Covid Archives - Page 14 of 85

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Funding for the Next Pandemic

In his proposed budget, President Joe Biden called for a boost in health spending that includes billions of dollars to prepare for a future pandemic. But that doesn’t include money he says is needed immediately for testing and treating covid-19. Also this week, federal regulators authorized a second booster shot for people 50 and older yet gave little guidance to consumers about who needs the shot and when. Amy Goldstein of The Washington Post, Jennifer Haberkorn of the Los Angeles Times, and Rachana Pradhan of KHN join KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Julie Rovner interviews KHN’s Julie Appleby, who reported and wrote the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” episode about a very expensive air ambulance ride.

March 31, 2022

An Asian Chinese male pharmacist helping customer doing blood sugar test at pharmacy counter. Close up shoot sugar test.

Despite Doctors’ Concerns, Pharmacists Get More Leeway to Offer Treatment With Testing

In the battle against covid, pharmacies became a key place for consumers to seek vaccines and testing. Some states are expanding pharmacists’ work to include directly prescribing drugs for customers who seek some routine, point-of-care tests, such as those for flu or strep throat. But doctor groups oppose the move.

By Michelle Andrews

March 31, 2022

Postcard from Illinois

Pandemic Funding Is Running Out for Community Health Workers

Illinois used federal pandemic money to hire community health workers who connect people with food banks and rental assistance programs, just like public health officials have long hoped to do. What will happen to the community trust that has been built up when the federal money runs out and the workers disappear?

By Lauren Weber

March 31, 2022

A digital illustration in watercolor and pencil. Three figures are seen with their sleeves rolled up for vaccination. The first two are colored yellow, while the third (right) fades into the background. Overlayed over them, from left to right, are two green check marks and one red question mark.

COVID-19

‘The Danger Is Still There’ ― As Omicron Lurks, Native Americans Are Wary of Boosters

Federal data shows that vaccination rates for American Indians and Alaska Natives were some of the highest in the nation, but tribes say resistance has slowed efforts to boost members.

By Rachana Pradhan

March 31, 2022

Keris Myrick and Dr. Howard Myrick pose for a selfie together.

COVID-19

Covid and Schizophrenia: Why This Deadly Mix Can Deepen Knowledge of the Brain Disease

Recent studies from around the world have found that people with schizophrenia are as much as five times as likely to die from covid-19 as the general population. Scientists think the findings suggest schizophrenia is not just a disease of the brain, but also a disease of the immune system.

By April Dembosky, KQED

March 30, 2022

Delays for Autism Diagnosis and Treatment Grew Even Longer During the Pandemic

Despite increased public awareness, research advances, and wider insurance coverage for autism therapies, children often wait months — in some cases more than a year — to get an autism diagnosis and begin intervention services. The waits can be longer for Black and Latino children, and families in rural areas are also disadvantaged, without access to providers.

By Andy Miller and Jenny Gold

March 30, 2022

KHN On Air

Journalists Recap Coverage of the Ongoing Pandemic and Lead Risks in Schools’ Drinking Water

KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.

March 26, 2022

Dr. Céline Gounder is seen in a screenshot from CBS Mornings.

KHN On Air

Watch: Omicron Subvariant Is Nothing to Sneeze At, Explains KHN’s Public Health Expert

A KHN public health expert discusses the new covid subvariant, seasonal allergies, and the debate over whether Americans will need a fourth vaccination.

March 25, 2022

Podcast

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: The ACA Turns 12

Although its fate was in doubt more than a few times, the Affordable Care Act turned 12 this week. Year 13 could be pivotal in determining how many Americans receive ACA health insurance, and at what price. Meanwhile, three leading credit bureaus agreed to stop using most medical debt to measure U.S. consumers’ creditworthiness. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, and KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.

March 24, 2022

Patrick Green is seen on the left squatting and holding a bottle to a tap that siphons wastewaster. Excess sludge flows into a bucket underneath the tap.

COVID-19

Health Officials See Bright Future in Poop Surveillance

Sewage surveillance is proving so useful in mapping covid trends that many public health officials say it should become standard practice in tracking infectious diseases. Whether that happens will depend on the nation’s ability to make it viable in communities rich and poor.

By Anna Maria Barry-Jester

March 24, 2022

COVID-19

Patients With Vulnerable Immune Systems Worry Vaccine Exemptions May Put Them in Peril

Montana’s governor pushed the state’s health workers to seek religious exemptions to a federal mandate to be vaccinated against covid, but the number who have done so is unknown.

By Aaron Bolton, MTPR

March 22, 2022

Albert Bourla is seen sitting in a chair, speaking during a panel at the South by Southwest festival. A blurred person sits on the left in the foreground.

COVID-19

Pfizer CEO Pushes Yearly Shots for Covid. Not So Fast, Experts Say.

A corporate CEO’s call for a fourth mRNA shot struck those closely watching the pandemic as self-serving. It creates public pressure for a fourth dose of vaccine before government experts have time to assess the evidence and settle on the best course forward.

By Arthur Allen

March 21, 2022

A man sits on a balcony with skyscrapers behind him.

Covid-19

Sharing Covid Vax Facts Inside ICE Detention, One Detainee at a Time

Thousands of ICE detainees nationwide have tested positive for covid; 11 have died. Medical providers in California are volunteering to educate immigrants awaiting trial or deportation about covid treatment and vaccination.

By Heidi de Marco

March 18, 2022

Podcast

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: We May Be Done With Covid, But Covid’s Not Done With Us

The White House makes a move as a new wave of covid threatens. President Joe Biden brings in Dr. Ashish Jha to take over the executive branch effort. Meanwhile, it remains unclear if and when Congress can come up with the funds to continue much of the federal anti-covid effort. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.

March 17, 2022

Someone's hand holds out the two vials of the Evusheld covid therapy and their packaging.

Covid-19

It Was Already Hard to Find Evusheld, a Covid Prevention Therapy. Now It’s Even Harder.

At least 7 million immunocompromised people could benefit from the monoclonal antibody injections designed to prevent covid-19. The government says it has enough doses for a fraction of those in need ― and it doesn’t have the money to buy more.

By Hannah Recht

March 17, 2022

Nicholas Kelly is seen on the left looking out a window, holding his hand to his chin. Bright daylight shines in from the window, casting dramatic shadows on the left side of his body.

COVID-19

Covid’s ‘Silver Lining’: Research Breakthroughs for Chronic Disease, Cancer, and the Common Flu

Billions of dollars invested in mRNA vaccines and covid research could yield health care dividends for decades to come.

By Liz Szabo

March 17, 2022

Harsh, angular shadows hide the right side of an ICU doctor's face. The doctor wears protective scrubs, a face mask and a plastic face shield.

KHN On Air

Listen: What We’ve Learned After Two Years of the Pandemic

KHN Editor-in-Chief Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal joins the CNN podcast "Reliable Sources" and reflects on the societal trauma that covid-19 has wrought.

March 11, 2022

Lise Hamlin looks to the left in front of an office window. A hearing aid is visible in her ear.

COVID-19

Pandemic Medical Innovations Leave Behind People With Disabilities

As the country enters Year 3 of the pandemic emergency, people with disabilities across the U.S. are still finding it difficult to use innovations in telemedicine, teleworking, and testing.

By Lauren Weber

March 11, 2022

Podcast

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Congress Shelves Covid Funding for Now

The Biden administration’s request for billions more in funding to fight covid-19 hit a snag on Capitol Hill this week, as Democrats objected to Republican demands that money allocated to states but not yet spent be reclaimed. Meanwhile, the big annual spending bill about to cross the finish line addresses other health policy changes, such as giving the FDA authority to regulate “synthetic” nicotine. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, and Jessie Hellmann of Modern Healthcare join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

March 10, 2022

A photo illustration shows a parking lot displaying a covid-19 vaccine clinic parking spot. The image is tinted blue and purple and has a gritty texture overlaid on top.

Listen

Two Years In, Covid Leaves Montana Public Health Officials Feeling ‘Watched’

Montanans engage in plenty of spirited political disagreements. But debates about covid-19, public health, and personal liberties have reached a fever pitch, tugging at tightknit towns and making some residents wonder how their communities will survive.

By Katheryn Houghton

March 10, 2022

Trump 2.0

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