Drew Hawkins
Public Health Reporter, Gulf States NewsroomDrew Hawkins is the public health reporter for the Gulf States Newsroom, a collaboration among public radio stations in Louisiana (WWNO and WRKF), Alabama (WBHM) and Mississippi (MPB-Mississippi Public Broadcasting) and NPR. He covers stories related to health care access and outcomes across the region, with a focus on the social factors that drive disparities.
Before joining the team, Drew freelanced for multiple outlets including The Guardian, Scalawag Magazine, Louisiana Illuminator, Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting, LitHub, and others.
Drew was born in Lafayette, grew up in LaPlace and moved to Ponchatoula after Katrina. He studied creative writing at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA), and earned degrees at LSU in Baton Rouge. In short, he is a proud product of South Louisiana.
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Despite the opioid crisis’ deadly toll, U.S police treat drug use as a criminal issue. But in the Netherlands, a public health approach has seen better results. -
Nurses across the U.S. protested outside of the offices of senators Tuesday. Cassidy voted in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed 51-50. -
Alabama has 44 certified SANEs for the entire state. Louisiana has 42. Mississippi only has 6 — for a population of almost three million. -
State lawmakers — both Republican and Democrat — are sounding the alarm on proposed cuts that could strip Medicaid coverage from nearly 190,000 Louisianans. -
The Netherlands has proven drug use harm reduction works. So why does it still face stigma, criminalization and political resistance in the Gulf South? -
The bill is part of a broader effort to curb waste and fraud in the program, which provides health coverage to more than 1.8 million low-income Louisianans. -
Federal funding has helped states like Alabama and Mississippi make strides in fighting the HIV epidemic. Doctors and advocates are worried about the future. -
The bill, introduced by state Rep. Travis Johnson, calls for improved information for patients and a comprehensive audit of the state’s resources for care. -
Legislation to impose additional fines on people convicted of sexual assault is moving through the Louisiana Legislature amid federal cuts to the centers.
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While the event has been criticized for its controversial and dangerous events, it also offers a chance for participants to connect to the outside world.
