Hanna Webster

The Poets: Volume 10.2, Winter 2025 NEW: Click author’s NAME to jump to their section or SCROLL to read the issue in its entirety. WINTER 2025 CURATORBARABARA SABOL VENUS IN HEAT: CHARLES SHERMAN EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARD WIN…

I have a new poem out in Sheila-Na-Gig's most recent issue. I wrote this a few years ago and happy to finally see it out in the world! sheilanagigblog.com/poetry-archi...

Pitt audiologists launch unique hearing aid dashboard When hearing aids became available over the counter in late 2022 following Food and Drug Administration approval, millions of Americans were given the...

As someone with hearing loss, this is very cool! Pitt audiologists have made a hearing aid dashboard to help consumers navigate through the OTC aids on the market. And, it's non-industry sponsored: www.post-gazette.com/news/health/...

UPMC to close methadone treatment clinic in Wilkinsburg UPMC’s outpatient methadone clinic in Wilkinsburg is closing at the end of the month, as the lease for the site has not been renewed. The Narcotic...

UPMC is closing its outpatient methadone program by Nov. 28, as it was unable to find an alternate location after the building's landlord refused to renew the lease. More on the impact here: 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.’

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/...

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...

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/...

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...

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/...

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...

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

'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...

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 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...

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/...

'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.

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/...

Immediate Office of the Director CDC Director Vacant Deputy Director for Program and Science/Chief Medical Officer Vacant

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)

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...

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...

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...

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/...

Allegheny County police and emergency services have confirmed one dead and two are unaccounted for.

Allegheny County police and emergency services have confirmed one dead and two are unaccounted for.

Allegheny County Health Department just sent a statement advising people living within a 1-mile radius to stay indoors, close windows, and set HVAC systems to recirc for concerns regarding air quality.

"ACHD Air Quality monitors have not detected levels of PM2.5 and So2 above federal standards."

An AHN spokesperson has confirmed that AHN Jefferson is currently treating five patients, while AHN Allegheny General on the North Side and AHN Forbes in Monroeville are each treating one patient.

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...

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...

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,

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...

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.

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/...

Notes on Bed Rest I spent months limiting my movement, to protect a high-risk pregnancy. How did it change me?

"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-...

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!!

When is a sunburn cause for concern? While common, sunburns are not all created equal.

When is a sunburn cause for concern?

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 …

I have two poems out in @oneart.bsky.social today! I'm really happy with these ones. ✨
oneartpoetry.com/2025/07/24/t...

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.

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/...

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...

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/...

Kennedy Claims Doctors Profit Off Vaccines. In Fact, Many Lose Money on Them.

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...

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...

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/...

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