There were discussions about making Second Avenue Commons in Downtown Pittsburgh one of these sites, but that was quickly shot down. PGH does have syringe services. These kinds of harm reduction resources remain controversial among the general public.
Do supervised consumption sites increase crime? A new study of sites in Toronto finds it’s largely dependent on context, community buy-in, and surrounding social services.
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
BREAKING: Planned Parenthood's Greensburg location fully reopens after staffing shortages temporarily closed multiple Pittsburgh-area locations. Bridgeville and non-abortion in-person services DT still to reopen.
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
In this @hannamwebster.bsky.social piece I’m quoted about a measles outbreak in Lancaster county Pennsylvania—Not surprising given that the virus is basically on the verge of becoming endemic again and the low rate of vaccination in that area www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
"We had just been told, via a prerecorded video of an unfamiliar woman in a gray suit, that the Post-Gazette would cease all operations May 3 due to mounting financial losses."
A haunting essay on the PG's demise by @thexylom.com alum @hannamwebster.bsky.social for @poynterinstitute.bsky.social:
Thank you for sharing, Alex!
Thanks @poynterinstitute.bsky.social for publishing my essay on what it was like to hear the PG was closing 📰
www.poynter.org/commentary/2...
We're still reporting despite the PG news. I spent the past two months speaking to former clients & staff at a closed down methadone clinic to hear about the impact of its shuttering:
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
ICYMI from the weekend: What can we learn from whooping cough outbreaks in Pa. and now in W. Va.?
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Was just informed the Post-Gazette is closing all operations May 3. It's been a privilege to be a part of such a talented team the past three years.
Will be looking for work in health reporting, journalism, science writing, etc. #journorequest I specialize in opioids, trans rights & health equity.
President Trump signs executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug
Important to note that moving from Schedule I to III still doesn't federally legalize cannabis — it remains, technically, federally illegal, but now has looser restrictions.
(5/5)
Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition has called the rescheduling "one of the most significant developments in U.S. cannabis policy in a half-century," and acknowledges cannabis has some accepted medical use.
(4/5)
but these groups also say cannabis shouldn't be on the schedule at all & wonder how this change will jive with statewide legalization.
"It is long past time to deschedule cannabis entirely & end nearly a century of failed prohibition," said Marijuana Policy Project in a statement.
(3/5)
Advocacy groups lauded the decision and hope it leads to an increase in cannabis research, decreased stigma and tax deductions for cannabis businesses.
(2/5)
Trump signed an executive order to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III.
(1/5)
More UPMC news: A methadone advocacy group has started an open letter to UPMC officials urging them to find a suitable building for the now-closed methadone clinic in Wilkinsburg, leaving ~500 without treatment.
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Here's the updated story on UPMC's fight over medical records of its gender care patients: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Lawyers have stated that releasing patient info without full names still gives the govt access to highly sensitive medical info of minors. UPMC has not yet turned over any records, and lawyers are preparing to respond.
The PG site is having trouble updating, so I wanted to amend yesterday's story on UPMC's gender care fight:
DOJ filed a motion to tell the court it would be willing to accept anonymized patient info. Court has not yet responded, and lawyers for the families disagree with this.
Physicians raise concerns about federal hep B vaccine change www.post-gazette.com/news/health/... by @hannamwebster.bsky.social
I have a new poem out in Sheila-Na-Gig's most recent issue. I wrote this a few years ago and happy to finally see it out in the world! sheilanagigblog.com/poetry-archi...
As someone with hearing loss, this is very cool! Pitt audiologists have made a hearing aid dashboard to help consumers navigate through the OTC aids on the market. And, it's non-industry sponsored: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
UPMC is closing its outpatient methadone program by Nov. 28, as it was unable to find an alternate location after the building's landlord refused to renew the lease. More on the impact here: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
In this @hannamwebster.bsky.social piece I’m quoted (from a recent lecture I gave) regarding vaccine policy and infectious disease preparedness. It’s not good and the US is not well prepared nor resilient to these threats www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
I wrote about how bereaved parents are using AI to resurrect their kids lost to fentanyl.
Many say it's helped them heal. Others say it's "kind of like an addiction."
More here: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
I wrote about how bereaved parents are using AI to resurrect their kids lost to fentanyl.
Many say it's helped them heal. Others say it's "kind of like an addiction."
More here: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
A 14-state Governors Public Health Alliance forms in response to a break from scientific consensus at the federal level — Pa. is not one of the states. More here: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
It’s time to start listening to Mitski again
Have you heard a lot about detoxing online? I looked into "detox" products and their claims: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
