Sarah True
Former public health & medicine reporter
Sarah True was a public health reporter for the Baltimore Banner. She previously worked as a freelance journalist covering health care and health policy, and has been both a medical social worker and a health policy analyst in a past life. She holds dual Master’s degrees in public health and social work from Washington University in St. Louis, and is a recipient of the 2022-2023 National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowship (SHERF.) Sarah covers all aspects of health with a focus on what happens at the intersection of health care delivery and health policy and how this affects real people — especially underserved communities.
The latest from Sarah
Maryland doctors are loosening sickle cell’s painful grip on patients worldwide
Last month, two groundbreaking gene therapies thought to cure sickle cell were approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and one will be available locally starting in a few weeks.
100,000 Marylanders lost Medicaid coverage in the last 6 months
In November, more than 1 in 5 people up for renewal lost their public health insurance because they did not turn in the necessary paperwork.
Can Howard County’s hospital cut ER wait times with a new behavioral health unit?
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center is building a space for 24 patients in mental health crisis, a growing need in the region.
Struggling to find an RSV vaccine in Maryland? Here’s what to know about the shortage
Maryland pediatricians report vaccine shipments far below what’s needed, and the CDC released guidance last month instructing providers on how to prioritize the few doses they have.
Johns Hopkins doctor on leave following violent anti-Palestinian social media posts
Johns Hopkins Hospital has placed its director of pediatric cardiac critical care on leave while it investigates anti-Palestinian social media posts from a now-deleted account.
Johns Hopkins nursing school launches D.C. institute focused on health equity
The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing announced Wednesday that it’s launching a Washington, D.C. research institute that aims to move the U.S. health care system away from its focus on treating problems and toward to preventive, whole-person care.
One month later, U. of Maryland’s pig heart transplant patient is ‘embracing his life’
One month ago today, Larry Faucette became the second human ever to receive a pig heart in place of his own at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Where Baltimore residents without insurance can get COVID vaccine for free
The city health department will hold vaccine clinics every Friday through November.
What we know, and what we don’t, about the state of Baltimore-area drinking water
A Baltimore City Council hearing Wednesday offered new information but left a number of questions less than fully answered.
Protesters disrupt Pete Buttigieg’s interview at iMPACT Maryland
Dozens of protesters concerned about climate change stormed the Baltimore stage where U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was taking part in a daylong conference coordinated by The Baltimore Banner.
How Morgan State can protect student and staff mental health after a campus shooting
Mental health professionals and crisis response researchers now have more than two decades of experience responding to school and campus shootings, and have a better idea of how to help survivors and community members whose mental health may suffer.
How safe is your water? Questions about cryptosporidium in Baltimore answered
How safe is the drinking water in Baltimore right now? How did Baltimore discover cryptosporidium in the water? We answer those questions and more.
Baltimore could get contaminated water tested in 24 hours. So why is it taking a week?
In the wake of confirmed — or even suspected — cryptosporidium contamination, it is common for certified labs to offer 24-hour testing for an additional fee.
Can local universities help get more social workers in Maryland schools?
New fellowship program offered by local universities aims to strengthen school social worker pipeline, but schools still won’t have enough social workers.
Parasite in Baltimore-area drinking water may harm elderly, children, immunocompromised
Portions of Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County are affected, and those with compromised immune systems should filter or boil water before drinking, officials said.
Springsteen ‘on fire’ with peptic ulcer disease. An expert weighs in.
A gastroenterologist at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Centerexplains what the disease is and why it could cause the Boss to take a month off.
Medicare can now negotiate drug prices. How will this affect costs?
Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug prices will result in lower out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries as well as premiums for Part D, Medicare’s prescription drug benefit, experts say.
What to know about the lethal strain of malaria contracted in Maryland
Maryland’s first locally acquired case of malaria in 40 years was caused by a strain responsible for 95% of deaths worldwide.
Locally acquired case of malaria found in Maryland for the first time in 40 years
The Maryland case involves a strain that is different from the strain seen so far in Florida and Texas, and can be more severe, state health officials said Friday afternoon.
How many Marylanders have lost their Medicaid coverage?
Though some people are losing their coverage because they’re no longer eligible, most people get dropped from Medicaid because of paperwork issues. This month, the state pressed pause on disenrollments.
