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Patti Neighmond Award-winning journalist Patti Neighmond is NPR's health policy correspondent. Her reports air regularly on NPR newsmagazines All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition.
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Patti Neighmond

Health

Outgoing NPR Health Policy Correspondent Reflects On Her Favorite Story

Patti Neighmond, an outgoing health policy correspondent who has worked at NPR for 40 years, remembers her favorite story — about a young quadriplegic woman dependent on a ventilator.

Outgoing NPR Health Policy Correspondent Reflects On Her Favorite Story

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Still Disinfecting Surfaces? It Might Not Be Worth It

Health researchers say wearing masks and washing your hands often is more important than wiping down surfaces when it comes to protecting yourself from the coronavirus. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images hide caption

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Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Still Disinfecting Surfaces? It Might Not Be Worth It

Early in the pandemic, people were advised to disinfect everything they touched. But now that scientists understand more about how COVID-19 spreads, all that scrubbing down may have been overkill.

Still Disinfecting Surfaces? It Might Not Be Worth It

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Animals

Animal Protection Groups Help Financially Strapped Families

Research shows having a pet improves both physical and mental health. But economic hardships are making it hard for some families to keep their pets. Animal welfare groups are trying to help.

Animal Protection Groups Help Financially Strapped Families

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Pandemic Pet Therapy: What's So Special About A Critter Friend?

Taco has kept Devin Green busy and her anxiety at bay. "I'm consumed with him more than the worries in my mind." Devin Green hide caption

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Devin Green

Shots - Health News

Pandemic Pet Therapy: What's So Special About A Critter Friend?

"Relationships with animals are simple," notes one researcher. In a year when life feels fraught, pets have been healers, helping human companions get exercise, quell anxiety and make new friends.

Pandemic Pet Therapy: What's So Special About A Critter Friend?

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Health

Pet Adoptions Bring Some Joy During Coronavirus Pandemic

The nationwide increase in pet adoptions during the pandemic is good news for orphaned animals. It's also good for humans. Research shows pets can improve both physical and mental health.

Pet Adoptions Bring Some Joy During Coronavirus Pandemic

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Mental Health

Experts Warn Students May Face Challenges When In-Person Classes Resume

As in-person schooling returns in some districts, mental health professionals say many children will face difficulties as a result of the isolation and worry they experience during the pandemic.

Experts Warn Students May Face Challenges When In-Person Classes Resume

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Senate Democrats Call On Congress To Fix Racial Disparities In Health Care

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., ranking member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued a report on racial disparities and COVID-19 calling for congressional action. Zach Gibson/Getty Images hide caption

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Zach Gibson/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Senate Democrats Call On Congress To Fix Racial Disparities In Health Care

A new report highlights the disproportionate harm the pandemic has done to Black people, Latinos and Native Americans, and systemic factors behind it. It lays out steps to repair the problems.

About 1 In 5 Households In U.S. Cities Miss Needed Medical Care During Pandemic
Kaz Fantone/NPR

Shots - Health News

About 1 In 5 Households In U.S. Cities Miss Needed Medical Care During Pandemic

Some people have skipped care because of finances or fear of the virus, doctors say. Others find medical practices closed to new patients. Many are suffering health consequences, an NPR poll finds.

About 1 In 5 Households In U.S. Cities Miss Needed Medical Care During Pandemic

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Race

Most Children Who Die Of COVID-19 Are Minorities, CDC Report Shows

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds the vast majority of children dying from COVID-19 are children of color.

Most Children Who Die Of COVID-19 Are Minorities, CDC Report Shows

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The Majority Of Children Who Die From COVID-19 Are Children Of Color

A child washes her hands at a day care center in Connecticut last month. A detailed look at COVID-19 deaths in U.S. kids and young adults by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the great majority are children of color. Jessica Hill/AP hide caption

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Jessica Hill/AP

Coronavirus Updates

The Majority Of Children Who Die From COVID-19 Are Children Of Color

According to data reported to the CDC, 121 children died from COVID-19 between February and July of this year. And 78% of the children who died were Hispanic, Black or Native American.

Medical Treatments

About 20% Of Americans Couldn't Get Needed Medical Care Due To Pandemic, Poll Shows

In major cities, at least 1 in 5 Americans reported being unable to get medical care or delaying medical care for serious problems due to the pandemic, according to a new poll by NPR and two others.

About 20% Of Americans Couldn't Get Needed Medical Care Due To Pandemic, Poll Shows

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Health

What It's Like To Spend Months Recovering From COVID-19

Some COVID-19 patients have mild to moderate symptoms and recover quickly, but others suffer for months. And scientists don't know why some are more susceptible to having prolonged symptoms.

What It's Like To Spend Months Recovering From COVID-19

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'Change Can Happen': Black Families On Racism, Hope And Parenting

The Jernigan-Noesi family, the Roper Nedd family, and the Ford family talk about the conversations they're having with their kids about racism, social justice, and having hope for the future. (Left to right) Lynsey Weatherspoon for NPR; Michael A. McCoy for NPR; Michael Starghill for NPR hide caption

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(Left to right) Lynsey Weatherspoon for NPR; Michael A. McCoy for NPR; Michael Starghill for NPR

Shots - Health News

'Change Can Happen': Black Families On Racism, Hope And Parenting

In wake of George Floyd's killing and the Black Lives Matter protests, conversations about race in America have a new urgency. Here's how Black parents are having 'the talk' with their children today.