The Columbian

Health Wire

Debra Cross, director of operations for Provoking Hope, an addiction recovery center in McMinnville, Ore., displays an emergency kit used to treat opioid overdose as she stands inside an ambulance converted into a mobile needle-exchange unit. McMinnville and thousands of other towns across the United States that were wracked by the opioid crisis are on the precipice of receiving billions of dollars in the second-biggest legal settlement in U.S. history.

Cities wracked by opioids close to getting $26B settlement

December 14, 2021, 1:30pm Health

The opioid epidemic blew into this picturesque Oregon town like a toxic wind, leaving overdoses, addiction, homelessness and wrecked families in its wake. Read story

People wait to be vaccinated by a member of the Western Cape Metro EMS (Emergency Medical Services) at a mobile "Vaxi Taxi" which is an ambulance converted into a mobile COVID-19 vaccination site in Blackheath in Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. The omicron variant appears to cause less severe disease than previous versions of the coronavirus, and the Pfizer vaccine seems to offer less defense against infection from it but still good protection from hospitalization, according to an analysis of data from South Africa, where the new variant is driving a surge in infections.

Data indicate omicron is milder, better at evading vaccines

December 14, 2021, 9:52am Health

The omicron variant appears to cause less severe disease than previous versions of the coronavirus, and the Pfizer vaccine seems to offer less defense against infection from it but still good protection from hospitalization, according to an analysis of data from South Africa, where the new variant is driving a… Read story

FILE - This undated image provided by Pfizer in November 2021 shows the company's COVID-19 pills. On Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, Pfizer said that its experimental COVID-19 pill is effective against the omicron variant and maintained its promising early performance against the virus in final testing.

Pfizer confirms COVID pill’s results, potency versus omicron

December 14, 2021, 9:50am Health

Pfizer said Tuesday that its experimental pill to treat COVID-19 appears effective against the omicron variant. Read story

Screening for common cancers could save your life

December 14, 2021, 6:05am Health

Cancer is a difficult topic that many would prefer to avoid. But, as Fox 4 reporter Matt Stewart learned last year, cancer screenings can be lifesaving. Read story

Testing for COVID at home not fool-proof

December 14, 2021, 6:04am Health

The emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, omicron, has heightened safety protocols and plans to help people stay safe from illness as researchers and experts learn more about the newest strain of SARS-CoV-2. This includes plans to expand access to COVID-19 over-the-counter tests for people to use at home in… Read story

How long can you keep leftovers?

December 14, 2021, 6:03am Health

From leftovers in your lunch to planning a meal for family and friends, keeping food safe is important. Food poisoning — also called foodborne illness — is caused by harmful germs, such as bacteria, in contaminated food. Because bacteria typically doesn’t change the taste, smell or look of food, you… Read story

FILE - The Supreme Court is seen on the first day of the new term, in Washington, Oct. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/J.

Justices won’t block vaccine mandate for New York health workers

December 13, 2021, 12:37pm Health

The Supreme Court refused Monday to halt a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care workers in New York that does not offer an exemption for religious reasons. Read story

FILE - Boxes containing the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are prepared to be shipped at the Pfizer Global Supply Kalamazoo manufacturing plant in Portage, Mich., Dec. 13, 2020. The nation's COVID-19 death toll stands at around 800,000 as the anniversary of the U.S. vaccine rollout arrives. A year ago it stood at 300,000. What might have been a time to celebrate a scientific achievement is fraught with discord and mourning.

One year of vaccines: Many lives saved, many needlessly lost

December 13, 2021, 12:20pm Health

One year ago, the biggest vaccination drive in American history began with a flush of excitement in an otherwise gloomy December. Trucks loaded with freezer-packed vials of a COVID-19 vaccine that had proved wildly successful in clinical trials fanned out across the land, bringing shots that many hoped would spell… Read story

FILE - Maya Goode, a COVID-19 technician, performs a test on Jessica Sanchez outside Asthenis Pharmacy in Providence, R.I., Dec. 7, 2021. As the omicron variant sparks worldwide fears of renewed virus outbreaks, Americans' worries about infection are again on the rise. But fewer say that they are regularly wearing masks or isolating compared with the beginning of the year.

AP-NORC poll: Omicron raises COVID worry but not precautions

December 13, 2021, 11:30am Health

As the omicron variant sparks worldwide fears of renewed COVID-19 outbreaks, Americans’ worries about infection are again on the rise, but fewer say they are regularly wearing masks or isolating compared with the beginning of the year. Read story

FILE - The Biogen Inc., headquarters is shown March 11, 2020, in Cambridge, Mass. The head of a Senate panel that oversees Medicare is urging the Biden administration to cut back a hefty premium increase that will soon hit enrollees, joining a growing number of Democratic lawmakers demanding action amid widespread concern over rising inflation.

Medicare urged to flex its power and slash back premium hike

December 13, 2021, 10:12am Health

The head of a Senate panel that oversees Medicare says the Biden administration should use its legal authority to cut back a hefty premium increase soon hitting millions of enrollees, as a growing number of Democratic lawmakers call for action amid worries over rising inflation. Read story