Health

(WASHINGTON) — A respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, vaccine for older adults could soon be available after an advisory committee for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted to recommend them Wednesday.

During a meeting, the agency’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices looked at clinical trial data for two vaccines, one by Pfizer and the other by GSK.

Short of a full recommendation, the committee said adults aged 60 and over may get the vaccines based on individual needs and after consultation with a doctor.

The vaccines have already received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so the final step is for CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky to sign off on the recommendations, which she is expected to do.

Here’s what the panel’s vote could mean for older Americans:

Why is RSV so dangerous for older adults?

RSV can affect people of all ages, though some age groups are at higher risk, including adults aged 65 and older — particularly those with chronic lung or heart conditions and weakened immune systems — according to the CDC.

Most people develop mild infections with symptoms including coughing, runny nose and fever, but, in some cases, people may need to be hospitalized if they are having trouble breathing or are dehydrated.

So far, during the 2022-23 season, there have been 67.5 RSV-associated hospitalizations per 100,000 people for senior citizens, according to CDC data.

This figure is much higher than usual, with CDC data going back to the 2016-17 season showing the cumulative rate has never been higher 31.5 per 100,000 at this point in the season for older adults.

Between 60,000 to 160,000 older adults in the U.S. are hospitalized due to RSV every year and 6,000 to 10,000 of them die, the CDC said.

“There is no really effective treatment for [RSV] in terms of antivirals,” Dr. Paul Goepfert, a professor of medicine in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital division of infectious diseases, told ABC News. “So really the only treatment is supportive management, so ideally what you want to do is prevent it.”

How do the vaccines work and are they effective?

GSK’s vaccine, called Arexvy, and Pfizer’s vaccine, called Abrysvo, target a protein from the virus called the F protein that RSV uses to attach to human cells and infect people.

The vaccine stimulates antibodies against the protein and protects against infection. GSK’s shot just protects against the A strain and Pfizer’s protects against the A and B strains.

Data from clinical trials showed GSK’s vaccine was 82% effective at preventing lower respiratory tract illness and 94% effective among those with at least one underlying medical condition.

Pfizer’s vaccine was found to be more than 85% effective at preventing lower respiratory tract illness in older adults, trial data showed, with efficacy waning to about 79% after 18 months.

Pfizer and GSK have not released data on the effectiveness of their vaccine against severe RSV illness leading to hospitalization.

Side effects were mostly mild and included injection site pain, headache, fatigue, muscle pain and joint pain, the clinical ttrials found.

“We know from the start that this vaccine has durability, which is important versus the COVID vaccine, [which] can lose efficacy after four to six months, reducing public confidence in the vaccine,” Dr. Dan Barouch, director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, told ABC News. “These vaccines have high efficacy that last at least two seasons.

What the CDC’s advisory panel vote means

The panel voted twice Tuesday, first asking if 60-to-64-year-olds may receive the vaccine after consulting with their doctor, which received 13 yeses and one abstention.

The second vote asked the same question but for those aged 65 and older, receiving nine votes for the recommendation and five votes against.

“In my opinion, it is the right step because it is such a difficult disease and hard to treat and a good recommendation to at least be an option for people who at least want to protect themselves from this infection,” Goepfert said.

Doctors told ABC News the committee members were concerned the clinical trials did not have very many trial participants over age 75.

Committee members were also concerned about the price. Pfizer told the panel it would charge anywhere from $180 to $270, while GSK said it would charge between $200 to $295.These do not reflect the prices insured vaccine recipients would pay.

“The recommendation that we received from the CDC advisors was one that was a more restrained recommendation than they typically deploy for their for their vaccine guidance,” Dr. Jason Schwartz, an associate professor of health policy at the Yale School of Public Health, told ABC News. “What they’ve recommended is that individuals aged 60 and above may receive this vaccine following conversations with their health care providers, something that’s referred to as ‘shared clinical decision making.'”

“That’s a notch below their full-throated recommendation that often says these individuals should receive a vaccine in that age group, but it reflects a bit of the uncertainties about the vaccine, the concern about the cost of the vaccines,” he continued.

Why the vaccine could be a game-changer

Researchers have attempted to develop an RSV vaccine before, but without success.

In the late 1960s, a vaccine was produced in which the virus was inactivated with formalin, a chemical that kills viruses. The shot was given to children in Washington, D.C., but 80% of those immunized became sick and two children died from the shots.

“For 60 years, there’s been no RSV vaccine because the early clinical trials showed the vaccine actually made disease worse, what’s known as vaccine-associated enhanced disease,” Dr. Gregory Poland, head of the Mayo Clinic’s vaccine research group, told ABC News. “That’s like putting a blanket over the field of RSV vaccine development.”

Experts said the two vaccines are a significant step forward and provide an additional tool for preventing disease, but it will be important to keep an eye on real-world data, once the shots start being administered, in how well they protect the elderly and the immunocompromised.

“It has the ability to be a game changer, we just need to see how it plays out in the real world

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(ATLANTA) — Infants eligible for a measles vaccine should receive one prior to international travel, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said amid rising cases of the highly contagious disease during the summer travel season.

The guidance came as part of a Health Alert issued by the CDC this week, warning Americans about rising measles cases linked to international travel. The agency says more than twice as many Americans are expected to travel abroad this summer compared to last.

The agency reinforced recommendations that all eligible Americans should be vaccinated against measles prior to international travel. This includes a recommendation that infants in the U.S. going abroad who are 6-11 months old should receive an extra measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR), regardless of the international destination.

The CDC says there has been an increase in measles cases in the U.S. As of June 8, 16 cases have been identified across 11 jurisdictions, compared to just 3 over the same time in 2022. Nearly 90% of cases this year have been linked to international travel, according to the CDC.

The MMR vaccine is routinely given to children starting at 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years old, but can safely be given as early as 6 months in the right circumstances. The CDC is reinforcing that all infants traveling abroad this summer who are 6-11 months old should receive their first dose before travelling.

A 2019 study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that less than half of all MMR-eligible infants received the recommended dose before international travel.

This recommendation is not new, but many people may not have been aware of it unless traveling to certain high-risk locations or locations with active outbreaks. Experts say this health alert speaks to the emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases and declining vaccine rates post-pandemic

“It’s absolutely highlighting the global concern that we have for the re-emergence of vaccine preventable diseases,” Dr. John Brownstein, Ph.D, the chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital and an epidemiologist told ABC News.

Brownstein also says that measles isn’t just a growing problem when traveling abroad but here in the U.S. too.

“So what’s happened is it’s become all too common to see cases, he said. “You know, these are not like highly clustered in a couple of locations. We’re seeing the rise in localized case cases, diffuse across the country and that’s directly related to the fact that we’re seeing under vaccination across the country.”

The CDC says people can come in contact with measles anywhere in the U.S.

What to know about this extra dose

According to the CDC, if any child receives the MMR vaccine before their first birthday, they will need two more vaccines to complete the series. The second dose is given between 12 and 15 months of age, and the third dose is given at least 28 days following the second dose.

Children traveling who have already turned a year old should receive two doses prior to international travel if able. Because the MMR vaccine is a live virus vaccine, it cannot be given to children who are immunocompromised.

What should parents know about measles?

Measles is a highly contagious virus — one person infected can spread it to 9 out of 10 unvaccinated close contacts, according to the CDC. Children are one of the most at-risk groups for severe illness, especially those under the age of 5 and who are unvaccinated.

Symptoms of measles include high fever, runny nose, diffuse rash, and red, watery eyes. Severe cases can lead to inflammation around the brain that may cause confusion, seizures or death. The CDC estimates that 1-3 out of every 1,000 people who get measles will die from the disease, even with adequate care.

Dr. Dean A Blumberg, M.D., a professor and division chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, tells ABC News that measles shouldn’t be minimized.

“Although most patients recover, it’s important to remember that prior to widespread use of measles vaccine in the US, measles resulted in 3-4 million cases, 400-500 deaths, 48,000 hospitalizations, and 4,000 cases of encephalitis or inflammation of the brain every year,” he said.

Experts recommend talking to your child’s pediatrician about upcoming travel to make sure they get all recommended vaccines.

Dr. Jade A Cobern, M.D., M.P.H., board-eligible pediatrician and general preventive medicine resident at Johns Hopkins, is a member of the ABC News Medical Unit.

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(ATLANTA) — Monthly e-cigarette sales skyrocketed during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Between January 2020 and December 2022, monthly unit sales increased by 46.6%, from 15.5 million units to 22.7 million units, the study found.

Researchers found the surge was mostly driven by disposable e-cigarettes in flavors, including fruit and candy, which are popular among youth and young adult users.

Over the period, the share of total sales made up by tobacco-flavored products fell from 28.4% to 20.1%, and the share of mint-flavored products saw a similar decline from making up 10.1% of all sales to 5.9%. Meanwhile, other flavors went from 29.2% of all sales to 41.3%.

Additionally, while the share of pre-filled e-cigarette cartridges decreased from 75.2% to 48% of total sales, the share of disposable e-cigarette units increased from 24.7% to 51.8% of total sales.

The study found this may be due to an announcement the U.S. Food and Drug Administration made in January 2020 that prioritized enforcement against prefilled cartridges in flavors other than tobacco and menthol.

While total sales increased during this period, there was a 12.3% decrease between May 2022 and December 2022, which the CDC said may have been driven by multiple factors, including FDA regulatory actions, local and state e-cigarette restrictions and supply chain disruptions linked to COVID-19.

The study also looked at the top-selling brands. At the start of the study period in January 2020, JUUL was the top monthly seller, followed by Vuse, NJOY, My Blu and Puff, respectively.

By the end of the study period in December 2022, Vuse was the top-selling brand, followed by JUUL, Elf Bar, NJOY and Breeze Smoke, respectively.

“The dramatic spikes in youth e-cigarette use back in 2017 and 2018, primarily driven by JUUL, showed us how quickly e-cigarette sales and use patterns can change,” Dr. Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, director of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, said in a press release. “Retail sales data are key to providing real-time information on the rapidly changing e-cigarette landscape, which is essential to reducing youth tobacco use.”

The CDC noted in its report that e-cigarette use is more common among young people than adults overall.

In 2021, 4.5% of all adults aged 18 and older used e-cigarettes at least once in the last 30 days compared to 11% of adults between ages 18 and 24 and 14.1% of high school students.

Nicotine exposure from e-cigarettes can hinder brain development in adolescents and young adults, which can continue into the mid-20s, the CDC says, and can also increase risk of addiction to other drugs.

The CDC also says aerosol from e-cigarettes can contain heavy metal, potentially cancer-causing chemicals and other substances that can damage the lungs.

The CDC states “use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults.”

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(NEW YORK) — Despite their onboard oxygen tank expected to be depleted sometime Thursday morning, one doctor says they may have more time if the passengers are still alive. He estimates the five people aboard the lost Titanic tourist sub could survive for 10 to 20 hours with air still circulating through the experimental capsule.

Dr. Richard Moon, a professor of anesthesiology at Duke University, said that despite conditions being dire, those aboard the OceanGate Expedition’s submersible could extend the oxygen available after its tank is depleted by staying calm and moving as little as possible.

“The actual amount of time that they have is unpredictable, but it’s probably less than 24 hours after the final oxygen in the tank is depleted,” Moon, director of the Duke Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Environmental Physiology, told ABC News.

The Titan submersible had 96 hours of oxygen when it set off on its journey to the Titanic wreckage around 8 a.m. on Sunday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The sub pilot, OceanGate founder and CEO Stockton Rush, lost contact with its companion surface ship an hour and 45 minutes into the trip and hasn’t been heard from since, setting off a desperate search off the coast of Newfoundland.

Coast Guard officials said the minivan-sized vessel’s air tank is expected to be depleted sometime Thursday morning.

“When you have an enclosed vessel, such as the Titan, everybody is using oxygen, everybody is producing carbon dioxide, which is scrubbed from the environment by carbon dioxide absorbent materials,” Moon said. “So, there would be an electric fan that would be blowing the air through a carbon dioxide absorber and I don’t know what the lifespan of that would be. It would be at least as long as the oxygen will last, but it may be longer” assuming there were no mechanical failures compromising the fan.

He said that under normal circumstances, the average male uses about a third of a liter of oxygen per minute and the average female uses about a fifth to a quarter of a liter of oxygen per minute.

“Once the oxygen tank … is depleted, then they will be left with whatever oxygen is in the environment at the time. As I understand the dimensions of the submarine craft, the internal volume is around 37,000 or 40,000 liters, of which a fifth would be oxygen,” said Moon.

“So, multiply the daily minute-by-minute requirement of oxygen by five and you can calculate how long it would take until the oxygen level is depleted down to a level where they might lose consciousness or actually die,” he said.

He said things would become “very uncomfortable” for the people aboard the vessel once the available oxygen level falls to between 6% and 10%.

“You can maintain life at 10%,” said Moon, adding that survivability would also depend on whether the sub’s occupants are all physically fit and have no underlying health issues. “But things are becoming very uncomfortable, people get short of breath, and down around 6%, I think would probably be the lowest level that might be tolerated. And if you do that calculation, you come to a number somewhere between 10 and 20 hours once the oxygen (tank) is depleted.”

Moon, who is also a former director of the Divers Alert Network, a nonprofit dedicated to improving SCUBA diving safety, said there are steps that could be taken to extend the amount of oxygen.

“Staying calm and not moving would be about the only thing that can be done,” Moon said. “It’s possible to reduce the oxygen level further if there are any sedative drugs. So, taking Valium, for example, will reduce oxygen requirement a little bit. But in reality, I doubt there’s any medication like that on board. They would just have to sit and not move to the extent that they can. Anything to avoid muscular activity would be helpful.”

But he said once the oxygen level falls below 10%, those aboard the sub will feel the “alarming” effects of oxygen deprivation.

“But assuming the [carbon dioxide] scrubbers are still working, the amount of oxygen at 10% would cause shortness of breath. Everybody would be panting. They’d feel undoubtedly a headache. They may be vomiting,” Moon said. “It’s like being at altitude and they would feel very uncomfortable. And then at some point, they would lose consciousness and where exactly that would be would vary by individual somewhere between 6% and 10% I would estimate. And then if the oxygen goes much lower than that it may be incompatible with life.”

A report from the U.S. Department of Labor says that breathing 6-10% oxygen can result in becoming ill or unconscious, less than that level causes breathing to cease.

During a 2020 virtual field trip via Zoom with EarthEcho International, an environmental nonprofit organization, Stockton Rush said sub-pilots for his company are trained to stay calm in all situations.

“We try to think about anything that can go wrong. And we have procedures in place to properly handle those emergency situations, whether it’s a fire or there’s an air leak,” OceanGate sub-copilot and project manager Mikayla Monroe said during the virtual field trip. “We have ways to stop these problems or get back to the surface as soon as we can.”

Monroe added, “One of the very important things that we go through in sub-pilot training is how to handle emergency procedures. One of the main things that is consistent across emergencies regardless … is to remain calm, especially as a pilot because everyone is looking at you for what’s going on.”

During the virtual field trip, Rush added, “There hasn’t been a serious injury in a commercial sub, not a military one, in over 35 years and there have been millions of people who go in subs.”

“So, it’s scary, but it’s very safe,” he said.

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(NEW YORK) — Saturday marks one year since the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that guaranteed the right to an abortion.

As a result, the landscape of abortion access has shifted dramatically over the past year, with the decision of access left up to each state.

Some states had trigger laws banning abortion that went into effect once the decision came down from the Court. Others guaranteed the right to an abortion in their state laws or constitutions.

One year post-Roe, here is where abortion laws stand in each state, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that focuses on sexual and reproductive health, and further reporting:

Alabama

Alabama is one of the 15 states that has ceased nearly all abortion services, in this case under a so-called “trigger law” that went into effect immediately after Roe v. Wade was overturned.

The state constitution also “explicitly excludes abortion rights,” according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Alaska

The right to an abortion remains protected by state law and constitution. Abortion in Alaska is legal at all stages of pregnancy, as long as it is performed by a licensed physician, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Arizona

Abortion is banned at 15 weeks and later following a judge’s ruling last September that upheld a century-old ban on abortion. The 1901 law, which has language that can be tracked back to 1864, provides no exceptions for rape, incest or fetal abnormalities and makes performing abortions punishable by two to five years in prison.

The only exception is if the mother’s life is in danger.

Arkansas

Abortion is nearly completely banned in Arkansas due to a trigger law that went into effect following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The Arkansas Human Life Protection Act, or Act 180, makes performing or attempting to perform an abortion a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

The only exception is if the mother’s life is in danger.

California

The right to abortion is protected by updated state laws.

Colorado

The right to abortion is protected by updated state laws.

Connecticut

Abortion is allowed up until a fetus becomes “viable,” which is typically around 24 week to 26 weeks. The state, “has a shield law to protect abortion providers from investigations by other states,” according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Delaware

Like in Connecticut, abortion is allowed up to the point of fetal viability in Delaware. The state also has a so-called shield law to protect abortion providers.

Florida

Abortion is banned after 15 weeks of pregnancy, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a six-week ban into law in April 2023, but it will not go into effect until 30 days after the state’s Supreme Court rules on a case that challenges the current 15-week ban.

Georgia

Abortion is banned at six weeks of pregnancy.

Hawaii

Abortion is allowed up to the point of fetal viability, and Hawaii also has a so-called shield law to protect abortion providers.

Idaho

Abortion is nearly completely banned. The state, “requires an ‘affirmative defense,’ meaning a provider has to prove in court that an abortion met the criteria for a legal exception,” according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Illinois

Abortion is allowed up to the point of fetal viability, and abortions can be performed by “qualified health care physicians,” not just solely physicians.

In January 2023, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed comprehensive reproductive health care legislation into law that protects out-of-state abortion seekers and allows them to get an abortion.

Indiana

Abortion is allowed up to 22 weeks of pregnancy, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Last year, state lawmakers passed a near-total ban on abortion, but for now the procedure remains legal while the law is challenged in court.

Iowa

Abortion is allowed up to 22 weeks of pregnancy.

Earlier this month, the Iowa Supreme Court prevented a six-week abortion ban that was signed into law several years ago from going into effect. The court was split in a 3-3 decision on the case, meaning abortion remains legal in the state.

Kansas

Abortion is allowed up to 22 weeks of pregnancy.

Last November, Kansas voters decisively rejected a bid to remove abortion protections from its state constitution.

Kentucky

Abortion is nearly completely banned. The only exception is if the mother’s life is in danger.

Louisiana

Abortion is banned with very limited exceptions. The state had several trigger laws that went into effect immediately after Roe was overturned.

Maine

Abortion is currently allowed until a fetus becomes viable.

Maryland

Abortion is allowed up to the point of fetal viability.

Massachusetts

Abortion is allowed up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Michigan

Abortion is protected in the state constitution and allowed up to the point of fetal viability.

In April, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill repealing the state’s 1931 law that criminalized abortion.

Minnesota

Abortion is allowed up to the point of fetal viability.

Mississippi

Abortion is banned, with very limited exceptions, in Mississippi, the state that was at the center of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

In the case, Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the state asked the justices to overturn longstanding legal precedent that restrictions on abortion access before a fetus is viable outside the womb — around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy — are categorically unconstitutional.

Missouri

Abortion is nearly completely banned. The state, “requires an ‘affirmative defense,’ meaning a provider has to prove in court that an abortion met the criteria for a legal exception,” according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Montana

Abortion is currently legal in Montana until fetal viability.

In May 2023, Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a bill banning abortion after 15 weeks. However, it was swiftly blocked by a judge from going into effect just 48 hours later, according to the Montana Free Press.

Nebraska

In May 2023, Gov. Jim Pillen signed a bill into law banning abortion after 12 weeks.

The only exceptions are if the pregnancy is the result of rape and/or incest, to prevent a risk to the mother’s physical health or if the life of the mother is in danger.

Nevada

In Nevada, abortion is legal up until 24 weeks, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Providers may perform abortions after 24 weeks if a physician has reasonable cause to believe the life or health of the mother is in danger.

New Hampshire

Abortions are legal in New Hampshire up to 24 weeks of pregnancy unless there is a “medical emergency,” meaning the life of the mother is in danger due to “a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury” including from the pregnancy itself.

The exception also applies if “continuation of the pregnancy will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.”

New Jersey

Abortions are allowed to be performed at all stages of pregnancy.

New Mexico

There is no restriction on gestational age for when abortions can be performed.

New York

New York allows abortions to be performed until fetal viability.

North Carolina

Republican lawmakers in North Carolina passed a 12-week abortion ban in May 2023, reducing the limit from 20 weeks to the end of the first trimester.

Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the bill, but Republicans were able to override the veto due to their super majority in both the Senate and the House.

North Dakota

Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill into law in April 2023 banning abortion with very limited exceptions.

Abortions can be performed due to rape and/or incest or the health or life of the mother is in danger, but only up until six weeks’ gestation.

Ohio

Currently, abortions are legal in Ohio through 22 weeks, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

A “heartbeat bill” was passed last year that bans abortions after cardiac activity can be defected, which occurs as early as six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they’re pregnant, but it remains blocked as legal challenges play out.

Oklahoma

Last month, the state’s Supreme Court ruled that two abortion bans were unconstitutional but the procedure is still legal in nearly all circumstances due to a century-old law.

The 1910 law, which was never struck off the books after Roe was passed, makes it a felony to perform or help obtain an abortion, punishable by up to five years in prison, unless it is necessary “to preserve” the life of the pregnant person.

Oregon

Oregon does not have any limitations regarding when an abortion can be performed.

Pennsylvania

Under Pennsylvania law, abortions can be performed through the 23rd week of pregnancy, according to the state’s Department of Health.

If continuing the pregnancy poses a serious health risk or threatens the life of the pregnant person, abortions can be obtained beyond 23 weeks.

Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, abortions are legal up until fetal viability, state law shows.

South Carolina

Abortions can be performed in South Carolina up to 22 weeks, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Earlier this year, a six-week abortion ban was passed, but it was blocked by a judge in May 2023 until it can be reviewed by the state’s Supreme Court.

South Dakota

Following the Dobbs decision, a trigger law went into effect in South Dakota that bans abortion in all cases except when the life of the mother is endangered.

Tennessee

A trigger law went into effect in August 2022, banning abortion at all stages of pregnancy after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

In April 2023, Gov. Bill Lee signed a new law allowing limited exceptions including for ectopic or molar pregnancies; miscarriages; to save the life of the pregnant patient; and to prevent “substantial and irreversible” harm to the body of the pregnant person.

Texas

Texas also had a trigger law go into effect in August 2022, banning abortion at nearly all stages — and making it a felony punishable by up to life in prison — except to save the life of the pregnant person.

Utah

Abortion is currently legal up to 18 weeks of pregnancy, after a 2019 law went into effect following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Gov. Spencer Cox then signed a bill into law in March 2023 requiring abortion clinics to close either by the end of the year or when their licensee expires, whichever comes first, but a state court blocked the law from going into effect in May.

Vermont

In Vermont, there is no limit on abortions based on how far along a person is in their pregnancy.

Virginia

Under Virginia law, abortions can be performed until the third trimester. Exceptions include saving the life or health of the mother.

Washington

Abortions are legal, in Washington state, up until fetal viability.

West Virginia

Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill into law in September 2022 that banned abortion at all stages of pregnancies except for ectopic pregnancies, fetuses that are not viable and medical emergencies.

There are also exceptions for pregnancies that are the result of rape and incest, but only up to 14 weeks of pregnancy.

Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, abortion services have stopped “due to legal uncertainty around the status of the state’s pre-Roe ban,” according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Wyoming

Abortions are allowed up until fetal viability.

A ban that forbids abortion at all stages of pregnancy except in cases of rape or incest, where the crime is reported to police, or to save the mother’s life, went into effect in March 2023. However, it was blocked days later by a judge and is currently facing legal challenges.

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(NEW YORK) — As the one-year anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned by the Supreme Court approaches this weekend, several states are taking efforts to further strengthen abortion rights and access.

Since the decision handed down last summer, at least 15 states have ceased nearly all abortion services, according to an ABC News tally.

In the face of such harsh restrictions, states where the procedure remains legal are making efforts to help those who may travel to seek abortions.

On Tuesday, the New York State Legislature passed a bill protecting doctors in the state from prescribing pills to patients living in states where the procedure is banned or strictly limited.

In nearby Massachusetts, a joint hearing in the state House and Senate is scheduled next week regarding a bill that would ban the selling, trading, renting or leasing of cellphone location data.

Supporters of the bill — including the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts — said it would help protect the location data of people who visit abortion clinics, especially those in hostile states.

Additionally, in Maine, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives began voting on a series of abortion bills Tuesday, many of which received initial approval including forbidding towns and cities from enacting their own abortion laws and legal protection for doctors who treat patients from states that ban abortion.

But it’s not just states in regions with more access that have passes or are working to pass laws. States in regions with more restrictions are also working to process access.

In January, lawmakers in Illinois passed a measure — that went on to be signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker — to protect both patients and providers from legal action if they crossed state lines to obtain or provide an abortion, respectively.

In Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis codified legal abortion in state law in 2022. In April 2023, he signed three bills further protecting abortion rights.

One bill would bar courts or judicial officers from issuing subpoenas linked to another state’s investigation about a person who performs, receives or aids an abortion.

A similar bill was signed in March 2023 in neighboring New Mexico by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham that prohibits local or state governments from discriminating, interfering, denying or restricting a person’s access to reproductive health care.

The second Colorado bill requires large employer health care plans to provide coverage for the total cost of abortion care starting in January 2025.

The state’s third bill makes it a deceptive trade practice to advertise that an organization provides abortions, emergency contraceptives, or referrals for abortions or emergency contraceptives when it actually does not.

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(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services issued an advisory Wednesday warning about identifying mental health symptoms and conditions linked to long COVID.

Long COVID occurs when people recover from the virus but experience ongoing symptoms lasting three months or longer, such as coughing, headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive impairment.

According to the HHS, about 10% of all people who have previously contracted COVID-19 have experienced at least one symptom of long COVID.

Having to battle these physical symptoms for weeks or months on end “can take a toll on a person’s mental health,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement.

“It can be very challenging for a person, whether they are impacted themselves, or they are a caregiver for someone who is affected,” Becerra continued. “This advisory helps to raise awareness, especially among primary care practitioners and clinicians who are often the ones treating patients with long COVID.”

The advisory found mental health symptoms and conditions linked to COVID include anxiety, depression, psychosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Research has shown that social isolation — due to lockdowns, school closures and stay-at-home orders — increases the risks of anxiety, depression and loneliness, especially for older adults.

Additionally, unemployment and insecure employment increase the risk of depression and anxiety, studies have found, with more vulnerable groups such as Hispanic and Black people, women, young adults aged 18 to 29 years and those without a college degree.

The patient may not be the only person who suffers from poor mental health but also family members caring for them, the advisory stated.

Several factors may exacerbate mental health conditions including chronic physical and/or mental illness both physical and mental, social isolation, financial insecurity, caregiver burnout, and grief.

“We know that people living with long COVID need help today, and providers need help understanding what long COVID is and how to treat it,” said Admiral Rachel Levine, assistant secretary for Health, said in a statement.

This advisory helps bridge that gap for the behavioral health impacts of long COVID. This is one component of a government-wide response that continues to research long COVID and provide supports and services to those in need,” she added.

Dr. Joshua Morganstein, chair of the American Psychiatric Association’s committee on the psychiatric dimensions of disaster, told ABC News it’s important to have long-term surveillance when it comes to mental health and long COVID to recognize the long-term trends.

Morganstein added, although not everyone may have access to the same resources, it’s important to try and recognize mental health symptoms and to seek help if possible.

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(NEW YORK) — A majority of OBGYNs say the overturning of Roe v. Wade last summer is linked to more maternal deaths, according to a new survey released early Wednesday from KFF.

The decision — known as Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization — determined there is no constitutional right to an abortion and gave individual states full power to regulate abortion.

Since then, at least 15 states have ceased nearly all abortion services, according to an ABC News tally.

To understand how the abortion landscape has changed, between mid-March and mid-May of this year, KFF surveyed nearly 570 OBGYNs who spend the majority of their working hours in direct patient care.

Results showed 64% of all OBGYNs surveyed believe the ruling has worsened pregnancy mortality. Seventy percent said it’s worsened racial and ethnic inequities and 56% believe it’s worsened the ability to attract new doctors to the field.

Additionally, 55% of OBYGNs practicing where abortion is banned say their ability to practice within the standard of care has become worse.

Half of OBGYNs in states where abortion is banned said their patients were unable to obtain an abortion compared to about 25% of OBGYNs across the nation.

The decision has also impacted miscarriage care. Four in 10 OBGYNs in restricted states said they have faced constraints caring for patients experiencing miscarriages and other pregnancy-related emergencies. Meanwhile one in five across the U.S. reported the same.

The survey also asked whether OBGYNs have seen an increase in patients asking for contraceptives.

Only a little more than 20% of OBGYNs reported a rise in patients seeking either emergency contraceptive pills or measures including birth control pills, patches, rings and injections.

Comparatively, there was a much larger increase in patients requesting long-term and permanent form of contraception. About 47% of OBGYNs saw an increase in patients wanting IUDs and 43% saw an increasing in wanting sterilization.

There is also a difference in how many OBGYNs provide emergency contraception methods. In states where abortion is banned, 73% of OBGYNS provide evonorgestrel/Plan versus 90% of OBGYNs in states where abortion is available under most circumstances.

What’s more, 25% of OBGYNs in states with abortion bans provide ulipristal acetate/Ella for emergency contraception and 40% provide copper IUDs for emergency contraception. These numbers are lower than in states where abortion is legal.

“This means that in abortion ban states, not only is abortion unavailable, but there is also limited OBGYN provision of certain emergency contraception methods,” the report reads.

Meanwhile, providers are also worried about their own legal risk. More than four in 10 — 42% — of OBGYNs report being “very or somewhat concerned about their own legal risk when making decisions about patient care and the necessity of abortion.”

The figure rises to 59% of OBGYNs practicing in states with gestational limits and 61% in states that have abortion bans.

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(NEW YORK) — Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, filed multiple lawsuits Tuesday against off-brand versions of the wildly popular drugs.

In a press release, the company announced that legal action is being taken against certain medical spas, weight loss or wellness clinics, and compounding pharmacies for “the unlawful marketing and sales of non-FDA approved counterfeit and compounded semaglutide products claiming to contain semaglutide,” including allegations of false advertising, trademark infringement and unlawful sales of non FDA-approved compounded products.

The new lawsuits follow recent safety warnings from federal regulators amid the rising popularity of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, for weight loss.

Without insurance coverage, the cost of medications like Ozempic and Wegovy can run more than $1,000 a month. Some people have reportedly turned to compounding pharmacies to combat those high prices, according to ABC News reporting.

“Our priority is to ensure that patients have a safe and positive experience with our FDA-approved semaglutide medicines, and these actions are a direct reflection of that focus,” Doug Langa, executive vice president of North America operations and president of Novo Nordisk, said in the press release announcing the lawsuit.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported last month that it has received an unspecified number of reports of adverse events after people took injections of semaglutide that came from a compounding pharmacy, which the FDA defines as “the process of combining or mixing ingredients” to create a “tailored” medication.

“Patients should not use a compounded drug if an approved drug is available to treat a patient. Patients and health care professionals should understand that the agency does not review compounded versions of these drugs for safety, effectiveness, or quality,” the FDA said in the safety warning.

Novo Nordisk also announced Tuesday it had launched a “resource hub” in the U.S. to provide information on semaglutide, including how to spot a “counterfeit injectable product.”

“We believe it’s important to provide additional tools and education to support the proper use of our approved semaglutide products and create broad public awareness regarding the difference between our FDA-approved medicines and other products being labeled as semaglutide,” Langa said Tuesday.

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(NEW YORK) — A group whose recommendations become the standard medical policy nationwide has issued a recommendation saying all adults under the age of 65 should be screened for anxiety during their lifetime.

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommendation, issued Tuesday, is the final version of the draft recommendation it issued last year. While the newly issued recommendation is not mandatory for doctors, the task force carries enormous weight in the medical community and its recommendations often change the way doctors practice medicine.

The recommendation suggests that doctors screen any patient who has never before been screened for anxiety during their next doctors’ visit. This could be during a primary care appointment, an OB-GYN appointment or another general practitioner.

It calls on physicians to use standardized anxiety screenings like existing questionnaires to assess whether patients may have some of the signs and symptoms of anxiety. Anyone who screens positive for anxiety should be referred to a mental health professional for a confirmation of their diagnosis and treatment.

Last year, the task force said children ages 8 to 17 should be screened for anxiety. With the adoption of this new guidance, it means that all Americans ages 8 to 64 should be screened for anxiety.

The recommendation comes amid a growing recognition of anxiety disorders in the U.S.

Studies conducted prior to the coronavirus pandemic suggested that around 1 in 5 adults were living with an anxiety disorder, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Anxiety is a feeling evoked when someone experiences fear of something bad happening, and it can lead to avoidance, panic attacks, excessive worrying or other symptoms. Anyone can have anxiety at times, but when anxiety becomes overwhelming to the point that it consistently interferes with daily life, it can be an anxiety disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

The new task force recommendation is intended as one way to help prevent mental health conditions from going undetected, according to Lori Pbert, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School professor, who serves on the task force.

“What we found was that screening for anxiety in adults younger than 65, including people who are pregnant and postpartum, can help identify anxiety early so people can be connected to the care they need,” Pbert told ABC News last year. “This recommendation is specifically for individuals who do not have a mental health diagnosis and are not showing recognized signs or symptoms of an anxiety disorder.”

Anyone with symptoms of anxiety should seek screening immediately, and not wait for their next primary care visit, according to the task force.

What to know about anxiety disorders

Like most mental health conditions, anxiety falls on a spectrum, with differing degrees of severity.

There are four main types of anxiety disorders.

Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, is described as worrying “excessively about ordinary, day-to-day issues, such as health, money, work, and family,” according to the Office on Women’s Health. Women with GAD may be anxious about just getting through the day, may have difficulty doing everyday tasks and may have stress-related physical symptoms, like difficulty sleeping or stomachaches, according to the Office on Women’s Health.

Panic disorder, also twice as common in women as in men, may see people having panic attacks, described by the Office on Women’s Health as “sudden attacks of terror when there is no actual danger.” People having panic attacks may feel like they’re having a heart attack, dying or losing their minds.

A third type of anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, is diagnosed when people “become very anxious and self-conscious in everyday social situations,” including embarrassing easily, according to the Office on Women’s Health. People with social anxiety disorder can often have panic attack symptoms around social situations.

The fourth type of disorder, specific phobia, is an intense fear of something, such as heights, water, animals or specific situations that possess “little or no actual danger,” according to the Office on Women’s Health.

Each type of anxiety disorder can bring with it different symptoms, but they all involve a “fear and dread about things that may happen now or in the future,” according to the Office on Women’s Health.

Treatment for anxiety disorders often includes a combination of counseling and medication, and both together are often most effective.

When it comes to counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy is often used to help people change thinking patterns around their fears, according to the Office on Women’s Health. With medication, a prescription medication often taken daily to treat and prevent future episodes of anxiety on a long-term basis is different than a medication such as Xanax or Valium that is intended for infrequent treatment of acute anxiety, as they can be addictive.

Other factors such as physical activity, nutrition and mindfulness can also play a role in coping with anxiety, although less is known about the role they play in treating anxiety disorders, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, an entity of the National Institutes of Health.

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