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A 'potentially powerful model' for treating sickle cell

A sickle cell clinic in South L.A. is believed to be the first of its kind: It brings primary and specialty care providers under one roof to treat the disease. Rebecca Plevin
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Recent Health coverage

Fighting COVID-19 Is Like 'Whack-A-Mole,' Says Writer Who Warned Of A Pandemic

Terry Gross | NPR |

Atlantic writer Ed Yong warned of a global pandemic two years ago. He says scientists are still working to understand how COVID-19 travels through air — and whether more of us should be wearing masks.

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Underlying Health Disparities Could Mean Coronavirus Hits Some Communities Harder

Liz Essley Whyte and Chris Zubak-Skees | NPR |

In the U.S., health and wealth are often linked. As the coronavirus spreads, experts worry low-income communities will be especially vulnerable — and ill-equipped to respond.

Cruise Ship Struggling With COVID-19 Headed To Florida

Greg Allen | NPR |

A cruise ship with four dead and nearly 200 people who have been sick with suspected COVID-19 may dock in Fort Lauderdale if cruise company executives and public officials can agree on a plan.

Models Of Epidemic Predict Huge U.S. Death Toll; Scientists Hope For Better Outcome

Dan Charles | NPR |

Computer models predict that between 100,000 and 200,000 Americans will die from COVID-19 in the months ahead. Administration officials said public health interventions could still lower the toll.

Who's Sickest From COVID-19? These Conditions Tied To Increased Risk

Allison Aubrey | NPR |

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report finds 78% of COVID-19 patients in the U.S. requiring admission to the intensive care unit had at least one underlying condition.

Chicago Public Health Commissioner: 'We Want To Be Ahead Of This'

James Doubek | NPR |

Experts worry about new hotspots in cities including Chicago. Dr. Allison Arwady says the city is relatively well prepared but would still not be able to handle the predicted wave of hospitalizations.

Are Hospitals Seeing A Surge Of Coronavirus Patients? Some Officials Aren't Saying

Lauren Sommer | NPR |

With a lack of tests, epidemiologists say the next best way to monitor the pandemic is by tracking hospitalizations. But hotspots like California and Washington are releasing little information.

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To Stop The Pandemic, Seema Verma Is 'Getting Rid Of A Lot Of Regulations'

Mary Louise Kelly | NPR |

As head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Verma says she's working to ease safety rules and lighten licensing requirements, to expand the number of hospital beds and health workers.

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

Huo Jingnan, Allison Aubrey, and Carmel Wroth | NPR |

There are rumblings that U.S. health officials may start encouraging Americans to wear face masks to cut down on asymptomatic spread. But with continued shortages, it's not clear how we'd do that.

After Surge In Cases, Michigan Now 3rd In Country For Coronavirus Deaths

Bobby Allyn | NPR |

More than 80% of total cases are in the three populous Detroit metro-area counties of Oakland, Macomb and Wayne, according to state officials.

A Genetic Test For A Microscopic Problem Came With A Jumbo Price Tag

Liz Szabo | NPR |

Molecular diagnostics are at the frontier of medical science. But along with precise information about health, the tests raise billing questions that can create a minefield for patients.

CDC Director On Models For The Months To Come: 'This Virus Is Going To Be With Us'

Sam Whitehead | NPR |

After weeks of keeping a low profile, the CDC's Dr. Robert Redfield tells NPR that data will determine future recommendations for wearing masks or easing back on social distancing.

Central Park And Home Of Tennis' U.S. Open To House Hospital Beds For New York

Anastasia Tsioulcas | NPR |

The East Meadow in Central Park and a training facility at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Queens are scheduled to become makeshift hospitals while regular facilities are strained by COVID-19.

Four Boston Hospitals Report Significant Numbers Of Employees Have The Coronavirus

Anastasia Tsioulcas | NPR |

The hospitals, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess, Brigham and Women's, and Tufts, say that 345 employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

Some Insurers Waive Patients' Share Of Costs For COVID-19 Treatment

Selena Simmons-Duffin | NPR |

Aetna, Cigna and Humana now say they will waive most treatment costs associated with COVID-19 that would normally be picked up by patients enrolled in their health plans. Will other firms follow suit?

FDA OK's Addition To Stockpile Of Malaria Drugs For COVID-19

Sydney Lupkin | NPR |

Chloroquine and hydroxycloroquine got the Food and Drug Administration's go-ahead to be put in the nation's strategic storehouses. But the drugs haven't been approved to treat coronavirus patients.