Lauren Weber

Lauren Weber was a Midwest correspondent for KFF Health News until December 2022.

@LaurenWeberHP

As Vaccine Rollout Expands, Black Americans Still Left Behind

KFF Health News Original

Covid vaccines are reaching more Americans, but Black residents are being vaccinated at dramatically lower rates in the 23 states where data is publicly available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plans to release national data next week.

Black Americans Are Getting Vaccinated at Lower Rates Than White Americans

KFF Health News Original

Black Americans are receiving covid vaccines at a much lower rate than their white peers due to a combination of mistrust and access issues, leaving them behind in the mission to vaccinate the nation’s population.

Pandemic Backlash Jeopardizes Public Health Powers, Leaders

KFF Health News Original

At least 181 public health leaders in 38 states have resigned, retired or been fired amid the turmoil of the pandemic. The departures come as backlash against public health is rising with threats to officials’ personal safety and legislative and legal efforts to strip their governmental public health powers.

Nursing Homes Still See Dangerously Long Waits for COVID Test Results

KFF Health News Original

The Trump administration hailed rapid tests as the way to halt COVID’s spread in nursing homes. A KHN analysis of federal data shows they’re not being used, as questions linger about accuracy and best practices.

Why State Mask Stockpiling Orders Are Hurting Nursing Homes, Small Providers

KFF Health News Original

More than eight months into the pandemic, stockpiling of masks and other protective equipment by wealthy hospital systems is straining nursing homes and smaller providers who also need precious protective gear to keep front-line workers safe from COVID-19.

The Mask Hypocrisy: How COVID Memos Contradict the White House’s Public Face

KFF Health News Original

When in public, President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence join crowded rallies where many do not wear masks. Behind the scenes, the White House is recommending states adopt mask mandates and even fines — leaving it up to local officials to handle the consequences.

Politics Slows Flow of US Pandemic Relief Funds to Public Health Agencies

KFF Health News Original

Congress has allocated trillions of dollars to ease the coronavirus crisis. A joint KHN and AP investigation finds that many communities with big outbreaks have spent little of that federal money on local public health departments for work such as testing and contact tracing.

Public Health Officials Are Quitting or Getting Fired in Throes of Pandemic

KFF Health News Original

A review by KHN and the Associated Press finds at least 49 state and local public health leaders have resigned, retired or been fired since April across 23 states. One of the latest departures came Sunday, when California’s public health director was ousted.