Author Archive
Anna Maria Barry-Jester
Management
Syphilis is killing babies. The U.S. government is failing to stop the disease from spreading.
The only drug that treats syphilis during pregnancy is in short supply. Untreated, the disease can pass to newborns, killing them or leaving them with disabilities. As cases rise sharply, the government isn’t doing much to prevent shortages.
Emerging Tech
Health officials see bright future in poop surveillance
Using wastewater surveillance data, academics, private companies, public health departments and sewage plant operators are trying to track infectious diseases beyond COVID-19.
Management
Hard Lives Made Harder by COVID: Homeless Endure a ‘Slow-Moving Train Wreck’
This was supposed to be the year California finally did something about its homelessness epidemic. COVID-19 upended that promise.
Management
California Expands Privacy Protection to Public Health Workers Amid Threats
Protesters angry over mask mandates and stay-at-home orders have gone to the homes of health officers in multiple counties in California.
Management
Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes Fly Free as Health Departments Focus on Coronavirus
Monitoring and controlling mosquitoes is a key local government function. But as strapped health departments focus all of their energies on the coronavirus, they are forced to neglect combatting the disease-carrying insects.
Workforce
Hollowed-Out Public Health System Faces More Cuts Amid Virus
Public health agencies at every level of government received budget cut after cut over recent decades. Now, facing a global pandemic, they are getting cut again.
Management
As Covid Cases Spike, California Shifts Its Strategy
Counties across the state are toppling records and, overall, California recorded a single-day high of 7,149 new COVID cases Tuesday.
Workforce
Public Health Officials Face Wave Of Threats, Pressure Amid Coronavirus Response
A review found that at least 27 state and local health leaders have resigned, retired or been fired since April across 13 states.
Management
Efforts To Curb Congenital Syphilis Falter In Covid’s Shadow
A new report found that in 2018 almost 30% of women who gave birth to a baby with syphilis had no prenatal care and weren't tested in time to receive treatment.
Management
Testing In California Still A Frustrating Patchwork Of Haves And Have-Nots
County to county, city to city—even hospital to hospital within a city—testing capacity varies widely, as does the definition of who qualifies for testing.
Management
The Inside Story Of How The Bay Area Got Ahead Of The COVID-19 Crisis
In the 24 hours before San Francisco Bay Area public health officials issued the country’s first stay-at-home order, they debated how to tackle the alarming rise in COVID-19 infections. Their decision set the course for the nation.
Featured eBooks
Management
Homeless Californians Adapt to Camp Sweeps and 'The Caltrans Shuffle’
Every other week, people living on state land near a freeway must pack up for a California Department of Transportation cleaning, which can often result in losing crucial belongings.
Management
Vapers Accuse Officials Of Overreach As Investigation Into Deadly Lung Illness Lags
Cities and states have responded to the vaping crisis with a divergent mix of warnings and bans.
Management
Juul Hires Leading Teen Addiction Researcher As Medical Director
The move comes after Juul launched a recent campaign to overturn restrictions on e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco in San Francisco, where the company is based.
