Michigan’s increase in drug overdose deaths in 2020 wasn’t as high as the national average, but 2,743 people died across the state — a 16 percent rise over 2019.
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
190K in Michigan live with Alzheimer’s. FDA taps brake on new drug.
One month after its controversial approval by the FDA, the drug Aduhelm will be limited to just some of the 6.2M Americans — 190K in Michigan — who live with Alzheimer’s disease.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Is the Michigan vaccine lottery working? Depends how you define success.
Since Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a $5 million lottery pool for those getting the COVID-19 vaccine, she’s touted that 1 million have signed up for the lottery — but the state cannot say if it’s luring more people to the shots. Several local health officials say it hasn’t.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Hope or hype? Costly new Alzheimer’s drug creates controversy
Aduhelm is the first new drug to attack the most dreaded disease among older Americans. But its cost is exorbitant. Worse, it may not work. In the absence of an alternative, though, some say that might be okay.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
A child mental-health fix takes early action, more help. Here are 7 ideas.
More psychologists and social workers in schools. Early screening. Loan forgiveness for child psychiatrists serving rural areas. Fixing a strained system will take time. But COVID stimulus funds can speed up efforts across the Midwest.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Emergency rooms confront ‘tidal wave of sadness’ among young patients
Hospital ERs are being upended by a surge of children and adolescents in mental distress during COVID. Staff bring in snacks or queue up Netflix to keep them occupied as they seek beds in psychiatric centers. Private insurance can make the task harder.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Mental health crisis: Children at breaking point during COVID
Across the Midwest, there are not nearly enough psychiatrists, therapists or direct-care staff to treat a rising tide of young people spiraling into crisis. For these families, the strain can seem unbearable.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
An end in sight? Michigan experts say COVID finally ‘winding down’
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Thursday announcement of a softening in pandemic restrictions appears to make sense given the latest numbers, public health experts said.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Mask confusion: How Michigan navigated a weekend of new COVID orders
Federal guidance late last week that gave vaccinated people more freedom to go maskless left the state and private businesses scrambling to update their own rules.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Boarding a freighter in the Soo Locks to deliver 5 doses of COVID vaccine
After months of waiting lists and people frantic to get protected against COVID-19, public health workers are now waging a ground game to get Michigan to vaccinate the reluctant and hard-to-reach. Wednesday’s ship clinic illustrates the brutal challenge ahead.