Hawaii County Council urges changes to midwives law
Some midwives have been trying to get the licensure requirements repealed, with many concerned the law regulates traditional Native Hawaiian practices out of existence. Read more
Health
New weight-loss treatment becomes first FDA-approved drug for sleep apnea
The regulator approved the drug for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, the company said. Read more
U.S. sues CVS over alleged illegal opioid prescriptions
The Justice Department said the violations were driven by company-mandated performance metrics that led to red flags being ignored. Read more
U.S. suffers 1st severe human case of bird flu; California declares emergency
Federal and state officials have failed to control the nation’s outbreak, which infected dairy cattle for the first time in 2024, as some farmers resist testing and containment measures. Read more
State calls for pause on interisland movement of birds due to avian flu
Hawaii reports first child flu death of season
The child from Hawaii island had underlying medical conditions, health officials said. Read more
Kennedy lawyer calls for FDA to revoke polio vaccine approval
Kennedy, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for health secretary, has said he does not want to take away access to any vaccines. But his continuing close partnership with Siri suggests that vaccine policy will be under sharp scrutiny. Read more
Trump to discuss ending childhood vaccination programs with RFK Jr.
Kennedy, who opposed state and federal COVID-19 restrictions and was accused of spreading misinformation about the virus, has for years sown doubts over the safety and efficacy of vaccines, including asserting a debunked link between vaccines and autism. Read more
State reports H5 avian flu detected in Hilo wastewater
The sample was collected on Dec. 2, officials said. Read more
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Health Department approves Oahu’s 10th medical cannabis dispensary
Health officials cleared TGC Retro Market 1 for business after a final on-site inspection. Sales at Cure Oahu at 70 Kihapai St. in Kailua began on Thursday. Read more
U.S. milk supply to be tested for bird flu virus
Farmers and dairy processors will be required to provide samples of raw milk on request from the government. Read more
Hawaii reports 15th travel-related dengue case this year
The latest case comes about a month after the last travel-related case was reported Nov. 6 in a resident on Maui. Read more
Pearl Harbor ducks also test positive for H5N1
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture today confirmed that another backyard flock of birds infected with avian influenza was discovered in the Pearl Harbor area. Read more
Wild duck with H5N1 was tested at refuge in Kahuku
The duck was alive, and showed no signs of infection when tested, according to officials. Read more
Hawaii included in cucumber recall due to salmonella outbreak
Federal officials are investigating the outbreak believed to be tied to cucumbers grown by Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. in Sonora, Mexico, and sold by SunFed Produce. Read more
Experts warn Trump’s health picks lack pandemic experience
“If the worst-case scenario happens and we have a serious public health crisis, the body count is going to be enormous because these guys don’t have the skills or the will to do anything about it,” said John P. Moore, a virus expert and professor at Cornell University’s Weill Cornell Medical College. Read more
WHO calls for stronger surveillance of bird flu among animals
The official also urged stronger efforts to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus to new species of animals and to humans. Read more
Maui Council resolution supports health workers in labor fight
The resolution, introduced by West Maui Councilmember Tamara Paltin, passed unanimously, with one member excused. Read more
Biden floats more Medicare, Medicaid coverage of obesity drugs
This would enable more Americans to afford new weight loss medications in the GLP-1 class that have been shown to reduce weight by as much as 20% on average and can help prevent type 2 diabetes but cost as much as $1,000 a month without insurance coverage. Read more
Hawaii County considers plan to expand hospital zoning
A proposed measure would open up the county’s Industrial-Commercial Mixed zoning district to “hospitals, sanitariums, old age, convalescent, nursing and rest homes.” Read more
Top FDA official sees more vaccine scrutiny in Trump’s presidency
Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said at an industry conference that the agency could be asked to be more transparent and meet more often with outside advisers to discuss vaccines Read more
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