public health

A fiery debate over public health and personal rights has gripped Puerto Rico as legislators clash with medical experts. The debate began after Puerto Rico’s House of Representatives announced the mandatory use of face masks following a rise in COVID-19 cases.

The Florida Policy Project released two reports outlining ways for state lawmakers to improve the criminal justice system. They include recommendations to help people re-enter society after prison and reduce recidivism rates.

Florida lawmakers began moving forward with a proposal that would require legislative approval of extended public-health emergencies.

Broward County Public Schools staff, in response to new state law, were recommending scaling back sex ed curriculum. Board members called the proposal an overreaction.

Local health departments combat disparities by funding immigrant and minority community groups and letting them decide how best to spend the money.

Animals carry millions of pathogens. So it's a daunting task to find the one with the greatest potential to spark a pandemic. Now scientists are rethinking the way they hunt for that next new virus.

It’s the 12th time the emergency has been renewed since it was originally declared in January 2020. It is renewed for a 90-day period. The most recent declaration was to end Jan. 11.

As the pandemic raged, an independent nonprofit tied to the CDC hired an army of seasoned professionals to fill the gaps in the country’s public health system. Now, the money has largely run out.

While cases have decreased dramatically, there are still thousands of cases being reported across the world, and hundreds of people are still dying from it every day in the United States.

They argue the threat posed by COVID has lessened because of preexisting immunity and access to treatment. Plus, some deaths may be incorrectly blamed on COVID. Others caution it's too soon to tell.

Child poverty is at a historic low, according to Census bureau data, and the rate of those without health insurance dropped in 2021. But the good news may be short-lived, as policy measures expire.

Biden announced many of what he calls "cancer moonshot" goals in February. On Monday he laid out some updates in a speech that marked 60 years since Kennedy gave his iconic moonshot speech.