COVID’s Toll on Life Expectancy; Monkeypox at Elementary School; Ventilator Recall

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U.S. life expectancy in 2021 dropped for the second year in a row, down to 76.1 years — the lowest level since 1996, according to a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics. The drop represents a 2.7-year decline over a 2-year period largely defined by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Biden administration expects its supply of COVID-19 vaccines and antiviral treatments to run out early next year and is getting ready to transition to having them sold on the commercial market. (Reuters)

A monkeypox case has been reported at a Georgia elementary school. (CBS46)

Being unhoused is aggravating the effects of the summer heat for some Phoenix residents, health officials say. (NPR)

A dementia patient at a senior citizens’ home in San Francisco died after being given dish-washing liquid to drink; she was mistakenly told it was juice. (AP via USA Today)

A French doctor recalls his experience aiding Princess Diana immediately after the car crash 25 years ago that eventually killed her. (ABC News)

Meanwhile, infectious disease specialist Celine Gounder, MD, discusses what she learned from the world’s last smallpox patient. (The Atlantic)

The Biden administration is planning to increase monkeypox vaccination by distributing the vaccine at large events that attract members of the LGBTQIA community. (The Hill)

Judy Faulkner, CEO of health IT firm Epic, recently discussed her company’s vision of building a nationwide health infrastructure — while she was dressed as Amelia Earhart. (Becker’s Health IT)

FDA announced a class I recall of Hamilton Medical’s C6 intensive care ventilator because of potential water ingress that may cause breathing support to stop.

A Texas physician has been convicted on two counts of healthcare fraud for fraudulently billing the TRICARE insurance program for toxicology and genetic tests that were not provided as represented, or were medically unnecessary.

Two Mexican drug cartels now control the U.S. fentanyl supply. (Wall Street Journal)

Jail inmates may sue over a lack of COVID protocols, but the results don’t seem to last. (Washington Post)

Republican candidates are rushing to modify their messaging on abortion ahead of the upcoming November elections. (The Hill)

Rafa Laboratories announced approval of a 10-mg midazolam autoinjector for treating status epilepticus in adults.

The FDA has released its Overdose Prevention Framework.