Medical groups push for DREAM Act, sickle cell care falls short, & global hunger rises

Medical groups press Congress to protect DREAMers

Lawmakers are facing increased pressure from a slew of major medical organizations to pass the DREAM Act, which would provide a legal pathway for undocumented individuals brought to the U.S. as children to become legal, permanent residents. The American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and dozens of other health care groups have sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to pass the act. Their argument? Doing so would help the country to produce a “diverse and culturally responsive health care workforce.”

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking on the latest GOP plan to repeal and replace the ACA. Politico reports that Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has asked the Congressional Budget Office to score the bill, which would repeal Obamacare’s individual mandate and offer states a block grant to spend on their own health care programs. The deadline to push a repeal bill through using the budget reconciliation process is Sept. 30.

Global hunger is on the rise after years of decline

Global hunger is on the rise after a decade of continued decline, according to a new report from the WHO. A quick look at the findings:

§ An estimated 815 million people worldwide were undernourished in 2016. That’s 38 million more people than in 2015, and shakes out to 11 percent of the world’s population.

§ Malnutrition is harming children’s health. The report found that 155 million kids under age five are too short for their age, while another 52 million don’t weigh enough for their height. Both are signs of malnutrition.

§ Conflict and climate change are driving the crisis. More than half of those experiencing extreme hunger live in countries affected by conflict, such as South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. The authors of the new report say climate change increases the risk of natural disasters and threatens food security, which can drive a community toward conflict.

Where are the new Alzheimer's drugs?

Drug companies have spent billions of dollars on potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have devoted decades to studying the neurodegenerative condition. Why aren’t there any new drugs for it? STAT reporters Sharon Begley and Damian Garde are hosting a free live chat on the past, present, and future of treating Alzheimer’s disease today at 1 p.m. ET. They'll be joined by Dr. Reisa Sperling of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, one of the world’s leading experts on Alzheimer’s disease. Register here.

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Inside STAT: Sickle cell patients are shunted aside

Amy Mason, who has sickle cell disease, at her home in Mobile, Ala. (SHARON STEINMANN FOR STAT)

The U.S. health care system is failing adults with sickle cell disease, shunting them aside as they're in excruciating pain. Racism plays a role — most of the 100,000 U.S. patients with the genetic disorder are African-American. Doctors and nurses also aren’t adequately trained. Sickle cell patients in hospitals are typically treated by generalists who don’t fully understand either the disease or patients’ need for pain relief. Sickle cell patients and their doctors say ER physicians have grown extremely reluctant to provide pain pills to patients amid the opioid crisis. "Every time, it’s a battle," Amy Mason, who has sickle cell disease, says about seeking care in the emergency room. STAT’s Sharon Begley interviewed 12 sickle cell patients who described the care they received — and the care they didn’t receive. Read her story here.

Trump's opioid commission delays its final report

Gov. Chris Christie — who heads up President Trump’s opioid commission — has pushed back the deadline for the committee to file its final report on the public health crisis. The commission, which also includes a researcher, two governors, and a member of Congress who has experienced addiction, was supposed to submit its final recommendations to the president by Oct. 1, but has moved that deadline to Nov. 1. In the meantime, the commission is meeting with the pharma industry and touring an Ohio medical center with new strategies for pain management with VA Secretary David Shulkin.

What health leaders are discussing at the U.N. assembly

World leaders are gathering this week for the United Nations General Assembly, including top health officials. On tap today: A discussion about how to achieve universal health care coverage, which the WHO says is critical to achieving the sustainable development goals to bolster health and health care worldwide. There are also talks later this week on eliminating both malaria and tuberculosis, addressing migrant health crises, and cutting the rate of childhood obesity.

Parents aren't confident in mental health care in schools

Parents aren’t all that sure that K-12 schools can handle their kids’ health problems, according to a new national poll conducted by the University of Michigan. The majority of parents weren’t worried about minor cuts and scrapes. But there wasn’t as much confidence when it came to mental health needs: Just 38 percent of parents said they’re very confident that schools could help children suspected of having anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns. The authors of the new poll recommend that parents learn how their child’s school supports students with mental health concerns and push for more resources if they’re needed.