• Georgia: In updated guidance, CDC recommended physicians counsel women about pain management before having an IUD inserted. Although effective strategies for managing IUD insertion pain exist, a 2019 survey found that few doctors offer patients those options. According to Antoinette Nguyen, a medical officer in CDC's division of reproductive health, the new guidance emphasizes that choices about pain management should be made on "shared decision making" that accounts for patients' experiences that could increase feelings of pain. The guidance also broadens the pain relief options available during the procedures, including anesthetic gel, creams, and sprays. Eve Espey, chair of the obstetrics and gynecology department at the University of New Mexico, said that while the previous version of the guidance mentioned pain management, the updated guidelines have a stronger emphasis on patients' preferences and experiences. "I think it is a significant change," Espey said. "The guidance on this topic has gone from a more provider-centered focus to a more patient-centered focus." (Rosenbluth, New York Times, 8/7)
• Maryland: Amid a global mpox outbreak, FDA has expanded the approval of a smallpox vaccine for use in people who are at a high risk of mpox. The vaccine, which is called ACAM200 and manufactured by Emergent BioSolutions, is the second vaccine to receive full approval for use against mpox. The first vaccine was the third-generation live orthopoxvirus vaccine Jynneos.  "Mpox has progressed to become an uncontrolled epidemic in Africa -- prompting the WHO to declare a second public health emergency of international concern -- creating an enormous need to use all effective tools to extinguish it as a threat," said Amesh Adalja, an infectious diseases expert from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. "ACAM2000, a direct descendant of the Jenner vaccine (humanity's first) which was used to eradicate smallpox, and now with the broadened indication, will be an invaluable tool in this endeavor." (Kahn, MedPage Today, 8/30)
• New Jersey: Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.), who was the second-oldest member of the House, died last month at the age of 87. "It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning," Pascrell's family said in a statement. "As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved. Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He is now at peace after a lifetime devoted to our great nation America." According to the Washington Post, New Jersey state Sen. Nellie Poe will replace Pascrell as the Democratic nomination on the ballot in November. Gov. Phil Murphy (D) endorsed Pou as the nominee, and she received a unanimous vote at a convention with local party leaders. If elected, Pou would be the first Latina to represent New Jersey in Congress. (Racioppi/Friedman, Politico, 8/21; Svitek, Washington Post, 8/29)

Writing for the Harvard Business Review, Jeff Levin-Scherz, Patricia Toro, Siupo Becker, and Meg Alexander of  WTW detail six considerations for employers to create effective policies that help protect workers from monkeypox.