Rosemary Westwood
Public Health ReporterRosemary Westwood is the public and reproductive health reporter for WWNO/WRKF. She was previously a freelance writer specializing in gender and reproductive rights, a radio producer, columnist, magazine writer and podcast host.
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Louisiana’s top public health physician is described in multiple state communications as a family medicine physician, but he is not listed as board-certified in the specialty. -
The directive continues a dramatic shift in vaccine policy within the health department under the leadership of Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Dr. Wyche Coleman, both of whom have repeated vaccine misinformation. -
A Louisiana mother and a New York doctor have been indicted for allegedly providing abortion medication to a minor, in what’s believed to be the first case of its kind in the country seeking to criminalize the provision of abortion medication obtained through the mail. -
The New Orleans Health Department has launched a new map showing which pharmacies in the city stock the drug misoprostol. -
An NPR investigation found Louisiana health officials told staff to stop promoting vaccines for COVID, flu and mpox, holding flu shot events or otherwise encouraging the public to get those vaccines. -
A nonprofit watchdog is asking Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill to investigate whether a New Iberia crisis pregnancy center broke state law after it appeared to post the full names, last menstrual periods, and other personal health information of 13 clients online, despite claiming that it follows federal health privacy laws. -
Louisiana is at “rock bottom” for infant health, according to March of Dimes. The state, which continues to see high preterm birth and infant mortality rates, earned an “F” grade for infant health in a new report from the nonprofit. -
The 2024 election was perhaps the biggest referendum on abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and the results are a mixed bag, including for those living in the South. -
A group of health care providers and two Louisiana women who were denied abortion care are suing state officials to block a new law that makes common pregnancy medications controlled dangerous substances, arguing the law is discriminatory and unconstitutional.
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A new survey suggests the number of abortions among women in Louisiana may have risen since the state banned nearly all abortions.
