These Schools Use Weekly Testing to Keep Kids in Class — And Covid Out
By Christine Herman, WILL / Illinois Public Media
Coronavirus outbreaks have shuttered K-12 classrooms across the U.S., affecting tens of thousands of K-12 students. To avoid the same fate, some school districts are tapping federal dollars to set up testing programs and step up their vigilance against the virus.
To Stoke Rural Vaccination Rates, Trusted Farmers Are Asked to Spread Word
By Christine Herman, WILL / Illinois Public Media
Rural health experts are calling on trusted agricultural leaders — like farmers and ranchers — to use their understanding of science and nudge vaccine-hesitant neighbors to roll up their sleeves for a covid shot. But some farmers say they doubt they can change anyone’s mind.
Many New Moms Get Kicked Off Medicaid 2 Months After Giving Birth. Illinois Will Change That.
By Christine Herman, WILL / Illinois Public Media
Each year, hundreds of thousands of new mothers lose Medicaid coverage after 60 days when their income exceeds limits. But deadly childbirth complications persist months longer.
How a Hospital and a School District Teamed Up to Help Kids in Emotional Crisis
By Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR and Christine Herman, WILL / Illinois Public Media
A Long Island, New York, school system has partnered with a hospital to create a mental health safety net for children. The heart of the initiative is a new behavioral health center, which the hospital opened to help children avoid unnecessary hospitalization.
How Schools Can Help Kids Heal After the Pandemic’s Uncertainty
By Cory Turner, NPR and Christine Herman, WILL / Illinois Public Media
The pandemic has been stressful for millions of children. Schools are trying to meet children’s emotional needs in big and small ways as in-person classes resume.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Looking Ahead to the Lame-Duck Session
Can’t see the audio player? Click here to listen on Acast. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Click here for a transcript of the episode. When the lame-duck Congress returns to Washington after Election Day, it will face a long list of health items […]
To Help Farmworkers Get Covid Tests and Vaccine, Build Trust and a Safety Net
By Christine Herman, WILL / Illinois Public Media and Dana Cronin, WILL / Illinois Public Media
Testing and vaccinating essential workers on commercial farms and in meatpacking plants requires more than a pop-up clinic miles away. Missing work to get a test, or to quarantine after a positive result, can be financially devastating.
Back to Life: COVID Lung Transplant Survivor Tells Her Story
By Christine Herman, Side Effects Public Media
The first known coronavirus patient in the U.S. to undergo a double lung transplant is now strong enough to share the story of her ordeal.
Kids Already Coping With Mental Disorders Spiral as Pandemic Topples Vital Support Systems
By Christine Herman, Side Effects Public Media and Cory Turner, NPR and Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR
Many children with serious emotional or behavioral difficulties depend on schools for access to vital therapies. When schools and doctors’ offices stopped providing in-person services last spring, kids became untethered.
California’s Medicaid Experiment Spends Money to Save Money — And Help the Homeless
By Angela Hart
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ambitious experiment in health care is supposed to cut costs as it fills the needs of hard-to-reach people. The program’s start is chaotic and limited, but it shows promise.
