health Archives | Northwest Public Broadcasting

Trickle-Down Effects From Overcrowded Hospitals: Ambulances Scarce And A House Burns

By Tom Banse September 22, 2021

Ocean Shores firefighter/EMT Kara McDermott spends more time than usual behind to wheel of these ambulances as overwhelmed hospitals routinely divert incoming transports.

The overcrowded hospitals we've been telling you about for weeks are having ripple effects out into the community -- some you could predict and some which are a little more startling. Take for example a fire that gutted a house in Ocean Shores, expensive airlifts from Leavenworth, Washington, and slow response times for ambulance transports in Portland. Read More

It’s Been A Long Haul: Correspondent Anna King On Her Snail-Slow Recovery 1 Year After COVID-19

By Anna King June 2, 2021

Correspondent Anna King has been fighting COVID-19 and it’s after effects for a year now. It’s been a slow journey, like that of this snail she found crossing a walking path near the Columbia River in Richland.

June 3 marks a year since COVID-19 blasted through my immune system. I have never figured out how I got it. And my recovery has come in fits and starts. But mostly it’s just been incredibly, snail-slow. Continue Read More

U.S. Will Protect Gay And Transgender People Against Discrimination In Health Care

By NPR News May 10, 2021

In this June 11, 2017 file photo, Equality March for Unity and Pride participants march past the White House in Washington. The Biden administration says the government will protect gay and transgender people against sex discrimination in health care. That reverses a Trump-era policy that sought to narrow the scope of legal rights in sensitive situations involving medical care. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said Monday that LGBTQ people should have the same access to health care as everyone else. T(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Gay and transgender people will be protected from discrimination in health care, the Biden administration announced Monday, effectively reversing a Trump-era rule that went into effect last year. Continue Reading U.S. Will Read More

COVID ‘Doesn’t Discriminate By Age’: Serious Cases On The Rise In Younger Adults

By NPR News May 1, 2021

Serious cases of COVID-19 have grown in recent weeks in Americans 50 and younger. Tempura/Getty Images

After spending much of the past year tending to elderly patients, doctors are seeing a clear demographic shift: young and middle-aged adults make up a growing share of the patients in COVID-19 hospital wards. Continue Reading COVID Read More

Unrecognized Tribes Like The Chinook In SW Washington Struggle Without Federal Help In Pandemic

By Eilís O'Neill April 18, 2021

Tony Johnson is chair of the Chinook Indian Nation, a federally unrecognized tribe. He stands on a Willapa Bay, Wash., beach, where he got married and not far from where his ancestors lived. CREDIT: Eilis O'Neill/KUOW

The Indian Health Service has been lauded for the success of its vaccination campaign. But not every Native American got to be part of that. Tribes that aren't recognized by the U.S. government have received none of the resources directed to Indian Country to help them survive the pandemic. Read More

What You Need To Know: 6 Reported Blood Clot Cases In 7 Million From Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

By NPR News April 14, 2021

syringe going into a vial of COVID-19 vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the blood clots are extremely rare but that it is reviewing the cases. The agency says it expects this pause to last for "a matter of days." Continue Reading What Read More

Vaccine Refusal May Put Herd Immunity At Risk, Researchers Warn

By NPR News April 8, 2021

A recent NPR/Marist poll found that one in four Americans said they would refuse a coronavirus vaccine outright if offered. Another 5% are "undecided" about whether they would get the shot. Although the numbers were highest for Republican men and residents of rural areas, there were still a significant number of people across all ages and demographic groups who claim they Read More

Families With Sick Kids On Medicaid Seek Easier Access To Out-of-State Hospitals

By NPR News April 5, 2021

Vinessa Kirkwood, who lives in northwestern Indiana, said she's had to cancel appointments at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis for her 20-month-old son, Donte, because she can't afford to pay for lodging. CREDIT: Christina Kirkwood

An out-of-state hospital is often the closest, most convenient option for patients and their families and can ensure patients get state-of-the-art care, since only a limited number of hospitals and physicians in the country have the skills and experience to best treat children with certain conditions. Read More

Flu And Colds Are Down. Should We Continue Wearing Masks Beyond The Pandemic?

By NPR News March 31, 2021

Nicole Grayson is a fourth-grade teacher at a private Christian school in Franklin, Tenn. She and her colleagues have noticed that students and teachers, who have been meeting mostly in person but wearing masks, haven't had the usual seasonal illnesses this year. Blake Farmer/WPLN News

A study released this month in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, led by researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, found that across 44 children's hospitals, the number of pediatric patients hospitalized for respiratory illnesses is down 62%. Deaths have dropped dramatically too, compared with the last 10 years: The number of flu deaths among children is Read More

When Does COVID-19 Become A Disability? ‘Long-Haulers’ Push For Answers, And Benefits

By NPR News February 22, 2021

Jodee Pineau-Chaisson sits in her office in Springfield, Mass. on January 12, 2021. Pineau-Chaisson, a social worker, contracted the coronavirus last May and continues to have symptoms even months after testing negative for the virus. Meredith Nierman/GBH News

So-called long-haulers are people who survive COVID-19 but have symptoms – sometimes debilitating symptoms – many months later. As scientists scramble to explain what is going on and figure out how to help, disability advocates are also scrambling: They are trying to figure out whether long-haulers will qualify for disability benefits. Read More

Report: American Life Expectancy Dropped By A Full Year In 1st Half Of 2020

By NPR News February 18, 2021

Patrice Howard writes on white flags before planting them to remember her recently deceased father and close friends in November at "IN AMERICA How Could This Happen...," a public art installation in Washington, D.C. Led by artist Suzanne Firstenberg, volunteers planted white flags in a field to symbolize each life lost to COVID-19 in the U.S. CREDIT: Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

The average U.S. life expectancy dropped by a year in the first half of 2020, according to a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics, a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Continue Reading Report: Read More

Study: Economic Effects Of Wildfire Smoke Linger Long After Flames Subside

By NWPB News February 8, 2021

In this Sept. 14, 2020 photo, a U.S. flag flies near Smith Tower in downtown Seattle as air thick with smoke from wildfires as seen over CenturyLink Field. The damage caused by wildfires can be devastating, yet researchers say the smoke from the annually recurring blazes also delivers economic damage to areas that were never touched by the flames. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

The damage caused by wildfires can be devastating, gutting structures and driving out people who live and work nearby. And researchers say the smoke from the annually recurring blazes also delivers economic damage to areas that were never touched by the flames. Read More

ALS Patients To Gain Quicker Access To Disability Benefits And Medicare

By NPR News January 20, 2021

Cropped shot of a nurse holding hands with a senior man in a wheelchair

ALS, often called Lou Gehrig's disease after the New York Yankees first baseman who died of the disease in 1941, destroys motor neurons, causing people to lose control of their limbs, their speech and, ultimately, their ability to breathe. It's usually fatal in two to five years, though about 10% of people survive ten years or more. Read More

Correspondent And COVID ‘Long Hauler’ Anna King: As 2021 Rings In, Consider Staying Home

By Anna King December 30, 2020

Anna King went to the KADLEC Emergency Room twice during her battle with COVID-19. Once she was having trouble breathing, another time the virus attacked her inner ear, giving her vertigo. CREDIT: Anna King/N3

The first time it happened, it was a squeezing feeling. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My heart raced. At the hospital, I got an EKG and took a blood test. It wasn’t a heart attack. Just felt like one. Doctors are learning COVID-19 isn’t just a respiratory illness. Some of those who’ve had it, like me, end up with heart inflammation, heart rhythm problems or worse. Read More

‘Fauci Effect’ Drives Record Number Of Medical School Applications

By NPR News December 7, 2020

Sam Smith, a University of Colorado Boulder grad who is applying to medical schools, says he has been inspired by the example of health care workers during the pandemic. He plans to specialize in infectious diseases. "I want to be on the front lines of the next one," he says. CREDIT: Meredith Nierman

The pandemic put a spotlight on health care workers and inspired many to pursue a career in medicine. The record number of applicants comes as the U.S. faces a projected shortage of physicians. Continue Reading ‘Fauci Effect’ Drives Read More

‘Biggest Stress Test Of American Health Care In History’: Takeaways From The Pandemic This Week

By NPR News December 6, 2020

Health care workers in Houston, Texas, perform a procedure on a patient in the COVID-19 intensive care unit on Thanksgiving. This past week has seen continued steep growth in cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19. Go Nakamura/Getty Images

Deaths from COVID-19 have jumped nearly 40% this week, and hospitals around the country are straining under their patient load. Here's what happened in the first week after Thanksgiving. Continue Reading Read More

More Than Half Of Washingtonians Surveyed Say They’ve Delayed Getting Health Care This Year

By Tom Banse December 4, 2020

Graphic showing excess deaths and COVID-19 deaths in Washington in 2020 above a normal year

An online survey conducted out of Whitman College found more than half of Washingtonians say they have delayed medical visits this year. The findings underscore widespread concerns about disruptions to health care during the pandemic. Read More

Think Your Health Care Costs Are Covered? Beware The ‘Junk’ Insurance Plan

By NPR News December 4, 2020

Whether you're looking for coverage online or through a broker, be sure to note the difference between a comprehensive health plan and a "junk" plan with limited benefits and coverage restrictions. Continue Reading Think Your Health Care Read More

A COVID-19 Vaccine For Children May Still Be Many Months Away

By NPR News November 27, 2020

The first COVID-19 vaccines to hit the market will not be approved for use in children. Researchers must figure out if the vaccines are safe and effective in kids. Continue Reading A COVID-19 Vaccine For Children May Still Be Many Months Read More

WHO Trial Finds Remdesivir Has ‘No Meaningful Effect’ In COVID-19 Patients

By NPR News November 21, 2020

Boxes containing vials of remdesivir at a pharmaceutical company in Giza, Egypt. CREDIT: Fadel Dawood/DPA/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

The medicine is one of the few to win regulatory approval as a treatment for the disease, but has fallen out of favor with the health authority. Continue Reading WHO Trial Finds Remdesivir Has ‘No Meaningful Effect’ In Read More

Deep Sleep Protects Against Alzheimer’s, Growing Evidence Shows

By NPR News November 17, 2020

People who get more deep sleep appear less likely to develop Alzheimer's. That may be because this phase of sleep allows the brain to clear out waste products. Continue Reading Deep Sleep Protects Against Alzheimer’s, Growing Evidence Read More

Spokane Is The Largest Washington City To Not Fluoridate Its Water. That Could Change

By Doug Nadvornick August 28, 2020

The Spokane City Council is considering in August 2020 whether to add fluoride to the city's drinking water.

Water fluoridation has been proposed – and rejected – before by Spokane residents. Supporters such as Dr. Elisabeth Warder believe it’s time to consider it again. The city council is considering a request by dentists to fluoridate the city’s water supply. Read More

Coronavirus FAQ: So Do Lots Of People Get COVID-19 From Flying?

By NPR News August 24, 2020

A flight attendant adjusts protective glasses. There has been little documentation about COVID-19 transmission on planes. CREDIT: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

A study released this week points to two passengers infected on a four-hour-plus flight. But there hasn't been a lot of documentation of transmission on planes. So how risky is flying? Continue Reading Coronavirus FAQ: So Do Lots Of People Get Read More

Johnson & Johnson Stops Selling Talc-Based Baby Powder In U.S. And Canada

By NPR News May 19, 2020

The company said demand has declined "fueled by misinformation around the safety of the product and a constant barrage of litigation advertising." Lawsuits allege the powder causes cancer. Continue Reading Johnson & Johnson Stops Read More

For Most States, At Least A Third Of COVID-19 Deaths Are In Long-Term Care Facilities

By NPR News May 10, 2020

"It was certainly expected that nursing homes would be hit but it was not inevitable that they'd be hit this hard," Richard Mollot, executive director of New York-based Long Term Care Community Coalition, told NPR. CREDIT: John Minchillo/AP

The report comes as the government announced all states must now meet federal reporting guidelines. The type of information gathered by states up to now has been inconsistent. Continue Reading For Most States, At Least A Read More

How The Approval Of The Birth Control Pill 60 Years Ago Helped Change Lives

By NPR News May 9, 2020

Birth control pills in 1976 in New York. The birth control pill was approved by the FDA 60 years ago this week. CREDIT: Bettmann/Getty Images

Before the pill was approved by the FDA on May 9, 1960, there were few contraceptive options available to young women. It revolutionized family planning and the sex lives of millions of Americans. Continue Reading How The Approval Of Read More

Seen ‘Plandemic’? A Close Look At The Viral Conspiracy Video’s Claims From A Discredited Scientist

By NPR News May 8, 2020

In 2011, Judy Mikovits was fired from the Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease, in Reno, Nev. She was then accused of stealing notebooks and a computer. David Calvert/AP

The video has been viewed millions of times on YouTube via links that are replaced as quickly as the video-sharing service can remove them for violating its policy against "COVID-19 misinformation." Continue Read More

Gardening During The Pandemic: It’s A Win-Win-Win

By Hannah Whisenant May 7, 2020

Summer's bounty starts with spring planting. CREDIT: S. Billings

The COVID-19 pandemic has everyone looking for ways to entertain and calm themselves at home and find joy in the stay-home-stay-safe pattern of life. Gardening provides entertainment, relaxation, and satisfaction every day. It’s prime gardening time right now, so use this article as your motivation to get gardening - it’s not too late to start! Read More

From Loss Of Smell To ‘COVID Toes’: What Experts Are Learning About Symptoms

By NPR News May 6, 2020

Chilblains (pictured) are itchy, red, pink or purple inflammations of the skin's small blood vessels that can develop in body parts such as toes and fingers from exposure to colder temperatures or wet conditions. A similar-looking inflammation of the toes is an emerging symptom of COVID-19 and is being referred to as "COVID toes."

It's not just a fever and dry cough. For milder cases of COVID-19, the array of symptoms can include headaches, fatigue, loss of smell and even lesions on the feet known as "COVID toes." Continue Reading From Loss Of Smell To Read More

How Reliable Are COVID-19 Tests? Depends Which One You Mean

By NPR News May 1, 2020

What types of tests are available for the coronavirus, and how accurate are they? Here's a handy guide to the field. Continue Reading How Reliable Are COVID-19 Tests? Depends Which One You MeanRead More

Return To Elective Procedures Means Return To More Stable Finances For Rural Washington Hospitals

By NWPB News May 1, 2020

Smaller Washington hospitals like Mid-Valley Hospital in Omak faced tight budget considerations with a pause on elective surgeries. Courtesy of Mid-Valley Hospital

Hospitals in Washington are starting to act on the permission given them by Gov. Jay Inslee to resume non-essential medical procedures. Some may begin work by or before next week. Continue Reading Return To Read More

‘A Complete Public Health Nightmare’: 150+ Tyson Workers Near Pasco Test Positive For COVID-19

By Anna King April 30, 2020

File photo of a Tyson Foods meat processing plant. A Tyson facility in Wallula, Washington, is dealing with an expanding coronavirus outbreak. Courtesy of Tyson Foods

Health officials have tested more than 1,000 Tyson Fresh Meats plant workers for COVID-19 in Wallula, Washington, near Pasco. As of Friday afternoon, 111 have tested positive in the plant that slaughters and processes beef products. Read More

When Is It Safe To Ease Social Distancing? Here’s What One Model Says For Each State

By NPR News April 26, 2020

South Carolina has permitted retail stores to reopen to customers. It's one of a handful of states easing up on some social distancing restrictions. Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Some states are moving forward, but many would be wise to wait, according to experts at the University of Washington. Here's their estimate for each state's safe date to reopen. Continue Reading When Is It Safe To Ease Social Read More

As States Reopen, Health Experts Seek To Understand Coronavirus’s Early Silent Spread

By NPR News April 25, 2020

Beachgoers return to Port Hueneme Beach, Calif., on Thursday. Ventura County beaches and parks have been scheduled to reopen this week with some restrictions. CREDIT: Mark J. Terrill/AP

Medical examiners are now screening for possible coronavirus connections in late January. Emerging evidence suggests it spread far earlier and more widely than initially believed. Continue Reading As States Reopen, Health Read More

‘Pretty Humbling And Enlightening’ Says King County Firefighter Recovering From COVID-19

By Tom Banse April 24, 2020

Fire Captain Shane Smith is recovering from a serious brush with COVID-19. He is mystified about where he contracted the virus. CREDIT: Brad Chaney/South King Fire & Rescue - 2019

More than 500 firefighters and EMTs in the Pacific Northwest have been temporarily quarantined after suspected exposure to the coronavirus over the past two months. The Washington State Council of Fire Fighters and the Oregon Fire Service Coronavirus Response Team have been monitoring the number of first responders taken out of service. Read More

Washington Builds Contact Tracing ‘Fire Brigade’ As State Looks Toward Gradual Reopening

By NPR News April 22, 2020

Washington says it will launch contact tracing teams to map coronavirus exposure. Here, public health nurse Jennifer Morgan, right, checks-in via phone with a patient self-quarantined at home in February. University of Washington epidemiology student Erika Feutz observes in Seattle. CREDIT: Elaine Thompson/AP

Public health experts say finding and isolating coronavirus patients will be key to re-opening public life. That's going to take a lot of work. Continue Reading Washington Builds Contact Tracing ‘Fire Brigade’ Read More

President Trump Says He’ll Suspend Immigration For 60 Days Over Coronavirus Fears

By NPR News April 22, 2020

President Trump said he plans to "temporarily suspend immigration into the United States," in an attempt to protect American workers from the coronavirus' economic toll. Continue Reading President Trump Says He’ll Suspend Read More

Who’s Hit Hardest By COVID-19? Why Obesity, Stress And Race All Matter

By NPR News April 18, 2020

An EMT wearing protective equipment carries a patient into Elmhurst Hospital Center in the Queens borough of New York. Preliminary data suggest COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on communities of color. Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Data shows people with certain chronic conditions are more likely to get severe COVID-19 symptoms. Why are they hit harder and what explains the disease's disproportionate affect on African Americans? Continue Reading Who’s Hit Hardest Read More

Mapping COVID-19: Millions Rely On Online Tracker Of Cases Worldwide

By NPR News April 14, 2020

The interactive, web-based dashboard created by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., as seen on Monday at 3:11 p.m. ET. Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)

A small team at Johns Hopkins University early on created what's become one of the most authoritative interactive online dashboards, tracking COVID-19 data around the world. Continue Reading Mapping COVID-19: Millions Rely On Online Tracker Read More

Do I Need To Disinfect My Groceries? Likely Not. But Here’s How To Shop Safely

By NPR News April 12, 2020

Going to the grocery store? Scientists share their advice about what to worry about and what not to. Katrina Wittkamp/Getty Images

Many of us are still venturing out to stock up on food and toiletries. But what's the safest way to shop during this pandemic? And what should you do once you've brought your haul home? We asked infectious disease, virology and food safety experts to share their tips about safe grocery shopping — and what you can stop worrying about. Read More

What You Need To Know About Hydroxychloroquine And Coronavirus

By PBS Newshour April 11, 2020

A bottle of hydroxycloroquine sits on a table outside the entrance to The Resort at Texas City nursing home, where Robin Armstrong, a doctor and the home's medical director, is giving the drug to residents CREDIT: David J. Phillip/AP

While there is anecdotal evidence hydroxychloroquine has helped manage some patients’ symptoms, there is no data that proves it is effective in treating or preventing COVID-19. But absent that kind of data, there has been confusion around how exactly to use the drug to treat patients sick with the virus — and whether it is effective. Read More

Are We Flattening The Curve? States Keep Watch On Coronavirus ‘Doubling Times’

By NPR News April 10, 2020

Within the first week of passing 10 deaths, Washington deaths doubled every five days. Over the past week, growth rate has slowed, and deaths in the state doubled every nine days. This chart uses a logarithmic scale, where each increment on the y-axis represents a tenfold increase in the number of deaths. Dotted lines show the slope of deaths doubling every one, three, five or seven days.

It is starting to take more time for cases, hospitalizations and deaths to double in several states, indicating social distancing is working. Here's how to make sense of those numbers. Continue Reading Are We Flattening The Curve? Read More

CDC Announces New Guidance For How Critical Employees Can Return To Work

By NPR News April 8, 2020

Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, announced new guidelines on Wednesday for critical infrastructure workers who may have been exposed to the coronavirus to return to work. CREDIT: Alex Brandon/AP

The new rules apply only to workers in critical infrastructure jobs, a broadly defined group that includes employees in fields from health care to financial services. Continue Reading CDC Announces New Guidance For How Critical Read More

A High Statewide Rate, With Big Fluctuations: Reading Idaho’s Coronavirus Numbers

By NWPB News April 6, 2020

Idaho Gov. Brad Little, left, announces stricter guidelines for social interactions to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, and also livestreaming the discussion, at his office in Boise on March 18, 2020. CREDIT: Keith Ridler/AP

Idaho has one of the highest coronavirus rates in the nation, according to a state epidemiologist. But infection rates can vary widely from county to county. And Idaho’s daily case reports fluctuate too. Continue Reading A High Read More

Think You’ve Got COVID-19? Here’s What Doctors Say About When To Seek Help

By NPR News April 3, 2020

A medical worker administers a COVID-19 test at a facility in Camden, N.J., on Wednesday. Matt Rourke/AP

Many people can ride the disease out at home, but doctors are getting a better idea of who should seek medical attention and when. Continue Reading Think You’ve Got COVID-19? Here’s What Doctors Say About When To Seek Read More

When The Pandemic Came To The Inland Northwest — 102 Years Ago

By Nicholas Deshais April 3, 2020

Volunteers wearing gauze masks at a street kitchen in Cincinnati serve food to children of families afflicted by the flu pandemic in the winter of 1918-1919.

The year was 1918 – the last time a pandemic reached Spokane. A century has passed, and the Inland Northwest and the world are once again contending with quarantine and the powerful role public health officials can play in times of outbreak. Continue Read More

Gov. Jay Inslee Extends Washington ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ Order Until At Least May 5

By NWPB News April 2, 2020

On Monday, March 23, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee addressed the state and issued a 'stay-at-home' order in a further attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. CREDIT: Governor's Office

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday that the original 'stay-at-home' order would be extended until at least May 5. There were no additional restrictions or other measure put in place beyond what's already been implemented. Continue Read More

Should We All Be Wearing Masks In Public? Health Experts Revisit The Question

By NPR News April 2, 2020

Even without symptoms, you might have the virus and be able to spread it when out in public, say researchers who now are reconsidering the use of surgical masks. CREDIT: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images

As cases of the coronavirus have skyrocketed, there's new thinking about the benefits that masks could offer in slowing the spread. The CDC says it is now reviewing its policy and may be considering a recommendation to encourage broader use. Read More

The Science Behind A 14-Day Quarantine After Possible COVID-19 Exposure

By NPR News April 1, 2020

Canadian border agents are handing people entering Canada a sheet from the Public Health Agency of Canada that instructs them to self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor themselves for any symptoms that might signal COVID-19. Selena Simmons-Duffin/NPR

What's behind the "14 days of self-quarantine" guidance after exposure to someone with COVID-19 or after travel from a place with a high number of cases? Think of yourself as a potential incubator. Continue Reading The Science Behind A Read More

Washington Steps-Up Messaging On ‘Stay-At-Home’ Order: Risk Ticket Or Losing Business Licence

By NWPB News March 30, 2020

A highway sign in Carmel, Ind., urges resident to stay home as the state ordered residents to remain at home except for essential activities. Similar signs are up in many states, including Washington, after governors have issued their own orders limiting business and travel. CREDIT: Michael Conroy/AP

The governor outlined a three-tier law enforcement response system for violations of the order, which could amount to a gross misdemeanor. A first offense would result in a warning. But consequences thereafter would become more serious. Read More