Category: NPR

NPR’s Sacha Pfeiffer speaks to Duke University Hospital emergency physician Dr. Daniel Buckland about the state of his hospital as the Omicron variant surges.

Blood supplies are low at hospitals across the country, and the American Red Cross hopes people will continue to donate blood in order to bolster supplies.

Facing lost wages if they can’t work, essential workers struggle to get timely COVID tests amid a nationwide testing crunch. Community clinics are struggling to meet the need.

Medical schools are reporting a record increase in Black students. Across the U.S., the number of first-year African Americans is way up – 21 percent — an unprecedented spike since 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a 62% drop in blood drives at schools and colleges, according to the American Red Cross.

Omicron may cause milder disease but the sheer number of patients make this wave far worse for the health care system. With packed emergency rooms, patients can wait days to get moved to a bed.

Aduhelm is the first treatment approved in the country to slow cognitive decline in those living with Alzheimer’s. Doctors have refused to prescribe it, given the lack of data and evidence behind it.

There are more patients and, in some places, not enough health care workers to go around. Research shows the crowding will impact care and increase mortality for all patients.

The Biden administration says Americans should be able to order COVID tests online later this month. Those who are eligible can get eight free over-the-counter at-home tests a month.

If a judge rules a person can’t make their own decisions, the next step can be a legal guardianship or conservatorship. Some states allow less restrictive options, but advocates say it’s not enough.