Hanna Webster
@hannamwebster.bsky.social
health reporter @post-gazette.com covering opioids, cannabis, infectious disease & health equity / poet
Reposted by Hanna Webster
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/...
Top health figures meet in Allegheny County for vaccine conference
‘Right now in 2025, if we had a rubella outbreak, we wouldn’t be able to handle it how they did in the ‘60s prior to the rubella vaccine. It would be a worldwide emergency.’
www.post-gazette.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:26 PM
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/...
Reposted by Hanna Webster
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/...
Many say it's helped them heal. Others say it's "kind of like an addiction."
More here: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Digital footprints: Employing AI, parents are resurrecting children lost to fentanyl
The Facebook video depicted a girl with dyed blonde hair, lounging on a plush outside patio in gray sweatpants. Her legs were crossed, and she faced the...
www.post-gazette.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:25 PM
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/...
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/...
Many say it's helped them heal. Others say it's "kind of like an addiction."
More here: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Digital footprints: Employing AI, parents are resurrecting children lost to fentanyl
The Facebook video depicted a girl with dyed blonde hair, lounging on a plush outside patio in gray sweatpants. Her legs were crossed, and she faced the...
www.post-gazette.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:25 PM
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/...
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/...
Newly formed Governors Public Health Alliance is 15 strong, but doesn't include Pa.
A newly formed, multistate coalition represents the largest coordinated pushback to federal public health guidance under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy...
www.post-gazette.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:11 PM
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
October 7, 2025 at 7:47 PM
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/...
'They're a scam': Experts counter the detox wellness trend
With two-thirds of American adults taking supplements regularly, and more getting their news and health information online, it can be tricky to know what’s...
www.post-gazette.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Have you heard a lot about detoxing online? I looked into "detox" products and their claims: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
COVID-19 cases are again creeping up in Allegheny County, after the region hit a low point mid-June. Here's what to know: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
COVID-19 cases creep up amid vaccination rollout
Just as health officials announced a dizzying rollout of updated COVID-19 shots, cases and hospitalizations of the virus seem to be ticking up again.
It’s...
www.post-gazette.com
September 18, 2025 at 4:30 PM
COVID-19 cases are again creeping up in Allegheny County, after the region hit a low point mid-June. Here's what to know: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
On Friday, I went to Harrisburg to hear directly from parents who have lost children to fentanyl — and what they think is the best way forward to end the crisis. TL;DR: They don't always agree. www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
'I felt I was being taught how to feel': Bereaved parents are divided in how to tackle fentanyl
A Harrisburg event leading up to Overdose Awareness Day highlights differences in how to fight the highly potent drug.
www.post-gazette.com
August 31, 2025 at 4:02 PM
On Friday, I went to Harrisburg to hear directly from parents who have lost children to fentanyl — and what they think is the best way forward to end the crisis. TL;DR: They don't always agree. www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Reposted by Hanna Webster
CDC website has been updated…
(Deb Houry, the CDC's chief medical officer, resigned yesterday, meaning that the agency's top two leadership posts are now vacant)
(Deb Houry, the CDC's chief medical officer, resigned yesterday, meaning that the agency's top two leadership posts are now vacant)
August 28, 2025 at 3:21 PM
CDC website has been updated…
(Deb Houry, the CDC's chief medical officer, resigned yesterday, meaning that the agency's top two leadership posts are now vacant)
(Deb Houry, the CDC's chief medical officer, resigned yesterday, meaning that the agency's top two leadership posts are now vacant)
Shapiro joins a citizen's petition to ask the FDA to review regulations on the abortion pill mifepristone, which some health officials see as burdensome. W/ @benkail.bsky.social
www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...
www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...
Gov. Shapiro joins push for FDA to remove restrictions on abortion medication
Gov. Josh Shapiro has joined the latest fight over a common abortion medication with the White House, as Pennsylvania and several other states aim to pressure...
www.post-gazette.com
August 22, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Shapiro joins a citizen's petition to ask the FDA to review regulations on the abortion pill mifepristone, which some health officials see as burdensome. W/ @benkail.bsky.social
www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...
www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...
Advocates for trans rights have hoped Gov. Shapiro would be more vocal regarding recent gender care cuts. Behind closed doors, constituents are saying he's been more vocal. Read my latest to get a look at a private roundtable he held with a dozen trans teens: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Mt. Lebanon teen, who is trans, gets opportunity to tell her health care story to Gov. Shapiro
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s participation in a new lawsuit, filed by 16 states and the District of Columbia, that seeks to block Trump administration...
www.post-gazette.com
August 21, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Advocates for trans rights have hoped Gov. Shapiro would be more vocal regarding recent gender care cuts. Behind closed doors, constituents are saying he's been more vocal. Read my latest to get a look at a private roundtable he held with a dozen trans teens: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Reposted by Hanna Webster
Allegheny County police and emergency services have confirmed one dead and two are unaccounted for.
August 11, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Allegheny County police and emergency services have confirmed one dead and two are unaccounted for.
BREAKING: An explosion at US Steel's Clairton Coke Works plant has led to multiple injuries, and the situation is developing.
Multiple AHN locations and UPMC Mercy have reported receiving patients from the site.
Follow live updates here: www.post-gazette.com/business/pow...
Multiple AHN locations and UPMC Mercy have reported receiving patients from the site.
Follow live updates here: www.post-gazette.com/business/pow...
Live updates: Multiple injuries reported in explosion at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works
Emergency crews were responding Monday morning to a reported explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, authorities said. Allegheny County Emergency...
www.post-gazette.com
August 11, 2025 at 4:53 PM
BREAKING: An explosion at US Steel's Clairton Coke Works plant has led to multiple injuries, and the situation is developing.
Multiple AHN locations and UPMC Mercy have reported receiving patients from the site.
Follow live updates here: www.post-gazette.com/business/pow...
Multiple AHN locations and UPMC Mercy have reported receiving patients from the site.
Follow live updates here: www.post-gazette.com/business/pow...
Gov. Shapiro @governor.pa.gov has joined a lawsuit with 22 other states suing the Trump Administration over its attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. More than half of PP patients rely on Medicaid: www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...
Gov. Shapiro joins coalition of 22 states suing over federal bill defunding Planned Parenthood
'As the Trump Administration tries to defund Planned Parenthood, close health centers, and prevent Pennsylvanians from accessing care, we're taking a stand,
www.post-gazette.com
July 31, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Gov. Shapiro @governor.pa.gov has joined a lawsuit with 22 other states suing the Trump Administration over its attempts to defund Planned Parenthood. More than half of PP patients rely on Medicaid: www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...
What is 7-OH? Here's why a key government health agency is moving to restrict this new opioid, which is widely available at gas stations, smoke shops and online: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Why HHS is moving to restrict a synthetic opioid sold at local smoke shops: 'A recipe for a public health disaster'
The substance, 7-OH, is a naturally occurring compound in the kratom plant.
www.post-gazette.com
July 31, 2025 at 2:44 PM
What is 7-OH? Here's why a key government health agency is moving to restrict this new opioid, which is widely available at gas stations, smoke shops and online: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
"At first, I felt nothing. And then I felt fear."
Loved this Anna Russell @newyorker.com essay about pregnancy, illness, rest & what it means to be a (working) woman in society thru it all.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Loved this Anna Russell @newyorker.com essay about pregnancy, illness, rest & what it means to be a (working) woman in society thru it all.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Notes on Bed Rest
I spent months limiting my movement, to protect a high-risk pregnancy. How did it change me?
www.newyorker.com
July 28, 2025 at 7:46 PM
"At first, I felt nothing. And then I felt fear."
Loved this Anna Russell @newyorker.com essay about pregnancy, illness, rest & what it means to be a (working) woman in society thru it all.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Loved this Anna Russell @newyorker.com essay about pregnancy, illness, rest & what it means to be a (working) woman in society thru it all.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
I can’t stop thinking about Rebecca Shapass’ “Tempus Fugit,” especially the video, and Vivian Caccuri’s “I Hear My Blood Singing,” at the Mattress Factory. I want to go back just to watch that video again. Highly recommend!!
July 28, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I can’t stop thinking about Rebecca Shapass’ “Tempus Fugit,” especially the video, and Vivian Caccuri’s “I Hear My Blood Singing,” at the Mattress Factory. I want to go back just to watch that video again. Highly recommend!!
Reposted by Hanna Webster
When is a sunburn cause for concern?
When is a sunburn cause for concern?
While common, sunburns are not all created equal.
www.post-gazette.com
July 27, 2025 at 12:31 PM
When is a sunburn cause for concern?
I have two poems out in @oneart.bsky.social today! I'm really happy with these ones. ✨
oneartpoetry.com/2025/07/24/t...
oneartpoetry.com/2025/07/24/t...
Two Poems by Hanna Webster
Ripe after Natasha Rao’s “Cornucopia” When we got together, every breakfast tasted like an envelope unsealed. Strawberry jam, honey goat …
oneartpoetry.com
July 24, 2025 at 2:39 PM
I have two poems out in @oneart.bsky.social today! I'm really happy with these ones. ✨
oneartpoetry.com/2025/07/24/t...
oneartpoetry.com/2025/07/24/t...
HHS just reported that a key federal vaccine regulator group has voted to remove thimerosal from all flu vaccines.
What is thimerosal? Here's my primer:
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
What is thimerosal? Here's my primer:
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
What is thimerosal? Here’s a primer on the argued-over vaccine ingredient
A newly staffed federal immunization panel voted against using the preservative, as experts worry about the ruling’s global impact.
www.post-gazette.com
July 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
HHS just reported that a key federal vaccine regulator group has voted to remove thimerosal from all flu vaccines.
What is thimerosal? Here's my primer:
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
What is thimerosal? Here's my primer:
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Pittsburghers who rely on public transit to commute discuss how the heat waves have impacted them: "It's a horrible experience", said one rider on Thursday.
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Pittsburgh-area transit riders swelter in extreme heat
It was 88 degrees at the East Liberty busway stop, and Nadine’s bus was late again.
The 60-year-old, who declined to give her last name, was smoking...
www.post-gazette.com
July 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Pittsburghers who rely on public transit to commute discuss how the heat waves have impacted them: "It's a horrible experience", said one rider on Thursday.
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Reposted by Hanna Webster
Even if they did profit (which they should) it doesn’t change the fact that vaccines are a value to human life www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/w...
Kennedy Claims Doctors Profit Off Vaccines. In Fact, Many Lose Money on Them.
www.nytimes.com
July 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Even if they did profit (which they should) it doesn’t change the fact that vaccines are a value to human life www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/w...
The award includes one of my favorite stories I've written, about how clothing is a key aspect of health and well being for trans people. I interviewed a trans seamstress who makes gender-affirming clothing and alterations:
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Clothing that fits is an important aspect of transgender health
For Rainy Sinclair, it began with a blue scarf.
This was the first “non-boy” item she gravitated toward early in her transition, the first...
www.post-gazette.com
July 14, 2025 at 7:18 PM
The award includes one of my favorite stories I've written, about how clothing is a key aspect of health and well being for trans people. I interviewed a trans seamstress who makes gender-affirming clothing and alterations:
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
Late to the party but I'm happy to announce the Pennsylvania News Media Association has awarded me Second Place in diversity reporting for my coverage of gender care bans on the trans population, the trans experience as well as overdose death impact:
panewsmedia.org/wp-content/u...
#keystones
panewsmedia.org/wp-content/u...
#keystones
panewsmedia.org
July 14, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Late to the party but I'm happy to announce the Pennsylvania News Media Association has awarded me Second Place in diversity reporting for my coverage of gender care bans on the trans population, the trans experience as well as overdose death impact:
panewsmedia.org/wp-content/u...
#keystones
panewsmedia.org/wp-content/u...
#keystones
Reposted by Hanna Webster
“The information being put out by the federal government leadership is just wrong and we can’t let that stand,”
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
'We're on a slippery slope': Alarming number of measles cases sees U.S. on course to no longer consider the disease eradicated
Surpassing a yearly measles case count not seen for more than three decades, the U.S. this week inched closer to losing its status as having eliminated...
www.post-gazette.com
July 12, 2025 at 11:13 AM
“The information being put out by the federal government leadership is just wrong and we can’t let that stand,”
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...
www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...