Yuki Noguchi

There are dividing lines when it comes to how families are weathering the pandemic: Those living in big cities, those making less than $100,000 a year, and Latino and Black families are faring worst.

One of the strongest mental health parity laws in the U.S. is on the governor’s desk. It aims to help more than 13 million Californians — including those with milder mental illness and addictions.

California lawmakers cleared a bill for one of the country’s strongest mental health parity laws. If signed, it would improve insurance coverage for substance use disorders and addiction.

For many cancer patients, daily life can feel full of risky choices involving work, family, friends and money. Nearly every option pits the risks of catching the coronavirus against other downsides.

Face coverings are key to stopping spread of the coronavirus, but also slow communication, especially for people who don’t hear well. Volunteers and companies suggest some transparent alternatives.

Young African American doctors say they hope to change the lack of access to medicine in underserved communities. But many say the system that trains them also alienates them.

Young black doctors say they hope to change the lack of medical access in their community. But many also say the training system itself perpetuates a sense of alienation from the medical profession.

Alcohol and drug consumption have increased recently, but fewer patients have sought treatment. Most treatment centers face possible closure even as they anticipate a post-pandemic surge in need.

With states starting to reopen, bans on “nonessential” surgeries are beginning to lift, too. But there’s a huge backlog of cases that have only gotten more urgent and heartbreaking for many patients.

The disruption in the illegal opioid trade had varying impacts around the country. As stay-at-home orders lift, that creates different risks of overdose that public health is trying to manage.