Health

Missouri Senate votes against allowing abortion in cases of rape and incest

By Summer Ballentine, Associated Press

Some Republicans say blocking rape and incest victims from getting abortions was too extreme. One Republican is trying to amend the state constitution to allow abortions in cases of rape, incest and fatal fetal abnormalities until viability.

DEA reverses decision stripping drug distributor of licenses for fueling opioid crisis

By Joshua Goodman, Jim Mustian, Associated Press

As part of the settlement announced Wednesday, Morris & Dickson Co. agreed to admit wrongdoing, comply with heightened reporting requirements and surrender one of its two certificates of registration with the DEA.

Ohio backs off proposed restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for adults

By Geoff Mulvihill, Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press

Transgender people and their healthcare providers feared the original rules would have left thousands of patients scrambling to find care — and facing health risks in the meantime.

Florida asks state Supreme Court to keep abortion rights amendment off the November ballot

By Brendan Farrington, Associated Press

They say voters won't realize how much it will expand access to the procedure. But justices hearing arguments Wednesday seemed to think voters will clearly see that the proposed ballot question would keep the state from restricting most abortions.

South Carolina woman seeks clarity on abortion ban in lawsuit backed by Planned Parenthood

By James Pollard, Associated Press

In a lawsuit filed Monday, Taylor Shelton and Planned Parenthood South Atlantic argue that the Republican-led state Legislature provided two different definitions of "fetal heartbeat" in a confusing manner.

Advertising agency for OxyContin agrees to pay $350 million rather than face lawsuits

By Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press

New York Attorney General Letitia James said Thursday that Publicis Health engaged in predatory and deceptive marketing strategies to help Purdue Pharma increase sales of its drugs.

Newest COVID shots are 54 percent effective in preventing symptoms, CDC finds

By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press

Studies coming out later this year will assess how effective the shot was at preventing symptoms severe enough to send patients to a doctor's office or hospital.

U.S. syphilis numbers haven't been this high since 1950

By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press

Syphilis is a bacterial disease that can surface as painless genital sores but can ultimately lead to paralysis, hearing loss, dementia and even death if left untreated.

Why experts worry more pet owners may skip rabies shots over vaccine hesitancy

By Laura Santhanam

Public health experts and veterinarians are concerned about the potential for an increase in cases of rabies, a vaccine-preventable illness, for both companion animals and humans.