Local Health Alerts
This Is Why Prescription Drugs Are So Expensive
High U.S. prescription drug costs are driven by a lack of price regulation, patent monopolies, and complex supply chain mechanics involving pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that incentivize high list prices. Infographics highlight that these factors, combined with extensive marketing spend over R&D, lead…
WHO Warns Ebola Outbreak in Eastern Congo Is Outpacing Response
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Ebola is spreading faster than response efforts in eastern Congo, where 3,874 confirmed cases and 1,751 deaths had been recorded by Aug. 3, 2026.
Afghanistan Food Distributions to Be Suspended as Child Malnutrition Peaks, WFP Says
The World Food Programme says funding shortages will force a suspension of famine-prevention food distributions in Afghanistan’s worst-hit areas from August through October, during the country’s annual peak season for malnutrition.
CDC Maintains U.S. Travel and Monitoring Measures Amid Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa
Federal health officials continue enhanced traveler assessments, post-arrival monitoring and targeted entry restrictions as an Ebola outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
UVM Health cuts 76 jobs and restructures 66 more positions amid pressure to reduce costs
The University of Vermont Health Network says it will eliminate about 76 positions and require 66 employees to reapply for restructured jobs as it seeks to reduce expenses.
New York sues over Medicaid work rules that state says could affect 475,000 recipients
New York Attorney General Letitia James joined 24 states and Washington, D.C., in challenging federal Medicaid work requirements scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2027.
WHO Schedules August Review of Calcium Guidance for Pre-Eclampsia
A WHO guideline-development group will review evidence on calcium supplementation before and during pregnancy at an August 11–12, 2026 meeting. No revised recommendation has been issued.
FDA investigates Salmonella outbreak tied to Texas-produced eggs recalled across the U.S.
The FDA opened an outbreak investigation after Midwest Poultry Services recalled white-shell and brown cage-free eggs with sell-by or best-by dates from July 20 through Aug. 17, 2026.
CMS Sets Nationwide Medicaid Work-Requirement Framework for 2027
An interim final rule from CMS will require certain adult Medicaid applicants and enrollees to document 80 hours of work, education, training or community service each month.
WHO and UNICEF Report Global Childhood Vaccination Reached 85% for Full DTP Protection in 2025
WHO and UNICEF say childhood vaccination coverage improved modestly in 2025, but global DTP coverage remained below 2019 levels and measles protection stayed far short of the level needed to prevent outbreaks.
Democratic Republic of Congo Ebola Outbreak Draws $242 Million U.S. Aid Boost as Humanitarian Funding Falls Short
The United States announced $242 million in additional Ebola assistance for the Democratic Republic of Congo on August 5, but food-security operations had received only 25.2% of the funding they required by August 6.
CMS proposes Medicare outpatient-payment changes to reduce site-of-care cost differences
The proposed changes would affect Medicare payments to hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers beginning in calendar year 2027, but rates are not final.
