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

Rent remains cripplingly high in several parts of the country.

Coronavirus Files: Congress investigates pandemic response as White House eyes end of emergency

GOP-led House takes aim at COVID origins, U.S. response. Also, public health experts see value in monitoring wastewater to detect new viral threats.

Environmental Health

Healthcare Regulation and Reform

Health Insurance and Costs

Food and Nutrition

Haitian immigrants are among those waiting along the Mexican-U.S. border for the lifting of pandemic-era entry restrictions.

Coronavirus Files: Reports outline long COVID’s deadly toll, and millions saved by vaccines

Also, U.S. returns to pre-pandemic immigration policies, and free tests by mail has been relaunched.

Patient Safety and Ethics

Influenza-like illness (ILI) is sky-high in Thanksgiving’s wake.

Coronavirus Files: Widespread masking remains unlikely as holidays fuel viral surges

In other news, women, Black and Asian people left out of COVID trials, and Congress poised to terminate military vaccine mandate.

Community organizations partnered with New York’s Department of Health to vaccinate children against COVID in the fall of 2021.

Coronavirus Files: Seniors bear the brunt of brewing surge; misinformation runs rampant

Also, grassroots health organizations left out of COVID funding, and infections are on the rise as winter approaches.

CDC

Coronavirus Files: BQ variants on the rise, Moderna booster fights omicron

A pair of variants likely to dominate the early winter months are emerging from the Scrabble soup.

Americans Head To The Polls To Vote In The 2022 Midterm Elections

Coronavirus Files: Midterms to influence pandemic policies; evictions proceed apace

A Republican-controlled House could have big consequences for America’s ongoing battle against COVID.

President Joe Biden got his booster as part of a push to prepare the U.S. for winter.

Government releases new booster ads as experts fear 'tripledemic'

Also, cold weather brings worries about three respiratory viruses, and new vaccine ads target underserved populations.

Israel Starts Vaccinating Children Under 12 For Covid-19

Coronavirus Files: New boosters authorized for elementary-age kids

Also, pandemic stimulus funds miss many vulnerable Americans, and a fresh focus on COVID-created pregnancy complications.

Proportion of variants in the U.S.

Scientists eye omicron descendants for potential new wave

Also, the pandemic exacerbated domestic violence against Black women, and fresh research on the dreaded Paxlovid rebound.

With Expanded ICU, Barcelona's Bellvitge Hospital Fights Coronavirus Pandemic

Coronavirus Files: Masks requirements fall and women head back to work

Also this week, new research shows COVID links to diabetes, heart and brain conditions.