Pot Harms Unborn Kids; 1.6M Excess Deaths in Black Americans; Health Worker Shortage

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Cannabis early in pregnancy can harm unborn babies’ development, a study found. (CNN)

Missouri ended its controversial rule that aimed to restrict gender-affirming care for youth and some adults. (AP)

In North Carolina, the legislature has overridden Gov. Roy Cooper’s (D) veto of a bill banning most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. (WUNC)

While Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed a bill into law that will ban most abortions after 15 weeks. (The Hill)

Meanwhile, post-Roe laws restricting abortion care have led to dozens of health complications in pregnant patients, according to a report from the University of California San Francisco.

Elizabeth Holmes, the disgraced former CEO of Theranos, lost her latest battle to avoid going to prison. (AP via NPR)

The rate of depression in the U.S. has reached new heights, according to the latest Gallup poll.

Black Americans have a higher death rate than their white counterparts, resulting in 1.6 million excess deaths over more than 20 years, researchers reported in JAMA.

As many as one in three rheumatoid arthritis patients may become long-term opioid users, a study found. (The Independent)

The FDA has approved Abbott’s spinal cord stimulation devices for treating chronic back pain, the company announced.

And an intravenously administered form of ibuprofen (Caldolor) was also approved for treating fever and pain in infants ages 3 to 6 months, said Cumberland Pharmaceuticals.

The CDC is urging vaccination against dengue in U.S. territories where the virus is endemic, and where more than 30,000 cases have been reported over the last decade. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

As more Japanese take off their masks, a smile coach is teaching them to regain their smiles. (New York Times)

Living in the U.S.? Want a dose of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine? You’re out of luck. (CNN)

Concern is growing in Congress about a U.S. healthcare worker shortage. (CNN)

A Russian national has been indicted for making ransomware attacks on targets throughout the U.S., including hospitals, the Justice Department announced.

Do soft contact lenses contain toxic forever chemicals? (The Hill)

Parents concerned about their children’s weight face difficult decisions. (NPR)

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant patients should start COVID-19 vaccinations 3 months after their transplant, a study found. (eClinicalMedicine)

The Federal Trade Commission is suing pharma giant Amgen over its $27.8 billion acquisition deal to buy Horizon Therapeutics, arguing that the deal would stifle competition. (CNBC)

In other pharma news, AstraZeneca is leaving the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the third such departure in 5 months for the drugmaker lobbying group. (STAT)