Pam Belluck
Pam Belluck is a health and science reporter at The New York Times. She covers a range of subjects including reproductive health, long Covid, brain science, neurological disorders, mental health and genetics. Her stories aim to depict the reality of people's experiences with health and medicine while reflecting its complexity, subtlety, unpredictability and individuality. She has reported on topics such as postpartum depression and infectious diseases like Covid-19, Ebola and Zika. She has also covered the intersection of policy and health such as abortion and contraception. Additionally, she has done investigative reporting on controversial issues like the Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm. Prior to joining The Times, she reported throughout the United States and in Asia, South America, Europe and Africa. She served as bureau chief in the Midwest and New England before receiving a yearlong fellowship to study science at M.I.T. and Harvard and began covering medical subjects.
Biography:
https://www.nytimes.com/by/pam-belluck
68%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
84%
Examples:
- The author occasionally presents information with a slant towards the subjects being covered.
- The author sometimes uses emotionally manipulative language to elicit sympathy for the subjects of her articles.
Conflicts of Interest
50%
Examples:
- The author does not often disclose potential conflicts of interest in her articles.
Contradictions
85%
Examples:
- In another article, the author reports contradictory information about the effects of perinatal depression on suicide risk.
- In one article, the author reports contradictory information about a drug's efficacy and safety.
Deceptions
65%
Examples:
- In some articles, the author omits important information or evidence that would provide a more complete picture of the subjects being covered.
- The author sometimes uses sensationalist language to exaggerate the implications of her findings.
Recent Articles
New Blood Test Accurately Identifies 90% of Alzheimer's Cases, Revolutionizing Diagnosis and Treatment
Broke On: Sunday, 28 July 2024A groundbreaking blood test can accurately identify 90% of Alzheimer's cases, revolutionizing diagnosis and treatment. This new tool measures specific proteins and could lead to earlier diagnoses, reducing wait times for patients seeking new treatments. The FDA has yet to approve the Precivity AD2 blood test from C2N Diagnostics, but its potential benefits include more effective treatments, preventative measures, and identifying individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease earlier in life. 
New Studies Show Vaccines Reduce Risk of Long Covid: Findings from the New England Journal of Medicine
Broke On: Wednesday, 17 July 2024Recent studies in the New England Journal of Medicine reveal that vaccination reduces the risk of long Covid by nearly half during Delta and Omicron waves. The research shows that 72% of this improvement is due to vaccines, while 28% is attributed to variant changes and improved medical care. Vaccinated individuals have significantly lower rates of long Covid compared to unvaccinated people, according to the second study. However, it's crucial to note that the risk of long Covid still exists for vaccinated individuals and remains substantial for those who are unvaccinated. 
FDA Approves New Alzheimer's Treatment: Donanemab Slows Cognitive Decline
Broke On: Tuesday, 02 July 2024The FDA approves Eli Lilly's donanemab, a monoclonal antibody treatment for early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease that helps remove amyloid plaque buildup in the brain and significantly slows cognitive decline. The drug, sold as Kisunla, costs $12,522 for six months or about $32,000 yearly. 
New Report: Long COVID Diagnosis Shouldn't Depend on Positive Test Results
Broke On: Wednesday, 05 June 2024New report expands long COVID diagnosis beyond confirmed cases, estimating 18 million US adults and 1 million children have experienced it, with symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, and decreased function affecting all demographics. New Report: Long COVID Diagnosis Shouldn't Depend on Positive Test Results
Broke On: Wednesday, 05 June 2024New report expands long COVID diagnosis beyond confirmed cases, estimating 18 million US adults and 1 million children have experienced it, with symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, and decreased function affecting all demographics. 
Identification of APOE4 as a Cause of Distinct Genetic Form of Alzheimer's Disease
Broke On: Monday, 06 May 2024Researchers identified that having two copies of the gene variant APOE4 reliably causes Alzheimer's disease, confirming it as a cause rather than just an increased risk factor. Nearly all individuals with this genetic makeup develop the condition by age 65, exhibiting earlier symptom onset and significantly higher levels of Alzheimer's biomarkers compared to those without the variant. 
ALS Therapy Relyvrio Fails in Confirmatory Trial, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Pulls it Off the Market
Broke On: Thursday, 04 April 2024Amylyx Pharmaceuticals has pulled Relyvrio, an ALS therapy, off the market after it failed in a confirmatory trial. The drug did not improve patients' physical function on the revised ALS functional rating scale compared to placebo. 
Long COVID and Cognitive Difficulties: A Growing Concern for Millions of Americans
Broke On: Thursday, 29 February 2024Long COVID, a condition that affects individuals who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and experience lingering health problems, is particularly associated with cognitive difficulties such as memory impairment, reasoning deficits, and executive task performance. Several large studies have documented the presence of neurological sequelae including cognition and memory problems in the postacute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. A recent analysis showed that an additional one million U.S. residents reported having difficulty remembering, concentrating or making decisions after the start of Covid-19 pandemic. 
Unraveling the Mystery of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Physiological Focal Point for Fatigue in ME/CFS Patients
Broke On: Wednesday, 21 February 2024Scientists have discovered a link between brain imbalance and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). The study is the first to identify a physiological focal point for fatigue in this population. Patients with CFS/ME suffer from disabling symptoms, but uncovering their biological basis has been challenging. Fatigue in ME/CFS may be caused by dysfunction of brain regions that drive the motor cortex and changes in the brain may alter patients' tolerance for exertion and perception of fatigue. 
Telemedicine Abortion Pills Proven Safe and Effective, Study Finds
Broke On: Thursday, 15 February 2024Telemedicine abortion pills are safe and effective, with a 98% success rate and no serious adverse events reported for over 99% of patients. This study highlights the convenience, privacy, and affordability of telemedicine abortion services compared to visiting clinics or doctors.