely with their child's eligibility, sometimes making appointments the same week as their birthdays. Melissa Mason, a pediatrician in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has evaluated some patients who contracted measles during the multistate outbreak that started in neighboring Texas. She's concerned that any new limitations on access or reimbursement for childhood vaccines could lead to even more preventable illnesses and deaths. Nationally, there have been more than 1,300 measles cases since January, including three deaths, according to the CDC. 'We're seeing this outbreak because vaccination rates are too low and it allows measles to spread in the community,' Mason said. Children and teens account for 66% of national measles cases. Mason has begun offering the measles vaccine to infants as young as 6 months old, a full six months earlier than standard practice, though still within federal guidelines. Last year, overall kindergarten vaccination rates fell in the U.S. At the same time, the number of children with a school vaccination exemption continued to rise. Pertussis, or whooping cough — another disease that can be deadly to young children — is spreading. As of July 5, more than 15,100 cases had been identified in U.S. residents this year, according to the CDC. Mason said pertussis is especially dangerous to babies too young to receive the vaccine. For now, pediatricians are trying to maintain a sense of urgency without inciting panic. In Columbia, South Carolina, Greenhouse used to offer families a flexible age range for routine vaccinations. 'I'm not saying that anymore,' the pediatrician said. She now urges parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. She described anxious parents asking whether the HPV vaccine, which helps prevent cervical cancer, can be administered to children younger than the recommended age of 9. 'I actually had two parents today ask if their 7- or 8-year-olds could get the HPV shot,' Greenhouse said. 'I had to tell them it's not allowed.' With the vaccine requiring multiple doses months apart, Greenhouse fears time may run out for families to get the series covered by insurance. If they have to pay out-of-pocket, she's afraid some families may choose not to get the second dose. A second dose could cost about $300 if no longer covered by insurance. 'I cannot be 100% sure what the future looks like for some of these vaccines,' Greenhouse said. 'I can tell you it's a very scary place to be.' Kennedy's newly appointed vaccine advisory committee is expected to hold its next public meeting as soon as August. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cutting-edge Diagnostic Technologies Transforming $6.4 Billion Landscape
The U.S. Alzheimer's disease diagnostics market, valued at USD 3.53 billion in 2024, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% from 2025-2030. Growth is driven by rising Alzheimer's prevalence and advanced diagnostics like FDA-approved blood tests, improving early detection and care planning. U.S. Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostics Market Dublin, July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "U.S. Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Diagnostic Technique (Biomarkers, Imaging Techniques, Genetic Testing, Cognitive Assessment Tests), By Type, By End-use, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030" report has been added to U.S. Alzheimer's disease diagnostics market was valued at USD 3.53 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% from 2025 to 2030 This growth is driven by the rising prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and increasing emphasis on early and accurate diagnosis. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 6.7 million older adults in the U.S. were living with Alzheimer's disease in 2024, a number projected to nearly double by 2060. The growing prevalence of the disease prompted government and private healthcare bodies to invest heavily in advanced diagnostic technologies such as PET imaging, cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and blood-based diagnostics. The growth of the U.S. Alzheimer's disease diagnostics market is due to the recent regulatory approval of advanced, non-invasive diagnostic technologies. The U.S. FDA granted marketing clearance for the first in vitro diagnostic device that utilizes a blood test to support the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The Lumipulse G pTau217/b-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio is specifically intended for the early detection of amyloid plaque accumulation, a hallmark of Alzheimer's pathology, in adult patients aged 55 years and older who are exhibiting clinical signs and symptoms consistent with cognitive development represents a major advancement in Alzheimer's diagnostics, significantly lowering access barriers by providing a cost-effective and minimally invasive alternative to PET scans and lumbar punctures, which often carry procedural risks. The FDA highlighted that this approval makes it easier and potentially more accessible for U.S. patients earlier in the disease. It underscores the test's value in facilitating timely intervention and clinical decision-making in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease increasing rate of dementia diagnosis among older adults is driving the growth of the U.S. Alzheimer's diagnostics market. According to the 2022 National Health Interview Survey by the CDC, approximately 4% of individuals aged 65 and older have been diagnosed with dementia, with this figure rising to 13% among those aged 85 and above. This growth is primarily attributed to longer life expectancy, enhanced awareness, and improved diagnostic practices across clinical settings. The rising need for scalable, accurate diagnostic solutions to support early detection, appropriate intervention, and optimized care planning. Why should you buy this report? Comprehensive Market Analysis: Gain detailed insights into the global market across major regions and segments. Competitive Landscape: Explore the market presence of key players worldwide. Future Trends: Discover the pivotal trends and drivers shaping the future of the global market. Actionable Recommendations: Utilize insights to uncover new revenue streams and guide strategic business decisions. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 80 Forecast Period 2024 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $3.53 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $6.43 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 10.6% Regions Covered United States Competitive Landscape GE HealthCare Siemens Healthineers AG Canon Medical Systems Corporation Cerveau Technologies, Inc. Neurovision Imaging, Inc. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Quanterix Corporation Alzheon Inc. NanoSomiX, Inc. DiamiR Biosciences Company Overview Financial Performance Diagnostic Technique Portfolio Recent Developments/ Strategic Initiatives U.S. Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostics Market Report SegmentationDiagnostic Technique Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030) Biomarkers CSF Biomarkers Blood-Based Biomarkers Imaging Diagnostic Techniques Genetic Testing Cognitive Assessment Tests Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030) Triage Diagnosis Screening End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030) Hospitals Diagnostic Laboratories Academic & Research Institutes For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment U.S. Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostics Market CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Sign in to access your portfolio
