| | | | |  | | By Evan Peng, Carmen Paun, Daniel Payne and Erin Schumaker | | | | | | |  A Malawian woman carries her son, infected with cholera, during an outbreak earlier this year. | AP | | | 112 percent The reported increase in cholera cases from 2021 to 2022, according to the World Health Organization
| | An old scourge is on the rise again: cholera. That’s according to a new analysis from the World Health Organization. The WHO received reports of more than 470,000 cholera cases in 2022, up from over 220,000 in 2021. Of the 80 countries that sent data to the WHO for 2022, 44 reported cases, an increase from 35 in 2021. Cholera causes diarrhea and spreads via contaminated food and water. It can be fatal: Reporting countries recorded more than 2,300 deaths in 2022. Additionally, the outbreaks themselves were larger, with seven countries reporting more than 10,000 cases each. The hardest hit were in central Africa: Nigeria, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Why the rise? The WHO report points to a host of factors, from climate change and inadequate infrastructure to civil conflicts and population displacement. In addition, the end of infection-prevention practices and public health resources related to Covid-19 has impacted other diseases, including cholera. Looking ahead: Preliminary data for 2023 suggests that the upward trend continues, with 24 countries reporting ongoing outbreaks. The surge also puts a strain on vaccination resources. Starting in October 2022, the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision, which manages the cholera vaccine stockpile, has started using a single-dose regimen instead of the usual two doses. While appealing for more funding from wealthy nations, the WHO has released $16.6 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies for cholera response in 2022 and 2023.
| | | | A message from March of Dimes: According to March of Dimes’ new set of reports, “Where You Live Matters: Maternity Care Deserts and the Crisis of Access and Equity,” more than 5.6 million women in counties with no or limited access to maternity care services. Access to care continues to decline with a 4 percent decrease in birthing hospitals in one year and, overall, the loss of 301 birthing units in the U.S. since March of Dimes began reporting in 2018. | | | | | | | 
Bretton Woods, N.H. | Shawn Zeller | | This is where we explore the ideas and innovators shaping health care. Daily bicycle rides grew 37 percent from 2019 to 2022, Bloomberg CityLab reports. In some cities, the increase was much larger: New York led the pack at 97 percent. Reasons for the growth? Improved cycling infrastructure and milder weather. Share any thoughts, news, tips and feedback with Carmen Paun at cpaun@politico.com, Daniel Payne at dpayne@politico.com, Evan Peng at epeng@politico.com or Erin Schumaker at eschumaker@politico.com. Send tips securely through SecureDrop, Signal, Telegram or WhatsApp. Today on our Pulse Check podcast, host Kelly Hooper talks with health care reporter Ben Leonard, who explains how hospitals are having to treat more people for free as millions lose Medicaid coverage following the end of pandemic protections — and what that could mean for the hospital business.
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Royce West and Ellen Rosenblum | Courtney Rohrbach/POLITICO | Progressives see a direct line between the war on drugs and mass incarceration, compelling them to push Democrats to legalize drugs, defund police and exercise prosecutorial discretion to alleviate the war’s costs, particularly for people of color. But Democrats at a POLITICO forum on the opioid crisis said there’s a need to keep fighting the war, at least when it comes to drug dealers. “It’s everywhere. No one can deny it. If you do, you’ve just got blinders on,” said Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum of the U.S drug problem. Why it matters: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that illegal drugs killed 110,000 people last year, mostly driven by illicit fentanyl. Oregon voters in 2020 approved a referendum legalizing possession of small amounts of hard drugs. Since then, its largest city, Portland, has seen a significant increase in their use. Lawmakers in cities and states nationwide are grappling with what to do about encampments where homeless people openly use drugs. Getting tough: Texas state Sen. Royce West of Dallas defended a new state law that permits prosecutors to charge fentanyl dealers with murder and increases criminal penalties for the manufacturing or delivery of the drug. “We've got to make certain that persons that deal with this issue understand that there are consequences,” West said. Rosenblum said her office was “very strong on the interdiction of drugs, and very strong on prosecution” of dealers. Even so: The Democrats see a middle ground that also targets drug users for treatment and prevention. Rosenblum said Oregon’s decision to legalize possession of hard drugs was “good policy” that kept people out of jail. She urged more “wraparound services” to help people suffering from substance use disorder. West is trying to convince his Texas colleagues to join most other states in decriminalizing fentanyl test strips that enable drug users to know what’s in the drugs they’re taking. Right now, Texas treats the strips as drug paraphernalia, but the CDC says the strips can help drug users avoid overdosing.
| | | | GO INSIDE THE CAPITOL DOME: From the outset, POLITICO has been your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill, providing the most thorough Congress coverage — from political characters and emerging leaders to leadership squabbles and policy nuggets during committee markups and hearings. We're stepping up our game to ensure you’re fully informed on every key detail inside the Capitol Dome, all day, every day. Start your day with Playbook AM, refuel at midday with our Playbook PM halftime report and enrich your evening discussions with Huddle. Plus, stay updated with real-time buzz all day through our brand new Inside Congress Live feature. Learn more and subscribe here. | | | | | | | | | A message from March of Dimes: As the leader in the fight for the health of all moms and babies, March of Dimes released this set of reports to raise awareness and illustrate the actions needed to improve outcomes for moms and babies.
Policy solutions around telehealth can address the limited access to maternity care in the U.S., expanding accessibility and providing more options for healthcare delivery. Telehealth can replace or enhance in-person care and can save lives by providing high-quality care to women across the country.
March of Dimes has also long supported policies that improve access to quality health care, advance health equity initiatives, and improve research and surveillance, by demanding lawmakers prioritize #BlanketChange policies.
We all have a role to play in addressing maternal health challenges. Call on leaders at the federal level, to implement new policies that put the health of moms and babies at the forefront. Act today at https://p2a.co/ga3vxkl | | | | | | |  Women are more likely to go to the doctor, one reason they face higher medical bills. | Getty Images | | Employed women spend as much as $15.4 billion more a year than men on out-of-pocket health care costs, according to a new analysis by the consulting firm Deloitte. The report found that female employees aged 19 to 64 average 18 percent, or $266, more in out-of-pocket health care costs annually compared to male employees — and that’s with pregnancy-related services excluded. Why so? Partly because women seek more health care than men. But that accounts for only a little more than half of the difference. One factor that can explain the gap, the report found, is that women more often obtain medical services that surpass the typical deductible, which translates to higher out-of-pocket payments. However, the analysis also found that, even while spending more out-of-pocket, women derive less value for each premium dollar spent. In other words, men get more bang for their buck. What can be done? According to Deloitte’s analysis, the value gap between men and women amounts to $1.34 billion. By using enhanced products that adjust cost sharing for certain services, the report says, the average employer offering coverage could bridge that gap at less than $12 per employee per year.
| | | | HAPPENING 9/28 — INSIDE THE CANCER MOONSHOT: Join POLITICO on Thursday, Sept. 28 for an in-depth discussion on the future of cancer treatment and innovation. Hear from experts including scientists, government officials and industry leaders as we explore the critical roles played by private industry, nonprofits, the National Cancer Institute and the new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health in achieving the Biden administration's goal of cutting the cancer death rate in half over the next 25 years. Don't miss this opportunity to dive into the progress of cancer treatments and learn about the challenges patients encounter in accessing care. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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