Public Health

172 Stories

A comic-book approach to public health. King County's winning formula

When Meredith Li-Vollmer started working for King County's health department almost 20 years ago, the department was putting out a variety of public health information — making brochures and fliers, designing newspaper inserts, presenting information on its webpage, and showing slides during community presentations. Li-Vollmer saw an opportunity to reach more people by making the county’s health information more entertaining and fun — as comic books.
- Kyle Norris
Washington's medical board gets ombuds funding amid push to improve public trust, communication

The regulatory authority that oversees doctors in Washington will create an ombudsman's office in an effort to improve communication with the public.
- Katie Campbell
Guns killed 3 Tacoma teens in a week. The community must ‘dig in,’ school board president says

At least seven teenagers in Tacoma and elsewhere in Pierce County have died from gun violence this year. Three of those teens were killed in a week.
- KUOW Staff
Fentanyl fuels a persistent ‘hot spot’ at Seattle’s 12th and Jackson. What will it take to fix it?

A report by Seattle auditors found that the “hot spot” of 12th and Jackson in Seattle’s Little Saigon neighborhood has one of the city’s highest concentrations of drug overdoses and crimes against people, despite efforts to police the intersection and help people suffering from addiction.
- Will James
Seattle auditor says public park bathrooms stink

The city of Seattle needs more clean public bathrooms, according to a report from the City Auditor out this month. The report cites a lack of available facilities and recommends some improvements.
- Casey Martin
Flu levels are at a 15-year high in the U.S., but many Washington children haven't gotten their flu shot

Outbreaks and high levels of illnesses (like the flu) have become more common as vaccination rates have fallen, especially among children.
- Dyer Oxley
Weed sick: High-potency cannabis leads to ER visits, illnesses for some users

As cannabis products like vapes, shatter, and dabs have reached near 100% potency, lawmakers, researchers, and doctors have sounded the alarm about a potential public health crisis.
- Stephen Howie
On-duty medic and fire units now staff Seattle sporting events and concerts, leaving coverage gaps

A KUOW investigation found that the Seattle Fire Department diverted on-duty staff to work special events 147 times between November 2023 and November 2024, leaving fewer units to respond to emergencies citywide.
- Ann Dornfeld
King County gives away lockboxes to keep guns from being stolen, accidentally fired

King County public health officials hope homes in the area will be a little safer after the county gave away thousands of firearm lockboxes.
- Eilís O'Neill
The grim reason fentanyl deaths are falling in King County

Fatal fentanyl overdoses may have reached a peak in Washington state. But that's not all good news.
- Ann Dornfeld

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