South County Mail

Missouri and the World

Health

DOJ eases federal restrictions on medical marijuana in major policy shift

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The US Department of Justice has announced a major shift in federal marijuana policy that could ease regulations for state-licensed medical cannabis businesses across the country.

Under a new order signed by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, many state-approved medical marijuana products will move from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal drug classifications.

The change could significantly affect marijuana businesses in states such as Missouri, where both medical and recreational cannabis sales are legal under state law. [Read more…] about DOJ eases federal restrictions on medical marijuana in major policy shift

WHO declares Ebola outbreak global health emergency as cases spread into Uganda

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The World Health Organization has declared the latest Ebola outbreak in central Africa a “public health emergency of international concern” after cases linked to the Democratic Republic of the Congo were confirmed in neighboring Uganda.

Health officials say the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a less well-known but still highly dangerous form of the virus.

According to analysis published by The Conversation, the declaration represents the WHO’s highest level of global health alert and is intended to mobilize international cooperation, funding and emergency response efforts. [Read more…] about WHO declares Ebola outbreak global health emergency as cases spread into Uganda

RFK Jr. says America faces a sperm crisis – but scientists disagree on what it means

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has once again drawn attention to declining sperm counts in men, describing the issue as an “existential crisis” for the United States.

Speaking at a White House event on maternal health last week, Kennedy argued that men today have significantly lower sperm counts than previous generations and suggested the trend reflects a broader decline in American health and fertility.

“The fertility crisis for women began in 2007; for men in 1970,” Kennedy said during the event. “Men had twice the sperm count as our teenagers do today. This is an existential crisis for our country.” [Read more…] about RFK Jr. says America faces a sperm crisis – but scientists disagree on what it means

Why one FDA resignation could affect abortion access across America

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The planned resignation of Marty Makary from the US Food and Drug Administration is creating fresh uncertainty over abortion access across the United States, particularly regarding the future of abortion pills prescribed through telehealth and delivered by mail.

Makary, who faced criticism from anti-abortion groups during his tenure as FDA commissioner, is expected to leave the agency amid growing political pressure from conservative activists and internal tensions within the Trump administration.

The development matters because the FDA now sits at the center of one of the country’s most significant legal and political battles over abortion access. [Read more…] about Why one FDA resignation could affect abortion access across America

America’s doctor shortage could worsen as immigrant visa costs rise

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America’s growing shortage of doctors could worsen under new immigration restrictions that are making it more expensive for hospitals to recruit foreign medical professionals, according to a new interview published by Analyst News.

The article features Eram Alam, a Harvard historian of medicine and author of the book “The Care of Foreigners: How Immigrant Physicians Changed US Healthcare”.

Alam argues that immigrant doctors – particularly from India and Pakistan – have become essential to the American healthcare system, especially in rural and underserved communities where physician shortages are most severe. [Read more…] about America’s doctor shortage could worsen as immigrant visa costs rise

Missouri Republicans push ‘born-alive’ abortion bill as session nears end

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Missouri Republicans are pushing to pass a controversial “born-alive” abortion bill before the state’s legislative session ends next week, setting up another major confrontation in the state’s long-running abortion debate.

The legislation, known as the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act”, would require medical providers to administer life-saving care to infants born alive following an attempted abortion. Under the bill, anyone who “knowingly performs or attempts to perform an overt act that kills a child born alive” could face first-degree murder charges.

The measure has become a top priority for Republican lawmakers in the state legislature, despite opposition from Democrats, abortion-rights advocates, and even some anti-abortion Republicans. [Read more…] about Missouri Republicans push ‘born-alive’ abortion bill as session nears end