Direct Relief News: Recent Episodes
Direct Relief
Emergency response and global humanitarian reporting from Direct Relief, an apolitical, nonsectarian non-profit with a humanitarian mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty and emergencies.
On this episode of Direct Relief Connect, StephOfAnime, a Pokémon-focused content creator, and Erick Molina, a Program Manager for Latin America at Direct Relief, discuss the Pokémon community, the upcoming Pokéthon event, and the impact of Direct Relief’s work in Latin America. The upcoming Pokéthon event will take place September 3-5.
On this episode of the Direct Relief Connect podcast, Sab Irene, a video game saxophonist and music educator, and Paul Grankowski, Special Events Manager at Direct Relief, discuss personal growth through music and utilizing their skills for new philanthropic opportunities in the digital space. Paul also provides great insight into some lesser-known communities that Direct […]
Graham a.k.a. Tabetai Cooking, a Food & Drink content creator, and Rose Levy, Program Manager for Global Programs at Direct Relief, discuss the joys of creative home cooking and how it can be utilized to raise funds that help community health centers. Cooking livestreams, innovation awards for health centers, and “cooking easy things the hard […]
In the wake of the collapse, a team of clinicians and peer support members, led by Oxnard Fire Chief Alexander Hamilton, were deployed to provide mental health services to search and rescue teams.
Introducing Direct Relief Connect, a new podcast by Direct Relief. The show brings together highly skilled philanthropists and members of Direct Relief’s staff to provide an in-depth look at the organization’s work, as well as give a glimpse into guests’ personal journeys and how they came to support causes they are passionate about. For the […]
While those experiencing homelessness are some of the most vulnerable to Covid-19, the population faces substantial barriers to accessing vaccines. Many lack transportation to get to and from a vaccination site. Others live nomadically, making it difficult to commit to a second vaccine appointment. But according to homelessness activist Tasia Thompson, misinformation is the primary […]
Research suggests other factors at work, beyond diet and exercise. At Centre Volunteers in Medicine in State College, Pennsylvania, providers are integrating mental health services and chronic disease care to help patients better manage their medical conditions.
Getting treatment for an opioid use disorder can be complicated, often requiring daily visits to receive addiction medication under the supervision of a provider. While guidelines have been relaxed to reduce barriers for those seeking care, it’s not clear how effective the changes have been. “Their barriers are huge here,” said Kim Brown, the founder […]
Pediatricians are noting developmental delays as well as potential for long-term health consequences, particularly for children from low-income households.
Chronic conditions require routine care and strict medication regimens, but for millions, transportation stands in the way of accessing timely health care. From rural communities to urban cities, patients struggle to make routine appointments. Some can’t afford a vehicle, others live hours, if not days, from the nearest point of care. The distance–and lack of […]
As the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic fills hospitals to capacity, mental health providers are seeing a surge of their own. “People are under so much stress,” said Ryoko Chernomaz, a licensed clinical social worker at the San Francisco Free Clinic. Issues at home – from increasing childcare responsibilities to domestic abuse – are […]
New and expectant mothers face unique challenges when seeking treatment for an opioid use disorder. On top of preparing for motherhood, expectant mothers often face barriers to accessing treatment, which typically involves taking safer opioids to reduce dependency over time. The approach is called medication assisted therapy, or MAT, and is a key component in […]
In California, six of the state's ten largest wildfires are currently burning, along with blazes in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona.
Whether in the storm's path or further afield, safety net providers are preparing to keep the lights on and services available.
Rising food insecurity coupled with strained health care systems has created new challenges for those managing diabetes during the Covid-19 pandemic. When food is scarce and meals are inconsistent, people with diabetes may experience extreme blood sugar spikes–or dips–that can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, and even death. In Sudan, where the number of […]
California faces a convergence of public health crises as dozens of wildfires unleash hazardous levels of air pollution across the state. Smoke-laden air has exacerbated conditions, like asthma, while the menace of Covid-19 still looms, mounting a respiratory threat on two fronts. For the more than 650,000 Californians sick with the virus, poor air quality […]
A battery rebate program is designed to help low-income people living in high fire risk areas, and the critical organizations that serve them, navigate future public safety power shutoffs.
While researchers say the coronavirus pandemic is more likely to lead to a baby bust than a baby boom, it’s limiting access to family planning services and contraception. One-third of American women have reportedly delayed or canceled visiting their provider for reproductive health care services or have had trouble getting their birth control, citing concerns […]
In the Navajo Nation — a sovereign territory spanning 27,000 square miles — responding to Covid-19 comes with unique challenges. A third of residents don’t have access to running water. Grocery stores are few and far between. And many must travel hours to reach the nearest hospital. While the nation has the highest case rate […]
With many Americans out of work and struggling financially, managing chronic diseases, like diabetes, may be an afterthought. These health providers are working to change that.
On the California-Mexico border, the coronavirus continues to disproportionately impact communities where large numbers of essential workers and high rates of poverty render preventative measures, such as social distancing, nearly impossible. In San Diego County, the discrepancy between case totals tracks the region’s socio-economic divisions. In the county’s southernmost zip code, case rates are roughly […]
As the United States reports record-high case totals, patterns in viral spread are emerging.
Black Americans suffer significantly worse health outcomes than their white counterparts–from higher rates of chronic disease to lower life expectancy. During the coronavirus pandemic, these disparities have only been amplified, with Black patients dying at more than three times the rate of white Americans. Despite decades of research and community efforts, the United States’ racial […]
On the Caribbean island of Dominica, hurricane season threatens to undo months of preventative measures taken to stop the spread of Covid-19. With only one public hospital and a handful of ICU beds, health officials acted quickly to contain the virus once the first case was reported in March. Since closing its borders, the island […]
Many countries – previously considered Covid-19 hotspots – have moved into new phases of their response, lifting multi-month lockdowns and reopening public spaces. While the changes signal progress for some, other countries, spared in the early stages of the pandemic, are now reporting dramatic surges in case totals. The progression of the virus is of particular […]
With Atlantic hurricane season beginning June 1 and Covid-19 still unfolding, health officials prepare on two fronts.
Jamal Trulove grew up in a poor community and spent more than six years in prison before being exonerated, and is now on a mission to help those who are where he was.
With about half of states lifting their shelter-in-place orders and reopening to varying degrees, many Americans are stepping out of quarantine for the first time in weeks. Restaurants are serving in-house diners, storefronts are opening their doors to shoppers, and people are going back to their workplaces, creating scenes of pre-pandemic life and stirring hopes […]
Covid-19 will most likely cause the deaths of many who never contracted it at all, or who contracted it and recovered from it. When it comes to estimating the lives claimed by the novel coronavirus, there are two considerations, said Dr. Satchit Balsari, a Harvard professor of emergency medicine and fellow at the university’s FXB […]
As Covid-19 forces millions into their homes, fire survivors who lost their housing in the 2018 Camp Fire have found themselves sheltering in extremely close quarters. “You have three adults and a dog living in a 17-foot trailer and its stressful,” says Magalia resident Joan Coffin. Coffin and her family are just one of many […]
This live story is no longer being updated. For the latest news, see this month’s live story at Direct Relief News. For the latest case totals and donation data at a glance, be sure to check Direct Relief’s live updating map: March 31 – *** Today’s shipments for Covid-19 support went out to clinics in […]
As demand for medical assistance reaches an all-time high, shipments continue to health workers battling Covid-19.
The global health community is working to better understand coronavirus, and how to protect patients.
Australia's bushfires created massive impacts on communities, including those where lives and property were lost. Administrators at Buxton Public School are working to support elementary students as long-term recovery continues.
As cases decrease in China, the number of known cases is increasing in other places, including the United States.
A period product that has been around for decades is now being considered by experts as a possible solution to period poverty. The menstrual cup — first introduced in the 1930s — has gained popularity in recent years as a zero-waste option for women looking to reduce their environmental impact. But, according to a recent […]
The United States has several de facto medical systems, and the one a person accesses often hinges on how much money they have, or their employment benefits. Those with the means to visit a hospital or private medical group often do. But for the nation’s vulnerable populations, a social safety net exists, in the form […]
As communities across the U.S. grapple with the opioid epidemic, a Midwest-based group is using unconventional methods to promote the health of drug users. Through street-based outreach, the IHRC has equipped drug users across the state with Naloxone—the drug that reverses opioid overdoses. Since 2016, the group has helped prevent more than 2,000 opioid-related deaths. […]
Ten years ago, Haiti was hit by the deadliest natural disaster in its history. On January 12, 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the island nation, killing more than 220,000 people and internally displacing another 1.5 million. The disaster exacerbated existing humanitarian challenges and upended the lives of millions, exerting an indelible influence on the country’s […]
Within three months of launching the Direct Relief podcast, thousands have listened in to hear the voices shaping global health. The podcast has captured the stories of doctors on the front lines of humanitarian catastrophes, first responders mobilizing in the wake of disaster, and the patients they serve. As an ode to the end of […]
Urban Health's Plan's Center for Healthy Aging is taking a comprehensive approach to geriatric care.
The United States population is aging, quickly. Within the next decade, the final cohort of baby boomers will turn 65, increasing the number of older adults from 50 million to 75 million. By 2034, older adults are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history.
This demographic transformation is changing the landscape of healthcare in the United States. As Americans grow older, the demand for geriatric care grows in tandem. In response, healthcare providers must develop new and innovative ways to meet the evolving needs of their patients.
On this episode of the podcast, we take a look at how one health center is revamping elder care. We speak with Dr. Vasquez of Urban Health Plan's Center for Healthy Aging and patient, Doreen Percival, who gives a frank account of her life as an older adult.
(Direct Relief, in collaboration with BD, has provided Urban Health Plan's Center for Healthy Aging with funding to support their comprehensive elder care program and increase their capacity to meet the needs of their patients.)
From Mozambique to the Bahamas, 2019's disasters revealed challenges for those responding, and a signal for what may be yet to come.
While disasters seem unending and politics divisive, giving thanks may offer a much needed shift in perspective. This Thanksgiving, we sit down with Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe — who gives a refreshing take on the current state of affairs and answers the question on everyone’s mind this holiday — What are you […]
Doctors used headlamps to see patients during most recent round of blackouts in Northern California communities. It may not be the last time.
Haiti is in the throes of a humanitarian disaster provoked by months of violent protests. Demonstrations have blocked supply routes, choking a nation already crippled by poverty. Accessing health care in these conditions is challenging, if not impossible, exacerbating existing health problems. As medical care grows more scarce, preventable disease becomes more deadly. On this […]
Massive wildfires, severe storms, drought — the effects of climate change are in full swing. While reducing greenhouse gas pollution continues to be a priority, adapting to the new climate is a must. Increasing climate resiliency has become a major concern for community leaders, from firefighters to public health officials. Last week, these leaders gathered […]
Massive wildfires, severe storms, drought—the effects of climate change are in full swing. While reducing greenhouse gas pollution continues to be a priority, adapting to the new climate is a must. Increasing climate resiliency has become a major concern for community leaders—from fire fighters to public health officials. Last week, these leaders gathered to brainstorm ideas about how their communities can adapt to reduce the impacts of climate-related disasters. On this episode of our podcast, we get a seat at the table as those on the frontlines of climate change take proactive measures against extreme weather events.
The Kincade Fire has displaced more than 200,000 people in Northern California, upending the lives of residents across Sonoma County.
Pads and tampons are a simple necessity, yet women across America are going without them. The cost of these products make them inaccessible for many low-income women struggling to make ends meet. These women often forgo menstrual hygiene products in order to afford for other basic necessities. Without tampons or pads, women resort to using […]
Pads and tampons are a simple necessity, yet women across America are going without them. The cost of these products make them inaccessible for many low-income women struggling to make ends meet. These women often forgo menstrual hygiene products in order to afford for other basic necessities. Without tampons or pads, women resort to using rags, toilet paper, or even adult diapers. The problem has garnered national attention and stoked advocacy campaigns across the United States. While activists work to pass policies that would increase women's access to period products, women on the margins continue to struggle with the problem on a monthly basis. In this episode of our podcast, we explore the realities of period poverty in the United States and the movement working to end it.
The Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics are using a multi-tiered approach to tackle opioid addiction.
The opioid epidemic has impacted communities in every corner of the country, posing new challenges for healthcare providers. As opioid-induced overdoses continue to soar, doctors have had to adapt to the changing needs of their patients.
In Santa Barbara County, the Neighborhood Clinics have adopted a multi-tiered approach to battle addiction and promote recovery. The harm reduction program integrates behavioral health therapy with medically assisted treatment. In order to prevent potential opioid-related injuries, the clinics provide every patient in their program with a supply of Naloxone— a drug that reverses opioid overdoses. On this episode of our podcast, we follow Dr. Fenzi as he gives us a first-hand look at what the Neighborhood Clinics are doing to tackle opioid addiction in their community.
Two years ago, Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico, knocking out power to millions and causing the longest blackout in U.S. history. Now, two years later, the neighboring islands of the Bahamas are reeling after a similarly catastrophic storm—Hurricane Dorian—barreled through the islands last month. Since the Category 5 storm’s lingering assault on Grand Bahama and the Abacos, Puerto Rico has extended an empathetic arm of support to their beleaguered neighbor. From dispatching doctors to sending aid—Puerto Rico has been on the front lines since the beginning. In this episode of our podcast, we speak with Direct Relief’s Puerto Rico-based emergency responder Luis David Rodriguez. Rodriguez recounts his experience living through Maria, and the parallels he witnessed during his response effort in the Bahamas.
Millions of women around the world miss days of school and work because they do not have access to menstrual hygiene products. Without proper menstrual care, a women's period can become debilitating, forcing her to stay home and forgo her daily activities. In many cultures, stigma further compounds the challenges women face. It is common for women to be sent home from school during their periods or not allowed to enter their homes for fear of disease or death. In order to empower women during their periods and reduce stigma surrounding menstruation, Days for Girls, an international nonprofit organization, sews and distributes reusable sanitary pads to women in countries where access to menstrual hygiene products is limited. Direct Relief has supported Days for Girls in shipping over 3,500 menstrual care kits to women in 23 different countries. The organization has supported more than 1 million women in over 100 countries.
In Southeast Asia, Tropical Storm Podul and Tropical Depression Kajiki collided to produce widespread flooding throughout the region, displacing roughly 100,000 people in the country of Laos. As shelters swell with evacuees, personal hygiene becomes more important than ever. In these close quarters, disease and infection are easily spread. That's because, without basic supplies, like soap, it's difficult for evacuees to maintain habits that prevent primary health care problems. To stymie the spread of coughs, colds, and infections, Direct Relief has partnered with the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Center to provide flood victims with personal care kits. These kits contain personal hygiene products like soap, towels, and toothbrushes—items many people forgo when evacuating their homes. While evacuees confront a barrage of post-disaster concerns, these kits help victims take care of the basics, so they can focus on rebuilding.
An on-the-ground look at the Bahamas response effort through the voices of Direct Relief staff.
Amid the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, Direct Relief confronts the logistical challenges of supplying the Bahamas with urgently needed medical supplies. Despite flooded air strips and closed ports, staff use unconventional transportation methods to ensure supplies are delivered.
In disasters, people will rush to save their families, pets and meaningful heirlooms, often forgetting something of equal consequence -- medication they need to manage a chronic disease like diabetes or asthma. In doing so, they quickly can find themselves facing a medical emergency. Direct Relief Pharmacist Alycia Clark explains the steps people should take when evacuating to protect their health. Reporting by Amarica Rafanelli.