public health

Caroline Brehman / AP

8:53pm Oct 19, 2021

National National Politics & Government Health & Safety

Dr. Rachel Levine is sworn in as the nation's first transgender four-star officer

by Jonathan Franklin

Levine leads the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
Erik McGregor / LightRocket via Getty Images

2:51pm Oct 01, 2021

National National

More than 17,000 deaths caused by police have been misclassified since 1980

by Martin Kaste

Public health data experts have a new way to calculate the under-reporting of people killed by police. Criminologists call the results "interesting," but are reserving judgment on the accuracy.
Michael Ging

4:23pm Sep 30, 2021

National National

After 25 Years In The Dark, The CDC Wants To Study The True Toll Of Guns In America

by Eric Westervelt

We don't know the full impact of nonfatal firearms-related injuries. Unreliable data and political pressure have obscured the picture for researchers, the media and the public. That may soon change.
Adriana Adie / NurPhoto via Getty Images

12:51pm Sep 29, 2021

National National Health & Safety

A Man Died From Rabies In Illinois. Here's Why That's So Unusual In The U.S.

by Deepa Shivaram

The Illinois Department of Health says an elderly man died from rabies after waking up with a bat on his neck and refusing rabies treatment. It's the first case in the state since 1954.
3:45pm Sep 14, 2021

Health & Safety Health & Safety

So, Your Child Has Been Exposed To COVID-19 At School — Now What?

by April Laissle Emily McCord

With classes back in session, more and more parents are getting word that their child has been exposed to COVID-19 at school.

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Luke Sharrett / Bloomberg via Getty Images

1:10pm Sep 07, 2021

Environment Environment Health & Safety

Climate Change Is The Greatest Threat To Public Health, Top Medical Journals Warn

by Lauren Sommer

With the global pandemic still in the spotlight, more than 200 leading health journals say climate change is an even more urgent threat.
Eric Gay / AP

3:00pm Aug 10, 2021

National National

Some Republicans Blame Migrants For COVID-19 Surges. Doctors Say They're Scapegoating

by Joel Rose

Some Republicans are blaming the latest surge in COVID-19 cases on migrants crossing the southern border. But many doctors disagree, saying the politicians are just looking to divert attention.
David Goldman / AP

5:01am Jul 30, 2021

National National

Was It 'Reasonable' To Ship 81 Million Opioid Pills To This Small West Virginia City?

by Brian Mann

As a landmark federal opioid trial nears completion, West Virginia communities are demanding $2.5 billion in compensation. Drug firms say they acted responsibly in shipping millions of pills.
Steven Senne / AP

2:34pm Jul 27, 2021

Books Books Arts Health & Safety

Think Of Your COVID-19 Vaccine Like A Very Good Raincoat, Says Dr. Leana Wen

by Terry Gross

It protects from drizzles and thunderstorms but not a hurricane. In other words, if you are exposed again and again to infected people, there's some risk you could get sick.

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2:39pm Jul 01, 2021

Health & Safety Health & Safety

Wake Forest Baptist Health Officials Warn of Spike In RSV, Croup Cases

by April Laissle

Officials at Wake Forest Baptist Health are sounding alarms about an unusual spike in respiratory illnesses among children.
David Goldman / AP

7:00am Jun 19, 2021

National National

Overdose Deaths Rose During The War On Drugs, But Efforts To Reduce Them Face Backlash

by Brian Mann

Researchers know how to curb the risks of overdose and disease among drug users, but policymakers are reluctant to allow public health measures that include needle exchanges and access to safer drugs.
Spencer Platt / Getty Images

11:37am Jun 17, 2021

National National

After 50 Years Of The War On Drugs, 'What Good Is It Doing For Us?'

by Brian Mann

President Nixon called for an "all-out offensive" against drugs and addiction. The U.S. is now rethinking policies that led to mass incarceration and shattered families while drug deaths kept rising.