What We're Reading: Cancer Survivors Fear Job Switch; Pandemic Disrupts Malaria Prevention; COVID-19 Birth Complications

Cancer Survivors Fear Changing Jobs, Losing Health Insurance

New survey results published in JAMA Network Open found around 20% of cancer survivors do not move jobs freely, due to fears of losing health insurance. Of the 628 female respondents, around 36% reported job lock, while around 28% of men surveyed reported the same. In addition, of the 1094 respondents, around 32% reported job lock for themselves or their spouse/partner. The survey also found higher prevalence of job lock among young survivors and individuals with incomes near the poverty level. Researchers conclude job lock for cancer survivors can have implications for the well-being and careers of both survivors and their families.

800,000 People May Die From Malaria Due to COVID-19 Disruptions

A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) found that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is taking a toll on malaria prevention campaigns in Sub Saharan Africa. Nearly 800,000 individuals could die of malaria in the region because of interruptions to campaigns aimed to prevent the disease’s spread. According to the report, the main interventions that could experience disruptions are distributions of insecticide treated nets, and access to diagnosis and effective malaria treatment. Currently, 27 countries in the region plan to implement insecticide treated net campaigns by the end of 2020. These countries account for 85% of malaria deaths and cases in the region.

Mothers, Newborns Face Pandemic Complications

The COVID-19 pandemic is altering medical care administered to pregnant women and their babies, according to Kaiser Health News. Hospitals across the countries are recommending separating mothers infected with the virus from newborns for days. This separation means no skin-to-skin contact and in some cases, not breastfeeding infants. It is not common for a baby to be infected if the mother is infected at birth, but instances have been reported. One early report documented pregnant women account for 2% of cases. However, with more than 830,000 confirmed cases, researchers expect many thousands of pregnant women to potentially be affected by the virus.