Dec 20 Some Chinese authorities encourage people with mild COVID to go back to work By Dake Kang, Ken Moritsugu, Associated Press Several local governments in China have encouraged people with mild cases of COVID-19 to go to work this week. Continue reading
Dec 19 China reports 2 COVID deaths in Beijing as virus cases surge By Associated Press Chinese health authorities have reported the nation's first COVID-19 deaths in more than two weeks. Continue reading
Dec 18 COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid has been free so far. Next year, sticker shock awaits By Hannah Recht, Kaiser Health News Nearly 6 million Americans have taken Paxlovid for free, courtesy of the federal government. But the government plans to stop footing the bill within months, and millions of people who are at the highest risk of severe illness and are… Continue reading
Dec 17 Watch 6:05 How racial biases in medical algorithms lead to inequities in care Hospitals across the country are using software powered by algorithms with racial biases, according to a new report from a coalition of healthcare providers. This can cause physicians to misdiagnose medical conditions or delay critical treatment. Dr. Jayne Morgan, a… Continue watching
Dec 17 As cases surge, COVID-linked deaths seen in Beijing after easing of virus rules By Dake Kang, Associated Press Deaths linked to the coronavirus are appearing in Beijing after weeks of China reporting no fatalities, even as the country is seeing a surge of cases. Continue reading
Dec 15 Watch 10:13 Winter surge in infections from RSV, flu, and COVID straining U.S. hospitals By William Brangham, Courtney Norris The White House is warning of a surge of illness this holiday season, as the country deals with the simultaneous uptick of three, highly contagious respiratory viruses. Hospitals across the country are filling up with patients suffering from flu, RSV… Continue watching
Dec 15 Engineering firm settles lawsuit in Flint water case By Associated Press An engineering firm has settled a lawsuit with four families after being accused of not doing enough to stop lead contamination in the Flint, Michigan, water supply. Continue reading
Dec 15 Health officials update tools to track severe obesity levels in children By JoNel Aleccia, Associated Press U.S. health officials have updated a tool to track rising cases of severe obesity among children who were previously off the charts. Continue reading
Dec 14 Loneliness can affect physical and mental health. An expert shares ways to combat it this holiday season By Matt Rasnic, Casey Kuhn, Nicole Ellis The holiday season can be a time for community and family gatherings. But for some, it can be a season of more complicated feelings, including increased loneliness and isolation. Continue reading
Dec 12 Watch 6:39 How multiple presidential administrations failed to stop fentanyl’s rise in the U.S. By William Brangham More than 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year and the same toll is expected this year. Two-thirds of those deaths are tied to fentanyl, but the federal government has been slow to recognize the rise of the highly-potent… Continue watching