Tag: Public Health
WHO declares Covid mutation found in India a ‘variant of concern’ for global health
“I think what we’re seeing is more transmissible,” said WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Monday, May 10, 2021 The World Health Organization on Monday classified a coronavirus mutation first detected in…
Biden gives Congress his vision to ‘win the 21st century’ – scholars react
President Joe Biden spoke to Congress on April 28, 2021, with a historic duo flanking him: two women, one of them African American. Vice President Kamala Harris called the proceedings to order; Speaker of the House Nancy…
‘Mystery chemicals’ found in pregnant Bay Area women
“It’s the role of the government to ensure that chemicals used in the marketplace are known. That’s obviously not the system we’re in right now.” by Quinn McVeigh April 16, 2021 Forty-two “mystery chemicals” were found…
Biden’s embrace of Trump-era fentanyl ban ‘threatens to repeat past missteps,’ critics warn
One expert urged policymakers to “rethink these efforts to double down on fear-based, enforcement-first approaches, and instead invest in public health alternatives.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer April 14, 2021 After the Biden administration this…
Vape sellers are using popular music videos to promote e-cigarettes to young people – and it’s working
Teens and young adults spend several hours a day looking at their phones and watching videos, many of which might contain product placements for vaping. Flashpop/Getty Images. by Jon-Patrick Allem, University of Southern California Research that…
Meatpacking industry fought feeble Covid-19 safeguards under Trump
“These documents show that the industry actively pushed back against the few steps the Trump administration took to try to ensure the safety of meatpacking workers and federal inspectors.” by Brett Wilkins, staff writer Thursday, March…
The West’s latest prospecting frenzy? Extraterrestrial gold.
Companies are hunting for lithium near Moab, Utah. Rebecca Worby, High Country News August 14, 2017 White Oil, Oro Blanco, Extraterrestrial Gold: lithium, the lightweight element key to rechargeable batteries, has recently acquired a slew of…
People over 75 are first in line to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The average Black person doesn’t live that long.
Prioritizing COVID-19 vaccinations for people 75 and up can leave out Black Americans, who tend to die younger than their white counterparts. In one majority-Black county, this age gap raises questions about how to make the…
Fauci: Vaccines for kids as young as first graders could be authorized by September
For this to happen by the start of the next school year, trials need to prove the vaccine is safe and effective in children. Experts say manufacturers aren’t moving quickly enough, and that this is important…
Congressional report reveals manufacturers ‘knowingly’ sold toxin-tainted baby food
“This is what happens when you let the food and chemical companies, not the FDA, decide whether our food is safe to eat.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Friday, February 5, 2021 Leading baby food manufacturers…
Health officials keep close eye as COVID-19 variants found in Arizona
by Jake Holter, Cronkite News Tuesday, February, 2, 2021 Health officials have confirmed that the UK variant of the coronavirus has been found in Arizona. Now what? For the time being, more of the same: mask,…
Living with natural gas pipelines: Appalachian landowners describe fear, anxiety and loss
Some reported never hearing about a planned pipeline until a “land man” – a gas company representative – knocked on their door offering to buy a slice of their property; others said that they found out…
Vaccinating the homeless: Some have received doses, others await their turn
by Leo Tochterman, Cronkite News Friday, January 29, 2021 Los Angles, Calif — Clayton Foster was living out of his car when he contracted COVID-19. The 67-year-old knew he faced higher risks of death or severe…
Arizona’s second state vaccine site opens, at Phoenix Municipal Stadium
by Sabrina Kenoun, Cronkite News Tuesday, February 2, 2021, Phoenix Arizona health officials on Monday opened the state’s second COVID-19 vaccination site, at ASU’s Phoenix Municipal Stadium, aiming to build on the success of the…
If this self-sufficient hospital cannot stand alone, can any public hospital survive?
In America’s health care system, dominated by hospital chain leviathans, New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, is an anomaly. It is a publicly owned hospital that boasts good care at lower prices than…
The government Donald Trump left behind
Trump ultimately fell short on many of his signature promises, but his administration’s successes in cutting taxes, rolling back regulations and reshaping the judiciary will cast a long shadow. by Chris Morran Saturday, January 30, 2021…
As fears grow over Covid vaccine delays, watchdog asks: ‘Why are we allowing Big Pharma’s patents to artificially limit supply?’
“It’s just wrong that big business is deciding who gets vaccinated, with zero transparency. We must scrap patents and massively scale up production globally.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, January 29, 2021 “Could you patent…
New Covid cases plunge 25% or more as behavior changes
by Christina Jewett January 28, 2021 A dozen states are reporting drops of 25% or more in new covid-19 cases and more than 1,200 counties have seen the same, federal data released Wednesday shows. Experts say…
Weed withdrawal: More than half of people using medical cannabis for pain experience withdrawal symptoms
by Lara Coughlin, University of Michigan CC BY-ND In stark contrast to the overblown fears portrayed during decades past, these days, most people think cannabis is relatively harmless. While weed is indeed less dangerous than…
A year after first case in Arizona, COVID-19 is now a leading killer
Ryan Knappenberger, Cronkite News Jan. 25, 2021 WASHINGTON – COVID-19 is on the verge of becoming the leading cause of death in Arizona, surpassing cancer and closing in on heart disease, according to the…
“We’ve let the worst happen”: reflecting on 400,000 dead
A much-needed check-in with health care reporter Caroline Chen as we examine the toll COVID-19 has taken on the country and what to expect from a new president. by Logan Jaffe, ProPubica January 23, 2021 In…
Flurry of Biden orders on COVID-19 raise some doubts, but more hopes
by Jacob Holter, Cronkite News Washington, D.C. Almost half of the 24 executive orders President Joe Biden has signed in his first two days in office have dealt with COVID-19, which White House officials cite as…
Biden mandates masks on federal property
Cronkite News Almost half of the 24 executive orders President Joe Biden signed in his first two days in office dealt with COVID-19, which White House officials say shows it their top priority. But even…
How many vaccine shots go to waste? Several states aren’t counting.
The CDC says health facilities should report unused and spoiled COVID-19 vaccines, but many are failing to do so. At a time when there aren’t enough shots to meet demand, significant numbers may be going in…
