health care

In Harris County, Texas, about 25% of people are "absolutely unwilling to share anything," says a local health department epidemiologist. Misinformation is one reason for the mistrust, officials say.

Las Vegas is on shaky footing as it reopens with one of the nation's highest infection rates. An NPR analysis shows the city could run into trouble with hospital capacity if cases keep climbing.

California's public health director has resigned after revelations of an extensive backlog of untested coronavirus test kits. More than a quarter-million tests there are still awaiting processing.

Labor advocates say the lack of enforceable federal standards to ward off the coronavirus allows farmers to prioritize the harvest over worker safety.

As pharmaceutical companies face a tsunami of lawsuits and criminal probes stemming from the opioid epidemic, they are accused of using the coronavirus crisis to rehabilitate their image.

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Dr. Rajiv Shah, president of the Rockefeller Foundation, about the foundation's efforts to implement a national coronavirus testing and tracing plan.

NPR surveyed all 50 states about their contact tracing work. The workforce has barely grown since mid-June, while cases have skyrocketed.

Missouri is the second state to expand the health care program via ballot measure during the pandemic. Nearly a quarter-million people could get health insurance thanks to the measure.

Public officials continue to send mixed messages about the pandemic: We're open for business, but also, stay home if you can. Without clear guidance, people feel confused or stop trying to be safe.

There are many stories of how nights out at bars can lead to coronavirus outbreaks. Public health experts say bars are perfect for spreading this virus. That's led many states to close them down.

Missourians will vote Tuesday on whether to expand Medicaid to uninsured adults. The pandemic has raised the stakes for residents who have lost jobs and insurance coverage.

For many cancer patients, daily life can feel full of risky choices involving work, family, friends and money. Nearly every option pits the risks of catching the coronavirus against other downsides.