As a public health investigator, she searches for clues: An emergency contact number listed by a patient during a clinic visit. Some patients are easily reached, but others cannot be found by public health nurses. Missing the second or third shot means starting the series over, so public health officials have to keep tabs on hard-to-reach patients. The pandemic exacerbated the crisis, as day-to-day testing and treatment services were interrupted and public health teams were pulled onto COVID-19 duties. “There are consequences when investments in public health are inadequate,” said David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors.

Source: Los Angeles Times November 27, 2023 20:35 UTC