World Jun 09 States pull out all the stops in push to increase vaccinations With the pace of vaccination in the U.S. slowing, the Biden administration’s goal of getting 70 percent of adults inoculated with at least one shot by July 4 is looking harder. Given that, a month-long campaign has begun with incentives…
Health Jun 07 Why the FDA approved a controversial Alzheimer’s drug The FDA on Monday approved the first new drug to treat Alzheimer's disease in nearly two decades. Federal health officials said it may help slow the brain-destroying disease's progression, but the approval goes against the agency's independent advisers who said…
World May 19 ‘Vaccine passports’ may be critical for equity, but polarization could undermine efforts Despite good progress on vaccinations in the U.S., the Biden administration and most officials are weary of requiring "vaccine passports" to prove inoculation. William Brangham discusses the related concerns with Dr. Georges Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public…
Nation May 18 Examining the American Medical Association’s racist history and its overdue reckoning The national calls to action over racial justice have brought new awareness of past injustices in many parts of our society, including the fields of science and medicine. Yamiche Alcindor speaks to Dr. Aletha Maybank, the American Medical Association's chief…
Nation Apr 27 Toxic waste dump site more than twice the size of Manhattan discovered in Pacific Ocean A massive underwater toxic waste site has long been suspected off the Southern California shore, since industrial companies used the ocean as a dumping ground until 1972. Now marine scientists have identified over 25,000 barrels they believe contain the toxic…
Health Apr 15 What Canada’s universal health system could teach the U.S. about managing a pandemic More than 30 million Americans have gone without health insurance in the last year. Other high-income nations cover their entire populations for a lot less money than the U.S. already spends. But does a universal health care system help save…
Nation Apr 15 Derek Chauvin refuses to testify as murder trial heads into closing arguments The trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with murder in the death of George Floyd last May, is nearing its conclusion. The trial is being watched closely all around the country and internationally. The defense finished…
Nation Apr 14 Medical witness for defense in Chauvin trial says Floyd’s manner of death ‘undetermined’ The defense team for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been making the case that George Floyd died for other reasons, and that Chauvin's kneeling on Floyd's neck was not the crucial factor. Today, the defense focused on that…
Nation Apr 08 Frontline casualties: The health care workers that lost their lives saving COVID patients While a lot has been reported on the struggles of health workers during the pandemic, there's been far less news on the deaths of doctors, nurses and other support staff. A major reporting project has been gathering this crucial information…
Nation Jan 28 For some Americans, finding a vaccine involves anger, frustration and anxiety More than 25 million shots of a COVID vaccine have been given out, or about 8 doses for every 100 people. But the process can be difficult and overwhelming. Here's a sampling of what some Americans say they are facing…