Deaths After Misdiagnosis; CDC Details Toxic Algae Sickness; Cardiac Test Recall

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An estimated 795,000 Americans die or become permanently disabled every year due to misdiagnosed diseases, according to a study in BMJ Quality & Safety.

Excess deaths in the U.S. have fallen to almost zero over the past few months. (New York Times)

An Iowa state court temporarily blocked the state’s new 6-week abortion ban. (The Hill)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing broader coverage of beta amyloid PET scans for Alzheimer’s disease patients.

An increasing number of people and animals are becoming sick after being exposed to toxic algae in natural bodies of water, a CDC report showed. (USA Today)

Recently approved pegcetacoplan (Syfovre), an injection treatment for geographic atrophy, has been linked to rare cases of occlusive retinal vasculitis, a severe type of inflammation that can potentially result in blindness. (Biopharma Dive)

Existing evidence points to health risks of e-cigarette use, but more long-term clinical studies are needed, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association.

President Biden’s plan to expand Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protections to include abortion care is drawing lawsuits and criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. (Politico)

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) is pushing Washington to take more decisive action to address drug shortages, citing an overreliance on foreign drug suppliers. (AP)

Global childhood immunization coverage has nearly bounced back to prepandemic levels, the World Health Organization said.

The Quidel Triage Cardiac Panel is facing a Class I recall due to reports of inaccurate tests that could result in a delayed or missed diagnosis of myocardial infarction, the FDA announced.

And the agency warned consumers not to use ultrasound devices by RoyalVibe Health, CellQuicken, or Well-Being Reality as they have not been reviewed by the agency and could cause adverse effects such as bruising, burns, and nerve damage.

The World Meteorological Organization has warned that the ongoing heatwave effecting the northern hemisphere will intensify, leading to increased risk of heart attacks and heat-related deaths. (Reuters)