What We're Reading: Examining Alcohol Research; Scrutinizing CDC Pick; Idaho's Abortion Reversal Law

NIH Will Look Into Research on Alcohol’s Health Effects

Concerns Over Trump’s Pick to Lead CDC

Idaho Joins Red States With So-Called Abortion Reversal Law

Research into the health effects of moderate alcohol use is being examined after it was discovered that the liquor industry largely funded the research. According to The Washington Post, the National Institutes of Health assigned a group of advisors to investigate whether there were any improprieties committed with the recently begun study. The study is enrolling more than 7000 individuals and will try to determine drinking 1 glass of wine a day has any cardiovascular health benefits.Accuracy issues with HIV research from 20 years ago has come back to haunt Robert Redfield, MD, who is President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the CDC. Senator Patty Murray, D-Washington, cited the 20-year-old research controversy in a letter to the president and prompted him to reconsider the appointment, reported Kaiser Health News. Redfield would not require Senate confirmation to become CDC director.Women seeking abortions in Idaho will now have to be informed that the drug-induced procedure can be stopped halfway. Idaho’s Republican Governor Butch Otter signed the proposal into law despite opposition from medical groups, according to The New York Times. Idaho’s measure is similar to one first passed in Arkansas in 2015—other Republican-led states have passed similar measures since. Opponents say there is little evidence to support the claim that an abortion can be halted partway through the medically induced procedure.