Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Florida was the state with the highest number of new HIV cases from 2015 to 2019, but the District of Columbia and Georgia have higher rates of infection. Child marriages, spending on Covid relief funds, access to food and more are all in the news too.
WUSF Public Media: Florida Leads the Nation in New HIV Cases
The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Florida leads the way in the number of new HIV infections, having the third highest infection rate behind the District of Columbia and Georgia. Florida identified 4,584 new HIV diagnoses according to the latest available data from the federal agency’s HIV surveillance report, which collected data from 2015 to 2019. The CDC estimates this is only 86.5% of all people living with HIV in Florida. (Müller, July 22nd)
In other public health news –
AP: DOJ is not going to investigate how Pennsylvania handled nursing homes
The Justice Department told Governor Tom Wolf’s office on Thursday that it had decided not to open an investigation into whether Pennsylvania violated federal law by ordering nursing homes to admit residents being hospitalized for COVID-19. The letter comes 11 months after the department told the governors of Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey and New York that it wanted information to determine whether the orders there “may have resulted in the deaths of thousands of elderly nursing home residents.” (Submission, 23.07.)
AP: Michigan County officials used federal coronavirus aid money for bonuses
Elected officials in a Michigan county gave each other $ 65,000 in bonuses in federal aid related to the coronavirus pandemic. The money, known as hazard pay, included $ 25,000 for Jeremy Root, chairman of the Shiawassee district committee. The predominantly rural county between Lansing and Flint has 68,000 inhabitants. (7/22)
The Washington Post: New York becomes the sixth state to ban child marriage
On Thursday, New York became the sixth state in the country to ban marriages with minors, in which girls are disproportionately married to adult men. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (D) signed law raising the age for marriage in the state to 18. The law will “continue to protect vulnerable children from exploitation,” he said in a statement. “Children should be allowed to live their childhood.” (Pietsch, July 23rd)
Capital & Main: California Expands Health Insurance Access to Undocumented Immigrants
California will be the first state to offer government-funded health insurance to undocumented immigrants aged 50 and over – the latest historic addition to safety net support for Golden State residents regardless of their citizenship status. Governor Gavin Newsom recently unveiled this year’s $ 263 billion federal budget, which expands social services for undocumented Californians. The state is paying for the equity increase measures with excess taxpayers’ money from the state’s richest residents and federal aid to help states recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Albaladejo, July 22nd)
Indianapolis Star: LGBTQ Safeguards Are Supported by More than 100 Indiana Companies
More than 100 Indiana companies have signed a letter urging Congress to pass the Equality Act, federal legislation that would expand existing civil rights laws to protect LGBTQ Americans. The letter included prominent companies such as Eli Lilly and Co., Cummins Inc, Roche Diagnostics, and Salesforce. Both the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Indy Chamber and other small businesses like Tinker Street Restaurant and Silver in the City have joined. (Lange, July 22nd)
Oklahoman: Food access is improving in an OKC food desert, some areas are still struggling
When a food wasteland extends into a lower-income area, the effects are particularly devastating. These areas are classified as low income by the Ministry of Agriculture if they have a high poverty rate or a low median family income. Based on the latest data from the department’s food desert map and population estimates from the census, 119,000 people live in food deserts in Oklahoma County while nearly 51,000 people live in “very low food security.” But the lack of grocery stores in close proximity can hurt even more affluent communities, such as the high-end homes south of the Oklahoma River. And while the residents of some food deserts have been doing better lately, others have seen their prospects dim. (Christopher Smith, 07/23)
Houston Chronicle: Non-Profit Organization Sheds Light on Children’s Skin Conditions at the premiere in Richmond
Houston area kids and teens with skin problems dressed to the last detail to showcase their videos they have starred in, pushing people to feel comfortable in their own skin and better understand others. The nonprofit A Children’s Home for the Soul and skin care brand CeraVe joined forces on Saturday July 17 at the Star Cinema Grill in Richmond to celebrate young people with conditions like eczema, psoriasis, birthmarks and vitiligo. The event launched a campaign to educate others about skin conditions and broadcast how people are all made into “masterpieces”. (Manes, July 21st)
In Mental Health News from Georgia, Florida, and New York –
11alive.com: Georgia mom battles community health department for help with son
In the past five years, 1,268 children in Georgia have been abandoned or turned over to the state because parents were unable to cope or the child had behavior problems. More than half of these children were exposed more than once, generally related to an intellectual or developmental disability. A series from 11Alive’s investigative team, The Reveal, looked at the numbers but mostly spoke to families who said their only option was to give up custody of their children. (Lindstrom and Basye, July 22nd)
WUSF Public Media: Mental Health Events at Pinellas Promote “Healing While Black”
This weekend, health professionals and the public are gathering in St. Petersburg to discuss mental wellbeing in the black community. It is part of a three day summit called Healing While Black. Black counselors, state and county health officials, and other experts trying to improve health equity in the community will lead the three-day summit. Guest speakers include Florida Assistant Secretary of Health Shamarial Roberson and Kent Butler, President of the American Counseling Association and Chief Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Officer at the University of Central Florida. (Colombia, July 22nd)
Bloomberg: NYC Mental Health Emergency Pilot Reveals Pledge as Police Alternative
Police officers are the main problem solvers in most American cities – they handle traffic surveillance, respond to mental crises, watch over parks, handle neighborhood disputes, and handle violent crime. But in the year since the assassination of George Floyd, governments have looked for ways to reduce their reliance on the force. One such experiment, taking place in cities across the United States, is attempting to replace the traditional police response to mental health crises with social workers and emergency medical personnel. Currently being tested in New York City, Denver, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, and Los Angeles, the goal of these programs is to reduce deadly and costly interactions with the police while providing people with the care they need. (Akinnibi, July 22nd)
This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a round-up of health coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
