Amber Dance

Freelance science journalist

Amber Dance, Ph.D., an award-winning freelance science journalist based in Southern California, co-authors the Center's Health Divide column. She also contributes to publications including PNAS Front Matter, The Scientist, and Nature. She also edits books on a variety of topics.

After earning a doctorate in biology, Amber Dance re-trained in journalism as a way to engage her broad interest in science and share her enthusiasm with readers. She mainly writes about life sciences, with particular expertise in microbiology, cell biology, neuroscience and lab techniques.

Articles

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The Health Divide: Black kidney patients bumped up waitlist, same-sex couples may get IVF coverage

Also this week: The alarming suicide rate among young Black men in rural regions of the country.

Race and Equity

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The Health Divide: These state policies pose health risks for pregnant women, trans individuals

Louisiana's abortion ban affects maternal care, leading to delays and unnecessary cesarean sections, disproportionately impacting Black and low-income women.

Healthcare Regulation and Reform

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The Health Divide: Medical debt, loss of internet and poor air quality are not shared equally

Study links medical debt with poor health outcomes, urging attention to financial hardships in healthcare.

Healthcare Regulation and Reform

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The Health Divide: Health care workers call racism against patients a ‘major problem’ in new survey

Mental health is a big contributor to pregnancy-related death rates, according to a new analysis in JAMA Psychiatry.

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The Health Divide: FDA under fire for lack of action on pulse oximeters for dark skin

Waiting on a fix on pulse oximeter inaccuracies among darker-skinner patients; while a new survey reveals growing health care disparities for transgender Americans.

Healthcare Regulation and Reform

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The Health Divide: Pediatric care is worse for kids of color; federal nutrition program faces worrying shortfall

Children of color receive unequal healthcare; vital federal nutrition program faces $1 billion shortfall; disabled kids lack hearing aid coverage in 18 states; high sleep disorder rates pose health risks for African Americans.

Race and Equity

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The Health Divide: Survey offers fresh look at widespread racism in health care

For many people of color, preparing for a doctor’s appointment includes dressing up to boost the chances they’ll be taken seriously and treated with respect, according to a new survey.

Race and Equity

Healthcare worker checking blood pressure of a person

The Health Divide: White House promotes women’s health research, disadvantaged communities left without docs

Physician shortage persists in underserved areas. Black women's advocacy after 40 years.

Race and Equity

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The Health Divide: Sickle cell treatment moves forward; U.S. infant death rate rises

FDA advisors support groundbreaking sickle cell therapy, while infant mortality rate increase in Native families, and remain high in Black communities.

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The Health Divide: Physicians eliminate diagnosis linked to police brutality; abortion restrictions endanger pregnant people

This week: Supreme Court decision impacts domestic violence, FDA bans harmful chemicals for Black women, 'excited delirium' under scrutiny, and the effects of inequities on health.

Community Safety