‘CDC Must Be Investigated’; David Lynch, Bob Uecker Die; Nasal Epinephrine Warning

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“The CDC must be investigated for its misuse of PEPFAR funds,” said Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), following a report that funds for the global AIDS-fighting program were used for abortions during the Biden administration. (Politico)

Health workers surveyed cited concerns about confidentiality as a barrier to getting treatment for mental health issues. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

Arkansas’ governor wants to revive the state’s work requirement for Medicaid coverage after President-elect Donald Trump takes office. (AP)

Meanwhile, North Carolina extended state protections for reproductive health data. (AP)

The World Health Organization is seeking $1.5 billion in funding to respond to health emergencies, but U.S. funding hangs in the balance as Trump has vowed to withdraw from the global health body. (MSN via Reuters)

In UnitedHealth Group’s first public appearance since CEO Brian Thompson’s murder, the company defended its practices and deflected blame for public discontent with the healthcare system. (STAT)

Filmmaker David Lynch died at 78; he announced last year that he had developed emphysema. (New York Times)

And baseball broadcaster and actor Bob Uecker died at age 90; he had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023. (NBC News)

Kate Middleton reportedly told another patient that she didn’t have to have cold cap therapy to prevent hair loss during her cancer treatment. (People)

A qualitative study found that medical education may perpetuate negative bias about disability. (Journal of General Internal Medicine)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) plan to produce cheap, generic insulin is far behind schedule, industry experts said. (CalMatters)

In related news, a federal law that made companies lower the price of insulin resulted in smaller discounts for low-income clinics. (New York Times)

A cross-sectional study found an association between COVID vaccine hesitancy and increasing uncertainty about routine childhood inoculations like the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. (American Journal of Public Health)

Adolescents prescribed multifocal contact lenses for myopia control maintained the treatment benefit after they stopped wearing the special contact lenses as older teens. (JAMA Ophthalmology)

The FDA approved sotorasib (Lumakras) in combination with panitumumab (Vectibix) for previously treated KRAS G12C-mutated colorectal cancer.

And the agency approved acalabrutinib (Calquence) with bendamustine (Bendeka, Treanda) and rituximab for untreated mantle cell lymphoma in patients ineligible for stem cell transplantation.

Meanwhile, FDA declined to approve tabelecleucel as a treatment for adult and pediatric patients with Epstein-Barr virus-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, due to manufacturing issues, Atara Biotherapeutics said.

And finally, the FDA warned healthcare professionals not to use unapproved epinephrine nasal solutions manufactured by BPI Labs and Endo USA, noting that clinicians have confused the products with approved injectable forms.