Category: NPR

Will COVID-19 Vaccines Still Work Against The Variant From India?

A coronavirus variant is spreading quickly in India, causing a massive surge in cases. Scientists are rushing to see if vaccines will be effective against this variant. So far, the news is hopeful.

CDC Advisory Panel Recommends Coronavirus Vaccines For Adolescents Aged 12-15

The recommendation follows the FDA’s extension of its emergency use authorization to children 12 to 15 of age earlier this week.

Opioid Crisis: Filmmaker Details The Medical System’s ‘Crime Of The Century’

Documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney investigated the opioid crisis. He says it was created by pharmaceutical companies, distributors, pharmacists and doctors, all looking to profit.

You’re Fully Vaccinated! But Do You Need A Booster Shot?

It’s been six months since the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered in the U.S. But now there are questions about booster shots. Share yours with us and we’ll get experts to answer them.

How Systemic Racism Continues To Determine Black Health And Wealth In Chicago

There is a 30-year gap in the life expectancy of some Black and white Chicagoans. Journalist Linda Villarosa talks about the link between racism and health outcomes, and tells her own family’s story.

U.S. Birthrate Fell By 4% In 2020, Hitting Another Record Low

For the sixth year in a row, the number of U.S. births fell in 2020, reaching the lowest level since 1979. The fertility rate remains “below replacement” — the level needed to compensate for deaths.

Pfizer Says FDA Will Soon Authorize COVID-19 Vaccine For 12-15 Age Group

The company said in late March that clinical trials showed the vaccine elicits “100% efficacy and robust antibody responses” in adolescents.

For Kurdish Americans In Nashville, A Beloved Leader’s Death Prompts Vaccine Push

Some immigrant groups are closing the ethnic gap on COVID-19 shots. For many Kurdish Americans, their fears about vaccination are entangled with their experiences in refugee camps after fleeing Iraq.

U.S. Vaccinations May Be Reaching A Tipping Point To Stop The Virus, Experts Say

New coronavirus cases are at their lowest level since October. Some health experts think the vaccination campaign deserves credit for tamping down the U.S. outbreak. But will the downturn last?

Retail Therapy: CVS Plans To Expand Mental Health Care In Stores

As the number of people seeking therapy soars during the pandemic, CVS has begun testing a model to offer counseling services in its stores. It hopes to reduce costs for both patients and itself.