Health and Human Services

Researchers from the Portland, Ore., metro area are collecting data on trees in urban environments to help predict the effects of climate change and resident health, particularly on underserved communities.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced California will launch a digital vaccine verification system. While details on the system haven't been revealed, some experts have voiced concerns about privacy and transparency.

With the federal government unwilling to take the politically charged step of creating or endorsing a universal digital health pass or app, several companies are trying to fill the void.

The use of telehealth appointments exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the state Medicaid programs that began paying for phone visits are weighing how to proceed as people return to normal appointments.

Plus, a new online platform tracks health disparities across the country, a study in Kansas is the latest regional effort to obtain more precise broadband data and new data details equity gaps related to public parks.

The federal government has turned to a startup to expand on its work during the pandemic by implementing a national testing program meant to find COVID-19 outbreaks before in-person testing can reveal them.

An Alabama law signed by Gov. Kay Ivey prohibits agencies from issuing COVID-19 vaccination documents like passports or passes. The law also prohibits private and public entities from requiring proof of vaccination.

Some states are easing COVID-19 restrictions for those who can provide proof of vaccination, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation says online sales of fake and stolen vaccination cards are increasing.

Physically distanced from many of the supports and connections that define childhood and school in a year of unprecedented stressors, “the kids are not OK,” as Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said in February.

In a 16-month initiative, the National Governors Association is working with eight states on health policies that could enhance data sharing and improve identity management and cost effectiveness.

Drones might be a better solution for controlling mosquitoes in remote areas that ground vehicles have a hard time accessing.

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are using the technology to identify diabetic retinopathy, a diabetes complication that can cause blindness.

Doctors with Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente and St. Joseph Health have started using cellphones and mobile devices to meet with their patients.

Chattanooga, Tenn.'s investment in community broadband allows the city to bring more than just fast Internet browsing to citizens.

NowPow, an app developed in partnership with Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, is being utilized by researchers to assess the use of technology to improve the children and family services system.

Patients in San Diego, Calif., are facing substantial roadblocks to their health care as Scripps Health, the second-largest health system in the region, remains relatively silent about a recovery plan.

A recent report from software firm VMWare Carbon Black estimates that its health-care customers experienced a 9,851 percent increase in hacking attempts in 2020 compared to the previous year.

Scripps Health has not publicly confirmed that ransomware caused the outage, though an internal memo implicates the attack vector. The attack disrupted scheduling, patient records and other critical systems.