
What We’re Reading: Medicare, Social Security Funds Depletion Date Postponed; Monkeypox Diagnostics; Grim Firearm Youth Suicide Report
The year that full benefits will stop for Medicare and Social Security is now a year later than previously estimated; diagnostic companies are racing to develop tests for monkeypox as cases surge; the rate of firearm suicides increased by 15% in youth aged between ages 10 and 24.
Social Security, Medicare Trustees Report Postpones Fund Depeletion Date
A stronger economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic than previously expected has helped the finances of the Social Security and Medicare programs, delaying the financial exhaustion date to 2035 rather than 2034, according to the 2022
Diagnostic Companies Race to Create Monkeypox Tests
Companies are ramping up efforts to trace the world’s first major outbreak of monkeypox outside of Africa, including making new diagnostic tests. The COVID-19 pandemic created a boon for test makers but demand for monkeypox tests is far lower, as monkeypox is less transmissible, less dangerous, and has more vaccines and treatments, according to
Firearm Suicides Rise to 20-Year High in US Youth
The rate that children, teens, and young adults are dying by firearm suicide has increased by 15%, which is the highest rate in more than 20 years. The firearm suicide rate for children aged 10 to 14 has increased by 31% from 2019 to 2020, which is the highest reported rate for the age group since 1968. Boys and young men accounted for 9 out of 10 firearm suicide victims, according to the
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