On Monday, Grand Rapids-based drugmaker Perrigo began offering the nation’s first ever oral contraception without a prescription.
Robin Erb
Robin Erb covers a range of health issues in Michigan, including the industry of aging and the issues facing older residents in Michigan, a state that is aging faster than most others. She joined Bridge in 2019 and has led investigations that tracked millions of dollars in opioid settlement money and explored severe worker shortages in health care that threaten lives and the state's economy. She chronicled the shock and grief of Michigan families in COVID’s wake, as well as state policy decisions and the triumphs of medical breakthroughs. Robin previously spent six years covering health at the Detroit Free Press, documenting the battle over, and the eventual passage of, the Affordable Care Act and Michigan's Medicaid expansion. She studied communications and political science at Miami University and has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Lourdes University (Toledo, Ohio). She and her husband raised two wonderful children — but have failed miserably at training their Beagle-Bassets — in southeast Michigan. Reach her at rerb@bridgemi.com.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
CDC drops most COVID-19 isolation guidelines. What it means in Michigan
The new guidelines align COVID with other respiratory infections: Stay home if you have a fever and feel sick; return from isolation after 24 fever-free hours.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Providers: Rollout of $1.5B opioid settlement a ‘huge disaster’ in Michigan
Clinics that treat drug addiction say they’re confused about how to access money flowing into the state from a lawsuit settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Adviser blasts Whitmer aides over handling of Michigan opioid settlement
In emotional testimony, the head of a group advising lawmakers on the drug crisis says state officials are thwarting its efforts. Transparency concerns follow complaints local governments aren’t moving fast enough.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
After high-profile feud, Ottawa County health leader to stay put
For more than a year, Ottawa County Health Officer Adeline Hambley and county commissioners — led by Ottawa Impact — have been locked in a legal battle that began with COVID-era mask mandates.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan has first measles case since 2019 as cases climb nationwide
Michigan has detected a first case of measles this year, as the vaccination rates against the highly infectious, airborne disease drop.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Meth makes a comeback in Michigan, even as drug fight focuses on opioids
New data confirms law enforcement suspicions about a surge in meth and cocaine. Michigan has spent millions to treat opioids, but treatments don’t work the same for meth.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
COVID-positive? Five-day isolation still recommended in Michigan
Amid conflicting reports about CDC guidelines and loosening standards in other states, Michigan’s recommendation remains to stay home for five days with positive tests.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
MSU shooting, one year later: What science says about trauma and healing
On a day of conflicting feelings from survivors, growing research shows how the brain reacts to ‘fight-or-flight’ instincts that can manifest themselves in guilt, anxiety and even gratitude.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Has the opioid crisis hit your family? We seek Michigan stories
Michigan is set to receive a huge influx of money to address the opioid crisis. How has the epidemic affected your family? Share your story.